Don’t wait until it’s too late

By: Dr. Jack Graham
October 2, 2020

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, “Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise answered, saying, “Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.” And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he answered, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.” Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

–Matthew 25:1-13

In this parable, Christ says that when He comes, the door to eternity and heaven will shut and it will be too late for those left outside to ever enter in.

In the ancient world a bridegroom might show up at the wedding unexpectedly, so the bridesmaids had to be ready. Of the 10 bridesmaids in Jesus’ parable, only 5 were ready when the bridegroom arrived. The other 5 were caught off guard and scurried around trying to get ready, but it was too late.

This is just like so many people today who want to put off the decision about their eternal destiny until some time in the future. But more often than not, that time never arrives—or when it does, it is truly not just later, but too late!

Christ doesn’t want this to happen to anyone, which is why He told this parable. Like the wise bridesmaids, we need to be ready for Christ’s soon return.

But we also need to share the message of Christ’s return with those who have yet to know Christ. We live in an unbelieving and unsuspecting world that must hear the news that the bridegroom will return soon…and they need to be ready.

While many may not believe, some will! Remember, God is still in the business of saving people, and He will move mightily in the hearts of lost souls if you and I will be faithful to warn them to be ready.

WE NEED TO URGE PEOPLE TO DECIDE THEIR ETERNAL DESTINY BY ACCEPTING CHRIST NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE.