Lk.12:35,36 – Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.
This passage of scripture was seared in my conscience many years ago on a Saturday night. I had been with a team from our school in California and we had been doing street evangelism in Fresno. When I got to our house that night I was really fired up and could not go to sleep. I started reading my Bible and was reading this passage when a strong sense of the presence of the Lord came into my room. The next thing I knew I was on my face literally afraid to open my eyes because I just knew He was in the room. This verse was burning in me, “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit”. Every time I read this passage I am instantly brought back to that moment. The Fire Bible brings out three points to ponder when reading this passage.
“Concerning the Lord’s return for his people, the NT church believed it was near and could happen at any time. This was the attitude Jesus desired because it kept his people prepared and living right. From the time Jesus left the earth to the present, he calls all of his followers to be spiritually ready at all times as they wait for his return. (1) Jesus’ followers must be so attached to him as their greatest love and treasure that their deepest hope and longing is for his return. (2) They must be spiritually dressed (i.e., living with his character traits and serving his purposes) and ready as they wait for the uncertain time of Christ’s coming. (3) Christ could come at any time, so we must be waiting and looking for Christ himself, not for a series of signs or end-time events that might begin at any time.”
This first point is the true supernatural work of God in our soul, longing for His return is what happens when we are filled with His love. The second point is the fruit of the work of God in us, we actually have a different way to live our lives. Finally, end time prophetic events unfolding before our eyes should turn our attention toward Him and to His return. That one moment on that Saturday night years ago deeply effected me, that’s what happens when He walks into the room.
AMEN !!!🙏🙏🙏
Agree our focus should not be on the events happening around us, we don’t want to become onlookers relying on only what is seen or reported. The Holy Spirit living inside you is our navigator and submitting to and improving your connection (relationship with) is what Jesus left instructions for us to be doing. Wise virgins don’t wait, start now and every day going forward.