“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 24: 36 – 39).
It is a fact that we all dream of a great future, but it will be sheer folly for us to assume that such wonderful dream will come to fruition without us making any worthwhile effort. We must understand that no notable feat is ever achieved by anyone in life, without a great deal of planning, preparation and sacrifice. Presently, the Church is expecting a great event; one that has never occurred in human history; one that will send shock waves throughout the world; yet, she is, surprisingly, unprepared for it. To make the Church ready for this all-time event, which is His second coming, however, Jesus Christ, through instructive parables, warns us of the danger of unpreparedness.
The Lord, in His parable of the Ten Virgins, tells us that the time of His coming is unknown to anyone; meaning, it could be anytime: “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return” (Matthew 25: 13). This is a clear indication that loafing and procrastination – putting off your salvation until you seal a business deal; putting off restitution of what you have ill-gotten from others to a later time, or delaying repentance from all your sins to a more “convenient time” – is a dangerous thing to do. The scripture reveals that most people are unprepared because they live carefree lifestyles, yet have great expectation or ignorantly believe they have set themselves apart for that purpose. Just as the people in Noah’s days were not ready for the Flood, this generation seems not to be spiritually, emotionally, or morally prepared for the coming of the Lord.
How are you a Christian when you do not do anything about these words of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 24: 36 – 39)?. It is unimaginable for a wise person to hear Jesus talk about what happened to Noah’s generation and remain passive. Noah’s generation clearly epitomizes the five foolish virgins. Noah warned them about the Flood. They saw him commit quality time announcing the imminence of the flood while building the ark.
A true Christian needs to make a choice that he/she will be wise and not foolish. Make a decision to do away with spiritual laziness, time-wasting activities and self-indulgence, and be like the wise virgins. Emulate their good characteristics as revealed in the Scripture, and be ready for the coming of the Lord. Such characteristics are:
- Faith: You must have faith in Christ – saving, living, abiding, and transforming faith – that affects your life, action, and outlook on life.
- Love: You must love the appearing of the Lord (2 timothy 4: 8), and make yourself ready for His coming at all times.
- Desire: You must have a great desire to see the Lord – the eagerly awaited One, the Crown of all your rejoicing and your all in all. If you had every other thing and didn’t have Him, you would be of all humans, the most miserable
- Oil: You must keep your lamp burning – keep living according to God’s word (Matthew 25: 4). This oil is God’s abundant grace in your life – grace to overcome temptation, sin and to keep your life shinning until Christ returns for His church (Matt. 25: 6 – 8).
- Truth: You need to know the truth about Christ’s coming and live by that truth. The combination of the grace of God and the truth of His Word in your life will make your life shine brightly in this dark generation (Matt. 5: 16).
- Chastity: Understand that the wise virgins were expecting the bridegroom; hence, they were ready, neat and beautiful. As a bride of the Lord, you need to make yourself beautiful and ready. Live a righteous and holy life, which is the beauty the Groom is looking for (Ephesians 5: 27). The Bible exhorts everyone that has the hope of His coming and is ready for it, to purify himself/herself “even as He is pure (1 John 3: 3).
- Willing service: The virgins served and did the will of the bridegroom. This is what the Lord expects from those awaiting His coming (Matthew 24: 45 – 46). It is wisdom to serve the Lord, and be occupied in His service until He comes (Luke 19: 13).
Today is “Women’s Harvest” and we have gathered together, first, to congratulate our women and also join in this joyful occasion as they look forward to “harvesting the blessings of preparedness” (Matt. 25: 4, 13).
The scripture says in Proverbs 24: 30 – 32: “I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense. I saw that it was overgrown with nettles. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. Then, as I looked and thought about it, I learned this lesson”. Beloved, farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant; if they watch every cloud, they never harvest” (Eccl 11: 4). Time doesn’t slow down or stop for us to catch up with it; it moves continuously. Time is spent, saved or wasted, but we cannot make or stop it. As Home managers in our present world, who are awaiting the Lord’s return, you must make up your mind to use your time wisely. Christian mothers are expected to Treasure time, Invest time, Manage time and then Enjoy the resultant blessings. Mothers should never be careless with time because wasted time is wasted life (Eccl. 5: 15 -17).
As homemakers and mothers, you should not neglect your domestic and parenting duties, or transfer them to your housekeepers, or other people, while lying on your beds or walking around town. If you do, you will end up raising unhealthy children. Prov. 13: 4 says “The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” Examine yourself in the light of God’s Word, whether you are prepared for Christ’s second coming. The way you lay your bed is the same way you will lie on it, and you will certainly reap what you sow. Therefore, sow industry and reap success/blessings.
Have an abundance of God’s blessedness as you ensure that you have enough oil to keep your light burning and your life shinning and radiant for the Lord.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S.Igein Isemede