Dont forget to vote

“Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened to ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.” Matthew 25:1-2
There is the same number (five) in each of these groups. The wise entered into the Marriage of the Lamb, but the foolish were turned away. There are different interpretations concerning these foolish virgins, as to their spiritual state. Some say that they were unsaved. But they all had lamps (salvation), and all went forth to meet the Bridegroom (equal opportunity).

“To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne.” Revelation 3:21

In order for us to be among those who are overcomers and receive a reward, there must be the possibility of our not being an overcomer. Thus, for us to be an overcomer requires an effort on our part.

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded….” Philippians 3:14-15

Paul recognized that we have a part in receiving the prize. The five wise entered with the Lord to the marriage, and therefore were given the right to sit with Him in His Throne, but the foolish did not. In that day, each one of us will find ourselves as being either among the wise, or among the foolish.

Thus, the parable of the ten virgins reveals the outworking of the opportunity that we have to become overcomers. The wise maintained oil for their lamps, but the lamps of the foolish were going out for lack of oil.

Thus, there was a distinct difference between them. It takes only one deciding vote to determine which group we will be in. Either we are, or we are not, overcomers.

“Command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.” Leviticus 24:2

This “Oil” is the result of our maintaining an active relationship with the Lord.

The foolish were told to go and buy for themselves. Later, they came back, which means they had received that which they had gone after. A great visitation is before us in which multitudes will be blessed. But the reward will be greatly diminished because the opportunity to become an overcomer may have passed.

“And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10

Because it will be much easier to receive from the Lord during this end-time visitation, there may not be an opportunity to be among the five wise.

“Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But He answered and said, Verily I say to you, I know you not.” Matthew 25:11-12

Some interpret this verse as meaning that these were not saved. Rather, the Lord is telling them that He had not approved them as being an “overcomer” and did not know them in this relationship. Therefore, they were not among the wise. They had missed their opportunity to become an overcomer. He did not “know” them as being His Bride.

Today, in the pressures of our present circumstances, we have the opportunity to buy oil, causing our lamps to burn brightly so we may be counted among the wise.

May we spend quality time in His presence, and thereby cast our vote to be among those who are wise.