“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut…Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:10, 13 (NIV)

My sisters and I recently took a vacation to Trinidad to spend some time with my mom and other family members. In the weeks leading up to our departure, it was really eye opening to see the different ways in which we all packed for that trip.

One sister packed almost everything weeks in advance, adding items to her suitcase as she remembered them. Every now and again she’d call to remind us about things she thought we might forget. The other three packed as they went along, so that by the time the day came closer, they were more or less finished.

But there was one sister, and I won’t tell you which one. (Okay it was me) I was the last minute packer. But in my defense, I always travel light. Well lighter than my other siblings, so I never see the need to get all worked up and excited over packing my suitcase weeks in advance. This time however, things didn’t go as smoothly as I’d planned. There ended up being little things that I completely overlooked and I had to run out the day before the trip and try to find them.

What if it had been the rapture, would there have been the chance to add just a little more oil to my lamp?

As I was sighing in relief and getting my last minute stuff together that night, I thought to myself, Hmm, what if that had been the rapture, would there have been enough time to grab some last minute stuff? What about saying a quick prayer or telling someone that Jesus loved them, how would that have gone? Would there have been the chance to add a little more oil to my lamp?

In the parable in Matthew 25, I’m quite sure the five virgins believed that they had more than enough time to get their oil and return in time to meet the bridegroom; just as you and I probably figure we have enough time to straddle the fence with one foot in the church and one in the world. After all, we’ve been hearing that Jesus is coming since we were in Sunday School; so yes, we tell ourselves, we have time, we could live a little right?

But as verse 13 of that chapter says “…therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13 There are many in the world today claiming to know the exact date and time of Jesus’ return. Actually, this is nothing new, people have been doing it for years; It’s just seems to be on a greater scale today. Add to that the internet and social media and it’s like misinformation on steroids. Misinformation that’s being passed on to many who do not know what the Word of God says or to those who are still babes in Christ with limited knowledge of the Word.

The Lord didn’t give us a day or hour and He has His reasons why. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” Matthew 24:36 (KJV) He’s probably also not too thrilled either when he sees us running around still trying to figure out the specifics of His coming anyway; when we should really be putting that same energy into leading others to Him.

Even if we leave this earth before the Lord’s return, we should still be living in readiness for eternity. Gone are the days when funerals were mostly for elderly folks who had already lived full lives; now it’s anyone, at any age, at any given time. Yet many tell themselves that they’re not ready, they still have a lot of life left to live. That’s risky business if you ask me.

The time is short, we know this based on Scripture and we know it based on what we’re seeing in the world today. But at the end of the day it’s all in God’s timing, so we do not know what that means for us in terms of weeks, months or years, but we know that it’s soon and we should be living as such; like the wise virgins who trimmed their wicks and kept their lamps filled with oil. Even though they were awakened out of a deep sleep, they were still prepared to go out and meet the bridegroom.

So, how is the oil in your lamp today? Are you living in readiness for the Savior’s return? Or has the noise of the world and endless conspiracy theories drowned out the silent hope and conviction that you once had, leaving you skeptical and doubtful. It is time for us to return to our first love. To let the Holy Spirit reignite the fire within us that we once had. Those early days when we were passionate about everything concerning Him.

This is what the world needs to see in us today, Him and only Him. Not more talking, not more personal views, theories or religious dogma. They need to see Jesus in us plain and simple. Because the day of His return is quickly approaching and we need to be ready when He comes.

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” Romans 13:12 (KJV)