The time is now for every blood-bought believer in Jesus Christ to check the spiritual lamps of their lives and make sure they have the oil of the Holy Spirit inside of them so that they are found burning and ready in the last days. We must live our lives full of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are called to be the light of the World and a city on a hill. Let’s look at the parable of the 10 virgins and how a Jewish wedding prophetically parallels the Bridegroom and the bride of Christ.

Matthew 25:1-13 says, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose 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, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

THE “BRIDE PRICE” KEEPS OUR LAMPS BURNING

In a Jewish wedding, when two people come together that will be married they become betrothed. The betrothal was binding and could only be undone by a divorce with proper grounds, such as the bride being found not to be a virgin. If a man was interested in a woman then he would prepare a marriage contract (or covenant) which he presented to the intended bride and her father. This contract included what was called the “Bride Price.” It was appropriate in that society to compensate the young woman’s parents for the cost of raising her, as well as being an expression of his love for her. 

As Christians, we must understand that Jesus Christ paid a “Bride Price” for our lives when He bought us out of sin with His precious blood. Believers who consider the “Bride Price” paid for their lives live their lives ready for the return of their Bridegroom Jesus. Staying full of the Holy Spirit that keeps the spiritual lamp of your life burning becomes a nonnegotiable because you are thankful for the price Jesus paid for your life. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

ACCEPTING THE BRIDEGROOM KEEPS OUR LAMPS BURNING

In a Jewish wedding when the bridegroom wanted to see if the proposed bride price would be accepted the man would pour a cup of wine for his beloved and wait to see if she drank it. This cup represents a blood covenant. If she drank the cup she would have accepted the proposal and they would be betrothed. Spiritually the same thing occurred when you gave your life to Jesus. His body was broken for you and His blood was shed for you sealing the agreement that you now have a new life in Christ. When you know you have an agreement to be the bride of Christ through His blood then your heart’s desire is to keep that agreement and make sure that your spiritual lamp is burning. 

Matthew 26:26-29 says, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

RECEIVING THE GIFTS OF THE BRIDEGROOM KEEPS YOUR LAMP BURNING

In the Jewish wedding, the man would then give gifts to his beloved. Once the agreement was made the bridegroom could not wait to shower his bride with gifts. Spiritually the same thing happens in the life of the believer who agrees to be the bride of Christ. The Bridegroom Jesus Christ desires to shower His bride with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Walking in these gifts will empower you to keep your lamp burning. 

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 says, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however, you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

URGENCY FOR THE RETURN OF THE BRIDEGROOM KEEPS YOUR LAMP BURNING

In a Jewish Wedding, the bridegroom would then go away and prepare a place for the bride. The bride was to remain faithful and keep her lamp trimmed and oil in her lamp as she waited urgently for his return. She made sure she was ready for the midnight cry of her bridegroom that could happen at any moment. Before leaving the bridegroom would announce, ” I am going to prepare a place for you,” and “I will return for you when it is ready.” If the bride or anyone asked the date of his wedding he would have to reply, “Only my father knows.” 

John 14:3 says, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Matthew 24:36 says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”

Spiritually the same thing is occurring in the life of the believer in Jesus Christ. Our Bridegroom left and is preparing a place for us. Nobody knows the day nor the hour of His return. Therefore we must live our lives in a state of urgency and readiness making sure that our spiritual lamps are trimmed and filled with oil so that we can see in the dark spiritually as we await the midnight cry of Jesus Christ. Jesus is coming soon! Are you ready?