March 17, 2021 PREPARE FOR HIS RETURN- a prophetic word for this upcoming night season. The Spirit kept me up last night talking to me about being prepared. In the Bible, the number 10 is used 242 times. The designation “10th” is used 79 times. Ten is also viewed as a complete and perfect number, as is 3, 7 and 12. 10 signifies testimony, law, responsibility and the completeness of order. God gave the 10 Commandments to man. Ten therefore represents man’s responsibility to keep the commandments and his faithfulness to God. (the tithe is a tenth, signifying faithfulness)
Enter the 10 virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. Five were wise and five were foolish. The Lord tells us a parable about the church right before His second coming- the 10 virgins represent the church during this last age, but many will fail to prepare and remain faithful. This is not a parable about the Holy Spirit, although oil most often represents the spirit of God. This interpretation does not make sense in light of the other surrounding Scriptures. In context, starting in Matthew 24, Christ is illustrating to His disciples of His second coming, the signs of the times, spirit of the age and how many in the church will not be prepared for His return.
The five foolish virgins expected that the bridegroom would come immediately; they therefore made no provision for any delay. The wise virgins knew that the time of his coming was uncertain, and they therefore furnished themselves with oil. They prepared to endure through the night season. “I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”Psalms 16:7-8 NKJVThe foolish virgins have a less glaring form of evil than that in Matthew 24:48-49. These do not abandon themselves to reckless and brutal greed and drunken carousing, but simple apathy and neglect is the fault noted for condemnation.
Reminds me of the last church in Revelation, the lukewarm and apathetic church. In the middle of the night, I spent two hours talking to the Lord as He began sharing these things with me: prepare His Bride. There is another parable that the Spirit put on my heart last night, the parable of the seed sown among thorns, “And he that was sown among the thorns, this is he that heareth the word; and the care of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” Matthew 13:22 ASV
What kept the foolish virgins from going out prepared? They expected that Christ would return before their initial light ran out. They did not prepare to endure through the night season. They were apathetic and therefore negligent. The foolish church is not prepared because she is snared by the cares of this world. Christ spoke of the cares of the world, “what you shall eat, what you shall drink, and what you shall put on” and He called those who sought for these things, “O you of little faith”. These are the things that the world seeks after; but Christ says you must not be like the world!
Seeking something first makes it an idol. The nature of idolatry is not only placing something above the Lord, but also giving a thing equal authority as His Word. Seek after Him alone and He will provide all these things. What does this mean to the church? I believe we are entering into the night season. This is a time of incredible darkness and perilous, dangerous times. Night seasons are marked by great difficulty and affliction. It is hard to see clearly in the night, therefore spiritual vision is required. It was often times of judgment and required a calling out to the Lord for help, waiting on Him and strictly following His orders.
Christ is warning us to prepare for this night season! “You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.”Psalms 17:3 NKJVPreparation is purpose of heart to be found faithful to our Lord. Stop looking around you and get your own heart clean! Deal with your sin now and repent of any uncleanness. Do not be apathetic about your spiritual walk and do not be negligent concerning the faith that was delivered to the saints. Apathy equals negligence.
Scripture is of utmost importance. Know the Word of God. Study the Word. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.” The call to have your “loins girt about” is a call to be prepared.Listen to sound doctrine. Reject the lies of the enemy. When the world is following its own statutes and dictates, the virgin Bride goes against the current. She is not distracted by the news, media, entertainment, gossip, government or otherwise. The church does not follow the crowd, she stands apart. Her eye is distinctly set on the prize and nothing and no one will hinder her from the race set before her.
A spirit of deception has been let loose and you must be able to recognize the true gospel from the false. Wise people attract wise people. Gather with the wise, not the foolish. Gather around the prepared and receive instruction from them. The apathetic think they are OK in their lukewarm condition. A one time confession is not prepared to endure the night season. Be hot or be cold. Choose if you will live for Christ or live in the world. You cannot have it both ways. Negligence to prepare is fatal. Will you be found faithful?
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