The Bridegroom is Coming for his Bride

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom." Matthew 25:1

In Jewish tradition, after a season of preparation, the groom would finally return for his bride. But here’s what makes it breathtaking: The bride didn’t know exactly when he would come. She had to be ready at any moment, waiting with her lamp lit and her heart full of expectation. When the time came, the groom would approach with a joyful shout and the sound of the shofar — a trumpet blast announcing, “The bridegroom is coming!” The whole community would celebrate as he swept his bride away for the wedding feast. This is the same promise Jesus gives us.

Are you ready? The time of His return is at hand, and the signs of the times are here for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. There is a strange sound being heard around the earth that many can't discern, but if you listen carefully, it is the sound of the Shofar! Blowing the shofar is an ancient biblical practice with deep spiritual and symbolic meaning. The shofar, typically made from a ram’s horn, is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible. It was used for various purposes, such as calling people to worship, signaling important events, and warning of impending danger. Its sound is powerful and stirring, evoking both reverence and awe.

No one knows the hour or the day of His return but God alone. We know it is close because the signs of the times are at hand: earthquakes, lawlessness, famines, and multiple disasters. People have been blinded by delusions sent by God on the unrighteous.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. I Thessalonians 4:16-17

THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

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. Matthew 25:2-5

It's no different today; the foolish are not Spirit-filled, they have no oil to light up their spiritual lamps! They also have a strong delusion sent by God to believe that evil is good, and good is evil, much like the liberal left has.

The wise, on the other hand, are Spirit-filled and awakened by the sound of the trump of God and a great shout to make known to them the arrival of the Lord Jesus! We as believers must be on the alert, being about our Father's business of making disciples and equipping them to go into the harvest. We are commissioned to go and preach the gospel to all nations in His name.

Remember, Jesus warned that it would be just like the days of Noah, people would be busy with many things, distracted by the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, acting as if they would live forever! "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12

Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin
Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ