The Wedding Banquet

Thursday, 6th December 2007

Two nights ago, I went to church to pass something to a church leader who asked me to buy something online from UK on her behalf.

The parcel had arrived that afternoon, so I decided to pass it to her that night, and at the same time attend the WIN session (which I had not been attending for quite a long while already, probably about 6 months now).

At the session, the PIC spoke about the second coming of our Lord, and asked those present who felt that they were ready for this to raise their hand. I reckon that I was probably the first one to do so, and he counted another 6 others or so.

I did so not because I had confidence in and of myself. I did so because I have the confidence in the One who paid the price for me already by His finished work on the cross. I have the blessed assurance and am prepared to even be raptured at anytime.

There is a parable that Jesus told in Matt 25 about the Ten Virgins. When I first heard this as a youth, it did not bring me comfort. What happened if I were numbered among the 5 who ran out of oil, and had to miss the wedding banquet? However, I now know that that parable refers to the nation of Israel. When Christ comes again, half of the Jews would be ready while half of them would still not acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah.

The ten virgins are the equivalent of today's bridesmaids. We, who are born-again believers, are no longer considered bridesmaids but have been promoted to become the bride of Christ. As His bride, it is inconceivable that Jesus the bridegroom will abandon us at the altar, or leave us out of the wedding banquet!

Instead, we will be honoured right there at the centre of where the action is!

So the next time when anyone asks whether we are ready for Jesus' coming again, may we all be numbered among those who say "aye". Amen?