The Virgins Rise and Trim their Lamps - Matthew 25:7

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go you out to meet him.”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse seven of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said, “all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps” where we read:

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

The verse reads, “Then all those virgins arose, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “then all” which means “at that time and moment each, every, the whole and everyone of” “those virgins” or “the ten maidens who were available for marriage” “arose” which means “aroused, raised up and stirred themselves up”. Matthew shared how Jesus referred to how all “ten virgins” raised up from their slumber and sleep.

The verse continues, “... and trimmed their lamps.” Matthew added Jesus' words, “and trimmed” which means “and put in order, arranged, made ready and prepared” “their lamps” which means “their flames which were fed with oil”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “ten virgins” prepared their “torch lights” which were fed with oil.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we learn how the “ten virgins” heard the “midnight cry” and “prepared” their “lamps” to meet the “bridegroom”. Oh how everyone desires to be with God in heaven some day, but only those who receive Jesus as their “Savior and Lord” will ever have a relationship with God's “bridegroom”. Though all may “wake up” and want to be with the “groom”, let all who read these words carefully examine themselves to be certain they are ready for the Lord when He returns.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares what, “the foolish said unto the wise”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.