“As you become more aware of the times and seasons in which you live, you will understand that you have been raised up for such a time as this. I realize that those words have been used over and over until they have lost their real meaning. I realize also that you have not really taken them to heart. You must do so now, or you will miss the real impact that I intend for your life. Each generation that I design is fitted for specific tasks to accomplish My overall plan. Yours is to usher in the return of My Son. Do you realize the impact of that statement? You are the generation that will see the culmination of My Word to you. You will walk out what others have longed to see.
“Many honest hearts who have gone before you have attempted to fit My timetable into their understanding. They have caused misunderstandings. Few of you now take seriously the kind of life dedication that I require to usher in the culmination of My Word and apply it to your lives. Few of you will take My requests to your heart. Few of you will be waiting only for Him as you go about your given missions. What you see before you will attempt to sway you from what you know is really happening. Do not be taken in by the loose usage of interpretations of what I have written. Do not misread what you see before you. Drop all of your preconceived notions of what I require of you this day. I advise you to plan for a wedding rather than a war. I suggest that you become a study of Jesus, so that you will be functioning in His image when He comes.
“Drop every one of your attachments to the world. Take your eyes off the things that hold your heart. Remove the blemishes from your garments. Your heart of preparation will be a testimony of His love to those who observe your radiant expectation. Rejoice with Me as you prepare. Rejoice with others as they realize the reason they have been born. The world around you has a carnal focus, even in My church. Allow your preparations to open their eyes. As you allow Me to implement My Word in your heart, those who can hear will listen to what My Holy Spirit is saying and begin preparations themselves. Rejoice with Me as your light of love shines with a new brilliance in your world. Keep your heart in the direction of heavenly things. That’s where those who are aware of their promise are focusing. That’s where My focus is.”
Matt. 25:1-6 NIV
1) “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2) Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
3) The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.
4) The wise, however, took oil in their jars along with their lamps.
5) The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6) At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’”
Colossians 3:1-4 AMP
1) If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [Ps. 110:1.]
2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
3) For [as far as the world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
4) When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
Those who saw Jesus raised from the dead and observed His return to heaven believed firmly that He would return to earth in their generation. They approached every task placed before them with one eye toward heaven and one ear listening for His call to them. Their lives were a brilliant light to those around them. Some were so blinded by it that they attempted to extinguish it. Others embraced it and carried it into their personal world.
There is a grave danger present today. We know too much. In fact, we know so much that we live our lives according to what we know, rather than what the Holy Spirit is saying to us.
This we know. Everything that needs to be accomplished for the coming of Jesus has been accomplished, or is very, very close to being accomplished. Most of us believe that He could come at any minute, basically because of what we hear from those who are a study of the Scriptures and also because of what we see happening around us.
This is what I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to those who have ears to hear. I believe that He is telling us to stop preparing for Jesus based on what we know. We are to begin preparing for Who we know.
In the Matthew account, I believe that there are two hearts represented. One heart was waiting because they knew that it was right to be there. They understood that because it was the appointed day for the wedding, the Groom would be coming soon. The other heart was there because they longed to be there with every fiber of their being. These were waiting with eager anticipation, longing to be with the One that they loved deeply.
There is also one heart that is represented by its absence. It is the heart that is oblivious to the wedding that is about to take place. These poor souls were more than likely out plowing their fields or conducting business somewhere. Their invitations were probably long forgotten under the other “things to prepare for” pile of papers on their desks.
Don’t want to miss this one,
Jim Corbett
