Matthew 25:1-13 ... Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten
virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were
foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took
oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried,
they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made,
Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those
virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the
wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise
answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but
go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while
they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in
with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also
the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered
and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for
ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Exhortation: (Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet)
For many years, I would read this scripture and wonder: What is the oil?
The oil allows the lamp to make light to be able to see.
To go out to meet Jesus, the bridegroom, we need to observe these instruction given by Peter.
Concerning the end ... II Peter 3 ... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Living in continual peace while living on this earth ...This requires taking everything to God in prayer and if we hear an instruction after prayer, believing that word and doing that word and resting in that word. This is great peace.
Another primary part of living in peace is recognizing that our kingdom is not of this world. If you are trying to make this world a better place and correct things and protest over wrong doing, you will not be in a state of peace.
Notice that Peter said, in II Peter 3, Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
One of the most freeing messages I have ever learned from God is: My kingdom is not of this world (See this writing on our blog)
When we understand this concept, we no longer have to make everything "right" around us. And some things that trouble us we now learn to set aside. For example: outside my house there is a "noisy" pavement of a street. It needs to be repaved. At one time I would have tried to get it repaved by contacting the city. Now I just keep thinking, "My kingdom is not of this world." And usually I'm not trouble by the noise from the cars.
We work to live continually without spot, and blameless ... confessing our sins to God and when God leads us we ask others to forgive us, keeping our heart. And we forgive those who trespass against us, which is a part of keeping ourselves ready for the return of Jesus. This is a continual process as we live on this present earth, keeping ourselves ready to leave this earth.