And they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:10
We previously considered the sudden and surprising nature of Christ’s return. But one more element is necessary for brief consideration. Christ will appear swiftly. Perhaps this is the highlight of the parable. When the call goes out all will happen quickly.
The return of the Lord will be swift and will lead immediately into the judgment. There will be no time to go and buy oil though many may try and do so as the foolish virgins tried. But like those virgins they will not be successful, there will be no more opportunity, no more call of salvation, the time will be at hand.
So many people expect to have a warning before their death or Christ’s return. So many think they will have time to prepare. Remember, all the virgins, both the wise and the foolish, were asleep when the cry came. They were either prepared or unprepared. There was no time to get prepared if they were unprepared.
How often does the Lord cry out to His people to listen to Him, but they refuse (Psalm 87:11)? Eventually He gives them up to their own hearts which are deceitful above all else and desperately wicked. At the time the Lord returns, all men and women will hear God’s voice, but the time of His free offer of salvation will have ended.
The return of the Lord will be sudden, it will be surprising, and it will be swift, for there will be no time to prepare once He comes. The time then to prepare for His return is right now. It is high time to be reconciled to God!
Now, while it is still the day, let us watch for Christ’s return, pray for it, tell others about it, and hope for it. And as we do this, may we be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” for the return of Christ will be sudden, surprising, and swift!
‘Tis but a little while
And He shall come again,
Who died that we might live, Who lives
That we with Him may reign:
Then, O my Lord, prepare
My soul for that glad day;
O wash me in Thy precious blood,
And take my sins away.
Horatius Bonar
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