Relevant Life

 Lt. Colonel Custer made the decision to not wait for reinforcements and rush in battle at Little Big Horn. He tried to surprise attack his enemy. His split-second decision caused the death of hundreds which included him. (https://www.history.com/news/little-bighorn-battle-facts-causes). We make split-second decisions every day as human beings. Some of the decisions can lead to great rewards and some can lead to severe consequences. 

Mat 25:1  \”When the end comes, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids. They took their oil lamps and went to meet the groom.

Mat 25:2  Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.

Mat 25:3  The foolish bridesmaids took their lamps, but they didn\’t take any extra oil.

Mat 25:4  The wise bridesmaids, however, took along extra oil for their lamps.

Mat 25:5  Since the groom was late, all the bridesmaids became drowsy and fell asleep.

Mat 25:6  \”At midnight someone shouted, \’The groom is here! Come to meet him!\’

Mat 25:7  Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lamps ready.

Mat 25:8  \”The foolish ones said to the wise ones, \’Give us some of your oil. Our lamps are going out.\’

Mat 25:9  \”But the wise bridesmaids replied, \’We can\’t do that. There won\’t be enough for both of us. Go! Find someone to sell you some oil.\’

Mat 25:10  \”While they were buying oil, the groom arrived. The bridesmaids who were ready went with him into the wedding hall, and the door was shut.

Mat 25:11  \”Later the other bridesmaids arrived and said, \’Sir, sir, open the door for us!\’

Mat 25:12  \”But he answered them, \’I don\’t even know who you are!\’

Mat 25:13  \”So stay awake, because you don\’t know the day or the hour.

Jesus used this story to teach the listeners about his return. The listeners during this time understood completely about a wedding during their day. In an Ancient Jewish wedding, the bride had to wait for a year before the groom would return to come to take her to their newly built home. She had to stay in constant preparation as his return drew near. The bride wore white constantly and had herself beautified. She was prepared with oil for her lamp and her lamp was lit. The reason for this process was because the groom would typically come at midnight to retrieve his bride. The lamp was used to see her way back, with the groom, to their new home where the wedding feast would take place. 

5 brides were ready and 5 brides were not. The unprepared brides made split-second decisions to not be ready for their groom. When their groom came they were left holding the bag of regret. They tried to get into the wedding banquet but the doors were already closed. In Jewish tradition, the closed doors at the wedding banquet were closed for 7 days. Anyone who missed getting in was too late to be apart of the festivities.

This is very similar to the return of our Lord. When he comes to get his bride; he will come for the prepared believers. It is vital, as believers, that we are ready or we will be left behind. Once the doors are closed there is no way to get in. 

The one second it took for the 5 brides to make the decision to not be prepared; changed their lives forever. As believers, it will only take one-second decisions which will alter our lives forever as well. The Lord is returning and it is clear that we must be in constant awareness of His return.  All it takes is 1 second.