From the archives of Oral Roberts
People stand in line for hours to see events at the famous Drottningholm Palace Theatre in Stockholm, Sweden. Night after night every seat in the house is filled…except two in the front row. Those chairs are velvet thrones reserved for the king and queen of Sweden. No one ever knows in advance when they may drop in, but the theatre must be prepared at all times, just in case.
Likewise, when our Lord returns to earth, it may be when we least expect it. In Matthew 25:1–13 Jesus told a parable to illustrate this very fact. Ten virgins were waiting for the bridegroom. They didn’t know when he would come, but they were to be prepared, with oil in their lamps, in case he came at night. Only five of the virgins were wise enough to remember to put oil in their lamps. Then at midnight, the cry came announcing the arrival of the long-awaited bridegroom. What an unexpected hour!
The foolish virgins were left behind. They were not ready for the bridegroom’s arrival. They went out to buy oil, but it was too late. The bridegroom arrived while they were gone. Verse 10 says, They that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Jesus will come again because He promised He would. And He tells us to be prepared at all times for His return!
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh (v.13).
