“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom…” – Matthew 25:1
The parable of the ten virgins is a powerful and sobering teaching from Jesus about the Kingdom of God and the urgency required for His return. This parable is foundational to the vision of the Jesus is Coming Soon Movement, serving as both a warning and a call to action for every believer to live in constant readiness for the return of our Lord.
In this parable, ten virgins go out to meet the bridegroom, representing Christ. Five are wise, and five are foolish. The wise take oil with their lamps, while the foolish do not. When the bridegroom delays, the virgins fall asleep, and when He arrives suddenly at midnight, only the wise virgins are prepared to enter the wedding banquet. The foolish, who lack oil, are shut out.
The Kingdom of God is at Hand: Are You Ready?
Jesus’ parable teaches us that the Kingdom of God is likened to a wedding feast—an event of eternal celebration and joy. However, only those who are prepared, those who live with a heart of expectancy and readiness, will enter.
The oil in this parable symbolizes the Holy Spirit, which every believer must possess in abundance. Without the Holy Spirit, there is no light to guide us in the darkness of this world. Just as the wise virgins were prepared with extra oil, we too must ensure our lamps are continually filled. This is why our movement places such a high emphasis on being filled with the Holy Spirit, for it is only by the Spirit that we are sealed for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14).
“But at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet Him!’” – Matthew 25:6
The midnight cry represents the unexpected return of Christ. Many will be unprepared, thinking they have more time. Yet, Jesus warns us throughout Scripture to stay awake and be watchful. “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13).
Our Vision: Inspired by Urgency and Readiness at hand
The Jesus is Coming Soon Movement is built on the urgency of this message. We are called to be like the wise virgins, preparing ourselves and others for the soon-coming return of Jesus. Our mission is to proclaim the gospel, awaken the Church, and teach believers to walk in readiness through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s explore how each of the core pillars of our ministry is rooted in the parable of the ten virgins.
1. Proclamation of the Gospel: The Midnight Cry
The midnight cry in the parable symbolizes the proclamation of the gospel, alerting the world to the coming of the Bridegroom. In the same way, our movement seeks to proclaim with urgency the message of salvation. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” There is no time to delay in turning to Christ, for we do not know the hour of His return.
Mark 16:15 commands us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. We proclaim the coming Kingdom of God, urging people to repent and turn to Jesus while there is still time.
2. Awakening the Church: Keeping Watch
Just as the virgins fell asleep waiting for the bridegroom, much of the Church today has grown spiritually drowsy. But the Jesus is Coming Soon Movement is committed to awakening the body of Christ to live in the awareness of Jesus’ soon return. Romans 13:11 exhorts us, “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
Through teaching, prayer gatherings, and prophetic exhortations, we will stir the Church to be watchful and ready. Jesus said in Matthew 24:42, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” This is a clarion call to remain vigilant, not allowing complacency to creep into our walk with Christ.
3. Prayer and Intercession: Filling Our Lamps with Oil
The wise virgins carried extra oil, symbolic of the Holy Spirit’s constant presence in their lives. As a ministry, we place a high value on prayer and intercession, understanding that prayer is the oil that keeps our lamps burning brightly.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are called to “pray without ceasing,” maintaining a heart posture of dependence on God. The Holy Spirit, whom we receive through prayer, keeps us ready for Christ’s return. We will pray for the nations, the lost, and the awakening of the Church, believing that God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh in these last days (Joel 2:28).
4. Discipleship and Readiness: Living in Expectancy
Just as the wise virgins lived in expectancy, we are called to disciple believers to walk in readiness for Christ’s return. Jesus warns in Luke 21:36, “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
Through teaching on end-time prophecy and practical discipleship, we aim to equip believers to align their lives with God’s purpose and live with urgency. This pillar of our ministry emphasizes the need to stay spiritually alert, aware that Jesus could return at any moment.
5. Holiness and Repentance: A Lifestyle of Purity
The parable of the ten virgins also reminds us that entry into the Kingdom requires holiness and repentance. The door to the wedding banquet was shut on the foolish virgins because they were not prepared. Matthew 7:21 warns that not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord” will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father.
Our ministry calls believers to live lives of holiness, reflecting the character of God. Hebrews 12:14 says, “Without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” Repentance and purity are essential in preparing to meet Christ. We will preach the need for ongoing repentance, urging believers to turn from sin and walk in the righteousness that comes through Christ.
A Final Word: Be Ready
Beloved, the message of the ten virgins is clear: Jesus is coming soon, and we must be ready. The oil of the Holy Spirit, the urgency of the gospel, the awakening of the Church, the power of prayer, the call to discipleship, and the pursuit of holiness are all part of this divine preparation.
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
As the Jesus is Coming Soon Movement, we declare with conviction: Jesus is coming soon! Let us be like the wise virgins, with our lamps burning brightly and our hearts ready to meet the Bridegroom. The time is near—the Kingdom of God is at hand. Let’s live in the fullness of this truth, calling others to join us in the hope of eternal life with our soon-coming King.
Amen.
