Matthew 25:1-13 and 1 Samuel Chapter 25
Hello. A change of seasons is upon us and new opportunities to be led deeper into the revelation of Christ.
I pray, “Lord, surprise us again and again with your goodness; cleanse, heal, and restore wholeness to our body, soul, and spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
“Take us unto yourself and reveal your nature in the hidden and secret areas of our lives.” (John 14:1-4, 21:18; Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Galatians 4:19; 1 Peter 1:13)
“Help us exchange our outer garments for your holiness and union with you – a vibrant living relationship with the lover of our soul.” (Matthew 25:4 in contrast to 25:3; Galatians 3:27 in contrast to Revelation 12:1 – inner garment versus outer covering; Revelation 3:8 in contrast to 3:20 – little strength versus self-strength)
Calling Hungry and Thirsty Souls
So much of our time, effort, and emotions are invested into just maintaining life – physically, socially, financially and relational – raising the question; “Is there anything left to pursue Christ, or better yet, permit him to pursue us?”
This “age of plenty” (seemingly abundance in every natural realm) would like nothing better than to smother you and me in the cares of this life, blinding our eyes to the life Jesus longs to take us into.
One cannot go into the wilderness with the Lord, his adventure and journey, dragging truckloads of possessions and a heart consumed with the affairs of this world.
There comes a time when Jesus says, “You have enough, I have a mission and plan for your life, first, I need to clean you up, and then I’ll distribute you to advance my kingdom.”
Jesus is looking across the vast landscape of the Church, and ones yet to be called, for those who will respond to his call to go deep in him.
The Offer is Intimacy
Contrary to what comes across the news most days, we live in momentous times – where God is doing deep things in his sons and daughters.
There are things being done so intimate, personal, and unique, it is hard, albeit, difficult, to put into words the work of God.
Jesus said little about his relationship with the Father other than a few things we could understand.
(In some respects, his “transfiguration” revealed a measure of his relationship with the Father, the second Adam made perfect, and the glory of being held in grace and truth in union with him.)
How do you put into words, deep, intimate, and profound love and relationship?
We look at many of the heroes of the faith, too numerous to mention, and see hearty men and women in relationship with God, advancing the kingdom of God.
But absent from their stories is their deep and intimate relationship with God, and what that was like.
David (Psalms) and Solomon (Song of Songs) give us a rare glimpse at deep intimacy with the Lord, and yet their testimony cannot usher you and me into the presence of Christ – into that intimacy.
Only Jesus can invite you and me into his presence. Only he can take one unto himself in deep intimacy.
Now, more than ever, is the time to petition the throne of God to go deep in Christ. (Job 12:22; Daniel 2:22; Luke 8:17; Hebrews 4:13)
This is why we were created; to have deep, intimate, union with the Father, and with his Son, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
So much today is elevated towards the mind, making decisions for Christ, pursuing healing, deliverance, and transformation at the surface level – the outer garment.
This is well and good, but there’s more. The five wise virgins were taken deeper into Christ, to be prepared by him for intimacy, and so should we.
There’s an inner garment Jesus desires to clothe (i.e., cleanse and heal) you and me with – it is his grace and love in the deepest part of who we are, what we believe, and how we live.
Only Jesus can take us there.
He uses the resources of the body of Christ to take us deep, but the reins of our life and the methods he employs are much more intimate and personal.
The experience and testimonies of others will not suffice. We need Christ to usher us into the realm of grace where we experience his love and care as he cleanses and heals our wounds and brokenness.
Mystery of God
Think about it.
The mystery of God bringing together our individual stories – the work of God in each life, merged together into the corporate plan of God, culminating in the last day(s) move(s) of the Holy Spirit and the Millennium.
There’s a story unfolding that words, pictures, and Hollywood cannot portray – the magnificent unveiling of Christ in his bride, and the horror of the unveiling of the enemy.
The natural man scoffs at the idea the world system we see among us, walk, live and breath in, could be found “wanting,” and fall into its own fruit.
Sadly, many will not partake of the mystery of God. But ‘oh, the untold millions today and billions in the future who will prosper under the ruler-ship of Christ.
The Natural and Spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:6-16)
As you know, the world is more connected than ever.
It makes it easier for the enemy to sow seeds of confusion, discord, sin, and darkness in the hearts and minds of men and women.
His desire is to father many into sonship with him.
His heart is to weigh men and women down – to immerse the heart, mind, and Spirit – with fear, negativity, and judgments, so much so, men and women become just like him – consumed with darkness. (Isaiah 40:19-20; 41:7; 44:9-20)
But ‘oh, the same system of “connection” is an opportunity and vehicle for the Lord to multiply the fishes and loaves in the body of Christ, connecting needs and resources.
The devil does not own “connection.” Christ is using it to grow and mature his bride.
Jesus is on the move. His Spirit is out-maneuvering the enemy’s claim to the hearts and minds of fallen men and women.
The natural man reels at the thought the world system we know could be removed and replaced by Christ.
The natural man shutters at the thought of the disruption and disintegration of society as we know it.
The book of Revelation seems surreal and far-fetched to the natural mind.
It just does not seem possible global disruption and destruction could occur on the scale as described in the Scriptures.
The chasm between what we see every day – the system that feeds, clothes, and shelters, versus the “Scriptures,” seem incomprehensible – the stuff of science fiction and Hollywood.
How could a system so embedded in the fabric of our lives be toppled?
Unprecedented Examples
And yet, what we face is not so different than the people of God in times past.
Consider the Flood, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the plagues on Egypt, the Red Sea crossing, the destruction of the Assyrian army by one angel, and the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome, and the fall of past world kingdoms.
And what about Jericho and the calling forth of fire by Elijah?
Have we so soon forgotten the Great War and World War II, the communist revolutions, where millions upon millions died, whole countries and cities laid waste?
The present world system is contradictory yet captivating and reassuring to the natural man – that it is here to stay, it is the way of the future, the truth, and the life.
But God.
Two systems, one dark and evil, the other pure and holy, are vying for the heart and mind of men and women, heading for a final collision, where the outcome is certain.
The seeds of collision have been laid and the fruit are maturing.
Just look at the world-wide evangelism in the 1800’s, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the early 1900’s, the proliferation of the Church under both Chinese persecution and South Korean freedom, the collapse of Soviet Russia and spread of evangelism in the former Soviet bloc, and the abundance of moves of God presently and globally.
God has a different game plan and a different ending than the story that is constantly broadcast in our culture.
God has allotted times and seasons, and the season of Christ’s millennial rule will come at the appointed time.
There is an appointed time.
When Christ completes his bride – when the bride is made ready – the Lord will use her to bring a death blow to the serpent’s head (Revelation Chapter 12), gather vast throngs into the kingdom, and commence recompense on what the world has sown.
His recompense is designed to bring humility, repentance, and forgiveness to those who are exercised.
His heart is to save the lost, and what better way than to usher in his Son’s kingdom – a kingdom that will breed righteousness and holiness.
Long Suffering Patience
Unless you’ve experienced or been a part of a significant move of God, it is easy to see history through the lens of humanism and secularism.
But, when you’ve experienced God, it’s easier to see the fingerprint of God in world events and rest in the comfort and safety of his guiding hand.
Many times, it seems God is late in countering and responding to the work of the enemy.
We see this (seemingly) with the last day world kingdom.
The dragon is standing before the woman, a pregnant woman. (Revelation Chapter 12)
This is worse than David and Goliath. At least that was between a man and a young man.
Though persecution and apostasy delete her ranks, God gives her the strength, in travail, to birth her child, which he will use to crush the head of the Dragon – a deathblow wound.
You may be able to discern the fingerprint of God in certain world events, by the revelation of Christ, but, most important, our future lies in the womb of the Church, and the birthing of Christ in us.
The work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, in the church at large, and not the events in the world, determines the times and seasons – the appointed times – God has set to move the church to the next level and to the next era.
One day, that step will be the beginning transition to the Millennium.
Change and the beginning stages of transition can come quickly.
The Flood did not take long.
Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed in one event.
The kingdom of the Chaldeans fell in one night.
The anti-Christ world kingdom will be torn down over a short season.
God’s mercy and grace will give one last season of opportunity to those who have fallen asleep or are sitting on the fence or have yet to be called and chosen by the Lord for his kingdom.
Conclusion
The book of Revelation is first and foremost the goodness of God, completing the journey of man and woman into the likeness of Christ, a testimony of words and actions that bring a death wound to the anti-Christ system.
The downfall of an oppressive and evil system; freeing mankind to walk in the garden of God once again and enjoy the fruit of life and abundance in Christ.
To live as free men and women in the light and love of God.
It’s time, more than ever, to permit Jesus to take us into the wilderness with him, to be made ready by the Lord for the master’s use.
Blessings, Drake
