How Do You Understand It?

Studying the Bible prophecies about the last times, one can very clearly understand that each person must take a direct part in their salvation. God will deliver and protect His people, but people themselves must also do something. God's main expectation from me is that I think in these days and understand that very little time is left. And, reflecting on this, I need to answer very important questions: "Do I have oil in my lamp? Can I shine?" For this, it's important for me to understand what oil is.

We have studied these questions before, and we already have an idea about these symbols. But how deeply did we understand them?

You can simply define a word, but that's not all. Who among you rereads the Bible and looks into your heart with a desire to understand whether you have this oil in yourself, and how it manifests? It's good to know the theory, but it's important to make it your life. I understand the following. If there is oil in my lamp, then I still need to be able to use it. Collecting God's blessings for the museum of my knowledge is not a very good occupation in recent times.

The parable of the ten virgins teaches that wisdom in relationship with God is welcomed, and it will be the decisive factor in the final events.

In Daniel 12:10 we read: "Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand."

The wisdom of the last time consists in having a close, personal relationship with Jesus, delving into oneself and the teaching, accepting all the Lord's advice and making all God's recommendations part of one's life.

In Revelation 3:18, we are given the most important advice. And it is intended specifically for our time. This advice is so significant that one can boldly state the following. I risk losing salvation if I don't accept what Jesus advises me to buy.

According to the parable of the ten virgins, oil is sold somewhere. And the foolish virgins knew where, and went to buy. But they had a problem. The seller had already left, and then from behind closed doors told them that he did not know them. I think this is a very serious warning. And right now is the gracious time to buy oil.

But another big problem is that the enemy of the soul is also trading. He very successfully offers everything possible that enchants my mind. By his sorcery, Satan leads me astray. We read about this in Revelation 18.

About Satan it is written in Ezekiel 28:16: "By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God..."

Trade is a mutual relationship aimed at buying, selling or exchanging goods. Negotiation can also be called trade, during which we come to a common agreement on the upcoming transaction and discuss the terms of its implementation.

Currently, the enemy of the soul is conducting extensive trade with us, offering us everything possible, just to distract our attention from Eternal values, from goods for Laodicea. Satan is ready to give all his riches, just so that we do not buy what Christ advises us to buy.

It's sad that I, knowing where oil is sold, choose another seller for myself and start bargaining with him, thinking that I will always have time to go to the Laodicean store. Christ calls such people foolish.

Read into the future of Babylon from Revelation 18:23-24: "The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth."

What did you understand from this verse? Light, lamp, voice of the bridegroom. What familiar words from the parable of the ten virgins! But Satan's charms have led everyone astray. The word "sorcery" in this verse sounds like this: Revelation 18:23: φαρμακείᾳ (pharmakeia). In the original, it means medicine, poison, sorcery. The name Pharmacology came from the root of this word. And in recent times, we hear how people engaged in this science offer us strange things for our safety and healing. Coincidence? Rather, the fulfillment of prophecies. I think that all this is part of the great Babylon.

And Jesus offers us gold refined by fire, white garments, and eye salve. So simple, so unobtrusive. Everything is so symbolic.

And if you look at the mentioned goods through the eyes of a modern person, you can see Jesus, who extends a small box with an engagement ring. What is this? I think any girl will very quickly understand the meaning of such a symbol. But God's people are somehow not very far-sighted in this matter. I went into the store, looked at what was offered to me. Took a couple of pictures for memory against the background of Heavenly goods and went out. And if I'm more savvy, I can also study the ingredients of what I'm advised to purchase. The seller doesn't impose anything on me, but very modestly offers. And waits.

Being wise and thoughtful, I decide to buy Heavenly treasures and happily carry them to my home. And the Seller is right there, already knocking, offering to spend time personally with Him at my table and dinner.

Imagine a girl who, seeing an engagement ring in a box, grabbed it and ran away in joy, forgetting about the groom, and then doesn't open the door of her house to him, thinking that he will take this ring back, and she will be left with nothing. This is exactly how I behave towards Christ. And it happens that, seeing His offer and understanding what it's about, I turn my back on Him or politely say that I will think about it and will definitely give an answer, and even sometime come again. And if it happens that I come, I see His happy smile again, and once again Jesus offers Himself in the symbols of His goods.

And what will I decide at this moment? Where is my wisdom?

The fact is that Christ decided not to unite His life with a foolish wife, and He will not enter into a close relationship with the unwise, although, out of His love, the Lord gives the blessing of His agape to all who desire. But if I'm more interested in blessings than the Blesser, then I will receive according to my need exactly what I choose. If I give my beloved a ring, and she sees in it a piece of gold that can be sold for 50 Euros and get rich, then what else can I do for this girl? I will have to say goodbye to her in my heart, so that I never offer her anything again. Never.

But fortunately, our Lord is more patient and condescending. He is ready to hear a hundred refusals in order to get consent and make a deal on the hundred and first time. And then He will knock on my door for several years to finally enter in my old age. Yes, He is Like That. But time is not like that.

Remember, friends, that what was before and what there was always enough time for, can quickly change today. The doors of grace, which were wide open for different periods of growth, can unexpectedly close forever in our days. Are you thinking about this? Are you not afraid to find yourself outside the doors?

How do you understand, friend, what is being offered to you now? Will you really leave again? Or maybe you'll buy?

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Luke 18:7-8; Matthew 22:4-5; 25:1-13; John 2:16; Isaiah 55:1-2; Revelation 3:18; 18:1-24; Daniel 12:3,10 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you understand the importance of what Jesus advises those living in the Laodicean period?

4. Do you think the end of all our earthly plans will come soon?

5. Will Jesus warn me in advance about the closing of the time of grace so that I have time to acquire what He offers?

6. What fate will befall the unwise children of God?

7. Who are the foolish virgins?

8. Are you a wise person? How did you determine this?

9. After reading this lesson, did you have a desire to clarify with God whether you are on a dangerous path?

10. Why did the Lord hide His blessings in symbols?

11. Do you understand what Jesus advises you to buy?

12. Do you understand that if you don't buy anything, you risk losing everything?

13. Will the Lord invent a new plan of salvation for the foolish virgins?

14. Do you understand the importance of what's happening?

15. What are you doing, understanding the importance of everything?