The parable of the 10 virgins Week 33, 2013

It is important to know why He told the parables, to see what He wishes us to avoid and achieve. This parable starts with “Then” or “At that time”. Which time is being referred to? The time of His appearing: so also will be the coming of the Son of man. Then will two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord cometh Mat 24:39-42(KJV). These are the statements the Lord made before the parable which is the second of two parables. He told these parables because some people will miss it and not be taken; and that must not include you.

In this parable we meet 2 sets of people. All are virgins, all are clear about their purpose: waiting for the bridegroom. Many issues are raised; all ten are virgins (which implies those expected to accompany the groom i.e. the born-again), half were wise and half foolish (which implies there can only be 2 outcomes, not 1 or 3; and perhaps that any virgin, I mean born again, can either be wise or foolish at the time of the end). All of them also have lamps, and did you notice all the lamps had oil? The difference between them was the extra vessel with oil. Some got oil in their vessels and waited, others waited without taking vessels with oil.

He told it because you do not, and will never, know the hour of His appearing in the sky. Therefore we have but one choice: be ready at all times. So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him Mat 24:44(GNB). The difference between the wise and foolish would not have been apparent if the groom came immediately or was not delayed. That is how you know those with extra oil in their vessels and those without: what happens when Jesus delays. His delay will reveal those who have the endurance and separate them from those who cannot wait: and because lawlessness will increase, the love of many people will grow cold.  But the person who endures to the end will be saved Mat 24:12-13. The seed on stony ground sprouted but could not endure to the time of maturity. Demas started the race but could not continue because he was in love with this present world. If there was no delay these would not have been separated from those who endure to the end. Child of God circumstances that separate the wise and foolish must come. How do you handle delay on God’s part? Does it make your faith run out? Jesus is saying His coming will apparently delay beyond everyone’s expectation! This is food for thought for those keen on dates. Even the wise virgins slept off while waiting and had to be wakened: As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Mat 25:5-6. But they were prepared beforehand for that eventuality. Be prepared also.  However in interpreting parables there is a main point being emphasized which must not be missed, and by which one gains true insight to the teaching. Let us seek that main point.

Prepared for his coming week 32, 2013

“I want you all ready at the time I return” I told my son firmly. We were to attend his cousin’s wine-carrying ceremony and we had looked forward to this day. I had no intentions of being delayed by any of my children on my return from a meeting. The would-be bride’s mother had requested me to play a role at the opening part of the meeting and I wanted to be there. I said further to him in the presence of his siblings “As soon as I leave bathe and get ready.” ”I have some things to do first...” he said. “The best way to be sure you are ready is to do so once I leave” were my parting words.  All of them are my children, but I have once left my child behind during school runs when he delayed unduly in the morning.

As a child many times I heard the horn of my father’s car at the gate when he was coming home. We were playing inside and had done none of his assignments. The sound of the horn led to a frenzy of activity to give the impression we had indeed obeyed him, but too late! His displeasure was evident as he asked “What have you children been doing since I left?” We had procrastinated in obeying him though we heard his parting instructions clearly and had the means to carry out his instructions. And so as a father I warned my own children against that procrastination: the delay in doing what you were instructed to do. This delay often results in forgetfulness, in the needful being subsumed by other matters, until suddenly the master is back, and attempts to do what should have been done earlier meet with his rebuke and displeasure.

It occurred to me this was like the parable of the ten virgins.  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps Mat 25:1-4(KJV).

As I left that morning I did not know the exact time of my return from the meeting. I couldn’t therefore give them an exact time. Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord cometh Mat 24:42(KJV). Are you putting off getting ready for the Lord?

So how did my children fare? On my return 3 of them met me at the entrance fully dressed for the occasion. As I entered the house and climbed the stairs another ran down, dressed and ready, to my embrace. But there was one who had been there at the gate when I was leaving that was not dressed up when I came back. It turned out she had actually dressed up with the others, but when I delayed (in their eyes) she removed the dress and watched TV with the rest until my car stopped at the gate."Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;  let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”Isa 55:6-7(ESV). 

Ecumenism or transformation week 31, 2013

“Point of correction: I am expected to speak out against error and evil. And I will continue to do so no matter where the evil is found. There must be divisions among the congregation. Of course, there must be factions among you to show which of you are genuine! 1Cor 11:19(ISV). ”  Yes, but generalizations are not in the spirit of love. Is it right to say Igbos love money, that the Riverine are immoral? Where do these sins not abound? Likewise all sins and struggles can be found in each denomination. In fact if ever there is a perfect church or denomination, the very fact that I, let’s not say you, join them makes them imperfect. “Watch your tongue brother…”  Understand me: God works with people with a perfect heart not just an organization. You can serve a ministry yet not serve the interests of Jesus. People may preach Christ, not error, yet their hearts are wrong; their correct sermons born only of strife. Some are preaching Christ because of their envy and rivalry, while others do so because of their good will Phil 1:15(ISV).

Denominational numbers may multiply yet the kingdom of God is at a standstill… “What do you mean?” This redistribution of brethren: today they are Winners, tomorrow Redeemed, the next they are on The Rock; moving about yet no new soul is added. What fraction of new members are people just getting born again? They kept praising God and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord was adding to them people who were being saved Act 2:47(ISV).  God expects addition to the body of Christ those being saved… “We have a baptismal register…” Can we steer away from there?

“Do you believe in ecumenism? Should we dissolve all church denominations into one super church?” Far from it for then we would lose the different flavours of the fullness of God: there are varieties of ministries, but the Lord is the same 1Cor 12:5(ISV).  I believe in unity in diversity. Serve Jesus, not a denomination. Seek to serve Him within the context and safety of a ministry; but it is Him we seek.  Strive to be recognisable as His servant; not just an organisation. He is far bigger than any single and all ministries. None has fully captured the essence and revelation of the Lord; none has the monopoly of any of His manifestations.

“So what are you saying?” Let us put it this way; before the Lord returns this bickering has to give way to maturity. And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature Eph 4:13(GNB).We all, all of us who truly believe in Jesus from every denomination will get there. And guess what? It won’t happen because of an ecumenical conference. It will happen as we walk in love (Eph 4:15), and by his spirit (2Co 3:18). Who do you serve?

Christian unity week 30, 2013

“You should have told me of this zeal for missions. We need a vibrant representative at the mission board about to be formed.” How come a board is just coming up? Are you nominating me because you have a vision for new fields or because you want to stop their move? “Did I say I want to stop them from their outreach? Not at all! They can go on with whatever programs they wish; it is the welfare of your soul I am concerned about. I must give account on that day for you. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account Heb 13:17(ESV).” Thanks a lot. Is there a specific problem I need to be aware of?  “Well you know these people copy us even though they criticize us. They have no structure and tend to be autocratic. In fact some of them use dark arts to fake their miracles!” Did someone tell you this about these brethren or are you just generalizing? We should not be indifferent when brethren in other ministries fall or gloat over them. But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress Obad 1:12(ESV).  Remember we were once labelled dead by others because our ministers also indulged in dark arts and many did not know the Lord outright. In the spirit of brotherhood shouldn't we be praying for and exhorting each other?

“Can I really call them brethren?”  What? Listen: when we were in error how many of them prayed for us publicly and privately? Now we are experiencing renewal we deride and criticize them. This is the enemy’s divide and rule tactics. For wherever jealousy and rivalry exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil Jas 3:16(ISV). Beware lest the worm of error eat again like a canker into our fold. Are we not guilty as they are in many respects especially in financial matters?  “There is no envy or strife between us” Is that so? For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human? 1Cor 3:3, 4(ESV). This division in heart shows it... “The way you speak I should bring them right into the altar and make them signatories to our account!”  That is not what I am saying. You know bombings, killings and persecutions know no denominational barriers.  In these last days we need to stand as one body. Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honour to the good news … working together and that you are struggling side by side to get others to believe the good news Phil 1:27(CEV)  . Let’s pray for one another, encourage each other, and love as brothers. 

The denominational spirit week 29, 2013

“I haven’t been seeing you in church weekly programmes; and your tithes have been reducing lately too. What has been happening?” Actually I have been busy  with the outreach. “Which? I don’t remember any such announcement in church.” Don’t you remember the End Time Revival Outreach brethren who are organising monthly missions to unreached people around us?

“Is it the man that came to us 3 months ago? They are not in our church; why are you hob-knobbing with them? I hope that is not where your tithes have been going? You are backsliding.” Take it easy now. I am still very much in the faith and have found meaning in service. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling 1Jn 2:10(ESV).  I am not backsliding. “Of course you are. You should bring all the tithes into the storehouse...” I thought tithes belonged to God.

“Don’t lecture me! I was in the faith before you. Did you get born again under their ministry? Were you filled with the Holy Spirit under them? Was your break through as a result of their fasting and prayers? You belong to us and all your resources should be spent here. Are you planning to leave your brethren?” Correction please: I belong to God, not to a ministry or denomination. What sin, heresy or foundational mistake is in them that I should not partner with them? Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God... If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works 2Jn 1:9-11(ESV). Are we reaching the people they are? Have we programmes closer to God’s heart competing for my attention? You know very well I am still in this church. I never miss service once I am in town; and I still give in this place. You benefit frequently. “I just told you the error: they shouldn’t fish in other men’s waters.”

I am sorry but you have a denominational spirit. You are out of line. Anyone who urges souls to come to Jesus works for the kingdom and deserves our support. For they set out on their trip in the service of Christ without accepting any help from unbelievers. We… must help these people, so that we may share in their work for the truth 3Jn 1:7-8(GNB). You should be championing networking with them rather than making them out to be rivals. "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us." But Jesus said to him, "Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you." Lk 9:49(ESV).  

Another Elijah week 28, 2013

“Send another Elijah to bring the power down, send the fire also send the rain: to heal the sick, raise the dead and glorify your name. Lord I want to be another Elijah here.”  Won’t you sing with me?

I am reluctant to.

Why? Don’t you want to serve God in the spirit of Elijah?

That is not the point. Your song misses the point of Elijah’s ministry.

How? Did he not call fire down several times, heal the sick, and was he not first to raise the dead?

All that he did, but, let me ask you: who went about in the spirit and power of Elijah?

Elisha! He had a double portion of the anointing too.

Perhaps I did not phrase the question well. Which New Testament figure operated in the spirit of Elijah?

Oh, John the Baptist: and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, Lk 1:17(ESV). Jesus himself confirmed that. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come Mat 11:13(ESV) 

Very good. Now what fire, rain withholding , or dead raising did John the Baptist perform? Many people came to him. "John performed no miracles," they said, "but everything he said about this man was true."  And many people there believed in him Jn 10:41, 42(GNB).

Are you among those who believe miracles have passed, that because the bible books are completed we don’t have prophets and apostles anymore?

Take it easy. I believe in miracles like you do. But the ministry of Elijah which I also seek is contained in the scripture you quoted. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God…to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared Lk 1:16, 17(ESV). The spirit and power of Elijah is one of renewal and revival in bringing souls to the kingdom and preparing for Jesus’ return.

You don’t want miracles huh?

My dear, I do want miracles, but only so that people will believe. For if the miracles that happened in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago Mat 11:21(ISV).  There is no miracle greater than the new birth. A sin loving individual becoming a holy one is the greatest of all miracles. We tend to forget that. Put in a line in that song about bringing souls into the kingdom and I will be happy to sing it. Seek the repentance of souls above all.

Instant healing Week 27, 2013

Gloria had been experiencing severe waist pains for upwards of 3 months and could not find relief. She could not stand straight was bent from the waist up, with the trunk twisted to the right side. Yet she smiled as she and her husband thanked the doctor assisting them at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu. Her case could be likened to the woman in the bible: And there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself Lk 13:11(ESV).  She had been to the University of Nigeria Medical centre for the ailment where she works as a nurse, had been attended to by many a doctor, and commenced on drugs and physiotherapy. The Diclofenac sodium and Robinax^(R) she was on brought no real relief. Indeed symptoms of peptic ulcer arose and she stopped taking the drugs. She then continued on physiotherapy for weeks on end. There was no relief in sight. Finally she decided to see the Orthopaedic surgeons in Enugu. When she came on the 11th of June this year, after the evaluation drugs less likely to aggravate the ulcer symptoms were prescribed for her and she was placed on a lumbar corset which she was to wear all the time. She procured them and went back to Nsukka with them. Yet the pain was disabling. Was that not like the woman in Mk 5:26(ESV)  who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse?

There was a Healthcare Christian fellowship zonal meeting scheduled at the University of Nigeria Medical Centre that Saturday 15^th June. Despite the pain Gloria decided to go. “Even if only for one hour” she said. For her it would be worth it. A team from Enugu ministered and the preacher Deacon Chinenye Nwekpe was so tired he sat down for the period of speaking the word. At prayer time the brethren worshipped God whilst the preacher spoke in other tongues, and His presence came down. The preacher did not touch her or know about her situation but a voice told her to remove the corset. She argued with it. “I will remove it when I get home” she said within her, but the voice was insistent that she should remove it immediately. Like blind Bartemaeus she did so: And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus Mk 10:50(ESV).   She tore it off and threw it away. To her joy and elation the pain instantly went away. She shouted and rejoiced and rolled on the floor in God’s presence. When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, "Woman, you are free from your illness." Then he placed his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and began praising God Lk 13:12, 13(ISV). It was then what happened became clear to those around. From then no need for drugs, no need for the corset, and no pains either. It is now the third week since this miracle and she remains pain free and limber! Praise the Lord.