“Watch Therefore, For You Know Neither The Day Nor The Hour In Which The Son Of Man Is Coming” (Matthew 25:13, Nkjv).
I welcome you to November, the second-to-last of the “-ember” months of 2025. It shall be the month of divine readiness – for behold, thy Redeemer cometh. How ready are you for the coming of the Lord? The rapture of the church is a glorious event we should all be longing for, knowing that when He comes, we will finally be free (from the presence of sin) as we will be in God’s presence before His throne forever.
The rapture should be a comforting doctrine full of hope; God wants us to “encourage each other with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18, NLT). The word of encouragement this month is to sound the alarm; the Bridegroom will soon come for His Bride. Are you ready? To illustrate the importance of our readiness, we will look at the parable Jesus spoke immediately after teaching us about His second coming (Matthew 24). I pray that no believer will miss the rapture, in Jesus’ Name.
Introduction: The Parable and the Prophecy
- The oil represents the Holy Spirit’s presence and continual fellowship.
- The delay represents the waiting period before the Rapture.
- The midnight cry symbolizes the sudden announcement of Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
LESSONS FOR LAST-DAYS CHRISTIANS
- All Were Invited, But Not All Were Ready
Matthew 25:2 (NKJV) says, “Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”Many claim to know Christ, but only those truly prepared will enter.Salvation opens the door, but readiness for Christ’s return keeps you within the fold (Luke 13:24–25). Being in church is not the same as being in Christ.
- Spiritual Preparedness Is Personal
Matthew 25:3–4 (NKJV) says, “Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”No one can live the Christian life for you.Every believer must have their own oil — the Holy Spirit within (Romans 8:9).
- Delay Does Not Mean Denial — Stay Faithful
Matthew 25:5 (NKJV) says, “But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.” The waiting season tests our faith and patience (Hebrews 10:36-37). Many lose vigilance when it seems the Lord delays. Don’t lose your fire while waiting; keep trimming your lamp (Luke 12:35–37).
- The Midnight Cry Will Separate the Ready from the Unready
Matthew 25:6 (NKJV) says, “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the Bridegroom is coming; go out to meet Him!’” The call will be sudden (1 Corinthians 15:52) because midnight is a dark hour symbolizing moral decay, global unrest, and spiritual coldness. Preparation time ends when the trumpet sounds.
- The Door of Grace Will Close
Matthew 25:10–12 (NKJV) says, “…And the door was shut… ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Grace is abundant today, but the door will not stay open forever (Genesis 7:16). There comes a time when repentance will be too late (Revelation 3:7–8). Enter while the door of mercy is still open.
- Watchfulness Is the Mark of the Wise
Matthew 25:13 (NKJV) says, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour…” The wise Christian stays alert, prayerful, and pure (1 Peter 4:7; Luke 21:36). Readiness is not fear; it’s faith in action. The rapture will be sudden, and only the ready will rise (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
READY STEWARDS SHALL BE REWARDED BASED ON QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY
Did you notice this principle in 1 Corinthians 3:13 (NASB), which says, “…The fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work” (emphasis added). We humans are impressed with size and volume, noise and numbers. It is easy to forget that God’s eyes are always on authenticity, the truth beneath the surface, never the external splash. When He rewards servants, it will always be based on quality, which means everybody has an equal opportunity to receive a reward.
- The dear older lady who prays privately will be rewarded as much as the famous evangelist who preaches to thousands.
- The quiet, faithful friend who assists another in need will be rewarded as much as the strong spiritual leader whose gifts are more visible.
- A cool cup of water given to a hurting soul, bruised with adversity, will be rewarded as much as any act of sacrifice on the mission field.
God, our faithful Lord, promises to reward the quality of our work. The glory may be postponed until eternity, but it will come.
KEYS TO STAYING READY FOR THE COMING OF THE BRIDEGROOM
- Keep Your Lamp Burning: Maintain a vibrant relationship with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
- Trim Your Wick: Cut off sin, distractions, and compromise (Hebrews 12:1).
- Refill Daily: Spend time in prayer and the Word (Jude 1:20–21).
- Walk in Holiness: Live blamelessly in a corrupt generation (2 Peter 3:11–14).
- Stay Expectant: Love and eagerly wait for His appearance (2 Timothy 4:8).
CONCLUSION: THE CALL TO READINESS
The cry will soon go out: “Behold, the Bridegroom comes!” Only those whose lamps are burning will enter the wedding feast. Revelation 19:7 (NKJV) says, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
PRAYERS
- Father, I thank You because Your promises are ever faithful, ever sure. Father, I thank You for the Holy Spirit in me, reminding me daily that I am not home yet.
- Holy Spirit of God, please, prepare me to meet the LORD when He comes.
- LORD Jesus, fill my lamp with fresh oil, in Jesus’ Name.
- My Father, my Father, keep me watchful, holy, and ready for Your imminent return, in Jesus’ Name.
- Father, I pray that I will never grow cold or careless but burn brightly till You return, in Jesus’ Name.
