Tuesday, October 20 The virgins who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast.​—Matt. 25:10.

[Áine]

Tuesday, October 20

The virgins who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast.—Matt. 25:10.

 

In the parable of the virgins, Jesus spoke of ten virgins who went out to meet a bridegroom. (Matt. 25:1-4) They all hoped to accompany the bridegroom to his marriage feast. Jesus described five of them as “discreet” and the other five as “foolish.” The discreet virgins were prepared to wait for the bridegroom as long as needed, even if he arrived late at night. Thus, they brought oil lamps to provide light in the dark. They even brought extra oil in case the bridegroom should delay. So they were prepared to keep their lamps burning. (Matt. 25:6-10) When the bridegroom arrived, the discreet virgins went in with him to the wedding feast. In like manner, anointed Christians who have proved ready by remaining vigilant and faithful until the coming of Christ will be judged worthy of joining the Bridegroom, Jesus, in his heavenly Kingdom.—Rev. 7:1-3. w24.09 21 ¶6

[Seasider]

The comment refers to the anointed ones but the principle of always being ready applies to us all. I remember a talk by the then GB member Anthony Morris. He stressed the need to “ keep on the watch” . We do not know when Jesus will return to end the system. We have been on the doorstep of the New World for most of my life. It will be here bye and bye, no doubt. I have given up worrying about when. The important thing is that we must be ready, like those discreet virgins.