Because Iniquity Abounds

Political corruption and economic woe is the order of the day; statesmanship is a noble quality of the past; moral breakdown has permeated every aspect of society; violent crime is increasing steadily as unthinkable atrocities are committed by depraved unregenerates against their fellow man; terrorism and "ethnic cleansing" -- both war on civilians -- are on the increase around the globe, and in many places, total anarchy is seething just under the surface of a fragile veneer.

Media "spin doctors" tell us that what's been wrong in the past is now right, and what's been right is now "out-dated" and wrong. They tell us good is evil and evil is good, and that absolutes in any form are from an archaic by-gone era. What's important in today's "enlightened society," they say, is that everything is "politically correct, gender inclusive, and minority tolerant" -- especially if that minority is homosexual.

The spirit of antichrist blatantly mocks and scorns Christianity. It will be only a matter of time until open and deliberate persecution of Christians, as our brethren in some parts of the world have already experienced, will again be considered "sport."

Floods of unprecedented proportions, severe droughts, and dire famines take their toll, even as changing global weather patterns bring widespread agricultural disasters. Hardly a day goes by without another earthquake sending its tremors rippling through the substratum somewhere on the planet.

These indicators, and many others that could be cited, all provide evidence that we're at the end of the age. Though similar situations have been part of man's history for centuries, Jesus told His disciples that an unprecedented culmination of such events would signal the time period just prior to His glorious second appearing.

He told them, when "ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." (Mt.24:7-8)

Though some of the events the Lord spoke of were fulfilled in 70 AD at the destruction of Jerusalem, the primary focus was on "the end of the age." For us to get a proper perspective of the time period He referred to, we need to note that the word the disciples used in their question for the "end" of the age was not the same word Jesus used in His answer to them.

The disciples had asked when the "end" (SUNTELEIA) of the age would be. (vs.3) Jesus responded by telling them of certain events that would take place as the age closed, "but the end (TELOS) is not yet." (vs.6,13,14) TELOS means to be at the limit, or terminating point, where what has been previously, ceases.

SUNTELEIA, the word the disciples used, is not the actual termination of the age, but rather, the beginning of the end. It marks the heading up of events to the appointed climax, and could be likened to calling Friday evening the "end" of the week, when in reality, it's the beginning of the weekend. Jesus called this time period "the beginning of sorrows." (vs.8)

The SUNTELEIA of the age is marked by global upheaval in the political, economic, spiritual, and natural realms, and causes a perplexing time of confusion and darkness. The TELOS of the age, continuing with our example of a week, in not until midnight Saturday. It ushers in the Lord's glorious return (Mt.25:6) and provides the threshold for beginning a complete new day (age).

There is something very important to remember about the transition from one age to the other: there will be just as much darkness when the new age begins as there is when the present age ends! The passage from the one to the other will not be perceivable except to those whose eyes are open to see it, and in whose heart is an understanding of the times. The light of the new day won't be evident until that new day is already well established -- after the morning watch. (Mk.13:35) Thus Jesus said, "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." (Mt.24:42)

The first concern Jesus mentioned when He answered the disciple's questions about the end of the age was, "take heed that no man deceive you." (Mt.24:4) This was a prophetic warning of the many voices proclaiming the various "brands" of Christianity so prevalent today.

Though the gospel has always been preached with conflicting motives, (Phil.1:15-18) there has probably never been a time when so many books, tapes, seminars, and "success formulas" have bombarded the church as at present. At the same time, a growing number of Christians are disoriented, confused, defeated, and in a general state of despair. Why is this?

The answer is found in Matthew 24:12: "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

Until recently, I had always looked at this verse with the thought that it was iniquity working in an individual that caused their love for the Lord to grow cold. Though there is certainly an application for such a perspective, I now see a much broader implication as well.

As the flood of iniquity increases, it brings greater pressure against all who desire to stand steadfast in the Spirit and remain faithful to the testimony of the Lord. This global escalation of lawlessness (iniquity) is confirming evidence of increased satanic frenzy because he knows "he hath but a short time" (Rev.12:12) before he meets his appointed end. Therefore, he, "as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Pet.5:8)

This diabolical flood brings an ever-increasing pressure to compromise the truth and conform to the ways of the world. It's accompanied by discouragement and an overwhelming sense of defeat, as answers to prayer seem to be slower in coming than can be remembered.

It causes personal relationships to become strained over the most insignificant things; families that once enjoyed harmony now struggle to maintain a sense of order; areas of personal weakness that were thought to have been overcome, suddenly crop up again, seemingly stronger than ever.

Times of prayer and personal devotions are constantly interrupted and unfulfilling; Bible study doesn't enlighten as it once did; messages that at one time brought a stirring response of spirit, now seem irrelevant; the edge of spiritual hunger is dulled by the pressure of just getting through the day at hand.

What's happening? Has personal failure made the heavens brass? Has a loving God forgotten His people? Is He no longer in control of events?

No! No! No! "The serpent [has] cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood." (Rev.12:15)

As this age closes, Satan methodically SEEKS who he can devour. No individual, family, nor body of believers intent on knowing the Lord will be exempt from his relentless, stalking assault. The onslaught will become so intense that sometimes it will seem like we're "going under," and the only light we can see at the "end of the tunnel" is the light of an approaching train!

But when we feel like we're about to be swept away with the flood, we need to cry out with David: "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty." (Psa.69:1-4)

What is the flood the serpent dragon casts out of his mouth in his attempt to carry the woman away?

It's an overwhelming flood of verbiage and conflicting ideas causing mass confusion; it's a flood of open lawless rebellion; it's a flood of sexual perversion and violence; it's a flood of economic uncertainty causing an increase of the cares of the world. But perhaps most insidious of all, it's a flooding clamor from almost every sector of society demanding "special rights."

There's a constant flood of commotion declaring that animals have rights; "tree-hugging" environmentalists announce that trees, and everything living in them, have rights; misguided and radical feminists shriek that women have special rights; Darwin-inspired educators proclaim children have rights, usually at the expense of their parents; homosexuals claim they have the right to promote their perversion and redefine what a family is; the list could go on and on. About the only members of the global community whose rights are diminishing are parents and Christians.

While the entrenched rights of individuals is paramount to any society, it must be understood that rights are born out of agreement, and agreement requires responsibility. When the rights of an individual overrule that individual's responsibilities to society as a whole, chaos and anarchy is inevitable. The entire world is presently teetering on that delicate and fragile balance.

Where in the clamor for rights is the challenge for the liability of the individual? Where is the intelligent concern that mutual respect is the very foundation of an ongoing social structure?

Otherwise intelligent people are getting on the "rights" bandwagon, oblivious that the ultimate end of their cause is the destruction and demise of the society they've known. This is nothing other than the earth "helping the woman" by opening its mouth and "swallowing the flood" coming out of the dragon's mouth. (Rev.12:16)

How does the earth swallowing the flood help the woman?

The whole earth will continue "swallowing" the devil's devious line of reasoning until the sons of God, whose minds will have been completely renewed, will be the only people retaining sound logic. Those sons will stand blameless and harmless "in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation" while shining "as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life." (Phil.2:15)

When the twilight of this age slips into the total darkness of demonic reasoning, then "darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." (Isa.60:2-3 NKJV)

At that time, "when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD." (Isa.59:19-20)

When the Lord will have raised up His sons as the only righteous standard on earth, the sound of the last trumpet will reverberate across the land, proclaiming: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee!" (Isa.60:1)

The satanic flood of iniquity will increase as the "weekend" of this age closes -- and God will allow it. But He'll only allow it to continue until His purpose is accomplished in His sons. He knows the daily pressure to agree with the ever-increasing popularity of demonic logic will become almost unbearable, and unless "those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." (Mt.24:22)

The flood of iniquity is a deliberate attempt of Satan to cause your heart to grow cold toward the things of God. It is designed to cause the cares and demands of each day to so drain your energy that you feel like there is nothing left for Him. As the pressure increases, disappointment, discouragement, disillusionment, and at times, a sense of hopeless despair, can seize you like never before. You might even feel as though you're about "to lose it all" and question whether God even knows what you're going through.

But remember, tests and trials serve only to reveal your foundations. (Mt.7:24-27) If you've ever witnessed a literal flood strong enough to wash away buildings, you'll know the only part of the building it can't wash away is the foundation. It is left behind as mute evidence of what the building was built upon.

As the satanic flood of adversity and pressure increases against you, don't allow your heart to become too discouraged. God is still in control, and He knows exactly what is happening. He still loves you, and won't allow "you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Cor.10:13)

He permits trials and a sense of helplessness to "wash" over you because He wants to reveal what you've built on your spiritual foundation. He's getting ready to put His sons on display, and is giving you the opportunity to be part of that manifestation. Though you might presently feel disoriented and like a complete spiritual failure, stand firm, "being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil.1:6)

Remember that the night before Jesus' crucifixion and the subsequent resurrection that declared His sonship, (Rom.1:4) He, "being in an agony ... prayed more earnestly: Saying, `Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done' -- and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Lu.22:42,44)

Talk about needing to stand firm! Talk about needing to trust His Father! From a natural perspective it looked like Jesus had been a complete failure. So much so, that thinking they'd beaten Him, even the hordes of hell rejoiced momentarily! (1 Cor.2:8)

As Jesus embraced the cross that would release Him from the likeness of sinful flesh, He went through unspeakable pressure and deep darkness. (Heb.12:2-4) Through His steadfast victory, He brought one age to a close and initiated the dawn of another! Now that same scenario is being replayed in the many sons being brought through the conflict of the ages into a glorious new day! (Heb.2:10)

Why is this same procedure necessary for the sons? "For both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of One: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren." (Heb.2:11)

"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory." (1 Cor.1:6-7)

Just as Jesus endured the cross by fixing His gaze on the joy beyond the moment -- the joy of breaking the yoke of sin and opening the way for many sons to follow Him -- so we must look beyond our present distress and see the purpose of God in it. (see Heb.12:2) As iniquity abounds and satanic pressure against us increases, our love for the Lord will either be dampened by it and grow cold, or we'll stand still in confident faith that we'll see the salvation of the Lord.

It was with this in mind that Jesus told His disciples, "he that shall endure unto the end (TELOS), the same shall be saved." (Mt.24:13) The Greek word He used for "endure" is HUPOMEN, a compounded word made up of HUPO (under) and MEN (abide). It means "to remain in or under a place instead of leaving it," and suggests courageous, trusting perseverance under what could be a burdensome situation.

This same word is used in Hebrews 12:2 and 3 in reference to the cross and the contradiction of sinners endured by Jesus. James used it when he wrote: "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation," and "we count them happy which endure." (Ja.1:12; 5:11) Peter used HUPOMEN twice in 1 Peter 2:20 where it's translated, "take it patiently": "For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God."

The Apostle Paul used HUPOMEN to describe the close relationship we're to have with the Lord's suffering: "Therefore I endure (HUPOMEN) all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: If we suffer (HUPOMEN), we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us." (2 Tim.2:10-12)

The way we "endure to the end" and "suffer with Him" is to "abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psa.91:1) through whatever dark trials we face. It means that we, like the faithful patriarchs of old, have a vision of "a better resurrection," (Heb.11:35) and won't demand that God change our circumstances before His purpose for them is completed in us. To do anything less is to settle for short-term deliverance at the expenses of long-term inheritance, thus not identifying with the Lord Who redeemed us.

As Jesus faced crucifixion, He could have called on angelic help to change His circumstances, but He didn't. (Mt.26:53-54) He kept Himself submitted to His Father's purpose, knowing that He needed to allow the cross to finish its work of lifting Him from one realm to another. Though the darkness before Him was painful, the glory it would bring was well worth it! In the light of that glory, He could confidently say, "Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit." (Lu.23:46)

We need the same attitude of confident trust if we're to remain faithful to the Lord in spite of the rising flood of iniquity. Though there might be times when it's difficult to stand still until we see God's deliverance, we must stand still until we see it.

We must abide (stand still) in quiet and confident faith until the darkness of the trial is swallowed up by the light of the new day -- and only a delivering word of the Lord can bring forth that light. That doesn't mean we're to passively submit to the flood coming upon us: it means we're to stay submitted to the Lord while we're in the flood for as long as He allows it to rage against us. When we've remained faithful to His word, and to Him, until He delivers us, we'll have endured to the end.

There's a two-fold application of the principle here: First, we need to remain faithful to the word the Lord gave us until our current personal trial comes to its end, and we see the light of a new day -- regardless of how long that might take. Second, we must be diligent to abide faithful to Him throughout the general "weekend" flood, in spite of how severe it gets, or how long it lasts.

The only way we can faithfully abide in Him is to "be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might" through His ever-present and all-sufficient grace. (Eph.6:10) To appropriate that grace and rest in its provision, we need to remember who we are in Christ, and "what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe." The same dynamic power "which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places," (Eph.1:19-20) is also able to sustain us through any satanic assault.

We're responsible to stay consciously "connected to the vine," though the enemy uses every tactic at his disposal to distract out attention and dislodge us from that awareness. When the pressure of the flood coming against us increases, and we realize we can't keep ourselves, we must respond to the Lord's promise to remain faithful to us, (2 Thes.3:3; Heb.10:23) and "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb.4:16)

Andrew Murray said it well in his book, Abide In Christ: "Shall I not believe that, now I once am in Him, He Himself will keep me and enable me to abide? On my part, abiding is nothing but the acceptance of my position, the consent of being kept there, the surrender of faith to the strong Vine still to hold the feeble branch." (p.33)

Matthew 24 closes with an admonition to be watchful and ready for the Lord's coming. Although not revealing the exact time of His return, Jesus spoke of the blessedness and reward of those who are alert and ready at that time: "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods." (vs.46-47)

The Lord also mentioned the people who will not be ready at His appearing, saying, He'll "cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Mt.24:51)

Jesus used the phrase "gnashing of teeth" seven times (Mt.8:12; 13:42; 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lu.13:28) with each occurrence referring to an event at the end of the age. It is a graphic expression of the anguish of spirit that will be experienced by the people who have been called by the Lord, but neglected to make their calling and election sure. I can't think of any greater distress or agony than the dread of being in that rejected company.

As the pressure of the closing age increases, the challenge of staying spiritually alert increases with it. May Jesus' admonition to His disciples in Gethsemane motivate us to stay awake as we prepare for that climactic hour: "And when He rose up from prayer, and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow, And said unto them, `Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.'" (Lu.22:45-46)

Matthew 25 opens with the familiar parable of the ten virgins. Although the term "virgin" is also used in scripture in a technical sense, it is used here for people who have responded to the Lord, been cleansed from sin, and been made "chaste" before Him. (see 2 Cor.11:2; Rev.14:4)

Jesus used the parable of the virgins to illustrate the condition of His people at the end of the age. We should note that during the time they were waiting, all the virgins, both the wise and the foolish, "slumbered and slept" (vs.5) until midnight when the call came to meet the bridegroom.

None of us knows how much we've slumbered. This is because spiritual slumber is the same as natural sleep -- we never know when we fall asleep! We might be aware of our drowsiness, and that we have the potential to sleep, but we never know we're sleeping until we wake up and realize we've been asleep! Even then it's difficult to correctly calculate the lapsed time.

All ten of the virgins knew the bridegroom was coming, but five were unprepared: they had foolishly gone to meet him without having paid the price to buy the necessary lamp oil. When the dark midnight hour came, and they really needed the oil, the foolish virgins couldn't "borrow" oil from their wise sister virgins -- they had to go and buy it from the merchants for themselves. Unfortunately, they were required to do their shopping while the wise entered into the joyful marriage celebration. (vs.9-10)

There are several principles revealed for us is this part of the parable. First, no one will be prepared to meet the Bridegroom by association. That is, just associating with someone who has purchased the oil won't be sufficient, for no one can provide the oil for another. Parents can't provide it for their children; one spouse can't provide it for the other; ministry can't provide it for the congregation; close friends can't provide it for each other. Each of us must personally pay the required price for our own sustaining relationship with the Lord.

Neither can the "oil" be bought in a hurry -- it takes discipline and spending time in the presence of the Lord purchase it. Although God is love, and His wonderful grace is extended toward us, we have a personal responsibility to fully utilize His provision. None of us can continue in the privileges of spiritual childhood and expect the rights of spiritual adulthood.

The big difference between the wise and foolish virgins was that the wise bought their oil at the appointed time and were ready for the bridegroom when he came. But the foolish, though required to pay the same price for the oil, bought it too late to enter into the marriage. The foolish could have become wise, had they purchased it while they were waiting. However, "professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Rom.1:22)

Another principle to note is that there was still a "spiritual marketplace" where the foolish virgins could go and buy their oil, even after the bridegroom came! This reveals that meetings, conventions, seminars, Bible studies, and other activities will continue after the Lord returns. However, the participants will be oblivious of the fact that the "wise virgins" have already entered the marriage chamber and the door has been shut. They'll be completely unaware that the destiny of a firstfruits sonship company has already been sealed.

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (Rev.2:17)

"And at midnight there was a cry made, `Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him' ... and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." (Mt.25:6,10)

There are a few more principles I want to consider in the parable of the ten virgins. First, the announcement of the bridegroom's appearing came at the dark hour of midnight. When it did, there was only time for the wise virgins to arise, make the final adjustments to their lamps, and go out to meet him!

There was no time for them to get ready AFTER the announcement came -- they needed to BE ready WHEN it came! Neither would some supernatural "zap" suddenly prepare them to meet the bridegroom as they were going to meet him -- they'd been responsible to prepare themselves for his glorious appearing. (see Rev.19:7-8)

All preparation to meet the bridegroom had to be made before He came and shut the door. It is difficult to imagine what the foolish virgins must have felt when they returned from buying their oil and found themselves shut out of the marriage. I'm sure that all their reasons for not having made the effort to prepare themselves during the time they waited must have suddenly lost their significance.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying the foolish virgins "lost their salvation" -- they were still virgins, even after the door was shut. However, they had lost their opportunity to go into the wedding feast as part of a firstfruits company.

The same principles apply to us, for we also must be ready for the Lord's appearing WHEN He comes. As 1 John 3:2-3 says: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, (positionally) and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: (by experience) but we know that, when He shall appear, (not AFTER He appears) we shall be like Him (separate from sin); for we shall see Him as He is. (i.e., glorified, not as He was when in the likeness of sinful flesh) And every man that hath this hope in (fixed upon) Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure."

We're not purified or made acceptable to the Lord through our own works: our salvation, and the security of that redemption, is purchased uniquely through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Any of our own efforts to gain favor with God are as filthy rags and totally unacceptable to Him.

However, after we've received the Lord and He's made us "accepted in the Beloved," (Eph.1:6) we're responsible to make our "calling and election sure," (2 Pet. 1:10) and "walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called -- with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service." (Eph.4:1 Ampl.)

Living our life in a manner that is appropriate to our calling is only possible as we yield to the grace and love of God, and don't resist the gentle leading and instruction of the Holy Spirit. As we learn to appreciate the Lord and His marvelous love for us, and respond to the purification of that understanding, we'll "walk in the light, as He is in the light, and have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 Jn.1:7)

Being cleansed from "all sin" here is a further work of the initial cleansing we received from "past sin" when we were born again and God declared us to be justified. (Rom.3:25) Our initial cleansing was done in an instant at God's discretion. The cleansing referred to by John in this text is a process made effective as we "walk in the light" through keeping our focus and hope fixed on the Lord. Actually, for us to do anything less after having received His grace, is to have received it in vain (2 Cor. 6:1) and to insult the Spirit of God. (Heb.10:29 Ampl.)

Our initial cleansing became effective when we offered a righteous substitute -- Jesus -- to God. Offering Jesus to God as our substitute was totally acceptable to Him because we had no righteousness of our own. Now that we've been declared righteous in Christ, (2 Cor.5:21) we're called to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to the Lord. (Rom.12:1) As we do, everything that is ours by position in Christ becomes ours in actual and practical experience.

Not that we deserve anything from God, or that we have any righteous works of our own to offer Him. Our life can only be righteous in God's sight as the life of Jesus is expressed through us. Therefore, the life we live is not our own -- it's to be a revelation of the life of the Son of God in us. (see 2 Cor.4:10-11; Gal.2:20)

A sister in our local assembly recently received a dream from the Lord. In the dream, she was in a well-stocked grocery store doing her shopping. Suddenly, over the store's intercom came this announcement: "You have five minutes until your change comes." Realizing the urgency of the announcement, she looked around to see how the other shoppers would respond. To her amazement, no one seemed to have even heard it except for her! The other shoppers continued chatting with each other and leisurely picking out the items they needed. Saddened, she bowed her head to pray, and waited. (end of dream)

This dream is significant in several ways. First, the sister represents the people who have a hearing relationship with the Lord and are aware of the times. The well-stocked shelves of the grocery store represent the provisions the Lord has for His people. The other shoppers represent Christians who can relate to the obvious provisions available to them, but are oblivious to present truth and the lateness of the hour.

The application of the dream is that only those who have been disciplined to hear the still small voice of the Spirit will be able to hear and respond to the announcement that the Bridegroom is at the door. Those who have heard, and prepared themselves, will rest in confident faith for the final action of regeneration -- mortality putting on immortality.

The announcement that five minutes remain until our change comes is significant in several ways. First, five minutes is not a very long period of time, which indicates the lateness of the hour. Simple mathematics of a thousand years being as one day with the Lord, (2 Pet.3:8) broken down to minutes, puts the time spoken of in the near future. (But, please, I'm not setting any dates!) This time-frame corresponds perfectly with other global events that I believe will take place at that time.

Second, the announcement specifically mentioned "our change" was coming, not that the Bridegroom was coming. Though I see both events occurring simultaneously, the Lord put the emphasis on our change for a reason. Being changed from mortality to immortality in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor.15:51-54) is the means of being clothed with the wedding garments (2Cor.5:1-4) -- garments that are essential to participate in the marriage chamber. (Mt.22:11-13)

Because the Bridegroom has already been glorified, His bride must also be glorified if she is to come into full union with Him in the marriage chamber. Mortality and immortality are incompatible for an eternal union -- both parties must be of the same eternal nature to bring forth eternal life. "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." (1 Cor.15:51-52)

"And at midnight there was a cry made, `Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him' ... and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." (Mt.25:6,10)

If you'd seen all ten virgins together it is unlikely that the wise could have been distinguishable from the foolish. They were all in the same place; they were all virgins; they were all anticipating the coming of the bridegroom. The only difference between them was that the wise had the oil with them and the foolish didn't.

Even that neglect would not have been apparent to the casual observer. It took the darkness of the night to reveal the true character of the virgins -- only then did the foolish virgin's lack of oil become obvious!

That's exactly what's happening now as the dark flood of iniquity rises around us. The approaching darkness will reveal whether or not we've paid the price for the oil -- oil that will provide the light we need to sustain us through the night of transition!

Those who haven't "bought the oil" are like the foolish virgins who thought the only preparation they needed to meet the bridegroom was to have been cleansed and become "spiritual virgins." They will have depended on what Jesus did FOR them without allowing His grace to finish what He wanted to do IN them, i.e., change them into His own image and bring them forth in sonship.

They're like the unprofitable servant in the parable of the talents. (Mt.25:14-30) He'd been given a talent just like the other servants, but when reckoning day came, he brought it back to the master without using it -- but the master wasn't impressed.

The master had expected the servant to use the gift he'd been given, and through use, increase it to his glory. Had he done that, he'd have been received with joy. But because he neglected to use the gift he'd been given, while the other servants entered into the joy of their lord, he was dismissed into "outer darkness."

How do we "buy the oil" so we will have the light and anointing to sustain us through the darkness of the night and make us ready for His appearing?

We buy our oil by drawing upon the grace of God for the strength to remain faithful, regardless what we encounter; we buy it through yielding unreservedly to the daily discipline and leadership of the Spirit; we buy it by settling it in our heart that God is in control and won't allow anything to touch us beyond what is necessary to produce sonship in us.

We buy our oil in the dark moments of confusion when it seems like God has forsaken us, but we reach out to Him anyway, knowing that His love toward remains absolute; we buy it when everything around us is shaking, we're adrift in a sea of uncertainty, and the only anchor we have -- His word -- seems to be slipping, but we trust Him and hang on anyway.

We buy oil when circumstances stretch us beyond our comfort zones, and beyond where we've walked before; when we're extended and pressured to the point that every voice we hear cries out for us to forget this "God nonsense" and make a way for ourselves -- but we stand still and wait for the salvation of the Lord.

The Lord gives us the opportunity to buy oil when everything we thought was secure suddenly falls apart, and when friends turn and malign us for no apparent reason, but we continue to maintain trust in God. We buy it because we're "persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom.8:38-39).

Does all of this sound a bit far-fetched and unreasonable? Will situations really press us that much as this age passes into the shadows?

Remember that on an occasion when Jesus instructed His disciples about conditions at the end of the age, (Lu.17:22-37) He told them "men ought always to pray and not faint," that is, they should not lose heart, be discouraged, or give up. (Lu.18:1) He then gave a parable to illustrate His teaching, closing it with this word: "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" (Lu.18:8)

Jesus knew that as this age closed, the flood of iniquity would get so severe, and having trust in an unseen God will become so ridiculed, genuine faith would be such a scarce commodity that it would be found only in the hearts of the elect who cry out to their God day and night. (vs.7)

May God give us a heart to understand, and the motivation to buy our oil while there is still time. Let's embrace the Lord in whatever our present situation is and stand still through it, until we see the delivering salvation of the Lord. May we not be counted with the people, who, though spiritually astute in many areas, allow the demands and pressures of the day to cause them to leave their first love. (Rev.2:4)

"And at midnight there was a cry made, `Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him' ... and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut." (Mt.25:6,10)

We won't know if we've bought enough oil to sustain us through the night -- because we don't know how long our night will be -- until the night is over. But that need not be a concern for us. All we need to be concerned about is that we maintain trusting fellowship with the Lord and continue in it until our change comes.

The Lord must become our only source of sustaining strength, regardless what strain the twilight brings. Whether we're always conscious of Him or not, we must learn keep our confidence in Him. "For He hath said, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.' So that we may boldly say, `The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man (or circumstances) shall do unto me.'" (Heb.13:5-6)

The Apostle Paul gave three principles in the first chapter of his Romans epistle that put into focus his understanding of being ready. After greeting the saints, he expressed his desire to come and see them that he impart some spiritual gift to help establish them in the faith. Then, reflecting on the wonderful grace that brought him out the darkness of his own religious intellect, he expressed his heart-felt response to God's calling on his life: "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise." (vs.14)

Paul saw his indebtedness to the God who had redeemed him, and was willing to be an instrument of sharing the good news with all who would listen. The burning passion of his liberty would take him to many places where others drew back.

Relating to his sense of indebtedness, he continued: "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also." (Rom.1:15)

The reason Paul was so ready to preach the gospel in Rome, or anywhere else God might send him, was because he could say without any thought of contradiction, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Rom.1:16)

These three principles: I am debtor, I am ready, and I am not ashamed, were a foundational strength for Paul's entire ministry. The same principles will help us stand with steadfast faith in the grace we've received.

When we get a true revelation of the mercy God extended toward us while we were still dead in our sins, and begin to comprehend the love that motivated Him to lift us out of the miry clay, we'll shut our ears to every word that does not proceed out of His mouth, regardless of the loud demands of the clamor around us.

When we realize the utter futility of trying to do things our own way, and we surrender ourselves to His diligent watch-care over us, then regardless of how much darkness we find ourselves in, we'll not move until He moves us. We'll wait until the light of His countenance shines upon the way we must go.

When everything around us is falling apart, and every desire to be somebody or do anything has been smashed into a million pieces, and we can still rest in the peace of knowing He has everything in perfect control, we'll have bought our oil and be ready to meet the Bridegroom!

Let the winds blow; let the seas roar; let iniquity abound and rise like a murky flood; let stifling darkness surround us like a cloak: our heart will remain ablaze with passionate confidence in the immutable word of our God and our trust will remain firmly fixed in the integrity of His character. With clarity of vision and meaningful purpose, we'll boldly declare with David of old:

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.

"And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

"Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

"When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." (Psa.27)