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Birth Pangs

‘At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
‘At midnight the cry rang out: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”
‘Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.”
‘“No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”
 ‘But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
‘Later the others also came. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us!”
 ‘But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.”
 ‘Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Matthew 25:1-13

This parable does need much comment or explanation. One thing is certain, the Lord Jesus Christ will return as promised in the Bible, although no one knows exactly when it will take place. However, the Lord mentioned signs which will occur in the world prior to His return. Surely the increased, unprecedented evil sweeping our civilisations currently is the 'birth pangs' mentioned in Matthew 24:8, as well as the growing number of earthquakes, floods, wars, diseases and famines throughout our world.
Yesterday, I read a report concerning northern Iraq which just sickened my heart, in addition to the many previous reports of the unspeakably callous acts perpetrated by IS.  The following is an extract:

"A friend just got a text message from her brother asking her to shower him and his parish in prayer. He is part of a mission and ISIS has taken over the town they are in today. He said ISIS is systematically going house to house to all the Christians and asking the children to denounce Jesus. He said so far not one child has denounced. And so far all have consequently been killed. But not the parents.

The UN has withdrawn and the missionaries are on their own. They are determined to stick it out for the sake of the families - even if it means their own deaths. He is very afraid, has no idea how to even begin ministering to these families who have seen their children martyred. Yet he says he knows God has called him for some reason to be his voice and hands at this place at this time. Even so, he is begging prayers for his courage to live out his vocation in such dire circumstances. And like the children accept martyrdom if he is called to do so...."

Let us pray for the families of these martyrs and call on God to intervene. We wonder how much more evil will be unleashed before the Lord Jesus returns to take His redeemed people home. The Bible calls us His Bride, which brings me back to the parable. Many scoff at the idea of the Lord's return, but all of God's promises will be fulfilled to the last letter. The scoffers will remain outside, the redeemed will be at the marriage supper of the Lamb. There is still time to make ready for this feast by accepting the gift of salvation procured for you personally by Jesus on the Cross at Calvary. "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ? Are your lamps trimmed and ready? Do you have the Holy Spirit 'with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption' (Ephesians 4:30)? Come to Him and be ready for His coming. Maranatha!  
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