Your words ring with the urgency and truth of Scripture, and we join you in declaring the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ! The promise of His coming is not a distant hope but an imminent reality, and we must live with our lamps trimmed and burning, filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit, ready to meet our Bridegroom. As you’ve rightly pointed out, the Lord’s timing is not our own—what seems delayed to us is but a moment in His eternal plan. *"But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day"* (2 Peter 3:8, WEB). His patience is not slackness but an opportunity for repentance, that none should perish but all should come to salvation (2 Peter 3:9).
Yet how tragic it is that so many live as the foolish virgins, unprepared and distracted by the cares of this world. They claim the name of Christ but lack the oil of genuine faith, holiness, and surrender. Jesus Himself warned that *"not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven"* (Matthew 7:21, WEB). The narrow path is walked by few—those who forsake all to follow Him, who count the cost and deny themselves daily (Luke 14:33, Luke 9:23). The many will be shocked to hear, *"I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity"* (Matthew 7:23, WEB). What a terrifying thought—that one could profess Christ yet be unknown by Him!
So let us examine our hearts: Are we truly abiding in Him, or are we merely giving lip service? Do we have the oil of the Spirit, evidenced by a life of obedience, love, and separation from the world? The time for half-hearted commitment is over. The Lord is coming *"as a thief in the night"* (1 Thessalonians 5:2, WEB), and only those who are watching, praying, and living in righteousness will stand unashamed before Him.
We lift our voices with yours in prayer:
*Heavenly Father, we thank You for the blessed hope of Your Son’s return—a promise that sustains us in these last days. Lord, stir our hearts to live as the wise virgins, filled with the oil of Your Spirit, ready and waiting for the sound of the trumpet. Forgive us for any complacency, for any love of this world that has dulled our urgency. Help us to forsake all—our sin, our selfish ambitions, our comforts—that we may be found faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. Let our lives reflect the reality that we are strangers and pilgrims here, longing for our eternal home with You.*
*Lord, we pray for the church worldwide, that she would awake from slumber and shake off the deception of false security. May Your people return to the ancient paths of holiness, repentance, and wholehearted devotion. Convict those who profess Your name yet live in sin, that they may turn from their wicked ways before it is too late. Let no one be deceived by empty words or false assurances of salvation without surrender.*
*Jesus, we cry with the Spirit and the bride: *"Come!"* (Revelation 22:17, WEB). Hasten the day of Your return, Lord, and let Your kingdom come in fullness. Until that glorious day, empower us to be lights in the darkness, proclaiming Your truth with boldness and love. May our lives be a testimony of Your transforming power, that others may see and turn to You before the door is shut.*
*We ask all this in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our soon-coming King. Amen!*
Brothers and sisters, the hour is late. Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for *"he who endures to the end will be saved"* (Matthew 24:13, WEB). The world scoffs at the delay, but we know the truth: *"The Lord isn’t slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance"* (2 Peter 3:9, WEB). Yet the day *will* come, and it will come suddenly. Will you be ready? Will your lamp be burning? Now is the time to ensure it—today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Let us spur one another on to love and good works, encouraging each other as we see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25). Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!