NEW PRISONER ALERT FACTSHEET: NASER ZAMEN-DEZFULI [Voice of the Martyrs: Be-A-Voice]

Prisoner Profile

PRISONER NAME         LOCATION                          ARRESTED      REVISED

Naser Zamen-Dezfuli  Iran (Islamic Republic of)  May 2013      May 17, 2013

On Dec. 23, 2011, Iranian authorities raided the Assemblies of God church of Ahvaz as church members gathered for a service. Everyone at the church was arrested, including children. All those arrested were released several hours later, with the exception of the pastor, Farhad Sabokrouh, his wife, Shahnaz Jayzan, and two church ministers, Davoud Alijani and Naser Zamen-Dezfuli. The four were transferred to a detention center for further interrogation.

Shahnaz was released on temporary bail on Jan. 1, 2012, after spending nine days in prison. The pastor and the two men were held until Feb. 21, 2012, when they were also released on temporary bail. Granting prisoners release on temporary bail is a common tactic employed by the government in Iran. It allows the government to recall those previously arrested at any moment for more interrogation or to serve longer prison sentences. Those released on temporary bail live in constant fear of being called back to prison.

At his release, Pastor Farhad was denied the right to hold any kind of a church service or visit Christians in Ahvaz,

his hometown. He was also banned from living in Ahvaz and forced to move to Tehran.

In October 2012, the four were each sentenced to serve a year in prison for the charges of "converting to Christianity, inviting Muslims to convert and acting against state security through evangelistic activities."

On May 1, the court summoned the four. When they appeared, they were each arrested. Davoud Alijani was sent

to Karoon prison in Ahvaz.

Pastor Farhad, Shahnaz and Naser were transferred to Sepidar prison.

Address for Naser Zamen-Dezfuli

Sepidar Prison

Ahwaz, Islamic Republic of Iran

Circulation To Date for Naser Zamen-Dezfuli

Prisoner Alerts Sent

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Prisoner Alerts Viewed

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Government Officials Emailed

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Encouraging Letters Written

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Excerpt from an actual letter created on PrisonerAlert.com

I gave thanks for you when I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray the eyes, ears and hearts of those who persecute you

may open to Jesus. Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to

suffer for His sake. Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the

glory which shall be revealed in us.

©2013 The Voice of the Martyrs

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HOW LONG? Open Doors USA April 25 2013

Apr 25 2013

 

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?’” – Numbers 14:11

*Drawing by a former North Korean prisoner, depicting North Korean prisoners eating plants in a labor camp.

Imagine yourself a Christian living in North Korea, a land that is barren... a land that is silent. You have no church, no freedom to share your faith, no Bible, and no contact with other Christians. You are alone. 

We can only imagine that Christians in North Korea today are echoing these exact words found in Numbers, but instead of God crying to Moses, they are crying to God! “How Long?” In our perspective, Christians in North Korea have been suffering for long enough. But they are not without hope. In the book of Isaiah God tells us through His Word some of His plans and promises for His people, including His people in North Korea.

How Long?

Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, was once called the Jerusalem of the East. Beginning on January 14, 1907, when a group of Korean Christians and Western missionaries met in Pyongyang for a Bible study …God began to move. Realizing their sin, and the need for Jesus, the group fell on their knees in repentance. In that instant a revival began that lasted 40 years.

When Japan was defeated in 1945 during World War II, Korea was divided into the North (under Soviet Union rule) and the South (under US rule). After the North established the Democratic People’s Republic (DPRK) in 1948 severe persecution began. That was over 65 years ago…in comparison the Israelites wandered in the desert for only 40 years.

In the book of Isaiah God tells us through His Word some of His plans and promises for His people.Holding on to these promises join today in intercessory prayer, through His Word, for North Korea.

THE LORD WILL MAKE NORTH KOREA A PRAISE IN THE EARTH

The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth; “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your Savior comes’! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.’” They will be called the Holy People the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted. – Isaiah 62:11-12

North Korea is the most dangerous country in the world to be a Christian. And yet the Word of God continues to go out, especially in the cities near the Chinese border. Every year North Koreans risk their lives to cross into China. If they are fortunate enough to arrive safely, the danger continues. But if they fall under the care of Christian’s operating safe houses, the gospel message is shared… for many this is the first time hearing the name of Jesus. After receiving Christ, many return to North Korea, at great personal risk, to bring the gospel message to their family at home.

THE LORD WILL GLORIFY HIS CHURCH IN NORTH KOREA

…So He became their Savior. In all their affection He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. – Isaiah 63:8-9b

On the surface, the fruits of God’s work are not evident in North Korea today. The church may be thought of as “desolate” because of its suffering and lack of visible strength. And yet, His Spirit is there, working in silence. Open Doors supports North Korean Christians in secret with Bibles, books, education and relief aid. Often we receive thank you letters from underground church leaders; oneNorth Korean Christian wrote:

“I am very proud to see our believers’ faithful lives becoming more mature. Their lives are in danger and still they follow the Lord. This could have not been possible if it wasn’t for your endless effort and love. Please continue to pray for us.”

GOD’S SPIRIT WILL NEVER LEAVE NORTH KOREA!

“As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from now and forever.” –Isaiah 59:21

Imagine not being able to pass on your faith to your children? In North Korea this desire is dangerous for both believers and their children. If their faith is discovered, they, with their children, are sent to prison and forced into hard labor. Other North Korean children may have been abandoned by their parents due to hardships, for others, their parents may have died. Living on the streets struggling to survive; Timothy, shares his story:

“Like so many children, I was separated from my parents. My father had to flee the country in a hurry. For years, I lived on the streets. Every day, I had to manage to find food. I only slept for a few hours each night and tried to stay awake in order not to die of hunger. I survived by helping to carry luggage at stations. After some time, I realized that I had no future in North Korea. While fleeing to China, I was detained by the border police. They took me back to North Korea where the guards tortured me severely. I kept praying to stay alive, because I had discovered that there was a God. After two weeks, I was released but because of the torture, I was no longer able to stand. My grandmother paid a woman to carry me across the river into China on her back. In the end, I gained freedom and I was reunited with my father. Whatever situation you are in, do not give up, but keep praying!”

GOD WILL REVEAL HIMSELF TO ALL 
“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call my name. I said ‘Here am I, her am I.’” Isaiah 65:1

Kim Il Sung, the founder of the DPRK, understood the power of worship and set himself up to be the only one.. Statues of him were erected; people were required to bow down before them. Kim Il Sung created a belief system called Juche which twisted the Holy Trinity of Christianity by teaching that Kim Il Sung is god, his son Kim Jong Il is the Christ figure, and the ideology of Juche replaces the Holy Spirit. Kim Jong Il referred to it as “Kimilsungism.” All North Koreans are indoctrinated with this belief system from cradle to grave.  But God has permitted Himself to be found by people who did not seek Him. That grace… guaranteed on the cross of Jesus Christ… is available to everyone, including the leaders of North Korea.  

JOIN IN PRAYING THIS PRAYER

Father God, when will the promise, “For they will be a people blessed by the Lord.”(Is 65:23) be fulfilled completely? Will it be upon the return of Your Son Jesus Christ when all earthly kingdoms will be destroyed and only Your Kingdom remains?  Father, we know that we are to wait for Your perfect time, but our hearts break for those in North Korea who are blinded by the lies. Father, remove the scales from their eyes so that they can see Your glory. We join today in prayer for a mighty, overwhelming outpouring of Your Spirit over the Korean peninsula, believing as we come to You on our knees, and petition on their behalf, that the next great revival in Korea will come soon, and that Your splendor will be spread over the entire nation. Praying in Jesus Name, our Redeemer. Amen.

 

[This has been copied in its entirety from the Open Doors USA Website: 

 

http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/prayer-updates/2013/04-April/how-long?utm_source=prayer-alert&utm_medium=email&utm_content=text-link&utm_campaign=april

 

To find out more about Open Doors USA click here ]

 

 

 

 

 

AGENDA: Grinding America Down Video

This is a must see video for those who love this country and are concerned with the direction it is taking. This video is free for a short period of time and therefore it is very important that word of it gets out to everyone. Please share this link with everyone you know! May God bless you and may His grace continue to reign in these United States of America.

Here is the link while it is still working. 

https://vimeo.com/63749370 

AMERICAN PASTOR SAEED ABEDINI

Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American, is still being held in an Iranian prison, our government isn't doing anything to help get him released and his wife and children wonder if they will ever see him again. 

This is a heart-wrenching, real-life tale that may not have the happy-ever-after ending, at least not here on earth. Pastor Abedini's story isn't the only one. There are many more people, people who believe in Jesus Christ, whose lives are in jeopardy every day. 

To proclaim and be a Christian is getting to be more difficult here in the United States. To proclaim and be a Christian in another country will cost that Christian their life. 

Though it is becoming more politically correct to be intolerant towards Christians, in other countries such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Pakistan, just to name a few, it is a death warrant to become a Christian, especially if that person came out of another religion, such as Pastor Abedini.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) are doing all they can to get the release of Pastor Abedini. They are sending petitions through emails, they tweet almost daily about this situation, they send petitions to the courts, and everyone else that may have some clout.

What will you do to help free this pastor so he can come back home and be with his family? What can you do? 

You can pray. You can sign petitions. You can write letters to Congress and House representatives. You can pray. Prayer is the mightiest weapon any Christian can wield. And sign those petitions. 

For more information about Pastor Saeed Abedini go to http://aclj.org/  

And for more information about your brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted here are some more websites:

http://www.persecution.com/ 
http://www.gfa.org/
http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/
http://www.send.org/


  

  

CHINA AID ASSOCIATION

I came across this organization and believe I should share this with you. The persecution against Christians and house churches taking place in China is going full force and we need to remember our brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus daily. The report I am posting was made almost a year ago. It doesn’t take too much imagination to believe the situation has gotten worse. Please remember these dear members of the body of Christ.

To learn more about China Aid Association click here

China Aid Association, April 20, 2012

For many years, China’s house churches, which uphold religious freedom and hold fast to the true faith, have been viewed by the Chinese government as a hostile group of dissenters and have become the target of persecution and crackdowns. Furthermore, these vile acts of the government, which blatantly violate the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, have increased in frequency and severity year after year.

In December 2010, the Communist Party Central Committee’s Public Security Commission issued a secret document to target China’s “house churches” in implementing its special suppression campaign “Operation Deterrence.” Government officials of all levels were told to “guide” Christians attending those unregistered churches to worship in [government-approved] Three-Self churches, and to “break up” large churches like Shouwang Church into small groups.

Soon thereafter, beginning on Easter 2011, Beijing Shouwang Church was forced to hold its Sunday worship service outdoors, and various government agencies have joined together in continuous attacks on the church, which has had its former large-scale Sunday worship services “broken up” into small groups meeting separately.

“The so-called ‘house churches,’ this problem does not exist…,” Wang Zuo’an, head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) said in an interview with Wu Xiaoli on her show “Q & A about Shenzhou,” which aired on Hong Kong’s Phoenix Satellite Television on the afternoon of Oct. 21, 2011.  “According to the Regulations on Religious Affairs promulgated by State Council, religious groups need to follow the related regulations and register with the government. Nevertheless, a well-known fact is that many Christians of China spontaneously get together and meet at illegal and unregistered locations. The number of these believers is not clear to us. They call themselves ‘house churches.’ Western countries call them ‘underground churches’.” This remark of Wang’s signaled the Chinese Communist government’s new round of initiatives to eradicate house churches.

At the National Work Conference on Religious Affairs on Jan. 9, 2012, SARA deputy director Jiang Jianyong said that SARA in 2010 had started the process of certifying and creating files on clergy, and that the process is supposed to be completed in 2012. This was the starting point for promoting the implementation of the “Regulations on Religious Affairs.” The plan is to systematize and computerize the management of clergy in three years.

As a matter of fact, SARA is certifying and creating files only on clergy from government-approved religious groups; the purpose of this is to target religious groups unwilling to become part of the government-approved religious entities, to exclude them and purge and eradicate them. In this way, thousands of “house churches” in China will become “illegal” religious groups, and thousands of “house church” ministers will become “illegal” clergy.

At the same time, SARA held the first training class for “Patriots in the Christian Community” in Beijing in September 2011, and in 2012 a second class is planned for the near future. During this time, the China Christian Council and the Three-Self Patriotic Movement (CCC/TSPM) across China have been holding “Training Sessions for Ministerial Certification,” in which “patriotic” education is conducted. Reports of these sessions have appeared on many religious websites, in the media and in periodicals. In some CCC/TSPM “Training Sessions for Ministerial Certification” that this reporter has attended, the local religious bureaus had all made special arrangements for officials of the deputy bureau chief level or higher to speak on “Regulations on Religious Affairs” and “patriotism.”

According to sources, SARA’s certifying of and creating files on [church] ministers and its pervasive “patriotic” education are aimed at consolidating the joint forces of the CCC/TSPM and the Communist government so as to further eradicate the foundation upon which house churches stand. The government is calling this “solidify the foundation and reinforce the framework.”

In the course of reporting, this reporter learned that in September 2011, when SARA held its first training class for “Patriots in the Christian Community,” a secret document issued jointly by SARA and the ministries of Public Security and Civil Affairs was released that addressed the issue of completely eradicating “house churches.” Its main points were:

1．Phase One: from Jan. to June 2012, conduct thorough, intensive and secret investigations of house churches throughout the country and create files on them.
2. Phase Two: in two to three years, concentrate on cleaning up the “house churches” that have been investigated and have had files created.
3. Phase Three: in 10 years’ time, completely wipe out “house churches.”

The main strategies for implementing the above are:
1.    Incorporate denominationally affiliated “house churches” into the CCC/TSPM management system.
2.    Comprehensively implement the management model of “meeting sites attached to churches” [i.e. house churches become “meeting sites” attached to an official Three-Self church]. Within the CCC/TSPM system, register those “house churches” that are willing to register and eradicate the “house churches” that do not want to register.
3.    Ban the words “house church” as well as all reports on “house churches” from all websites, media and documents, and use “house gatherings” instead of the term “house church,” that is, call “house churches” “house gatherings.”
4.     Implement humane law enforcement measures for “house churches”.

We have noticed since the beginning of 2012 an increase in the frequency of persecution and suppression of house churches by the Chinese Communist government. In addition to the continuing persecution of Beijing Shouwang Church which has lasted for more than a year, the number of other similar cases has risen 20% over last year and has spread into other areas, including Christian education publication and bookstores.

In a recent random survey conducted by this reporter in several provinces, cities and regions, over 95% of house church ministers surveyed said they had strongly felt the impact of the relevant government departments launching intense investigations into and creating files on the house churches, which has extended to grassroots-level villages and towns. Over 85% house church ministers said that their local religious affairs departments had already created files on them. A house church pastor from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, said he had received reliable information that the provincial government had issued secret documents regarding the eradication of house churches. He said, “The situation this year is especially tense.”

This reporter has observed that the implementation of Phase One of the eradication of “house churches” as described in the secret document issued jointly by SARA and the ministries of Public Security Civil Affairs not only has already begun but has entered an intense phase. According to the main points of this secret document, this new round of the Chinese government’s campaign to eradicate “house churches” will be rolled out in three stages of six months, three years and ten years. Compared with Operation Deterrence launched in December 2010, it is gentler, longer, and more sustained, as well as being full of “united front” strategy. [“United front” is a loaded political term that hearkens back to the Communist Party’s revolutionary beginnings when it used persuasion to achieve cooperation with non-Communist groups.]

Humane law enforcement, long-term implementation, and “united front”-style registration. How will this new Chinese government campaign to eradicate “house churches” impact house churches that are seeking a path to religious freedom and holding fast to the true faith? We’ll wait and see.

Meanwhile, we also pray for China’s house churches, asking that God protect them as they journey on the path to religious freedom. May God bless the house churches that proclaim the truth of the Gospel and may God strengthen Beijing Shouwang Church in the midst of severe persecution.

ChinaAid Contacts
Bob Fu, President | Mark Shan, News Analyst
Tel: 1+ (888) 889-7757 | Cell: (267) 205-5210
Email: Bob@ChinaAid.org  |  Mark@ChinaAid.org
LA Office: Eddie Romero | Tel: (323) 521-6777  |  Email: ChinaAid.LA@gmail.com
Website: www.ChinaAid.org | www.MonitorChina.org

BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING! by LaTawnia Kintz

BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING!

Text: Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV)

¹     "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

²     Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³     Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,

⁴     but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵     But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶     "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'

⁷     Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

⁸     And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

⁹     But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

¹⁰   And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

¹¹   "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'

¹²   But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'

¹³            "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. (BerBible - NKJV)

Today is January 1, 2013. Now for some that may not mean much other than it’s the beginning of a new year. For those who were waiting for the collapse of civilization and the world as we know it to end on December 12, 2012, well, hang in there. You don’t know what this year is going to hold.

In pondering on this day for many days prior, I came to the conclusion, nay, the desire, that I want, need for my life to make a difference in the kingdom of God. This is more than just a need. It is more than just a desire. It is a burning drive within my soul. Instead of making New Year resolutions, today I rededicated my life, heart, soul and mind to my Lord and Savior. Though I am but a clay pot with many cracks, He is the Potter Who is able to take this broken vessel and make it new. That being said let us prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom!

I have been reading in Matthew about the coming of our Lord Jesus and throughout, He tells us to be prepared because we don’t know when He is going to return. The portion of scripture we are going to look at is the parable of the ten virgins, found in Matthew 25. For your convenience I have added the verses at the beginning of this blog, but I encourage you to read it from your own bible, so you may underline or mark what verses stand out to you.

For a little historical background, in Jewish custom the brides-maids would wait for the bridegroom to arrive at the bride’s house. When they knew he was on his way, they would take their filled, lighted lamps and guide the bridegroom to his bride.

In this parable we have the picture of Jesus, our Bridegroom, returning for His Bride- the Church. The brides-maids represent the individuals of the Church; they are a picture of Christians. As Christians, we attend the Bridegroom by proclaiming Him to all creation. As His expectants, we wait on His return with great expectation. Are you waiting for His return with great expectation? Or are you hoping He will wait for a while longer?

In verse two we are told there were five wise virgins and five foolish virgins. In the Church there are two types of people, those who serve God and those who serve themselves.

Matthew 13:24-30 is the parable of the man who had sown good seed in his wheat fields then his enemy came in the night and sown tares. When his servant asked his master if he should pull out the tares, his master told him to wait until the harvest. At that time the tares would be separated from the wheat and burned with fire and the wheat will be put in the barn.

Matthew 22:1-14 tells of a king arranging a wedding for his son. He sent out invitations and when the time came for the wedding those invited and they didn’t come, he told his servants to gather others from the highways and they did. They brought both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. Now that isn’t the end of the story, there was a man there without the wedding garments. He was not one of the ones invited. The king commanded he be bound and cast in outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. “For many are called but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)

Matthew 13:47-50 tells us about a dragnet cast into the sea and when it’s full it is brought to the shore and then the good is gathered into vessels and the bad is thrown away. We are told that “at the end of the age, the angels will come forth, separate the wicked from the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

So we see in the Church both wise and foolish, believer, hypocrite, unsaved and backslidden, all in one body. We also see from scripture that there will be a sorting out in the end.

Back to our text, in verse three of Matthew 25, we are told the foolish virgins took their lamps but took no extra oil.

Here I want you to see that this picture of the foolish virgins is not a picture of the Christian who struggles with their walk with God. This is not a new believer. These virgins are the hypocrites in the Church. They have plenty of fanfare but no substance. They have a lot of show, they look good on the outside, but they have absolutely nothing on the inside. Their lamps are polished to a high sheen but they have nothing inside to sustain the flame, they have nothing to carry them through the trials and hardships. They are empty shells that will crush under pressure.

Matthew 23:1-36 gives us the biblical definition of the hypocrite. Is a hypocrite one who falls in his walk with God but is willing to be corrected? No! A hypocrite is one who looks good on the outside but inside is death.

Verse 4 of Matthew 25 we see the wise virgins took oil in their vessels along with their lamps. See the wisdom here; because they not only took their lamps which were filled with oil in order to meet the Bridegroom, they also took additional oil. They were prepared in case He tarried.

I would suggest that the oil is grace and the lamp is the heart. Take a moment to look at a couple of verses with me. The first being, 2 Corinthians 4:7 – “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” (NKJV) and the second being Acts 4:33 – “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.” (NKJV) [Emphasis is mine.]

Grace is known as the unmerited favor of God for salvation. It is also the operation of the power of God. In other words, speaking “grace” to obstacles we face is a action of faith, drawing on the operations of God’s great power. We only speak; the work is entirely His.

We need that grace to get through each day. The darker is becomes the more grace is needed.

The oil also represents the Holy Spirit anointing. Without His anointing all we do is the work of the flesh. Christians today need as much grace and anointing possible – even to overflowing- to get through each day as they wait for His return. Or they won’t make it. They will become tired and then fall asleep. “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9 NKJV)

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I do get weary. When that happens, I have to press into God; I have to seek His face more; because I don’t want to be asleep when the Bridegroom comes like the virgins did in verse 5.

Here we see Christians are no better than the hypocrite or the unsaved. While the Bridegroom delays His coming the hypocrite, unsaved and backslidden remains completely unconcerned with the danger his soul is in.

The Christian who is toiling in the kingdom of God has become weary and loses heart. He or she has become lax in their vigilant watching. They are no longer spiritually discerning the Spirit of God. [I believe is this the main reason there is so much apostasy in the Church, today.]

The Christian has become complacent even – Jesus hasn’t returned yet, and he feels that He probably won’t – in his lifetime. We are admonished in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 not to sleep as others do. Why? Because Jesus Christ is returning in the clouds with power and great glory! John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; Mark 13:26; Daniel 7:13; Luke 21:27

We must not become secure in ourselves or careless in our watchfulness not indulge in spiritual sloth and idleness. If this is something you have been doing, this let this day be the day you turn from serving yourself and serve the Living Lord instead. Gird up your loins! “Gird[ed] your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all of fiery darts of the wicked one, and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints –“ (Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV)

The Christian today especially needs to be aware of spiritual enemies that would hinder the work of the Lord. He needs not to care for the things of this world but rather seek the kingdom of God. This world is not our home; we are merely sojourners, pilgrims, strangers and foreigners. Our home is in heaven; our Lord has already gone and prepared a place for us. Matthew 6:19-21, 25-35; John 14: 1-3; John 17:16

We are not of this world, just as He wasn’t of the world. We must exercise self-control (Galatians 5:22-25); not walk in the flesh but rather walk in the Spirit. (1 Peter 5:8-10). We are not to give into fleshly desires but seek that better thing which is Christ Jesus.

Those who sleep are not sensible of their danger and those who are drunk are not sensible of their duty. (Luke 21:34; Romans 13:11) Therefore beloved, let us be neither asleep nor drunk but rather awake and prepared for the coming of our Bridegroom.

Verse six of our main text tells us that at “midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!”

He will return when we least expect it. He will return at His Father’s appointed time; Matthew 24:36. SO WAKE UP! “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand…” Romans 13:11-12a (NKJV)

In verse seven we read all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. They trimmed the wicks so the light would be pure and without smoke and those who had brought extra oil filled their lamps so their light wouldn’t go out while they prepared themselves to meet the Bridegroom.

The Christian needs to be prepared when Jesus returns. We should be found in peace (2 Peter 3:14), we should be found doing our Master’s work (Matthew 24:46) and we should not be found naked or lacking (Matthew 25:3).

The hypocrite goes through the motion of “trimming lamps” – he shows a vain confidence, a conceit of goodness of his own spiritual state. He believes all is okay, there is nothing wrong with him. Luke 18:10-12.

Then they realize the Bridegroom really is coming… (Matthew 25:8) and they recognize how totally unprepared they are to receive Him. So the foolish go to the wise seeking oil for their lamps before they burn out. But it is too late.

This not only a picture of the hypocrite but also of those who are unsaved and backslidden – this soul may possibly be laying on his death bed not ready to meet the Maker of the universe.

These who are not prepared see the folly in not being prepared. The hypocrite sees that without oil (the anointing of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace) what began in the Spirit ends in the flesh. They see all their credibility is lost, all their hope fails, all their comfort is gone. The unsaved and backslidden sees the misery of the state of their soul on the other side of death and judgment.

These all see that what they had in the beginning of their watch could only carry them so far. It may have given light along this world, but the darkness of the valley of the shadow of death will put the light out. They had jeered the wise and called them foolish at the first, but now they find themselves beholden to them for oil.

Those who now hate the strictness of following after Christ, laying aside sin that easily besets us, and giving up our life to take up His cross – will at the time of death and judgment wish they had done so. It will be too late for those who will then see the need of the grace of God which saves and sanctifies. 2 Corinthians 6:2; Titus 2:11, Hebrews 12:1, Matthew 10:38-39

There is no buying of oil when the store is close. It is now, while we can, work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

“For God did not appoint us to wrath; but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9 (NKJV)

“How shall we escape of we neglect so great a salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.” Hebrews 2:3 (NKJV)

Those who would be saved must have their own grace (2 Corinthians 6:2). One’s own sanctification is indispensably necessary to their own salvation (Philippians 2:12). Everyone will give account of their own-self. No one will speak for him on that judgment day.

Matthew 25:9 “But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’” (NKJV)

I know, you are probably thinking the wise virgins were being unkind in their unwillingness to share their extra oil. But they really did give the best advice. They could not save the unsaved or the hypocrite. Those people have only one place to turn; only one Person could and would fill their need. They were given the advice to repent, turn to God, accept the free gift of salvation and believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is all very good advice – if taken in time.

But what about those who heard the Gospel message and choose to wait – how many heard the Gospel prior to 9-11, or before the destruction of the Japanese coast, or before the various floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires and more that is affecting all of us world-wide. How many say they will wait to make the decision for eternal life with Christ Jesus, they will wait until their life is together; they don’t want to change their lifestyle yet because they are having too much fun, because they are making too much money, or waiting for that one true love… etc.

Don’t wait. The hour draws much closer than we are aware of. Today is the day for your salvation. Don’t put off receiving the free gift of salvation and eternal life with Christ Jesus. You are not guaranteed tomorrow, or your next breath. You could end up like those five foolish virgins who went looking for oil.

We are told when they went to buy more oil the Bridegroom came and those who were ready for Him went to the wedding and “the door was shut.” (Matthew 25:10)

Please listen to my heart and to the heart of God. He is pleading with you. He loves you so much he wants you to spend eternity with Him – to dine with Him at the wedding feast.

For those of you who have walked away from Him – He is calling you back – can’t you hear His sweet, gentle voice, full of love, mercy and forgiveness, just for you?

To those of you (including me) who are called to the ministry, who put off the call – the work because you are waiting for kids to grow up, to save enough money, to pay off the house, car, braces, what have you… one thousand (1,000) to one you will not find the time to do it in and then one day – that day- you will stand before Him, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords… what will you say?

Those who were prepared, those who were ready – went with Him to the wedding and the door was shut by the Bridegroom.

There is something else here I want you to see. When the foolish virgins came back, they did so without oil, without grace. Why? Because the grace was gone. Those who had grace had gone into the wedding. Those who could impart grace to the five foolish virgins had been taken with the Bridegroom. I want you to see this; the grace must be lifted for the wrath of God to come. That is what this whole dissertation Jesus gives about the end times means, that Matthew wrote about in chapters 24-25. He is returning for His Bride, His Church. The question then becomes, are we ready?

One more thing I want to point out about verse 10. We read “the door was shut.” The door was shut by the Bridegroom, just as the door to the ark that Noah built was shut by God.

Looking at verse 11 we find it was shut to secure those within (just as God secured those within the ark.) It was also shut to exclude those that were outside (too late). Matthew 7:21; Luke 13:25; Psalm 5:5; John 9:31. There will be a great gulf between those at the wedding and those outside the door. Luke 16:26.

Matthew 25:12 says, “But he answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’” (NKJV)

Oh beloved, don’t wait. Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

The proud won’t stand in His sight – He hates all workers of iniquity – humble yourselves before Him now while there is still time. Because when the door is closed He won’t hear you.

“They cried out, but there was none to save; even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.” Psalm 18:41

Psalm 5:5; John 9:31; Job 35:12; Proverbs 1:28-29; 15:29; 28:9; Ezra 8:18; Micah 3:4

He is warning you – telling you now is the time to turn your heart to Him – now is the time to come and believe in Him – now is the time – before He comes and closes the door.

Verse 13 – “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Mark 13:35-36; Matthew 24:42; Luke 12:40; 21:36; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, 8-10)

Dear Christian, our duty is to watch, be awake and be wakeful (Galatians 6:9). Be prepared at all time, be at peace, be doing what He has told us to do, not be found lacking; because we know neither the day nor the hour of His return.

Let us not be asleep when the cry goes out…

“Behold the Bridegroom is coming, go out and meet Him.”