On the Following Night!

1 Corinthians 13:12a “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face…”

On the Following Night!

As kin to the bride, betrothed for almost one year, so Sarah, neared completion of her own bridesmaid’s dress.

“It will be beautiful!”, she envisioned happily.

For the merchants passing through had brought such a variety of fabrics and colors. It would be glorious!

Finally, on this evening, after months of devoted planning, cutting, pinning and coordinated sewing, now…all of the women’s wedding apparel was finished.

So the following dawn found the anxious bridesmaids awake and beginning to carefully put on their hand sewn creations.

As their exercise progressed, nervous giggles were audibly sewn into thankful exhales. Their shared belief was resoundingly positive!

“We’re ready…we’re ready for the Bridegroom!”

Filled by these joyous threads of Expectation, so they closely examined and reviewed every stitch – again and again.

Then, as the day exhausted itself, with their eyesight fatigued and their fingers worn, they laid themselves down, still at the ready to support the Bride!

There quickly falling asleep on straw beds and the uneven floor, they stayed with each other — awaiting the Hour.

Although a few sunrise and sunset exchanges went past, still they stayed diligent in preparation.

Each evening they’d lay down ever fervently believing that the Father of the Bridegroom would soon send his son.

But although so mucv work had gone into being ready, Sarah still noticed something odd, something amiss.

In her view, only half of the bridesmaids had brought enough oil for the next night, should he tarry yet another day.

Matthew 25:3 “They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them…”

“So sure they must be that he comes for the Bride…this evening!”, Sarah said to herself.

Matthew 25:4 “But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”

But soon enough her eyelids fell beneath the weight of Slumber and she no longer gave it a thought.

Matthew 25:5 “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.”

And so it was, that on the following night, clear and quiet, that the long awaited and unmistakable trumpet shout…burst across the city!

Matthew 25:6 “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom comes; go out to meet HIM!”

Instantly awakening, instantly realizing — “HE is coming!”; they quickly rose, trimmed their lamps and hurried outside to watch for him. They were ready!

That is…half of the bridesmaids were.

For, after an hour, these others, her close relations, now displayed flickering flames along with their worried glances.

Dreadfully aware of their own error, they began to awkwardly approach, asking to borrow oil.

Matthew 25:8 “And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.”

To Sarah, It was such a painfully pitiful and gut wrenching sight!

She felt such anguish upon hearing each urgent plea because…these were both her family and her friends!

But…they’d all heard the often repeated reminder!

“Be ready at all times with plenty of oil…for you know not the hour that the Bridegroom cometh!

Matthew 25:13 “Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour when the Son of man comes.”

Urging them to run then and get the needed fuel, so she watched them leave for the merchants’ stores.

And while some rushed with a sincere level of urgency, others just walked and talked — now just assuming they’d have enough Time…after all.

But as they disappeared into the darkness, Sarah just couldn’t help but feel a great loss.

It swept through her small frame and she shuddered noticeably.

Matthew 25:10 “And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.”

But then, a nearby shofar blast gently shook her back into the moment!

Looking down the empty street, she could presently see both the Bridegroom and his men drawing near!

Sarah, now overwhelmed with great joy, swirled rapidly to look into the face of the Bride.

But as she spun around, her view was supernaturally transformed from third person…into first!

Now! Looking down, her dress was no longer that of a bridesmaid! Now she saw clearly through a veil that was softly draped over her face.

She was the Bride! In fact, all those waiting expectantly for the Bridegroom felt the same transformation!

So the whole Bride of CHRIST stood as one…just longing for HIS touch!

And so it shall be for us, Beloved, that before another twinkling of the eye can pass…

…we shall be changed into HIS glorious image and see our Bridegroom JESUS — face to face!

Amen and amen!