The Wedding of the Light Givers

Dr. Kluane Spake

http://kluane.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

My wedding day is really close… and I’m super excited. My whole life was lived for this moment. I’ve spent months bathing with fine oils and perfumes. And best of all -- look at my white dress!

You know, there are nine other girls also getting married today? We all kinda’ dressed alike – so it’s hard to tell us apart. It was awesome how we each had great experiences discovering about our intended groom. He said that all ten of us together were like the kingdom in heaven.

My fiancé has gone to build our house. It’s been the custom in my country for generations that the groom builds while the bride readies herself. He said that it would be big enough for everything I could ever want. And, I don’t need to ever be jealous of anything anyone else has – because there is a special place for everything that I could ever want to do. He even gave me vision for some great ideas. I haven’t seen him since he left to build it. But, soon he’s going to come get me and take me over there to “our” place. I can’t wait to get out of here. But, I don’t know when he’ll get finished. It has taken a lot longer than I expected.

Did I ever tell you that it was his dad who actually picked me out to be the bride of his son. He did! Can you believe that I could be so lucky? His family is incredibly rich and said that they would pay all my expenses – whatever I needed. You should see all the jewelry I have! Too cool. His whole family really likes to surprise me with super gifts. That’s why I have to keep my wedding dress on all the time. Hey, I even sleep in it – just so I’ll be ready when he comes.

When my bridegroom asked me to be his, I was surprised that he could love and accept me -- because I’ve made lots of mistakes in the past. But he looked deeply into my eyes and forgave. That’s why I was so excited to answer him with my lips and believe in my heart that I was his. Then, he said that he would love me and take care of me for ever and all eternity.

Actually, we’ve been betrothed since then. It was then, that I was given what they called an “earnest down payment,” I think that’s what it was. That awesome experience made me very aware of how much my fiancé thinks and feels about me. Did you know that in our country, being betrothed means more than being engaged? It means this relationship was established way back then. Now, if nothing happens to stop it, all that’s left is for us to do is finalize the arrangement. I mean, then we can live happily ever after. You know… have babies and stuff. He says we’re gonna’ teach our kids how to live in dominion. Guess I’ll have to learn about that.

One time, my fiancé told me about a wedding he went to awhile ago. At the party, they ran out of wine and he had to make more. That must have really been exciting. At least I know we won’t run out of wine at our party! Wedding parties are such a big deal around here. You know, everyone comes dressed in white. My fiancé likes to tell me about that day… he even reads a book of love songs to me sometimes – he says, “Let me kiss you with the kisses of my lips, for my lips are sweeter than wine.” Oh, it’s sooooo romantic – I’m blushing just to think about it. Anyway, there’s going to be a huge celebration. Sure do hope you can make it!

Today my friends and I have gone out into the field. It’s weird how we wait differently – those girls over there keep messing with their lamps. But, maybe my future husband will come today. Hey, I’ve been waiting for a long time. But, you know what? While waiting, I’ve had some really good ideas of my own that made things easier – and my accomplishments and efforts are lots showier that the others. In fact, the outside of my lamp looks way better than those lamps over there – and that should impress him big time.

Except, I’m having some trouble getting this lantern to light up. Let me ask this bride over here how she got her lamp lit.

“Hey, Virgie! Excuse me. What’s the deal here? My lamp is just like yours, except it won’t light. Huh? I did read it. Duhhh. Yes, I read the Instruction Manual once -- from cover to cover…”

Man, I don’t like her… she’s just like those other brides over there. Good things keep happening for them – and for no reason! Don’t kid yourself, they have way more “talents” than I do. It isn’t fair. They really look different.

“What are you saying, Virgie? I don’t understand. His Word is a Lamp? That doesn’t even make any sense. By the way, you really look bright tonight. What did you have to pay for that anointed brightness? Did you get it at the Mall? I’ve never seen anything like it. But, you’re absolutely shining in the darkness…”

“Well, could you at least tell me where to get some extra oil around here? I forgot to get oil this morning. You know how it is. It was such a busy day in the world before coming to the field … there were so many other things going on. You know, the phone calls, and then I had to work two jobs just to meet the bills. And, I was up really late, too. But, did you see that hysterical show on TV last night – it really was a little naughty, but super funny. I can’t wait for next week!”

I just hope that he comes pretty soon. I really want that mansion with a rocking chair in the sky, then I won’t have to do anything else around here. He’ll just come and “catch me away” and then we can just take it easy… He told me to “Watch and wait.” So, that’s what I’m doing – if I can just stay awake. Oh well. Maybe I can get more oil in the morning. I’ll try to figure out how to do that later. Virgie’s instructions take too long to do, there’s gotta be an easier way. Anyway, I’m feeling really tired tonight. And, right now, I’m taking a nap!

Man. Some guy is screaming out there. Wish he would shut-up. Oh. Heh-heh. Sorry. It’s the watchman. He’s waking everyone up and saying that it’s time. But I can’t see anything. Maybe I can rub my eyes and see better. It’s really dark out tonight. Hey, five of those brides are really looking bright now. Wait…. Do I see them going forward without the rest of us? Why do they get such an abundant entrance? Maybe I can catch them. Oppps. I just tripped on a rock in the darkness. Ouuuuch.

“It’s not fair. He can see you cuz’ your lanterns are lit and you look like light… and he can’t see me. Wow. In all that light those five look just like the bridegroom.”

“Oh, Hi there dreamboat! What do you mean that you don’t know me? It’s me. Yeah. That’s just a little dirt. But, I look as good as they do! It’s just that I can’t get my light to turn on.”

“Huhhh? I can’t go with you right now? You’ve got to be kidding.”

What? So there will be no wedding party for me? No intimate times?

Say what? You’ll see me later at the “bema seat.”

………………………………………….

WEDDINGS

• The father of the groom chose the bride for his son, (Gen 38:6, Eph 1:4.).
• The church is betrothed to Christ (2 Cor 11:2).
• (Rom 10:9) Believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth are covenant vows..
• There’s plenty of room in the Father’s house. The place of abiding is already prepared (Jn. 14:2). We can dwell there now, in this lifetime. We don’t need to be jealous of each other because there is room for each of our ministries.
• The Holy Spirit is our "earnest" or "down payment" on our future relationship with Christ (2 Cor. 1:22).
• The wedding guests also wear white robes (Rev 19:8) representing the righteousness that Christ has already imputed to them (see also Mat 22:11, Lk. 12:36).
• There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for believers who are not ready.
• The bride and Groom will reign here on earth.

……………………………………………….

“To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.”

Mother Teresa

Today, the Lord awaits an exchange – a wedding of purpose. The time has come for the church to move past the betrothal stage and enter into the fullness of marriage here on earth and heaven (Rev 19:7-9). The optimum experience of marriage comes NOW... so we can get on with creating the future in this lifetime.

Only days before our Lord’s Crucifixion, He instructed His disciples on the Mount of Olives concerning His Coming (Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21). Then, He told the story like this, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins (pure in heart) who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom” (Matt. 25:1-12, NKJ).

This story tells about two types of believers: 1). Those who receive truth fully and apply it -- and 2). those who seem to receive the truth but do not apply it. John the Baptist called Jesus, “the Bridegroom” (John 3:29). The number ten represents the whole church or the fullness of all believers (ten being the number of order, government, restoration, and responsibility). ALL TEN HAD LAMPS. All ten “looked like” believers (spiritual virgins).

To understand their lanterns, let’s remember Psalm 119:105 -- The Word is both a LAMP (an empty container) and LIGHT - knowledge and application of truth. Lamps need fire (to ignite) and oil (the application of the Holy Spirit) in order to maintain light. Jesus, of course, is the fire that ignites these lamps.

Zechariah 4:1-6 tells how an angel asked Zerubbabel, “What do you SEE?” He described a seven piped LAMP that was continuously lit. The angel told him that the LAMP was, “The WORD of the LORD”…that says, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.” Once again, we see that the Word of God is a LAMP -- Those who SEE embrace and apply the Word.

When we are in a situation where we do not know what to do (darkness)… then, we need to get a scripture (the LAMP). The Holy Spirit gives understanding to that particular scripture – causing it to generate LIGHT within our being.

There’s much we don’t understand about this parable. We know that the first type were five (wise virgins. (Five is the number of grace, atonement, life, the cross, 5-fold ministry, 5 loaves – the bread of life, Gen. 1:20-23, Lev. 1-7, Eph. 4:11, Ex. 13:18, Jos. 1:14, etc.). These five made themselves “ready” (Rev.19:7). They anticipated the lateness of the Bridegroom and were prepared to receive His image. They had LAMPS (Bibles, the capacity to be lit)– but not only that, they had oil.

Oil represents the application of the Holy Spirit that comes only to those who are OBEDIENT, "And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, Whom God hath given to them that OBEY Him" (Acts 5:32). The Wise Virgins are the believers who walk according to the Word (2 Tim. 3:15). Without obedience to the Spirit of God, our knowledge of His Word means nothing. Oil means that we allowed the Holy Spirit to teach us how to apply the Word. Of course, oil (a type of the Holy Spirit) represents the ability to maintain light. The wise are capable of keeping their lamps lit.

Why do the wise virgins pack extra oil in the first place? They must have had prior perception of to need to endure long into the deep of the night. We ought to think about that… the long enduring part. Especially those who believe that they will escape all difficulties unscathed while singing, “I’ll fly away, oh glory.” Perhaps we should think again. The message of this parable could be: don't just wait around expecting to get instant miracles whenever things get tough. Pay attention: Anyone who believes that they must live through the difficulties of the night must get ready to OVERCOME (1 Jn. 4:4, Rev. 2:7, 17, 26, 3:5, 3:12, 21, 21:7) with the nature and character of Christ.

Why didn’t the wise virgins help the foolish ones? Perhaps it’s because the Holy Spirit works upon willing hearts -- only if we allow that to happen. We must consent to allowing the embedded Word to change us. The foolish virgins were content with a superficial relationship. They had a form of godliness. It goes without saying that (even in times of peril) nobody else can fix your mistakes. You can’t believe for me. You can’t obey for me. You can’t receive the Spirit for me. You can’t impart your redeemed character into me, if I’m not interested.

Had the Bridegroom not been delayed, everyone may have been ready. There would have been no necessity for extra oil. However, we know that the five were foolish because they had lamps (they took their Bibles), but they were without the UNDERSTANDING AS TO HOW TO APPLY THE WORD (lamp) and make it work (become light). They only had head knowledge. Their passion was spent on distractions and not on targeting readiness.

The Foolish are disobedient – they may intellectually remember their salvation experience, but the Holy Spirit is no longer activated within. Make no mistake, foolishness-- as used in this context—doesn’t’ mean doing something accidentally, but being purposely apathetic. Foolishness, like this, is sin (Prov 24:9). Unless they repent, they will miss the wedding night party. Foolish believers may still receive some great rewards, but not the abundant entrance they had desired (2 Pet. 1:11).

These foolish virgins failed to prepare to see WHEN they needed to SEE (NOW!). They became preoccupied and distracted. Perhaps the five foolish believers tried to please God with their own works, doctrines, and ideas (Jn 15:4&5). Their empty lamps without light, represent "human effort" (wood, hay, and stubble) rather than being led by the Spirit. Empty lamps are doctrines created from our own ideas. That means there will be no light, no matter how "good" those efforts seem (1 Cor 3:9-15).

The watchman stayed awake (to WATCH and warn) while all the virgins slept. The word “watchman” suggests a perceptive and vigilant activity. The watchman is commissioned with the purpose of awakening the sleeping church. At midnight, he shouts the awakening call. “It’s time to get up! Put on your armor of Light! (Rom. 13:12).

We may wonder if He’s actually coming at midnight? Well, somewhere in the world, it’s bound to be midnight! Right now. My friend, the time has come for you to hear the watchman’s wakeup call, "Go ye out to meet Him" (25:6). It’s time to arise. This is not a story for later – but for now. Go out to meet Him.

STORED OIL ALLOWED THE WISE TO BE SEEN. Among the ten virgins, LIGHT was the IDENTIFYING FEATURE that enabled the Bridegroom to recognize the brides that were His own. When the Bridegroom arrived (to merge with the many membered bride), He found them “enlightened” in readiness. They were able to comprehend and apply Truth. They were ignited and shining brightly in His likeness (they looked like Him). Whether He would come late or early, they were prepared. He found them and led their gleaming a torch-light Bridal procession out of the darkness. Those who are “lit up” can enter into Divine marriage in this lifetime. These are the ones that possess the gates and change world systems.

While the foolish ones returned to get ready, the wedding party left. These FIVE (unprepared grace offices) missed the crucial and intimate encounter with the Bridegroom. These would-be-brides not only missed the wedding, but the groom didn’t know them. These marginalized believers continue to live on earth – but without dominion or authority.

Jesus probably told this parable because He knew that the church would tend to slumber. Sooooo, be wise my friend. You have to be ready. Let’s not hear Him say, "I don’t know you." Why did Jesus tell this story? Because He knew that His coming will not be what we expect. It’s easy to be ready if the Bridegroom comes like we learned on the Sunday flannel board lessons. But it’s hard “be ready” if we don’t understand. (Remember how Israel expect Jesus to come the first time as a ruling king and not a baby in swaddling clothes. They missed him. Again later, at the Triumphal entry, people sang and waved palm branches, but Jesus left to weep alone. Jerusalem had missed His visitation. Let us be wise and not miss this one.

• Without lighted LAMPS, the unwise are unrecognizable – that happens when we totally fix our eyes, our desires, and our affections on external things. JESUS DIDN’T KNOW THEM BECAUSE THEY DIDN’T LOOK LIKE HIM (1 Jn. 3:2).
• Consider the parallels in Matthew, For I (Christ) was hungry, and YOU … [the foolish virgin (Mat. 25:1), the one woman at the grinding mill (24:41), the one who did not invest his talent (25:42), the goat on the left (25:31), the tares (13:25)]. YOU gave me no meat (no sustenance). I was thirsty, and YOU gave me no drink, etc.

• Yes, surely He’s coming again in a literal personal way. But don’t sit around and wait for Him to come and “get you” and take you out of here. He’s equipped us to occupy the land and “take dominion” (take not just have). Jesus is ALSO already coming forth IN US. Let God arise! See Jesus in others. See the living church. The five wise virgins typify those who will inherit the earth and become the reproducing and ruling church. NOW.

What does it mean for us to have reserve oil? Only one thing: God wants us to desire being with Him more than anything else in this life. The oil has to do with maintaining our passion and desire. That doesn’t seem like much to ask, but it really is. It's the only thing He requires. Many people start out wanting to believe – but few will remain committed and walk into that finished place. Our supply must outlast all disappointments and difficulties. Our preparation is the spiritual readiness that comes from “longing to see Jesus” and having Him “see us.” We need oil in the middle of the night -- so that we can be enlightened to shine forth with comfort, beauty, edification, direction, assurance, strength, health, peace, teaching, joy, love, and faith.

What is the analogy in our lives today? Jesus said once, "Many are called, but few are chosen." We could say that in this parable: "Many are invited to wait for the bridegroom, but not all of them are actually ready with lighted lamps.” Few actually look like the Bridegroom. When the bride make herself ready, she says “come quickly Lord Jesus?” (Rev. 22:12-20)

……………………….

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" (Mat. 24:44). “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (Lk. 12:35-40 MSG).