Notes of Faith October 31, 2025
Getting Ready
Matt 25:1-13
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 "Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 "For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 "Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6 "But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7 "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 "But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' 10 "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 "Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' 12 "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.
Your teenage daughter is scheduled to attend a weekend youth retreat, and her ride is coming at 1:00 o’clock on Friday afternoon. At 12:45, you find her relaxing on her bed scrolling her phone. You ask, “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the retreat? You know Pastor Dale is always on time.”
Living in light of an approaching deadline is not just a problem for teenagers. The New Testament mentions it in light of the return of Christ. The apostle Peter calls end-time events “the day of God,” and he asks a most important question: “What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” in light of the imminent return of Christ? Imminent means something could happen at any moment; it is the very next thing on the calendar. Prophetically speaking, the Rapture of the Church is imminent; it could happen today.
If you knew you would see Christ face-to-face later today, how would your life change? Live today as if the next person you see will be Jesus Himself.
How many Christians live their lives packed up and ready to go?
J. I. Packer
My personal belief is that the rapture of the church is the next big event on the prophetic calendar in Scripture…with the possible exception of the war in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. However, if the Lord is to return for His bride in your lifetime, do you not think it a good idea to be ready and waiting for Him? If you are a believer and follower of Jesus, you will be caught up to meet Him in the air, but don’t you want to be found living righteous and holy instead of allowing the desires of the flesh to control your life… and that is when you meet Jesus face to face?! Let us pursue Christ, to live in His holiness, fighting against the desires of the flesh for which Christ suffered and died, and seek wholeheartedly to be found serving our Lord when He returns for us.
Col 1:9-12
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
Pastor Dale