Our End Time TESTIMONY is so valuable that Jesus gave us two parables:
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure.
The Apostle Paul highlights both parables, linking them together:
"For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves."
--- 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT
There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.
Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John.
--- John 5:32-36
The burning lamps in the "Ten Virgin Parable" represent their testimonies, their love, and their commitment to Jesus Christ.**
The lamps of the five foolish virgins went out:
Their spiritual integrity, their love, their faith, and their commitment to Jesus Christ all failed.
They did not heed the Lord's warning for the need of patient endurance (perseverance in some translations) in the end times.
(Revelation 3:10, Revelation 2:2, Revelation 2:19, Revelation 13:10, Revelation 14:12, Hebrews 10:36, Hebrews 12:1)
They wanted to avoid affliction instead of letting suffering produce endurance.
(Romans 5:3)
•
Love the world
(1 John 2:15)
Are the five foolish virgins more attached to the world and the things in the world than to Jesus?
Maybe they choose money, possessions and food over Jesus.
•
Love growing cold
(Matthew 24:12 NIV)
Perhaps their love is growing cold toward God and toward others because of the increase in violence and wickedness in the last days.
•
Fear
(2 Timothy 1:7)
Maybe the five foolish virgins are fearful and choose to hide in basements or in the countryside when the persecution starts, thinking that they will hide out until Jesus comes rather than sharing their testimony.
•
Persecution
(2 Timothy 3:12, Matthew 5:10, 1 Peter 4:12-14)
Possible persecution and martyrdom.
•
Deception
(2 Peter 2:1-3, Ephesians 5:6, Matthew 24:24)
During the first year of the tribulation, false prophets and false Christs will lead many astray.
The Bible warns believers to be vigilant and not be deceived by such false teachings, even if they appear convincing.
It is noteworthy that Jesus warns the first-year tribulation church of Ephesus,
"I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."
--- Revelation 2:4-5
This abandonment is a falling away from their love of Christ in the first year of the tribulation.
This is the onset of the Great Apostasy, in which as many as two-thirds of Christians walk away from
their faith in Jesus Christ.
I believe the great treasure in this parable is the gospel, meaning the servant is hiding his testimony of the Lord.
This verse is perhaps one of the most important in the book of Revelation.
This one short verse explains why God allows us to endure the end times and shows why our
testimony is more powerful and more important than most comprehend.
Decide in your heart today
not to let your testimony
"go out" like the
5 foolish virgins.
✦
And do not hide
your testimony like the
"wicked and slothful servant."
God gives us all a testimony to proclaim, not to hide.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
--- 2 Timothy 1:8-9
Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself.
--- 1 John 5:10a
Our testimony is not only what we say.
Our testimony is also the way we live our lives.
And our lives should look different than the world around us,
for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." -- 1 Peter 1:16
John the Baptist’s primary job was to be a witness, testifying to the identity and purpose of Jesus Christ.
John’s mission was to point people to Christ.
And in the end times, that is also our job and mission.
John the Baptist said,
"He (Christ) must increase, but I must decrease"
---John 3:30.
And so should it be for us.
And John’s ministry focused on a single command: Repent!
Repentance is turning away from sin and reorienting their whole life toward and around God. He becomes the center of our life rather than ourselves.
In the end times,
Our maxim should be that of John the Baptist:
"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
(Matthew 3:1-2)
John the Baptist's life is a foreshadowing of what our lives should be.
And in the end, John's testimony of truth got him beheaded just like it will be for most
followers of Christ in the end times.
(Revelation 20:4)
Prepare your heart and mind to surrender all to Christ, even your life if needed.