The Heart That Is Ready | Raph | Mar. 30. 2025

The Heart That Is Ready

The Bible has numerous symbols for the church. Each one of them is meant to remind us of functions, a role we must respond to as people of God.

Who we are

We are called a holy nation, a royal priesthood. We are a spiritual building, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, built with living stones that, once chiseled, stand as pillars and buttresses of the truth. We are a body of Christ with many members. We are the household of God. We are sheep in the flock of the Good Shepherd. Like branches of the vine, we abide in Him, growing in God’s field.

But God separates special images for the church when it pertains to His coming.

2 Peter 3:3-4 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”

[…]

2 Peter 3:8-10 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Human history is divided into 7 periods of approximately 1,000 years each, reflecting the biblical pattern of a week.

6,000 years of human labor and history (paralleling the six days of creation) and 1,000-year Sabbath rest. 

The Seven Millennial Days are from Adam to Abraham (approximately 2,000 years). From Abraham to Christ (approximately 2,000 years). From Christ's first coming to His second coming (approximately 2,000 years). This is the "Church Age," where the Gospel of free grace will reach the ends of the Earth. But it is coming. The seven years is approx. Millennial Kingdom (1,000 years). The Millennium, where Christ rules directly on earth. 

Matthew 24:36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

2030, with its symbolic significance of 2,000 years since Christ’s earthly ministry, should be viewed as thought-provoking rather than definitive.

Many leaders, policymakers, and activists view 2030 as a turning point for achieving major global transformations or facing irreversible challenges (especially climate-related). Particularly, the Great Reset plans to increase centralized global control, reduce national sovereignty, and lead to digital surveillance or economic dependency. Potentially more significant roles for international bodies (e.g., UN, WHO, IMF, World Bank) in shaping national policies.

All that is indicative of alignment for the end times. But most importantly, what Peter said in Acts 

Acts 2:17-18 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

The church in the last days

The Lord has reserved special symbols or roles for the church in the last few days.

A passionate bride who keeps enough oil in her lamp.

A faithful, patient farmer, steward and servant entrusted with many talents and riches.

And mature son, an honorable heir worth enjoying, use the inheritance now and be rewarded then.

The overcoming church is a disciplined and winning athlete who fights and races until he receives the crown.

We are meant to be vigilant watchmen who sharpen their discernment to understand the times.

As a passionate Bride eager to meet the groom

The passionate bride is one of the most revealing aspects of the church that is ready for His coming.

The Church is called a Bride, remaining pure, devoted, and prepared for the return of the Groom.

Revelation 19:7-8 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”

If you have been in love with someone, you know that obsessive, persistent, burning feeling that makes you think of the person all day long.

Revelation 22:17 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

You speak with him or her on the phone, and then you talk about him or her with your friends. You start to lose friends because of her. But that is ok; your love fills up any void.

This bride in Matthew 25 is represented by a group of maids. The church is made up of 10 brides here.

Matthew 25:1-2 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose 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, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

This parable is not about salvation—it’s about the kingdom. Salvation is a free gift received by faith. 

All ten virgins represent believers, not unbelievers. They were pure and set apart for God. But while they all awaited the bridegroom, only five were ready.

Jesus is not talking about whether someone is saved—He’s talking about whether they are prepared for His return.

While Salvation is about knowing God, the kingdom is about being known by Him.

While Salvation is by faith alone, the kingdom is for those who live in love for Him.

Ten represents completion and responsibility in Scripture. Just as the Decalogue, the Ten commandments summarize the 613 rules of the whole law; the Ten Virgins represent all believers throughout history.

They were divided into two groups of five—five wise and five foolish.

Five represents responsibility. Clearly, not all believers will be equally prepared for Christ’s return.

All ten virgins were believers. The foolish virgins remained virgins—they didn’t turn away from God. However, they were unprepared.

What made them foolish? They were careless. The Greek word“μωρός" [morás] - reminds me of the English word “moron.”

In Matthew 7:26, Jesus used the same word for the man who built his house on sand instead of rock. A believer who makes poor choices. There are wise and foolish believers.

Matthew 7:26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

Some build their lives on Christ and stay spiritually prepared, while others assume they’ll be fine without living on the word of God.

The lamp represents the Word of God, which provides guidance and direction for a believer’s life.

(Psalm 119:105) “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Oil represents a spirit-led life. The relationship with the Holy Spirit. Even the foolish virgins had oil, meaning they possessed some measure of the Spirit.

1 John 2:20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

When we are born again, our spirit is made alive in Christ. But a lamp without enough oil is useless—it will burn out.

Proverbs 20:27 “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.”

The foolish virgins also wanted to meet the Bridegroom. They were excited for Jesus’ return and eagerly awaited His coming, just like the wise virgins. Their failure was not in their desire but in their lack of preparation.

Both the wise and foolish virgins fell asleep while waiting for the Bridegroom. All the virgins awoke. Paul says only believers will respond to this call when the Lord returns, as Scripture declares:

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

Jesus did not cast them into hell. Instead, He simply denied them entry into the wedding feast, emphasizing that they were unprepared, not unsaved.

Matthew 25:11-13 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

They had not cultivated the intimacy with Christ.

The foolish virgins realized too late that they needed more oil. They asked the wise virgins for some, but they were told:

Matthew 25:9 “Go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.”

This is significant because salvation is free, but the kingdom has a cost.

Proverbs 23:23 “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.” 

The wise virgins invested in their spiritual lives. They invested time in prayer, worship, and obedience. The foolish ones neglected their relationship with Christ.

(Matthew 25:11-12) “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’”

The Greek word for “know” here means intimate knowledge. He meant, “You didn’t pursue a deep relationship with Me.”

1 Corinthians 8:3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

God knows those who love Him deeply. The foolish virgins were saved, but they did not cultivate intimacy with Christ.

A Faithful Servant

Matthew 25:14–15 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.”

The man in the story represents Jesus, who has gone to heaven and will return. The talents symbolize the gifts, resources, and opportunities God gives each believer. He doesn’t give everyone the same amount, but He expects us all to be faithful to what we have.

The first two servants used their talents wisely, doubling what they received. The master praised them and rewarded them with greater responsibility.

(Matthew 25:21) “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

But the third servant buried his talent out of fear. Instead of using it, he made excuses, saying his master was too harsh.

(Matthew 25:24–25) “Master, I knew you to be a hard man… so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.” 

His real problem wasn’t his talent—it was his wrong view of the master. Many people today struggle with the same issue. They see God as harsh, unfair, or impossible to please. This fear holds them back from serving Him wholeheartedly.

This accusation was false. Nowhere in the parable does the master act cruelly. In fact, he generously rewarded the faithful servants. But the unfaithful servant projected his own fears onto the master, assuming the worst.

Many believers struggle with this same issue if we see God as harsh, distant, or impossible to please, we will serve Him out of fear instead of love. Fear often prevents people from stepping into what God has called them to do.

The servant didn’t just fail—he also justified his failure. When the master returned, he didn’t apologize or admit his mistake. Instead, he blamed the master. He acted as if he had done nothing wrong, expecting the master to accept his inaction. But the master rebuked him harshly:

Matthew 25:26–27 “You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I should have received what was my own with interest.” 

The master exposed his laziness and unwillingness to act. Even if he had simply put the money in a bank, it would have gained interest. His failure wasn’t just fear—it was neglect and irresponsibility.

The most powerful moment in this parable is when the faithful servants hear these words:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

(Matthew 25:21)

That is the greatest reward any believer can receive—to know that our Master is pleased with how we live. It’s not about how much we have but what we do with it. Let’s not bury our talents. Let’s use them for His glory so that when Jesus returns, we will hear Him say, “Well done!”

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

A Mature Son

We are heirs of the Kingdom as sons and daughters.

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

The fact that all who beleive are children does not make them all participants in the inheritance in life.

It it time to grow up.

Galatians 4:1-2 1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.

It is a matter of growing beyond the tutorship of the law and always depending on other’s motivation for a committed Christian life. It is time to reign in life based on the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness.

Romans 5:17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

The creation is waiting for our mature answer.

Romans 8:19 “The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”

Yes, there is a level of future identification

Colossians 3:4“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

Ephesians 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,

But John gives a clue of how to grow in Christ’s complete and mature 

1 John 3:2 “We know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

An Athlete 

A Life of Discipline and Endurance

Athletes in Scripture illustrate the endurance and self-control needed to remain faithful until the end.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

Hebrews 12:1-2 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.