Articles
Be Ready
Remember the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16)? The rich man faired sumptuously and had everything he could want. The poor man, Lazarus, was at his gate begging for crumbs. They both died; the rich man awakened in torment and flames while Lazarus was comforted in Abraham’s bosom. On the other side of death, what would the rich man give for a second chance, to redo the things about his life? Nothing can get him another chance.
Whatever he would be willing to pay, the rich man cannot get that second chance. In fact, as the story continues, he cries out–not asking for a second chance, but for some relief from his misery. In the flames he cries to let Lazarus come down and dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue, for he was in torment.
He is told, “there is a great gulf fixed between us and you.” We are not talking about geography. This isn’t a grand canyon. The point is to say whatever was done by the rich man and Lazarus in this life is settled. The great gulf is fixed, and there is no way for Lazarus to go to where the rich man is. There is nothing that will alter the state of that rich man. He is going to be where he is for eternity because he ruined the one chance he had. Nothing will change for all eternity. If such is the case, and we only get one chance, what should be said? Be sure you get it right the first time, for this is the only chance you will have.
Further, remember the parable of the wise and foolish virgins? (Mt. 25). There were five wise and five foolish virgins that went to a wedding feast. The foolish took little oil with them, while the wise took extra oil with them. When the bridegroom was delayed, they waited and waited. When the bridegroom came, the foolish virgins were running out of oil; they tried to borrow more, but couldn’t.
So, at that late time, they had to go get oil for their lamps. While they were gone, the bridegroom came and the feast began without them. The door was shut. The bridegroom answered their pleas for entrance with “I do not know you.”
What is the point? It is a parable of urgency to be prepared for the coming of the Lord. To watch and be ready—to be right. You only get one chance when the bridegroom of all spiritual things comes and the wedding for all eternity is set.
We must be ready to meet the Lord. It is important to be right with God. The stakes high, and we only get one chance. We cannot miss it this time and learn from our failure. Now is our only opportunity.
