{"id":67537,"date":"2020-09-09T21:12:41","date_gmt":"2020-09-09T18:12:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=67537"},"modified":"2026-02-11T19:07:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T16:07:38","slug":"but-at-midnight-there-was-a-cry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2020\/09\/09\/but-at-midnight-there-was-a-cry\/","title":{"rendered":"BUT AT MIDNIGHT, THERE WAS A CRY."},"content":{"rendered":"

Shalom.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Throughout the Bible, we are constantly warned to remain ready. Many Christians assume that salvation is automatic\u2014thinking, \u201cI will be saved someday,\u201d or \u201cSince I am already saved, there is no need to deal with my remaining weaknesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

But we must understand: salvation is a process.<\/strong> It is a continuous work of grace in a believer\u2019s life. It involves preparation. Before the rapture (the catching away of the saints), one must meet the spiritual qualifications of being a complete Bride of Christ\u2014not merely a companion without readiness.<\/p>\n

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The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25)<\/h2>\n

We see this clearly in the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25<\/strong>. This parable gives a prophetic picture of what will happen shortly before Jesus returns.<\/p>\n

Five were wise, and five were foolish. All of them claimed to be waiting for the Bridegroom. This reflects the church today\u2014mixed groups of Christians. Everyone claims to be waiting for the Lord, even those living in sin still make that claim.<\/p>\n

The difference was preparation.<\/p>\n

Matthew 25:6\u201312 (NKJV)<\/h3>\n
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\u201cAnd at midnight a cry was heard: \u2018Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!\u2019
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said to the wise, \u2018Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.\u2019
But the wise answered, saying, \u2018No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.\u2019
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, \u2018Lord, Lord, open to us!\u2019
But he answered and said, \u2018Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The Meaning of the Oil<\/h2>\n

The oil represents the Holy Spirit<\/strong> and a life continually filled and led by Him.<\/p>\n

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV) says:<\/p>\n

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\u201cDo not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Notice: it is a command to continually be filled.<\/p>\n

The foolish virgins had lamps (a form of faith), but no extra oil (no sustained spiritual life). They assumed that arriving at the waiting place was enough. But Christian life is not about location\u2014it is about preparation and transformation.<\/p>\n

Romans 8:9 (ESV):<\/p>\n

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\u201cAnyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Holy Spirit cannot be borrowed from another believer. Each person must personally walk with God.<\/p>\n

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The Midnight Cry<\/h2>\n

Before the door was shut, there was first a cry.<\/p>\n

This signifies a final warning\u2014a short season of grace before Christ\u2019s appearing. The cry awakens everyone. But it is not time to go buy oil; it is time to light lamps.<\/p>\n

Spiritually, this suggests that before the rapture there will be intensified preaching, conviction, and global awakening messages calling believers to readiness.<\/p>\n

1 Thessalonians 4:16\u201317 (NKJV):<\/p>\n

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\u201cFor the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

There will be a shout. There will be a trumpet. But only those ready will go in.<\/p>\n

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Salvation Requires Preparation<\/h2>\n

Salvation is not randomness. It is preparation.<\/p>\n

You wrote an important principle: with God, it is not enough to arrive \u201cat the time\u201d\u2014we must arrive within the time<\/em>.<\/p>\n

This aligns with Hebrews 12:14 (NIV):<\/p>\n

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\u201cMake every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Holiness is not optional. It is preparation for seeing the Lord.<\/p>\n

Just as a flight has a reporting time and a departure time, heaven has preparation before entry. If you arrive exactly at departure time, you are already late.<\/p>\n

Spiritually speaking:<\/p>\n