[Printable version]
[Also published in Nuggets for the Needy]
Omega Message – July 1992
Mavis M. duCille
“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.” (Matthew 25:5).
I have thought much of the words of the scripture above, and I cannot think of anyone who will escape the finger of God going through the earth today, awaking His people to redeem this evil time. This verse speaks of a time when gross sleep and lethargy had settled over the whole Church. The wise virgins were guilty of sleep just as much as the foolish, and to sleep was the order of the day. The Church has drifted far from her beginning and glory into a quagmire of deception.
From John 19:34, when blood and water came forth from our Lord, we see that the Church came from Jesus’ side even as Eve came from Adam’s side (a rib). The Church can only be redeemed by Him, through Him and in Him. Consequently, the woman can only find her true place in the man. Let me quote from this beautiful hymn written by Ira D. Sanky (D.L.Moody’s song leader):
“The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ Our Lord
He is the new creation, by water and by blood
From heaven He came and sought her to be His only bride
With His own blood He bought her and for her life He died.
Elect from every nation, Yet one o’er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation—One Lord, One faith, One birth
One holy Name she blesses, partakes one holy food;
And to one hope she presses, with every grace endued
Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion with those whose rest is won:
Oh, happy ones and holy! Lord, give us grace, that we,
Like them the meek and lowly on high may dwell with thee.”
But where is the Church today? Bear in mind that Christ is coming for a church without spot, or blemish, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Many may be looking for an instant fix, thinking that the coming of Jesus Christ is to fix the Church and that instantly all our sinful living will be obliterated by His appearing. Those who think so are in for a rude awakening:
“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness” (Malachi 3:3).
Some join charismatic and ecumenical movements with a hope of squeezing through, but God’s Church must be a blood bought, blood washed, Holy Spirit filled and Spirit led people: a peculiar people; a royal priesthood; a holy nation; a holy generation.
We are certainly in the days of the sifting. Every man must be tried according to his deeds. The law of sowing and reaping has caught up with a people who are at the very end of time. Many are going through fiery trials, of which we must not be afraid. It will either burn the dross from the true people of God or consume the ungodly. When the Church is purified, she shall shine.
God’s divine law and principles have been trampled under the feet of created man for so long. Sin and iniquity have become the order of the day, so that even the Church is asleep. But, praise God! Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear are seeing and hearing the voice of the Bridegroom. In the very depths of the soul there is a signaling voice gently saying, “Lay aside every weight and tear down the strongholds. Remove the barriers. Deal with the familiar and ancestral spirits, etc., etc.” Let the glory of God come forth through us that Christ Jesus might be glorified in His Church.
Sonlight Devotional 