“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:7-13)

Many have probably seen the aurora pictures on the internet. My wife and I were talking about the fact that we missed seeing it and she instantly thought of the parable in today’s verses. I knew the sun had a huge event, making it more likely to see aurora at lower latitudes, but I went to sleep anyway. Waking up the next day we saw numerous aurora pictures posted from places not too far from us. Those who saw it in person, heard about it – believed it could happen – and stayed awake to see it. While I missed the event because I didn’t believe it would happen and I wasn’t prepared. Today’s parable applies the idea of being prepared to Jesus’ return. Those who believe and are prepared will meet God and experience His splendor forever. However, the foolish refuse to prepare for that day. So the Lord gathers His believers but leaves the others behind. Jesus describes those who rejected Him as pleading for the “doors” to be opened but they will not open. Jesus, the one true authority on the topic, has told us that those without faith in Him will be left outside the gates of Heaven. So know God, believe in His Son – don’t be left behind.