End-Time Ministries: Need for Bridal Intimacy

I. MINISTRY LEADERSHIP IN THE END-TIMES MUST ENCOUNTER GOD

    "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the
    bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1)

A. Kingdom of God likened to ten virgins encountering the Bridegroom

    And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" (Revelation 22:17)

    Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins (Matthew 25:1)

B. Ten virgins – all believers are as virgins before Bridegroom God

    For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you
    as a chaste virgin to Christ.(2 Corinthians 11:2)

C. Lamps – speak of ministries (because they provide light to help others).

D. Went out to meet the Bridegroom – encountering the deep things of God’s heart.

II. TWO TYPES OF MINISTRIES

    Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil
    with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (Matthew 25:2-4)

A. Oil – encounter deep things of God's heart (cultivating a secret history with God)

B. Foolish ministries – took lamps (ministries) yet no oil (personal encounter).

C. Wise ministries – took oil and then lamps (reversed priority of foolish)

D. Promise of the Holy Spirit giving oil to the Church (deep encounter with God)

    For Zion's sake…I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp
    that burns. (Isaiah 62:1)

    Jesus said, “He (John) was the burning and shining lamp…” (John 5:35)

    He Himself gave some to be apostles…prophets…12 for the equipping of the saints… till we come to the unity
    of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure…of the fullness of
    Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)

III. FORERUNNER MINISTRIES WITH BRIDEGROOM REVELATION

    But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight a cry was heard:
    'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'(Matthew 25:5-6)

A. Natural process of life – all slept.

B. At the midnight hour of history, the Spirit will raise up forerunners who cry out.

IV. NEED FOR OIL - ENCOUNTERING THE BRIDEGROOM GOD

    "Then all those virgins arose 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, 'No, lest there should not be enough
    for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' (Matthew 25:7-9)

A. Give us some oil – personal reality cannot be transferred.

B. Our lamps are going out – ministries diminishing (disqualified by superficiality).

C. Refusal to yield to temptation of Messiah complex (pride of being needed).

D. Go and buy – acquire oil in God’s ordained means in the grace of God.

    I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments…that the
    shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
    (Revelation 3:18)

V. MINISTRY CONSEQUENCES IN THE END-TIMES – SHUT DOORS

    "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. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
    12 "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' (Matthew 25:10-11)

A. The door was shut – seasons in the Spirit will have doors of opportunities.

B. Message – develop a life of intimacy with Jesus.

    "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
    (Matthew 25:13)