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Jeepers, dear mdmathis6, I could never hate you, a dear sibling in Christ!

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. - 2 Thessalonians 2:7

Whenever I read the above passage the parable of the ten virgins comes to me (Matt 25). In that passage, only the virgins who had oil in their lamps could go to the groom, i.e. Christ.

And oil always brings the Holy Spirit to my mind:

And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. - I Samuel 16:12-13

And again:

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. - I John 2:27

But God allows us to see things according to His own will. This I believe is what He wants me to see at this time. It may be different for you or MHGinTN.

In the times of Christ, the Bride, while waiting for the groom(which was an uncertain fixed time within a known envelope of time...which may have some application to this conversation by the way) had the responsibility of making sure that her guests and bridesmaids had everything they needed to be ready for the ceremony. So certain bridesmaids found themselves, according to the parable, short of oil.

Of course their companions did not have enough for themselves and the foolish maids; so the foolish bridesmaids felt THEY NEEDED TO LEAVE TO PROCURE THAT OIL. Of course the parable goes on to state that as they were returning,,,(meaning they had gotten their oil!)they discovered that the groom had already come and they were shut out of the wedding ceremony. So what made the bridesmaids foolish? It was not the lack of oil, for the Bride could have made sure they had oil enough for that was part of her gracious responsibility(according to the customs of the day of Jesus) to her guests and attendants. No, in their pride and self sufficiency, they could not admit their lack of preparation to the bride who could have alleviated their problem and instead left the place of waiting to try to make themselves ready. They found their oil, but they were found not in the place where they needed to be when the groom came! So they were shut out!

That’s why songs such as ‘Just as I am’ are so poignant to me! The Bride can prep us for she has spirit enough and wisdom enough for all who are in need. She has the responsibility to ensure that all is in readiness for when the groom Jesus comes! Just be there in watchful readiness! If we lack something, the spirit filled Bride will supply it!

Prvbs 9:1Wisdom has built her house;

she has set up its seven pillars.

2She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;

she has also set her table.

3She has sent out her servants, and she calls

from the highest point of the city,

4“Let all who are simple come to my house!”

To those who have no sense she says,

5“Come, eat my food

and drink the wine I have mixed.

6Leave your simple ways and you will live;

walk in the way of insight.”

and finally...Revelation 22:17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.