The kingdom of God is at hand

The kingdom of God is at hand:

Ten virgins with lamps lit arise

To go forth to meet the Bridegroom

But only five virgins are wise.

The wise have abundance of oil

The foolish are empty instead;

The wise used their time to buy oil

The others their chance forfeited.

Lord Jesus

Thy message is clear:

You’re coming for those who are wise

Who buy up their oil today

Who deal with all hindering ties.

Those virgins whose souls are transformed

Whose vessels much oil contain

Who love not their lives unto death—

They in Thy great kingdom shall reign.

Our lamps to shine forth must be trimmed

By calling on Thee every day.

In spirit we must exercise

To burn all the oldness away.

But there is a much deeper need:

Reality in us must grow

Until it makes home in our hearts

Till oil in our vessels o’erflows.

We see how this age is so dark

We know that blest hour is near.

Our Lord may return anytime—

Lord

strike in us this holy fear

That we may each moment redeem

By taking Thy Word in by prayer

By learning each lesson You give

And thus for that hour prepare.

Lord Jesus

how blest to be those

Who bring in Thy kingdom to earth

Affording Thee rule over all

And showing to all Thy great worth!

How blest to be those at the feast

Where Thou wilt be one with Thy Bride!

Lord

make us wise virgins for Thee

Who e’er in Thy presence abide.