‭The Midnight Cry

Thursday, April 23

Matthew 25:1-2 (NKJV)

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”

Devotion

We are living in a time Jesus described as the beginning of birth pains (Matthew 24:8). Like a woman in labor, these moments are not random. They come in waves, growing stronger and closer together, pointing to something near. They are clear signals that His return is approaching.

In Matthew 25, everyone is waiting for the bridegroom. They all have lamps, and they all appear ready. But when the moment comes, their level of preparation sets them apart.

The wise are ready because they have prepared in advance. They carry an inner reserve, a real, steady walk with God that has been built over time. The foolish look ready on the outside, but they lack what is needed to endure the delay. When the midnight cry is heard, it becomes clear who is truly prepared. At that point, there is no time to make up for what was not built.

As the world moves deeper into these “birth pains,” the difference between the wise and the foolish becomes more visible. This is not about appearance, but about readiness. No one can rely on someone else’s faith in that moment. What sustains you is what you have built with God personally. The call is not to fear, but to be ready. The signs are not just warnings; they are reminders to stay awake, steady, and prepared.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help me to live ready. Teach me to build a real and steady life with You, not just outwardly, but from within. Keep me watchful and prepared for Your return. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Identify one area where your walk with Christ is more about appearance than genuine obedience (private prayer, repentance, forgiveness, purity, etc.), and take a specific step to align it with truth. Ask: If Jesus returned today, would this area reflect faithfulness or just familiarity? Then act on it.

Resources

• Take a moment to watch “Eagerly Waiting.” This message will challenge and encourage you to live with urgency, hope, and expectation as we look forward to what God has promised.
• Join us this Sunday for Week 3 of The Return of Jesus series with Pastor Jentezen Franklin, as we fix our eyes heavenward. Find a campus near you at freechapel.org,  or join us online right here on the App, on Facebook, YouTube, or at live.freechapel.org. We’d love to worship with you!