The Midnight Cry

Responding to the Call of the Bridegroom

There is a moment coming when the call will go out—a cry that will shake the sleeping and stir the faithful. The Bridegroom is near. The wedding is at hand. And only those who have been watching will rise to meet Him.

“At midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet Him.’”
— Matthew 25:6

This cry is not just in the future—it is echoing even now. The Holy Spirit is calling the Church to awaken, to trim her lamp, and to go out to meet her Beloved.

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The Midnight Cry Is a Wake-Up Call

“It is time to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”
— Romans 13:11

We live in a generation lulled into spiritual slumber by comfort, entertainment, and distraction. But the Spirit is stirring. He is raising up voices to proclaim: Get ready. He is coming.

“He will come as He promised, suddenly and without delay. Let no one be caught unprepared.”
— Hermas, Similitudes 9

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Only the Ready Will Respond

When the cry came in Jesus’ parable, all the virgins rose—but only five had oil. The others had waited too long.

• They were in the right crowd, but lacked the right heart
• They had the form of devotion, but not the fullness
• They were too late to borrow from the prepared

“Each must carry their own oil, for the Lord looks upon the heart, not the vessel.”
— Didache, ch. 16

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To Go Out to Meet Him Is to Leave the World Behind

The Bride does not meet her Groom halfway. She runs to Him, leaving behind the darkness, the distractions, and the comforts that once numbed her desire.

She:

• Responds in obedience
• Abandons compromise
• Embraces the narrow way
• Runs with joy and urgency

“Let the Bride rise with haste, for her Beloved draws near.”
— Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh

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What We Can Learn

1. The midnight cry is sounding—will we rise or sleep?
2. Only those with oil in their lamps will be ready.
3. We cannot borrow readiness—it must be our own.
4. To meet the Bridegroom is to run with urgency and joy.

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Sources:

• The Holy Bible — Matthew 25:6–13; Romans 13:11–14; Luke 12:36–40; Revelation 16:15
• Hermas, Similitudes 9
• Didache, ch. 16
• Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh
• Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 35

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