Scripture: Matt 25:1-13
1Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but took no oil with them. 4The wise, however, took extra oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming or was delayed, and they all became drowsy and laid down and slept. 6At midnight the cry rang out or there was a loud shout: “Behold the bridegroom. He’s here now! Come out to meet him!” 7Then all the virgins or bridesmaids woke up, arose and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” 9“No,” they replied, “there may not or will not be enough for us and you too. Go rather to those who sell oil or dealers and buy some for yourselves.” 10But while they were going away to buy the oil, the bridegroom came. The virgins or bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut and locked. 11Later the other virgins or bridesmaids also came. “Lord! Lord!” they said. “Open the door for us!” 12But he replied, “Verily, assuredly, indeed, I tell you most truly, I don’t know you.” 13Therefore watch because you do not know the day or the hour when the Son of Man is coming.”
We are living in the end times, and we are seeing the increase of sin as a clear sign so that the love of many wax cold.
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (Matt 24:36-39)
Thrust
Primary Emphasis: To enter the Kingdom of Heaven and enjoy the Marriage Supper, we must prepare for it on earth to be fully ready to meet Christ when He comes suddenly and unexpectedly.
Secondary Emphasis: When the door is shut, no one can ever enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Three thoughts:
- Like the bridegroom, Christ may delay His coming longer than His followers expect.
- Like the wise virgins, His followers must prepare for such a delay.
- Like the foolish virgins, those who don’t prepare fully may discover, when the end comes, that it’s too late to undo the damage of neglect.
I. BACKGROUND
A. The Context
- When would the destruction of the Temple happen?
- What would be the sign of Christ’s coming and of the end of the age?
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him. (Matt 24:42-44)
Who then is the faithful and wise servant? (Matt 24:45)
B. The Characters
- The Ten Virgins: Christians
- The Bridegroom: Christ
C. The Customs
The Jewish marriage custom involved 3 phases:
- The Legal Agreement
- The Procession to the Bride’s House
- The Wedding Banquet
II. EXPOSITION
A. Similarities of Foolish and Wise Virgins
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. (2 Tim 2:10)
- Took along same type of lamps
- Experienced same circumstances
- All slumbered (enustazan)
- All slept (ekatheudon)
- Heard same clarion call
B. Contrasts Between Foolish and Wise Virgins
- Foolish took NO oil with them
- Wise took SURPLUS oil with them
- Wise went in immediately
- Foolish were shut out
III. APPLICATION
- Be prepared to meet Christ
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief… Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming (2 Pet. 3:10-12)
You won’t have a second chance after the door is shut
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day [the Day of His Return], ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matt 7:21-24)
- There are only 2 pronouncements when we meet Jesus:
- “Well done, you good and faithful servant.”
- “Depart from Me you wicked servant”
The Challenge
- Admit you’re a sinner
- Believe Jesus Christ is Lord & Saviour
- Confess yours sins and Jesus as Lord & Saviour
