The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 25 Part 2 Parable Of Ten Virgins 2 Believe The Bible

We are studying the first of three parables in this chapter, that Jesus gave to illustrate the kingdom of heaven.

In this parable, Jesus is compared to a bridegroom coming for His bride, to take her to her new home.

In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the five wise virgins represent those who are born again by the regenerating work of God's Spirit (See Titus 3:4-6).

They were "wise" because they had enough oil to keep their lamps burning as they awaited the Bridegroom's arrival.

We looked at the scriptures to see how oil is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, five virgins who carried oil for their lamps, picture the indwelling Spirit of God empowering them to live as children of light, who are of the kingdom of light.

Five virgins were "foolish" which is from a word that literally means "godless."

Lacking oil for their lamps means that they were religious hypocrites who professed faith in Christ, but never called on the Lord with repentant faith.

Lacking oil means that the foolish virgins were unable to worship God in spirit and in truth, for they did not have His Spirit living in them.

This reminds us that when a sinner is born again, their life is never the same.

Old sinful habits and patterns begin to fall away as the Spirit of God makes them a new creation in Christ.

Matthew 7:17-20  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

God's Spirit seeks to produce His fruit in our lives so that we can truly love and serve God while we love and serve others.

In this example, the wise virgins are like good trees that bear good fruit. 

A good tree can only produce good fruit that is acceptable to God.

The foolish virgins are like corrupt trees. 

Their hearts have not been made new by the Holy Spirit and their works will be evil. 

Matthew 25:5-7 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

The bridegroom tarried his coming so long that all the virgins fell asleep.

I understand this to mean that their daily lives went on doing tasks connected the normal cycle of things.

The 5 wise virgins represent those people in Israel (Jew and Gentile) who will faithfully await the return of their King.

The 5 foolish virgins are those people who do not care about the things of God and are content to live each day for self.

The bridegroom tarrying is like the Church waiting for the rapture to occur and after that event, Israel must wait for its King to return with His bride.

We also pointed out previously that even the wise virgins fell asleep while waiting for the bridegroom to appear.

This pictures the Church of Christ, waiting patiently for His return at the rapture and resurrection of life.

Yes, it is true that we can become weary in well doing and find ourselves too busy doing good things, but failing to take time with God by reading His Word and praying each day.

It is true that may lose our zeal for Christ when we begin enjoying the world too much. 

When this happens, we may feel like the valley in Ezekiel's vision that was full of sun bleached, lifeless bones (See Ezekiel 37).

Isaiah 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 

Yet, the God of mercy will revive all who come to Him with a humble spirit and a contrite heart.

The word "revive" is the same word translated "quicken" many times.

It literally means to make something alive that was dead, to impart life to the lifeless, to revive those who are crushed by this life.

The bridegroom tarrying is like the Church waiting for the rapture to occur and after that event, Israel must patiently wait for its King to return with His bride.

The foolish virgins ran out of oil and were excluded from the marriage ceremony.

Matthew 25:8-10 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

The foolish virgins ran into a problem right away because their lamps were running out of oil. 

They were forced to rush out in a frantic attempt to purchase some oil for their lamps. 

While the foolish virgins were looking for oil, the bridegroom came and the wise virgins went with the bridegroom to the joyous marriage celebration.

The door was then shut.

This is a picture of Christ returning in His glory to the earth to establish His kingdom. 

The Jews and Gentiles who are not prepared at Christ's return will be excluded from the kingdom. 

Matthew 25:11-13 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The 5 foolish virgins eventually found some oil but it was too late. 

The door was shut tight and no one else would be admitted to the marriage celebration.

The foolish virgins knocked on the door and asked the Lord to let them enter. 

Matthew 7:21-23  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Christ's response in that day will be "I know you not."

The Jewish religion of Judaism has no power to save sinners and bring them to a right relationship with God.

Only the gospel of Christ and the Holy Spirit can do that mighty work.

Many people, both Jew and Gentile will stand before Jesus at the day of final judgment and tell how they prophesied, or cast out devils or did other wonderful things.

At their heart they are like the corrupt trees that produce corrupt fruit, and they will be rejected by the Lord in that day.

This is why Jesus called them workers of iniquity.

I tried to reform myself for years, because I had a terrible swearing problem.

It never worked because I did it in my flesh rather than trusting God to change me by faith in Christ.

Less than two weeks after I was born again, one of my co-workers came up and said he noticed something different about me.

I asked what, and he said "I notice you don't swear anymore!"

This is the work that God does, such that old things pass away and our entire life is made new

We begin to learn how to walk each day in newness of life, with Jesus.

This is what the foolish virgins without oil pictures: the sad end of an unrepentant sinner who trusted in self righteousness instead of the righteousness of God give to those who trust Christ.

They represent foolish people who know scripture but do not act by faith and do not believe God. 

Christ's final admonition regarding this parable is that those who profess to know Him, should be watching and waiting for His return.

All believers in Christ should also be working for Christ, making sure there is enough oil in our lamps.

This pictures Christians taking up the Great Commission and living it out at personally, at home, at church, at work, at school and while doing chores.

This parable shows us that all Christians should be living with an eager anticipation of Christ coming for us and meeting Him in the clouds. 

The rapture will be an event of unparalleled impact upon all humanity as people try to explain why so many people have suddenly vanished.

No doubt, this will be noticed by the Jewish people around the world and those who are wise will begin living with a great anticipation the arrival of their King from Heaven.

The parallels between the rapture and the coming of Christ to the earth to rule and reign are as follows. 

Now, the church is waiting for His return in the clouds. No man knows the hour or day. 

We are to make disciples of Christ one at a time and live in faithful obedience until we hear the trumpet.

After the rapture which will shake the whole world, Israel is to be watching and waiting for her King to return. 

No man will know the hour or the day when Christ's foot shall touch the Mount of Olives.

The wise virgins represent those who believe God's word and are faithfully watching, waiting and serving. 

The foolish virgins are those who will be living for self at that time and will not know their King.

For both the nation Israel and the Church of Christ, the task is the same. 

Fulfill the mission that Christ gave us and live expecting His return. 

Watch, be ready and be faithful. 

One day the door to the kingdom of heaven will be shut and this reminds us that the Spirit of God will not always strive with men's hearts to lead them to Christ. 

Are you ready now for that coming Kingdom of God?

Bob