Scriptures: Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 “Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’
7 “Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
10 “While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
OBSERVATIONS:
1. These girls were virgins – meaning undefiled – believers.
2. 5 were wise and 5 were foolish.
3. Oil represents anointing of the Holy Spirit –
4. Flame represents fire of the Holy Spirit and the light of Jesus shining in us.
5. They didn’t know when the bridegroom would come so they needed to be ready.
6. The 5 foolish ones did not take oil with them. Perhaps they thought the bridegroom wouldn’t be long coming.
7. The 5 wise ones took extra oil with them in case the bridegroom was delayed.
WHAT DID JESUS MEAN?
FOOLISH: Those who start with a measure of the Holy Spirit, but they have continued in the Spirit, but rely on their own strength.
Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified? I just want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh? (Galatians 3:1-3 WEB)
They will hold to an outward form of godliness but deny its power. Stay away from such people. (2 Timothy 3:5 ISV)
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up and causes you trouble, or many of you will become defiled. (Hebrews 12:15 ISV)
WISE: Those who have been saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, and have kept being filled with the Holy Spirit, knowing that they cannot walk the Christian walk and fulfill Jesus’ mission in their own strength. They continue in prayer and in the Word of God. They store up God’s Word in their hearts, knowing that the Scriptures is God’s direct message to us breathed by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore he says, “Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father; subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ. (Ephesians 5:14-21 WEB)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Galatians 5:16-18 WEB)
You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. (1 John 2:20 WEB)
Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father. This is the promise which he promised us, the eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who would lead you astray. As for you, the anointing which you received from him remains in you, and you don’t need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, you will remain in him. (1 John 2:24-27 WEB)
From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:15-17 WEB)
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways. I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. (Psalms 119:9-16 WEB)