“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Matthew 25:1-13
In the opening of Matthew 24, the disciples ask Jesus to describe the signs of the end of the age that would mark his imminent return. Additionally, in the book Acts of the Apostles, (just before his ascension back to Heaven) he exhorts them not to focus on timing concerning the establishment of his heavenly kingdom but rather to give their full attention and effort to spreading the Gospel, by which they would be empowered by the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:6-8). Fast forward to John’s visions in the Book of Revelation, where he hears Jesus, the Lamb of God, say (Rev 22:7-13), “…behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the prophecy of this book.” Later in the same chapter, he states, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”
Two thousand years have passed since Jesus’ ascension. During this time, humanity has witnessed many of the end-time signs Jesus described on the Mount of Olives that day, which would precede his second coming. Such events have occurred more frequently and with greater intensity as time as continued to pass. While we do not know the specific date and time of Jesus’s return, the Bible instructs us to wait patiently and with anticipation.
In “The Parable of the Ten Virgins” (Mt 25:1-3), Jesus illustrates and offers guidance on the importance of preparation and being always ready for his return. We also observe in the New Testament letters written by Paul and John the use of “Bride and Groom” imagery, allegorically describing the coming marriage (union) of the church and its head, Jesus Christ (cf. Rev 19:7; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:22-33).
In this focus passage, Jesus applies these images to the backdrop of a Jewish wedding to emphasize the necessity of constant preparedness for his Second Coming, like a bride preparing herself for marriage to her Bridegroom. Before we explore the spiritual meaning of this passage of Scripture, below is a summary of the Parable as a helpful foundation:
Foolish vs. Wise Virgins (verses 1-4): First, Jesus distinguishes between the virgins: five who were wise and five who were foolish. All of them appeared the same on the outside and wore matching wedding garments. They all had lamps, intending to meet the Bridegroom when he arrived. Unfortunately, not all the virgins were prepared adequately to ensure they would be ready when he called. The foolish virgins had lamps but no oil, failing to see the importance of acquiring it in advance.
Bear in mind, none of the virgins knew when the Bridegroom would arrive. Consider the possibilities: What if he didn’t call upon them at night? He could have come during the day, so the lamps would not have been needed. Nevertheless, the wise virgins made provisions for both scenarios by also having sufficient oil for their lamps in the event the Bridegroom arrived at night. Their preparedness reflected their hearts’ desire to be with the Bridegroom. Their affections were fixed on him, motivating them to do all they could to ensure there were no hindrances to going out to him, regardless of the time of day he arrived. The point is that when we love someone, we do everything necessary so that nothing prevents us from being with them when the opportunity arises.
The Bridegroom Delayed (verse 5): The arrival of the Bridegroom took longer than anticipated, causing all ten virgins to become drowsy. When Jesus adds this detail to the story, he is not critical of the virgins for sleeping while they waited. To be clear, the circumstances of this story differ from the event in the Garden of Gethsemane when his disciples fell asleep, failing to remain awake and alert (Mt 26:45). In that Gospel account, Jesus wanted his disciples to be watchful for the approaching arresting mob while he prayed. However, in this parable, it is understandable for the virgins to feel somewhat exhausted after all the wedding preparations they had made. After their activity, they fell asleep while the Bridegroom was delayed.
The Bridegroom Appears, but Not All Are Ready to Meet Him (verses 6-9): Suddenly at midnight, a shout is heard (v6), “Here is the bridegroom; come out to meet him!” The long wait is over! To meet him, they must travel a considerable distance from where they were waiting. Further, the journey would be made in the dark since he arrived at midnight. This is unfortunate news for the five foolish virgins, who did not acquire adequate oil for their lamps for night travel. They pleaded with the wise virgins to share some of their oil, but were told to buy their own. Again, in telling this story, Jesus does not indict the wise virgins for this response. Remember, this parable was told with a Jewish wedding procession in mind, which (a) moved slowly, and (b) required much oil for nighttime travel to meet the Bridegroom and escort him back to where they were waiting. If they had given the five foolish virgins some of their oil, they would have been unable to complete the trip for the Bridegroom and would have been added to the list of foolish virgins for not being prepared.
Window of Opportunity Closed (verses 10-13): The foolish virgins rush out to buy oil. By the time they return, the escort of the Bridegroom back to their quarters is complete, and the wedding procession is over. The door is now shut. The foolish virgins plead with the Bridegroom to let them in, but he responds in verse 12, “…Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.”
What is the Warning that Jesus Communicates with This Parable?
The admonition is this: As the Bridegroom in the parable excluded the five foolish virgins from his marriage ceremony for not making ready for his arrival, so too will the Son of Man shut out all non-believers from entering into the inheritance of his kingdom when he returns in all his glory. This parable teaches us about the importance of living a life of active anticipation for the Second Coming of Christ, the Bridegroom (Mt 9:14-15, Jn 3:29, 2 Cor 11:2, Eph 5:25-27, Rev 19:6-10).
NT Bible commentator Hendriksen briefly identifies a few instructive points we can glean from this parable that I will expound on in more detail here for prayerful reflection:
- Outward Appearance: All who “profess” to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ can look alike outwardly in many ways. Like the ten wise virgins who all looked alike and professed intentions to be with the Bridegroom, many self-professed Christians claim to belong to Christ and desire to be with him in eternity. In “The Parable of the Weeds,” Jesus describes how he will separate the believer from the non-believer in the final judgment (Mt 13:24-30). This parable reveals that weeds and wheat look very similar, making them hard to distinguish in their early stages of growth. It is not until the harvest that their contrasting differences are revealed. The wheat is a life-sustaining grain, while the weed is a poisonous tare. Jesus states that the wheat is collected into his barn (i.e., His Kingdom), while the tares are bundled up and burned with fire (cf. Mt 3:12, 13:36-43, 25:31-46).
- Genuineness of Faith: The delay of the Bridegroom reveals the genuineness of their faith. Two thousand years have passed since Jesus ascended back to Heaven. Like the parable, this delay period allows hearts and minds to be exposed. Those who have been truly reborn in faith will bear the fruit of patient preparedness through a lifestyle of repentance and an active commitment to live as Christ did. Those without such faith will make light of the grace of God and live a lifestyle of the unconverted in their ways and thinking.
- Suddenness of Christ’s Return: The abruptness of the Bridegroom’s call at midnight highlights the “suddenness” of Christ’s Second Coming. Jesus taught that for those who are not prepared, his second coming will be like a thief in the night (Mt 24:43-51, 1 Th 5:2).
- Non-Transferable Salvation: Salvation cannot be conveyed from one person to another. The five wise virgins could not give the five foolish virgins their oil. Likewise, the Bible teaches that a person is judged by their own sins and deeds before God (Rom 2:6-9). To the converted, Christ’s righteousness is credited to us, but we have no power to pass it to others.
- No Second Chances: There is no additional opportunities to receive salvation for those who are unprepared after they die. Though the five foolish virgins pleaded earnestly to enter the Bridegroom’s ceremony, they were denied. The door was shut. Furthermore, the Bible teaches that we have one life to live, and then there is judgment (Heb 9:27).
Today is the day of salvation! We live in the “Era of Grace.” Through Christ, we are offered grace and truth (Jn 1:17). When he returns, he will bring with him wrath and judgment on all those who did not prepare to meet him through receiving his salvation. Many like the foolish virgins will make light of his grace and mercy during this waiting period. But when he suddenly appears (calls out), they will feel that their opportunity for salvation was stolen from them, like a thief that comes to rob us in the night.
Let all who hear the message of salvation, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, come to him in haste without delay. For only by faith in him shall we be prepared to hear him when he calls and go into the Great Wedding Feast of the Bride (his church made up of every nation, tribe, and tongue) and our Lord of Salvation (the Bridegroom) to be in his kingdom forever and ever.
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D
www.springoflivingwaters.com
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