The unprepared
Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ ~ Matthew 25:11-12
The story of the ten virgins highlights the need to be prepared for Christ’s return, no matter how long it takes. When He comes back, those who are not ready will not get another opportunity.
In the group, some were unprepared, similar to what we see in churches today. True believers in the real church are ready for heaven. However, in the church that claims to be Christian, many seem like Christians but have never truly been born again. This is like the parable in Matthew 13:1-58, where there are weeds mixed in with the wheat.
Christ’s key message in the story of the ten virgins is to remain alert and prepared! When He comes back, we may be shocked to see some people we believed were genuine Christians were not.
It doesn’t matter if the five foolish ones got oil at this late hour; they were too late to do what they needed to do and missed the chance to join in. Those who are prepared will go with him and share in the joy of their Lord, while those who haven’t secured their place will be shut out.
This serves as a caution for those who believe they have a guarantee of something they do not deserve. It brings to mind a gospel song that says, “Everybody talkin’ about heaven ain’t goin’ there.” Many are misled about their salvation and have been given incorrect information. This is why Paul advised, “Examine yourselves to see if you are truly in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not understand that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test!” ~ 2 Corinthians 13:5.
Exodus 26:1-27:21
Matthew 25:1-30
Psalm 31:1-8
Proverbs 8:1-11
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New Testament: Matthew 25:1-30
Summary:
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
The Parable of the Talents
Overview: Matthew 14 – 28 – Click Here
Now, the theme of the parable is very simple. It is not complex. The parable is meant to teach us that Jesus is coming. That He is coming to judge sinners and to reward the righteous. That He is coming in a sudden and unexpected moment and everyone should be prepared. And afterward there will be no second chance. People may knock all they want, but the door will be shut. The day of opportunity will have come and gone forever.
Now the parable is very simple. It’s rich. It’s exciting. And I think its marvel is in its – it’s in its simplicity. As you read the many, many writings that have been written around this parable, it can get very confusing. There are the allegorists who want to turn it into an allegory and give every single thing in it a mystical meaning so that you get lost in a mass of verbiage of hidden secret spiritual ideas. That is not the intent of a parable. And then there are the devotionalists who want to see in every single thing something applicable to the Christian life. And that’s wrong as well.
And then there are the critics who just want to deal with the data and say it’s a confusing parable because they can’t figure out who the bride is and even where the bride is since there’s no bride mentioned. Were the bridesmaids at the bride’s house or the groom’s house or were they out in the street? And if they were out in the street, did they sleep in the street or did they go into a house and sleep? How heavy were the poles that they carried with the lamps on them? And could young maidens do that? Who are the young maidens? And on and on and on and on it goes.
But all of that just needs to be set aside. The message is in the simplicity and clarity of the parable, not in the confusion brought to it by allegorists, devotionalists, and critics. All we need to know is four things: the wedding, the bridesmaids, the bridegroom, and the warning. Read the entire sermon – Click Here
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