Jesus Christ often spoke in parables. Some people have the misunderstanding that He did so to further clarify the meaning of His teachings, yet scripture reveals that Jesus did just the opposite (Matt. 13:10-17). The Bible reveals that God has hidden the true understanding of Scripture from the world, but He reveals that vital information through His Spirit to those He is calling. During His ministry, Jesus, the Bridegroom related a parable about “10 virgins” (Matt. 25:1-13). He talked about lamps, oil and a wedding? How does this parable relate to us today? Is there any relevance in our lives? What vital lessons can we learn and draw from out of this parable?
The parable states there is a midnight cry (Matt. 25:6); while the virgins were slumbering they were taken by surprise! Are you aware that prophecy is unfolding (1 Thess. 5:1-6)—our world is changing before our very eyes or have you been lulled to sleep by those who claim the work is done? Do you recognize where the work of God is being done today? Who is teaching the whole counsel of God? Who is preaching the gospel? Do you recognize who is watering it down? Can you discern those infected with the Laodicean attitude? Do you recognize the wolves? Many will be deceived and many will slumber. We need to be able to recognize the “midnight cry” when we hear it from God’s true servants. We cannot afford to go to sleep at this crucial time in history! We are told in this parable that no amount of faith, courage, character, conviction, or conversion can be loaned, shared or borrowed by anyone else (vv8-9). Paul remarks, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13). This is a very special opportunity that few have been given today—have you invested heavily in it—with all your heart, soul and might? Have you carefully proved what you believe (and know) so you don’t get tripped up by some self-appointed false teacher? Do you really seek first the Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33)—are you anticipating and preparing yourself for Christ’s return or are there other priorities? These are all personal questions that must be answered! We cannot make it into God’s kingdom on someone else’s coat-tails—on someone else’s effort. We must be willing to make the investment and effort ourselves!
The parable makes the point plain—the Bridegroom is coming—whether we are ready or not. Those who are ready will be invited and those who are not will simply miss out (Rev. 22:11)! How do we prepare for Christ’s return (Rev. 19:7-9)—how does the church make herself ready? She makes herself ready by growing (2 Peter 3:18), by learning to live by every word of God (Luke 4:4), by developing Godly character (Deut. 39:19), by overcoming fiery trials (1 Peter 1:7), by remaining faithful (Heb. 11:6) and by enduring to the very end (Matt. 24:13). Others who are not prepared may be doing what they think is right, but not what Jesus Christ has instructed (Acts 20:27)!
The concluding words of this parable should impress upon us the dire seriousness of all the previous words. Christ said, “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you” (vv11-12). What does He not know? Many who call themselves “Christian” today will be surprised at the return of Jesus Christ when they do not receive the reward they had anticipated. Christ said so: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matt. 7:21-23). The word “never” comes from the Greek oudepote (oo-dep'-ot-eh) meaning I never knew you at any time, i.e. never at all (Strong’s 3763)! The context of these verses is regarding those who practice lawlessness—the unconverted professing Christians. Yet, in the Parable of the Ten Virgins we are dealing with converted brethren. When Jesus said, “I know you not,” what is the difference? The English word “know” comes from the Greek eidw eido (i'-do) and denotes: cannot know; cannot perceive; cannot be or cannot tell (Strong’s 1492). In other words, Jesus Christ cannot tell what they are going to do.
God told Abram to get out of his country, and he did. Abram was promised an inheritance of land. He was promised a son and multiplied descendants. He was told to be circumcised, though painful, and he did. However, it wasn’t until the final and tremendous test of sacrificing the “son of promise” that God finally stated, “…Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me” (Gen. 22:12). God then knew that He could ultimately predict what Abraham would do with the joys of everlasting life in the Kingdom of God. It is imperative that God gets to know us and that we get to know God. This is accomplished through prayer, Bible study, fasting and meditation. Someday God is going to offer us immortality (1 Cor. 15:51-54)—“we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). When we are like God, we will be given immense authority and power. However, before God can relinquish such power, He must know what we will do with it. God does not want and will not have another Satan in His kingdom and we can all thank God for that. The question then becomes, “Will we follow the perverted way of Satan or the footsteps of our elder brother, Jesus Christ” (John 10:10)? God must know and He will know what we are going to do and how we are going to act before He shares with us everlasting life. The whole basis of this understanding is what we do today.
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matt. 25:13). Many will be shocked and surprised—because they have not learned the vital lessons contained in the parable of the ten virgins. But this does not have to be you! How might a "Laodicean" recognize his spiritual condition in advance of the Tribulation? (See Luke 6:26; 1 Cor. 10:12; 2 Cor. 13:5). The parable of the ten virgins contains warnings pertaining to the end of this age. It is directed to those who will see the return of Jesus Christ! Where will we be when the door is shut? Will we be on the inside looking out or on the outside looking in? There are vital lessons contained in this parable for you and me today. God wants us to be in His kingdom—and we will be—if we will only heed these warnings!
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