Jesus' Parable of the Ten Virgins
Jesus spoke this parable:
Matthew 25
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9But 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.
10And 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.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Let us review what Jesus is telling us.
What is he specific event that Jesus is describing?
verse 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh Who does the Bridegroom represent? "Son of man", Jesus
What is the description that identifies all of those who go forth to meet Him?
verse 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
In another book of the Bible similar symbolism is used.
Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Christians? Good Christians? Undefiled Christians? We know that five are wise and five are foolish. What makes the difference. Both knew what to do and how to act to be virgins, but only five were wise enough to prepare...
What did all ten of the virgins carry with them?
verse 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
What does the "lamp" represent?
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
What does the oil represent?
The oil gives power to the lamp so that it gives off light. How is it possible for the Word of God to give off light? Could it be that the oil represents the Holy Spirit?
What was the difference between the foolish and the wise virgins?
verse 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
All ten had some oil, but only five had extra oil. How do we make sure we have extra "oil"? How do we receive "oil"?
John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Does this mean that the more we obey Him, the more of His Spirit we are able to have in us? This has been my experience. As I study His word and He reveals a truth to me that I did not know before, then His Holy Spirit puts me under conviction to change, to obey, to follow His Word. When I do I find that He can reveal more to me. That makes sense, why would He reveal any more to me if I am not going to honor Him and obey Him in the truth He has already given to me. Yet it is not I that obey's because I am weak, and my righteousness is as filthy rags, but it is His Spirit making me to will and to do according to His good pleasure.
What is it that the Bridgroom does that makes it so important that those that come to meet Him have extra oil?
verse 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. verse 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Notice that both the wise and the foolish virgins fell asleep.
Let us be sure that we have the extra oil for our lamps.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 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.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Matthew 25
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9But 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.
10And 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.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Let us review what Jesus is telling us.
What is he specific event that Jesus is describing?
verse 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh Who does the Bridegroom represent? "Son of man", Jesus
What is the description that identifies all of those who go forth to meet Him?
verse 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
In another book of the Bible similar symbolism is used.
Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
Christians? Good Christians? Undefiled Christians? We know that five are wise and five are foolish. What makes the difference. Both knew what to do and how to act to be virgins, but only five were wise enough to prepare...
What did all ten of the virgins carry with them?
verse 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
What does the "lamp" represent?
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
What does the oil represent?
The oil gives power to the lamp so that it gives off light. How is it possible for the Word of God to give off light? Could it be that the oil represents the Holy Spirit?
What was the difference between the foolish and the wise virgins?
verse 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
All ten had some oil, but only five had extra oil. How do we make sure we have extra "oil"? How do we receive "oil"?
John 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
Does this mean that the more we obey Him, the more of His Spirit we are able to have in us? This has been my experience. As I study His word and He reveals a truth to me that I did not know before, then His Holy Spirit puts me under conviction to change, to obey, to follow His Word. When I do I find that He can reveal more to me. That makes sense, why would He reveal any more to me if I am not going to honor Him and obey Him in the truth He has already given to me. Yet it is not I that obey's because I am weak, and my righteousness is as filthy rags, but it is His Spirit making me to will and to do according to His good pleasure.
What is it that the Bridgroom does that makes it so important that those that come to meet Him have extra oil?
verse 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. verse 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Notice that both the wise and the foolish virgins fell asleep.
Let us be sure that we have the extra oil for our lamps.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 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.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Monday, December 13, 2004
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