Matthew 25:1-5

Mat 25:1 (KJB)
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

The parable of the ten virgins contains a warning to the human race and that is why so many of the details of the wedding and wedding feast are omitted. For example, we read nothing about the bride, from where these ten virgins are coming from, if they are all together in one place or are they in two places representing the five and five. It is a generalized parable because it reaches a crescendo on one major truth. Jesus then likens the kingdom of Heaven as the ten virgins. Just as the torch brings light to a darkened pathway, so the Kingdom of Heaven brings light to a darkened world. (John 3:19 KJV) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. He approaches this parable as He does the other parables in Matthew 13 by likening it to the kingdom of Heaven. The bridegroom is the Lord Jesus Christ and we read that the ten virgins had taken their lamps, which would probably be torches because if they were lighting an outside path, a small lamp would not be very effective. If we are comparing the ten virgins to the Kingdom of Heaven, then it would have to represent the greater light and not a lesser light. Once they took their lamps, they then started out to the wedding feast where they were going to meet the bridegroom.

Mat 25:2 (KJB)
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

At the outset of the parable, Jesus is immediately categorizing them as five wise and five foolish with no reason given at this time. So we must look at what wise and foolish is according to Scripture. First we look at wise. (Mat 24:45 KJV) Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? The wise servant was the one who was faithfully executing his duties and as a result was promoted. So we can say that the wise virgins represent the true believers. Then there are the foolish. (Rom 1:21 KJV) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. The foolish person is one who is unsaved as we see in Romans 1:21 because it speaks about a foolish heart being darkened. So immediately we know that Jesus is speaking about both believers and unbelievers.

Mat 25:3 (KJB)
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

The five foolish virgins took their lamps and the only oil they had was already on the lamp. They neglected to take any extra oil with them which would prove foolish because if you light a lamp too early, it will burn out but if you have extra oil with you, then you will have the ability to keep the lamps burning. By neglecting to take oil with them, they were unprepared for the coming of the bridegroom which could come at any time, early or late.

Mat 25:4 (KJB)
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Jesus then compares the actions of the wise virgins that they not only took the lamps with them but they brought additional oil with them. The vessel could have been a flask type container which would have been easily carried but would have enough oil to keep the flames burning. Now the only difference between the wise and foolish virgins here would have been the oil but as for their dress they all looked alike and they were virgins, plus they were all waiting for the bridegroom to come. (Mat 13:30 KJV) Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. The fact also was that all ten were together and just as Jesus had forewarned in the parable of the wheat and tares, let them all grow together until the harvest and then will come the great separation. That was fast approaching.

Mat 25:5 (KJB)
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Since this is only a parable, it speaks about the bridegroom tarrying. Now we know from Scripture that the Lord Jesus Christ will not tarry one minute beyond the appointed time of His return. (Acts 17:31 KJV) Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. That day is already appointed and this present earth will not go one day beyond that time. In this parable concerning the delay of the bridegroom, in ancient times it was not uncommon to wait for hours for the bridegroom. During the time that the virgins waited for the coming of the bridegroom, the hour had drawn late and they all became drowsy and had fallen asleep.

(Rev 13:7 KJV) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Now both had fallen asleep. There seems to be a small time period right at the end of time when the kingdom of Satan will have hushed the church into silence. Not necessarily out of existence but out of substance, that is, the essence of the Gospel will be removed for a smoother, watered down gospel that couldn’t save itself, never mind people. The churches are surely going down that path now where the true Gospel has been removed from the majority of churches. It is like the church is asleep, both false churches and the supposed “living ones.” While the virgins were going toward the bridegroom, there was activity but now they have fallen asleep which means they are totally inactive. Unfortunately, the majority of believers have also fallen by the wayside and have not undertaken any ministries and as a result false religions are winning the attention of the world.

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