THE PARABLES | The Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13)
THE PARABLES | The Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13)
Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
Matthew 25:1-2, Revised Standard Version
Matthew 25:1-2, Revised Standard Version
Context: In those days an important feature of a marriage ceremony was the bridegroom leaving his house in the evening for the home of the bride’s parents. From there, with his bride, the procession moved toward the home of the bridegroom or the bridegroom’s father. The waiting virgins along the route would carry lamps requiring frequent refilling (Jer 7:34). If the procession was delayed some might fall asleep, until the cry was raised: “Here is the bridegroom!” After entering the house, the door was closed and it was too late for tardy guests to enter.
Meaning: Not every detail of a parable should be forced into meaningful parallels. Some see the unbelieving Jews represented by the five foolish virgins (Matt 21:43; Acts 7:51). Be that as it may, we can say that Jesus was encouraging all to keep awake in lively expectation of His joyful second coming when he would sweep his enlightened bride of off her feet.
Application: Are you burnt out on religion or shining with the inner divine oil of the Holy Spirit and Word? (1 Thess 5:6-11,19) Sadly, “not everyone saying Lord, Lord” has their own saving relationship with the indwelling Christ – which cannot be shared (Matt 7:21-27; 1 Cor 11:18-19). The ‘flowing out’ of John 7:38-39 does not represent a transfer but a testimony. When the bridegroom arrived even the five foolish virgins tried to trim their wicks perhaps by putting their routines in better order and avoiding worldliness. However, having no saving relationship with Christ, their form of godliness had no spiritual life or power (2 Tim 3:7).
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Saved Christians let the radiance of Christ shine.
Saved Christians let the radiance of Christ shine.