The Ten Virgins.
THE subject is the kingdom of heaven— “Then shall the kingdom of heaven,” &c. The expression, “kingdom of heaven,” is found only in Matthew, and occurs about 28 times. We have therefore only to look through the passages in which it is found to gather its true meaning. It is generally descriptive of Christendom, including all professing Christians, whether true or merely nominal. Hence we have in “the kingdom of heaven” wheat and tares, good fish and bad, those with and without a wedding garment, and, in the parable before us, wise virgins and foolish. We have not here the church looked at in its unity as one body, but Christianity as found in the earth. It sets forth the course of those who bear Christ’s name, or who profess subjection to Him who is now in heaven, during the Lord’s absence, and shows us the real state of things when He comes again. The context has occupied us with the Lord’s commendation of the faithful and wise servant when He comes, and shows that the nominal professor, or evil servant, must have his portion with the hypocrite. Hence this parable begins with “then,” and treats of the state of Christianity in the earth when the Bridegroom comes, and the separation that must necessarily occur then between the true and false, the wise and foolish.
The profession is alike in all. Each takes a lamp. All pretend to be virgins, pure and chaste in affection and desire towards Christ, and to go forth to meet Him. All who call themselves Christians own, verbally at least, the cleansing power of His blood, and profess the hope of being with Him by-and-by. Hence the regular observance of the so-called sacrament, and the scrupulous celebration of funeral ceremonials. It is very awful; but, alas! how true it is that many are so blinded and deceived. The Lord’s words are, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.” (Verses 1, 2.)
The next verses show the characteristics of the virgins. “Taking oil” or “no oil” made the difference. The omission of oil was fatal. The possession of oil was vital. The wise knew this, and they had oil not only in their lamps, but had a resource for replenishing whenever it might be needed. “They that were foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” (Verses 3, 4.) If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of His, is a plain and most unmistakable announcement. A Christless soul is a lifeless soul. “He that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” To them who now obey the gospel, and, thus receive Christ as their Saviour, God gives His Holy Spirit. Hence we read, “Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus ... ..And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Gal. 3:26;426For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)
26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:26). 6.)
What a most solemn contrast there is between the wise and foolish virgins. How imperative it is that every individual who professes to be a Christian should most certainly have all his hopes based upon the finished work of Christ, should know Christ at God’s right hand as the object of faith, his life, righteousness, and peace, and have the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost. It is one thing to have Bible knowledge, and to possess clear outlines of doctrine, but it is another thing to receive Christ as the Saviour whom God has sent, to credit the testimony of God’s word, that believing in Him we have forgiveness of sins, we are children of God, and are justified from all things. It is easy for any one to call himself a Christian, and to pass among a crowd of others for a Christian, but to trust in the already accomplished work of Jesus, to know Him at God’s right hand as the soul’s refuge and rest, and to love Him because He first loved us, characterizes every true Christian. What an amazing difference, then, there is between a mere professor and a real Christian! How the consideration of this common error and fatal mistake should stir our hearts to earnestness, and quicken us with unwearied love and faithfulness to those around us! How clearly the parable shows us that many will seal their eternal doom by trafficking in mere outward religiousness, the heart all the while deceiving itself by refusing God’s infallible testimony to the finished work of Christ; and consequently, such do not receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! What folly! Could any course be more unwise than caring for a little temporary credit among men, and, when too late, finding it insufficient to deliver them from the wrath to come. What blindness and self-sufficiency characterize such professors! Foolish virgins, indeed!
How very different are the “wise virgins.” They reckon on nothing of self. Their hearts are truly set on Christ. With them it is not merely profession, but possession. They have received the Saviour whom God has sent. Their hopes are entirely built on Him. They know His love; they have received the Holy Spirit; they are well provided with oil; they are gone forth to meet One whom they love. It is Christ they are expecting to see and be with, and they have already received “the earnest” of glory. “After ye believed ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.” (Eph. 1:13,1413In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:13‑14).) What security this gives, and what confidence it warrants!
But many a true Christian has been a failing Christian. Many have given way to self-gratification, and become weary of watching. The night soon began to feel long, and the true hope and expectation of the Lord’s return to be let slip. Spiritual decline may be very gradual, but not the less real on that account. It may, too, be very general, and yet, alas, how true! We know it has been so. If Church history be correct, the hope of the Lord’s coming very soon lost its power. Hence we are told, that “while the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.” Wise and foolish were alike involved in this forgetfulness of the Bridegroom’s coming. At first there was real earnestness of desire for His return: for we read that the Thessalonian believers “turned from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, even Jesus, whom He raised from the dead, and delivered us from the wrath to come.” It is impossible to mistake the real character of this pope, or to doubt that it is the personal coming of the risen and ascended Jesus that they so ardently desired and waited for. But all grew weary of watching, and “all slumbered and slept.”