Matthew 25:1-131Then 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. (Matthew 25:1‑13)
A marriage was a time of great joy and celebrating in Palestine, as in most countries. It was often at night, so the people carried lamps or torches. One custom was for young women, called virgins, to welcome the bridegroom and those with him, when he arrived for the marriage.
Jesus told a parable of ten such young women; five of them, called “wise” virgins, took oil with their lamps to have lights when the bridegroom came. But five of them, called. “foolish” virgins, took no oil with their lamps.
The bridegroom was a long time coming, and while, the young women waited, they all fell asleep. After awhile there was a call that the bridegroom was near. The young women arose quickly, and trimmed their lamps. Perhaps some of you have not used oil lamps, which have a wick, and one end rests in the oil, the other end is lighted, and after being burned awhile needs to be trimmed to light again.
As the virgins trimmed their lamps, the foolish ones realized that they had no oil, and wanted the others to give them some. They could not do so, for they would not have enough for themselves, and told them to go and buy oil. While they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and the wise virgins went in with him to the marriage.
The foolish virgins came to the house, and called to be let in. But the door was shutt, and the master of the house answered that he did not know them.
Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven was like this parable, and we learn what it means from other scriptures Jesus Himself is the One to be waited for and welcomed. At first, after His return to heaven, people looked for him to come, but after awhile they were careless, like the virgins, who went to sleep, and their lamps gave no light in the dark night.
But the parable shows that at last, people will be aroused to welcome the Lord, and that He surely comes, although at a late hour. The virgins seemed all the same, yet some of them could not welcome the bridegroom: they had no oil, which is as life to a lamp, and is useless without it. So to be fit to meet the Lord, there must be life within from Him.
No one knows when, the Lord Jesus will come, but HE IS COMING for all who have accepted Him as their own precious Saviour, and He will take them Home into the glory to live with Him forever, where there is only peace and joy. He now says, “Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.”
If you do not know Him as your Saviour, you will be left behind for certain judgment. He will say to you, “I know you not.”
ML 10/10/1943