Matthew 25:1-13 – The Ten Virgins

By Jon Courson

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. “Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Hear His heart as He says, “In light of end times understanding, there are three things you must consider … in verses 1-13 it is about personal salvation commentary:
In Jesus’ day, although the day of a wedding was known in a community, the exact hour was unknown. The bridegroom could show up at his bride’s house any time during the day or night. He could come in the morning, at noon, even at midnight. But as soon as he arrived at the house of the bride, word passed quickly that the bridegroom had come and the marriage was about to begin. The community would then accompany the bride and the bridegroom as they made their way to the ceremony.

In this parable, there were ten maidens. Ten is the Jewish number of completion, as illustrated by the fact that there were Ten Commandments and that ten Jewish males in a community warranted a synagogue. But of the ten maidens, only five had oil for their lamps. And when the bridegroom came at midnight, the other five were left out of the procession. What is Jesus saying? He’s saying that when He, the Bridegroom, comes for His bride at an unknown hour, some will be ready to join the procession but others will not because they lack oil in their lamps. Scripturally, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Those not born of the Spirit will be left behind.

If the Rapture occurred tonight, I fear some of you would still be sitting here while the rest of us went up. Yes, you’ve been hanging out with the wedding party-but there’s no oil in your vessel. We must realize that many who think they are going up in the wedding party will be left behind for lack of oil. I believe the heartbeat of Jesus revealed in this parable is one which should sober every person. In Luke 21:36, Jesus said, “Pray that you might be found worthy to be kept from the hour of tribulation”-the implication being that some who mistakenly thought they were part of the procession will go through that terrible time of tribulation!

I would rather see my own family and my church family soberly on our knees, saying, “Please, Lord, fill us with the oil of Your Spirit and seal our salvation,” than to give anyone false assurance and have him miss the wedding party, lulled to sleep by a false theology. I would rather see a person come forward fifty times to make sure of his salvation than to have him think that because he sits in a pew he’s going to heaven.

The story is told of a meeting Satan held with his demons, trying to figure out how to trick people into eternal damnation…

One demon said, “I’ve got a plan. Let’s whisper in people’s ears there is no God.” “No,” Satan said, “creation declares the reality of God. People are too smart to deny His existence. A few idiots might be sucked in but not the masses.” ”

“I’ve got it”, a second demon said. “We’ll say there’s no hell.” “No.” said Satan. “People innately understand the need for retribution and judgment. People won’t buy that.”

A third demon said, “Let me suggest how we might trick them. Instead of saying ‘No God’ or ‘No Hell,’ we’ll just say ‘No Hurry.’”

“That’s it!” Satan said gleefully. And he commissioned his demons to go throughout the world whispering, “No hurry.”

Many have lost their sense of urgency. But the cry will soon go forth: behold the bridegroom cometh! Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). Don’t miss the party.