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. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Matthew 25:1-6
Left behind! This parable has always been one that produces much thought. What caused the five foolish virgins to be left behind when the Bridegroom called? Were it just sleeping they would have all been left, but the text does reveal hints as to why these were standing at the door and knocking to get in once it was shut. Apparently, they were careless with the provision of God, they trusted others for their relationship with the Bridegroom, and they presumed to succeed without God as their source.
The wise virgins took great care to ensure that they always had sufficient oil since they understood the imminent return of the Bridegroom. Oil, a symbol of the presence of the Holy Spirit, was necessary for a journey made at night. In the shadow of the menorah, the oil was the fuel, the gold vessel was symbolic of being in Christ, and the child of God was the wick. When a candle burns the light is so bright that the wick is never noticed. It should be that way with all of us when it comes to shining brightly to a lost world sharing the presence of our dear Savior. However, the foolish virgins were careless with their supply of oil. Surely worldly pursuits and concerns caused them to be unprepared when the Bridegroom appeared unexpectedly. They would have done well to heed Ephesians 5:18, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit..."
How many today sit in churches and presume to know God because a family member or close friend is dedicated to Christ? Maybe they feel they are OK because they were raised in the church and cut their teeth on the pew. We have all seen it. There are those who attend church fairly faithfully, but it is not the church nor the people of the church that assures us of salvation. It is by and through acceptance of the blood covenant of the cross of Jesus Christ alone! There is no other way. God has no other means of salvation but the sacrifice of His Son! You will surely die lost if you do not call personally for the Lord to save you. The foolish virgins looked the wrong way when the Bridegroom's call went out. They looked to others for help. They themselves could have been blessed by the Master, but how foolish are those who refuse to be blessed by His presence. Truly, when the call goes out and the trumpet sounds, they will be left behind. Don't trust church, friends, family, long standing attendance, giving, good works, nor any other thing for salvation. The fact that the Bridegroom said, "I know you not" meant that they had no relationship with Him. Trust Jesus!
The poor foolish virgins. They are reminiscent of the children of Israel that Moses led. Once they had complained and incurred God's wrath after refusing to take the promised land, they attempted to take the land by themselves without the assistance and blessing of the Lord. These virgins are those of whom the Lord says, "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22-23). Sad virgins! They came knocking once the door was shut and believed they would succeed without God's blessing. They want admittance to God's heaven, but they did not care to want or believe His word when the chance was offered them.
There is a "too late" with God! When 1/3 of the angels made an unwise choice to follow their worship leader, it was too late. When the door of Noah's ark shut, it was too late. When the angels left Sodom with Lot, it was too late. When the children of Israel rejected the word of Caleb and Joshua, it was too late. Assuredly, when the trumpet sounds, it will be too late to get in to God's heaven without the ultimate sacrifice. For the majority--it will be too late. That day is coming, and coming very soon. He is standing at the door and knocking, but when He walks away from it, it will be too late! Jesus Christ is Soon2Come! Are you ready?
And 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. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:10-13
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Hi John,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! There comes a time when its just too late.This Proverb always stays with me..
(Proverbs 1:24) Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
People think they can play games with God and that He is somehow, just like them and too weak to follow through with punishment. Jesus knew better. He told us to fear Him! But His warnings are mostly ignored these days and the over riding persuasive message is God is love, while they ignore all of His other attributes.
I would rather know the truth now than pay the penalty later, but many other people rather take their chances. I will never understand that type of a mindset. Its playing games with your soul. Thats dangerous thinking and can be deadly in the end.
God bless you John. If you need to get in touch with me for any reason, just ask John McT for my email. I have the comments on my blog temporarily turned off.
Gerie