Olivet Discourse-Rapture Ready - Be Ready For Christ's Return. Parable Of The 10 Virgins_matthew 25.1-13 Series

2025.09.28. Sermon Notes. Be Ready for Christ’s Return - Matthew 25.1-13

William Akehurst, HSWC

Scriptures: Matthew 25:1-13, Matthew 7:21-23, Luke 12:35, Revelation 19:7, John 3:29, Revelation 19:7-9, 2 Peter 3:9-10, Matthew 24:36, Romans 8:9, Ephesians 1:13-14, Zechariah 4:1-6, 2 Peter 3:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, Romans 14:12, Genesis 7:16, Matthew 24:46, Romans 8:16, Matthew 5:14-16, 2 Corinthians 6:2, 1 Peter 4:7

BIG IDEA: Be ready for CHRIST’s return. Spiritual preparedness is personal, non-transferable, and essential for entering GOD’s kingdom - each one must be ready for the LORD’s return.

Life is filled with moments that require preparation. You prepare for a wedding, for a test, for a trip, or for retirement. Some prepare well, others procrastinate until it is too late. JESUS tells a parable that reminds us that the most important preparation of all is to be ready for HIS coming.

Matthew 25:1-13 is part of the Olivet Discourse, where JESUS speaks of the end of the age. HE uses the image of a wedding feast to illustrate the urgency of readiness for HIS Return.

ILLUSTRATION: I once heard the story of a man who missed his own daughter’s wedding because his alarm didn’t go off. He thought he had more time, but he didn’t. His absence was remembered for years.

Missing one wedding is tragic.

But missing the wedding feast of the Lamb is eternal.

OPENING QUESTION: What’s the most important event you’ve ever had to prepare for?

• Weddings, exams, job interviews, surgery, military deployment.

• POINT: Preparation reveals priorities. Some things you cannot afford to neglect.

JESUS says HIS Return will be like this. Let’s walk through HIS parable together.

TEXT

Matthew 25:1-13 The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 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.’ 10 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.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

EXPLANATION

JESUS compares HIS coming to a wedding feast.

Ten virgins went out to meet the Bridegroom.

Five were wise and carried extra oil; five were foolish and unprepared.

At midnight, the cry rang out: “Behold, the Bridegroom is coming!” The wise entered in, the foolish were shut out.

TRUTHS

• The Bridegroom is surely coming, though delayed, He will appear suddenly.

• Readiness cannot be borrowed; it must be personal.

• Once the door is shut, it will not open again.

APPLICATION:

The oil represents the inward reality of the HOLY SPIRIT and a living relationship with CHRIST. You cannot borrow someone else’s salvation, nor rely on church attendance, nor on yesterday’s devotion. You must know Him personally.

QUESTION: Are you ready if the trumpet sounds today? If JESUS called tonight, would you have oil in your lamp?

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES

• Matthew 7:21-23 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

• Luke 12:35 “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning.”

• Revelation 19:7 “The marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.”

LESSON: The call is urgent: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13).

DEEP DIVE - MESSAGE

1. THE BRIDEGROOM WILL COME (VV. 1, 6, 10)

In Jewish culture, weddings were the highlight of social life. The bridegroom would come unexpectedly to claim his bride and bring her to the feast. The groom came suddenly, often at night, leading a joyful procession.