Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh
Matthew 25: 1-13
We have read another of Jesus’ parables. Parables were used of our Lord to communicate a heavenly truth through an earthly illustration. This parable was given to the people of Israel, but there is application and instruction for each of us. In this parable we can see a picture of the church. We all know that Jesus is coming to call for His bride, and only those who are prepared will be invited to join in the Marriage Supper.
As we will see in this parable, many find themselves in a state of complacency in regard to Christ’s return. We live in a day where many are presenting a universal acceptance, with little regard for the teachings of the Bible. General William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, put it well when he said, "I consider that the chief dangers which will confront the twentieth century will be: religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without redemption, morality without God, and Heaven without Hell." We have found ourselves in a day of many professors, but few possessors. Many have a form of godliness, a form of religion, but they deny the power thereof. Salvation involves much more than a religious experience, there must have been a day when we saw ourselves lost and undone before God and cried out unto the Lord for salvation. I want to examine the eternal truths of this passage and preach on a phrase in the text: Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh. As we consider this parable, I trust you will examine your heart to see where you stand with the Lord.
I. The Description of the Virgins (1-5) – Jesus begins His parable with a detailed look at those involved. Each of us is seen in one of these groups.
A. Their Presentation (1a) – Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. We find that there were ten virgins, each having their own lamp. These maidens were all morally and physically pure. As far as those who knew them could tell, they were pretty much the same. They had lived a good life and resisted the temptations of the flesh. Each had a lamp, which represents their personal testimony. No doubt these young ladies would’ve felt good about the life they had lived. There was nothing in their lives that could bring reproach or accusation against them.
There is a great truth to be learned here; we should all live a pure life before the Lord, but as we will see, there must be more than our works and the testimony that we carry before others. We must know Jesus in a personal way. There must be a time when you were born again. Living a good life cannot bring salvation!
B. Their Expectation (1b) – which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Each of these virgins went forth to meet the bridegroom. In that day after the marriage ceremony, virgins would meet the wedding party with lamps lit to light the way for them. They all expected to have the opportunity to be included in the wedding party’s festivities.
Do you see a resemblance to the world in which we live? It seems that everyone we meet is “saved;” they are all going to heaven when they die. Everyone expects to meet the Lord and be accepted of Him. They are all carrying the lamp of their testimony. Well I’ve lived a good life; I attend church; I’ve been baptized; I pay my tithes, and I hope that the Lord is pleased with the life I’ve lived. This isn’t a “hope so” situation; it is a matter of knowing that you’ve been saved!
C. Their Separation (2-4) – To those who knew them, the virgins were all acceptable. There was little difference in them from a worldly perspective, but Jesus knew more than the world could see. Five of them were wise; they had oil in their vessels for their lamps. Five were foolish, having no oil for their lamps.
This is what makes all the difference in eternity. Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit. Five were filled with the Holy Spirit and five were not. Those who have the Spirit within belong unto the Lord. Those who are not filled with the Spirit have no part in Him, regardless of the life they live. We fall into one of two categories – saved or lost. There is no middle ground. We have either trusted Christ in salvation or we remain lost in our sin. John 10:14 – I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Is there oil in your lamp? Do you know the Lord?
D. Their Assumption (5) – As the bridegroom tarried, the virgins slept and slumbered. They all slept while waiting on the bridegroom. It is apparent that they were confident and complacent with the preparations they had made to meet him. They had no doubt they would hear the call and be ready to meet him.
Sadly this is a picture of many in our day. There seems to be little difference in the church and the world. The church seems to have fallen asleep. We should all be working, striving to reach the lost and serve the Lord in these last days. There is little being done to sound the alarm. The lost have been lulled to sleep by the doctrines of “easy believism” being taught in our day. They have been deceived by the desire to boost attendance and add numbers, but there has been no change in the heart.
It is time to wake out of sleep and take a careful look at where we stand. Christian have you done all that He has asked of you? Church member, are you certain of your salvation? Jesus is coming; don’t depend on an assumption, obtain real assurance!
II. The Distress of the Foolish (6-9) – Here Jesus reveals the distress of those who were caught with no oil in their lamps. Notice:
A. Their Delay (6) – While they all slept, the bridegroom arrived. The call went out that he was coming and it was time to go out and meet him. This was the moment they were all awaiting to arrive. When he came there was no time to make any further preparations. Those who were ready would have a part, while those who were not would be left behind.
Sadly the foolish virgins delayed too long. They slept when they should have been obtaining oil and watching for his return. There is coming a day when the Lord will step out on the clouds and call for His bride. Those who are saved are going to be caught up in the air to meet Him. Those who have delayed their preparation will be left behind to face the Tribulation of God. Now is the time to prepare! 2 Cor.6:2b – behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. You have already seen the last sunrise that you are guaranteed to see. Jesus may come at any moment. Are you ready should He come today?
B. Their Dilemma (7-9a) – When it came time for their lights to shine, the foolish virgins had no oil in their lamps. They had not made the necessary provisions to meet the bridegroom. In their despair they sought the oil of the others, but there wasn’t enough oil for two lamps. The wise had oil, but the foolish did not. It was impossible to obtain oil from the others.
There is a tremendous lesson here. My salvation is only sufficient for me. It is never good enough for my wife, my children, or my friends. Each of us must make the necessary provisions to ensure that there is oil in our lamp. It makes no difference how faithful others were to the Lord. Salvation is a personal experience with each and every believer. You have the responsibility to secure your own salvation! You will never make it to heaven on someone else’s “coat tails.” The question remains – is there oil in your lamp?
C. Their Deception (9b) – The foolish virgins lay sleeping, confident that they would have plenty of time to secure more oil if it was needed. When the bridegroom came they frantically searched for somewhere to buy the precious oil. They assumed that there would be plenty available whenever they needed it. Sadly the time had come and they were found without any oil.
Jesus is coming and only those who have oil in their lamps are going in. Salvation is a gift of God to all who will receive it, but it cannot be purchased with money or works. We are saved by grace through faith, not of our works. Jesus is the only source of salvation. He alone supplies the oil!
III. The Discernment of the Bridegroom (10-13) – In this we see a representation of the coming of our Lord for His bride. In that faithful day, the curtain of our lives will be pulled away. We will stand as we are before the Lord Himself. Let’s consider the response of the bridegroom.
A. The Reception of the Wise (10) – As the foolish virgins were away seeking oil, the wise were received into the marriage celebration with the door being shut behind. The bridegroom received those who were prepared to meet him. Jesus will one day come for His own and those who belong to Him will be ushered in to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. All of the saved and only the saved will be found at this gathering. I rejoice that I have made preparations for that day. We are promised a place at the wedding in the sky!
B. The Response to the Foolish (11-12) – As they came and found the door shut, the foolish virgins began to knock at the door. They knew they were late because of their lack of oil and pleaded to be let in. The bridegroom answered: I know you not. Those who were not prepared were left outside the door. It made no difference how much they pleaded. They missed their opportunity and were not allowed in.
As I thought of this occasion my mind went back to the days of Noah. The ark represented the salvation of the Lord and God sealed the ark. Those safe inside could not be brought out, and those without were not let in. Can you imagine the horror of such a time? Don’t be as these were, begging outside the door to be let in. Jesus spoke of that time in Mat.7:21-23.
C. The Reality of the Day (13) – Jesus closes this parable with application for every generation. We must not be as those in this parable. Christian we are to watch with anticipation for the coming of our Lord. We don’t know the day nor the hour, but we must be ready. 1 Thes.5:5-6 – Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. [6] Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. Lost person this could be the day that Jesus comes again. Now is the time to trim your lamps to burn. If you wait until the Lord returns it will be too late to seek for oil to burn. Jesus is the only way to life eternal. Apart from salvation in Christ, you will find yourself as the foolish virgins, left outside the door when it is eternally shut.
Conclusion: Each of us is represented in this parable. You either have oil in your lamp or not. If Jesus were to come today, would He find your lamp trimmed and burning? Do you know without a doubt that you belong to Him? If not, He stands waiting to save you today. Christian have you been guilty of sleeping while waiting for the Lord to come? It is time for the church to rise and live for the Lord. Maybe you need to come and ask the Lord to help you. Why not come right now?
