Series: When Does It End? [#10]
READY OR NOT BRIDESMAIDS
Matthew 25:1-13
Introduction:
As we have been studying about the last days before Jesus Christ returns, we come to a story about wise and foolish people. As we think about the last days, do you have any regrets? When we leave this earth or Jesus raptures us out of here, will you have any regrets about your life? I’m sure that we will all have some regrets; but the one regret you better not have is not following Jesus as Savior.
Matthew 25:1-5 (NIV)
1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
We must be…
1. The Bridesmaids.
During Jesus’ day, there were several things that occurred as a part of a wedding.
There were 3 aspects of a wedding.
* The marriage was arranged by the parents.
* The ceremony of the betrothal.
The bridegroom, (accompanied by his friends) would leave his parent’s home and go to the home of his bride. When he arrived, he would claim her as his own. The couple would exchange vows and promises in front of their family and friends.
At this point, they were considered married and could only get out of the marriage through death or a legal divorce. This betrothal lasted from a few days up to a year. During this time, the husband found a job and established a home suitable for his bride. During this time, the couple did not live together or consummate their marriage.
* The ceremony of the Marriage Feast.
This ceremony was celebrated in the home of the bridegroom.
Jesus wants us to be ready for His Second Coming. Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to the events involved in a Wedding Celebration. The 10 virgins or bridesmaids were the young women who accompanied the Bride. They were unmarried and pure.
In this story, Jesus is the Bridegroom. Who is the 10 virgins? The people who profess to know Jesus at the time of His Second Coming. The Bride’s identity is not revealed in this passage. We know that the Church is the Bride of Christ; but in this passage, we do not know the time frame in which this is happening.
The 10 virgins take lamps and prepare to meet the Groom. The number 10 could be significant in this story. The number 10 speaks of completion. The lamps were not only for lighting the way; but were also used to set the bridal party apart.
Outwardly, all 10 virgins look the same- They all have the appropriate garments on; and they all have a lamp. Jesus says that 5 of these are foolish and 5 are wise. Many believe that this is a comparison between a believer and a make-believer. The foolish virgins took their lamps; but had no oil. They had lamps that would not put off light. This is like a person who goes through all of the motions; but is not saved. The wise virgins had oil in their lamps. Many times in the Bible, oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
The text tells us that while they were waiting on the Bridegroom, they all fell asleep. This reinforces the fact that we do not now when Jesus will return. This also shows that the prepared and unprepared continued in their daily activities.
Matthew 25:6-12 (NIV)
6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
2. The Bridegroom.
In the parable, the bridegroom comes when everyone is asleep. They are awakened by a midnight cry (the voice of an archangel or the trumpet of God?). All the bridesmaids knew the engagement period was not over; the betrothal period was coming to a close; and the wedding festivities were about to begin. They did not know when he would come until they were awakened by a shout, “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Both the wise and the foolish, the prepared and the unprepared, must face the Bridegroom. The trimming of the lamps probably means the cutting of the ragged edges of the cloth and the dipping of the rags or soaking of the cloth in oil. At this point, the foolish virgins realize they have no oil in which to trim or dip their lamps. They have no way to keep the lamp lit.
There are several important things that must be said about this portion of Scripture. Did the foolish virgins realize in advance that they had no oil? The answer is yes. Does the unbeliever or the make-believer realize their lost condition? Do they know they are without Jesus? I have to say yes! Why didn’t the foolish virgins get oil before the Bridegroom arrived? Did they think they could borrow the oil from true believers? That’s what they try to do in verse 8. You can’t borrow someone’s else’s real relationship with Christ. You can’t borrow your mom’s faith or your dad’s faith or your friend’s faith. You can’t borrow someone’s else’s relationship with God.
The door is shut. All the chances are gone. The stores are closed. The time is over. The opportunity to participate in the Wedding Celebration is past. Some people live in the painful delusion that they can get saved anytime they want. Listen to their cries for a 2nd chance in verse 11.
Matthew 25:13 (NIV)
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
3. Jesus sounds the alarm.
Watch out. Stay alert. Wake up. Look up. Break up with sin. The Last Days, according to Jesus will find His return unknown and unexpected. For the 5th time in these 2 chapters Jesus says, “Therefore keep watch”.
