Ten Virgins Series

Introduction

A. We have read Matthew 25:1 - 13

1. In this is Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins

a. As I studied this parable I found many interpretations

b. The first interpretation to consider is that these ten virgins are Christians

(1) The ten are waiting for the second coming of Christ

(a) The lamps are the gospel of Christ

(b) The oil in the lams is the Holy Spirit

(c) The bridegroom they are waiting for is Christ

(2) Jesus says they are virgins, this means that all ten are pure

(a) But five are filled with the Holy Spirit

(b) And five have burned all the oil they had and no longer had the Holy Spirit

(c) These five have in some way lost their salvation

(3) It is easy to see why I rejected this interpretation

c. Several other interpretations are very similar to the first interpretation

d. Another interpretation is that the five who brought their oil are true Christians

(1) But the other five are just church goers, not really Christians

(2) When the bridegroom comes they are without oil, the Holy Spirit, and they are left out of the wedding celebration

2. I believe that the proper interpretation of this parable is critical

a. The time of the parable is at the end of the tribulation period

(1) The ten virgins are First Jews

(a) The five wise virgins are true believers

(b) The five foolish virgins are religious people

(2) The bridegroom, of course, is Jesus Christ, the Messiah

(a) The lamps may represent the lives of the wise and the foolish

i) Or the lamps may represent the gospel of Christ

(3) The oil is the Holy Spirit

(a) So let us begin by turning to Matthew 25:1

II. Body

A. The kingdom of heaven

Matthew 25:1 (NKJV)

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

1. The Jewish wedding rituals are unique in the world

a. Many are arranged

b. But, many are joined into my mutual consent of the boy and girl

(1) As one man put it the God of Israel is not so cruel as to place strangers into a marriage

(2) A boy might see a young woman in the market place or passing along the street and she might tickle his fancy

(3) The girl would have seen the young man and perhaps fancy him as well

(a) People have a way of letting the other know

(4) When stricken the young man goes to the young lady’s home and presents a marriage contract

(a) If the young fellow is acceptable to the family, they call the young lady to join them

(b) The guy offers the gal a glass of wine

i) The young lady has as long as she needs to make up her mind

ii) If she refuses to drink the wine, she has rejected the young fellow and he leaves, never to approach her again

iii) If she accepts the young fellow she will take the glass and drink the wine, they are now engaged

iv) We drink of the wine the first Sunday of every month, we accept the young man, the bridegroom, the messiah, Jesus Christ

a) Please turn to John 14:2-3

2. In this passage in John, Jesus makes a wonderful promise, but He also tells us of a delay

John 14:2-3 (NKJV)

"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. {3} "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

a. The young bridegroom left the girl’s home and went home to begin building a bridal chamber

(1) Turn to Matthew 24:36

(2) The young man’s father would judge the young man’s work and the father would say when the chamber was completed

Matthew 24:36 (NKJV)

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

(3) A comment was made that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was very fortunate in that she was engaged to a carpenter, the day of the consummation of the marriage would be closer, because Joseph knew how to build a bridal chamber

b. The building of the bridal chamber was the reason for the delay between the engagement and the wedding feast

c. The bride and her ladies would have to wait until the groom had finished his work and it was approved by his father

(1) We have taken the cup and drunk the wine, we only wait until the Father approves the bridal chamber