1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take extra oil with them; 4 but the prudent ones took oil in flasks with their lamps. 5 Now while the groom was delaying, they all became drowsy and began to sleep. 6 But at midnight there finally was a shout: ‘Behold, the groom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. 8 But the foolish virgins said to the prudent ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 However, the prudent ones answered, ‘No, there most certainly would not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the groom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11 Yet later, the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Be on the alert then, because you do not know the day nor the hour.
TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:
For the simple fact that Jesus has used this theme of a wedding celebration quite a few times, shows just how personal it is for Him, and He wants us to understand just how personal it is, that He desires all to come to know Him. The Lord extends His proposal - His gift of salvation - so that we can enter into a personal relationship with Him. And all of these particular parables are in line with the Jewish wedding ceremonies that would have taken place back then. The groom represents Jesus, and the bride represents the Church.
At this point, in this particular parable, the bride and groom were already engaged (those becoming believers, receiving the Lord's indwelling Holy Spirit of promise). The groom has already gone away to prepare his home for her (Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven). When everything is ready, the groom comes to collect His bride (representing the rapture, when all believers of all time up until that point will be caught up into the air to be with Jesus). The bride and groom consummate their marriage (the Church will be in heaven with Jesus for the seven years). Meanwhile...
This is where this parable picks up. The virgins represent all of those unbelievers left on earth for the Tribulation (the last seven years of the Jewish Age). Once the honeymoon stage of the ceremony is complete, the groom will lead his bride to where the wedding feast is going to take place. The virgins who are ready will follow the groom (with his bride) to the wedding feast to celebrate (Jesus will return, and lead all those who have become believers during those seven years into the Millennial kingdom).
If you have ever been part of a wedding ceremony as bridesmaids or groomsmen... while there is extreme joy and excitement, you know just how serious this is. Generally speaking, the bride or groom has chosen you to be part of the wedding ceremony because you are especially close, either a relative or a very good friend. You understand how important your role is, and how important all of the details are to the couple. For those who really love the couple, you are not going to be late! You are not going to drop the ball by not being ready!
If you have ever been part of a wedding ceremony as bridesmaids or groomsmen... while there is extreme joy and excitement, you know just how serious this is. Generally speaking, the bride or groom has chosen you to be part of the wedding ceremony because you are especially close, either a relative or a very good friend. You understand how important your role is, and how important all of the details are to the couple. For those who really love the couple, you are not going to be late! You are not going to drop the ball by not being ready!
Just so, for anyone who thinks they will just be able to sneak into the Millennium (and crash the wedding feast), is sorely mistaken. Just like it will be impossible to sneak into heaven, or sweet-talk their way in because they think they are "good enough", even though they are not a child of God. While in fact, unbelievers even hate the heavenly Father and His children, yet still they think they deserve to live in His home and take a share of the legitimate children's heritance?
For those who would be turned away, no one should be insulted or indignant. Understand that the proposal - the invitation - has been sent out to everyone! Either one accepts it, or rejects it, which is to either accept the Lord Jesus into our heart, soul and life, or one rejects the Lord Jesus and all that He has done for us.
Being omniscient, the Lord knows exactly when and who is going to accept Him. So when the time is right... will be at the exact point in time when everyone who is going to accept the Lord's salvation has already done so. And all of those who have rejected Him, even if they were given a thousand more years of opportunities, will still only reject Him.
If we feel sad about this, this should compel us to be sharing the gospel message whenever God gives us an opportunity. Not to try to force anyone into making a decision, because God does not even do that. That is not out of love, but out of our wanting to control things. If someone rejects the gospel message, we should still continue praying for and loving that person. We never know if and when they will get to a point of repentance, but God does! And if we think we care so much, just understand that God cares exceedingly more!
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