HELEN SANDERS
5-5-2020
THE FOOLISH VIRGINS
In Matthew 25 1-13 we are told about ten virgins. Jesus compares them with the kingdom of heaven.
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”
You will notice that they both had lamps. In scripture, a lamp is often referred to as the Word of God. In Psalm 119:105 it says,
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
In studying this parable, it would indicate that the virgins all had the “word” with them. They were given equal opportunity to all have the word. Yet, five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps, but had no oil, which is indicative of the Holy Spirit.
This shows us that you can have the word of God, but not be saved. There are many that are religious, even using Bibles to assert their cause, but they have never been born again. The foolish virgins had the lamp, which is the word, but no oil. We can be religious, but not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Without the Holy Spirit indwelling a person, we are empty vessels that can give off no light.
The wise virgins took their lamps (the word) and had oil in their vessels, which indicates they had the Holy Spirit within themselves. The story goes on to say that the bridegroom tarried. He didn’t come back when they expected, and they all slumbered and slept. The foolish ones and the wise ones both slept. This is indicative of the church. The Church was filled with the oil of God to begin with, but over the centuries that fire for God waned. Yes, there have been some revivals, but at this point in time the Church for the most part is lukewarm, and unrepentant.
At midnight, they heard the cry made of the bridegroom. The virgins knew the groom was coming but weren’t prepared for his “late” arrival. This indicates that God waited and waited until the time had almost run out when he sent the bridegroom to meet his bride. All of the virgins then woke up, because there was a cry of his coming. All of the virgins trimmed their lamps, which indicates they realized the importance of the Word, but only the wise virgins had the oil. The foolish ones demanded oil from the wise ones, but there was no way to share what they had. The wise said go and buy it, knowing that it was too late for the foolish ones.
This is speaking of the last days my friends. When the cry is sounded that Jesus is coming it will be too late. There will not be any “oil” for those foolish virgins that didn’t prepare. You can’t buy the free gift. While they look for a place to buy it, he will come and take the wise virgins to the marriage, and the door will be shut. Just like the door of the ark was shut for 7 days, so there will be a 7-year marriage supper with Jesus. The foolish virgins showed up and wanted in, but the Lord told them
“I know you not.”
It was too late.
God has been telling us from the birth of the church to be prepared. Many put off the day of salvation, thinking they will be okay. Others are religious and think their works will get them in to heaven and by thinking that they assume that they will be okay. The truth is, without the oil in our lamps which represents salvation there is no second chance after the Lord returns. There is nothing that can be done when this happens. We must be prepared through salvation before his return and filled up with the Holy Spirit 24/7. We must be ready to meet him at any moment.
We don’t want to see anyone turned away. In this parable there was no way out, but there is a way out now before the Lord’s return. We must share Jesus Christ with everyone that we can while there is still time. We want to see all lost souls come to repentance and be filled with the Holy Spirit, so like the wise virgins they are ready when He returns.
Are you prepared? If not, today is the day to make that preparation. Sincerely repent of your sin and ask God to forgive you. Open your heart to receive that forgiveness and accept His gift of salvation before it is too late. Then your vessel will be filled with oil, and it will not burn out!
