“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
What is the meaning of this parable? Of whom is Jesus referring? Obviously all of the ten virgins are already Christians. This is evident as they already are all called "virgins", are all carrying lamps, and are all watching for the return of the bridegroom (Jesus). Also because the five unwise virgins call unto the bridegroom saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us!".
What a terrible situation to be in. To have the bridegroom return and to not be ready and watching and waiting. To be shut out of the wedding feast. And to have the bridegroom declare unto you - 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
What does this mean to us as Christians? We need to be ready. We need to be watching. We need to be living 100% true, 100% committed, 100% repentant, 100% obedient lives. We need to spend regular time in prayer with God, and regular time in His word. And we need to live all the time, day and night, as if we are expecting the immenent return of our Lord. He may come today, or tomorrow. He may return in this very hour.
Will you be found watching and waiting, ready and prepared for His return?
He may not even return in your lifetime, but the hour of death might come upon you without warning, and you may find yourself with the books closed and prepared to stand in judgment. Our lives are like a vapor.
James 4:14
For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a
little time and then vanishes away.
Are you living a life of discipleship like you mean it? Are you living a life of submission and obedience to God's Word and God's Will?
Revelation 22: 10b - 17
for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
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