When Jesus taught the Parable of the Ten Virgins, He chose His words carefully when prophesying that His people would wait a long time before His Second Coming. He said, “The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep" (Matthew 25:5). Darkness has descended upon us, and, for the most part, the Church is asleep:
1“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 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 (Matthew 25:1-7).
Some argue that the Church need not prepare for the night because the Lord will come for them before darkness descends. In the parable, Jesus mentions that the Bridegroom would not come until midnight (v. 6). Would you say that the global Church is ready for the darkness of night? How should today's believers prepare for the arrival of darkness?
All ten virgins symbolize those who claim to be believers; however, some possess the light of life while others do not. Some individuals are empty lampstands that fail to radiate the light of Christ’s life. In any local church, there are both sincere individuals and hypocrites. Judas pretended to be a disciple but never genuinely repented—he was a hypocrite, merely acting on the stage of life (John 12:4-6, John 6:70-71). Only those who have truly repented (turned away from sin) and embraced Christ and the provision of His Spirit are lights in the world (Matthew 5:14). “The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that illuminates one’s innermost being” (Proverbs 20:27). Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). The five wise virgins represent genuine believers. The oil in their lamps symbolizes the Holy Spirit within them, and Scripture teaches that no one can be a true believer without having the Holy Spirit:
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, emphasis added).
All ten virgins fell asleep as darkness descended. While we may not know all that our enemy is planning as he deepens the darkness over men’s souls, our role is to be ready, alert, watchful, and focus on being lights in the world to those around us. The spiritual darkness of our time has gradually deepened to the point where many proclaim that those who uphold the light of God's truth are foolish. They argue that those who identify as Christians are out of touch with today’s reality and that we should abandon the notion that Christ will come and set things right. The world urges those who are spiritually awake to "return to sleep," but true believers remember what the apostle Peter warned:
3Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation" (2 Peter 3:3-4).
But a day will come when unbelievers are caught off guard, and, to their shock, the Lord will close the door. Let's explore this topic further tomorrow. Keith Thomas
To read this study in more depth, go to groupbiblestudy.com, click on the All Studies page, click on the Parables of Jesus box, and click on the Parable of the Ten Virgins.
YouTube video teachings at: https://www.youtube.com/@keiththomas7/videos