We continue examining what Jesus taught about the Last Days and His Second Coming. The Lord told a parable about ten virgins (what we would call bridesmaids today) waiting to light the way for the Bridegroom, symbolizing the Lord Jesus in His coming. All ten were asleep before He arrived, but five had brought extra oil, while the five foolish ones prepared nothing. They were surprised to discover that the Bridegroom came so late at night. Here’s the second part of the parable:
7“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:1-13).
I started working with my father on his commercial fishing boat at age 17, but it was dangerous because, in my younger years, I had not learned to swim. Then came a time when I fell overboard and nearly drowned. My mistake was delaying my swimming lessons and not expecting to have to swim. Fishermen don't anticipate falling into the water. This foolish lack of action mirrors the mistake the five unwise virgins made. They always intended to get their lives in order and prepare themselves with more oil. But they never took action to prepare for the possibility that their lamps would need to be alight, perhaps thinking that the bridegroom would arrive while it was still daytime. This call for action before the coming of Christ is the primary emphasis of the parable—do not postpone your preparation for the Bridegroom's arrival. “Be ready and always on the watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13).
Hell is populated by people who had good intentions. They may have heard of Christ and even set a goal to get their lives right with Him, but then came a moment when they needed to know Him, and it was too late. On that day, many will approach the door only to find it shut, and the Master at the door will tell them that He doesn't know them. I can’t imagine their expressions when they see the door closed in front of them. You must decide what to do with the claims of Christ before that day arrives. Many intend to turn their lives over to Christ but postpone the heart-change preparation. I fear they will be excluded from eternal joy.
Another mistake they made was believing they could come later and find the door still open. When the foolish virgins finally arrived, they were shocked to see no entrance available for them. Some Bible teachers claim that there will be a second opportunity after the Church is taken away—do not believe it! Do not entertain any thought that there will still be a chance to enter after Jesus comes for His Church in the rapture—the door was shut (v. 10). This parable teaches that there will be no time at all between the coming of the bridegroom and the shutting of the door.
Consider the anguish of those who delay making their lives right with God. You might say, "Why didn’t the wise share their oil? That's not very Christian of them!" However, a relationship with God cannot be based on your terms; God asks you to come and receive forgiveness of sin on His terms through the substitutionary death of Christ. William Barclay stated, "A man cannot borrow a relationship with God. He must possess it for himself. A man cannot borrow a character; he must be clothed with it. The time to ensure you are prepared is now.” Click the following link if you are not ready for that day: How Do I Become a Christian? Keith Thomas
To study this topic in-depth, go to the All Studies box at groupbiblestudy.com, click on the Parables of Jesus, and then click on the Parable of the Ten Virgins.
YouTube video teachings at: https://www.youtube.com/@keiththomas7/videos