The Parable of The Ten Virgins
I. Introduction: The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Key Passage
Mat 25:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
Mat 25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
Mat 25:9 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.'
Mat 25:10 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.
Mat 25:11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Mat 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
II. What is the Context of this Parable?
The context is the background or setting to the story
1. The Teaching of Jesus
§ “Then”. Refers to the End Times and the Coming of The Lord
§ In Mt. 24-25 Jesus taught on the End Times in response to disciples question
§ Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Mat.24.3)
§ Jesus gave a detailed description of End Time events…
False Christs, Wars, Rumours of war, famines, pestilence, earthquakes, sorrows and great tribulation
§ In Matt.24-25 He reveals Himself as the Bridegroom(Intimacy), The King (Power), and The Judge of the earth(Removing all obstacles to love)
§ He also taught parables that teach us how He expects us to behave & prepare
Wise & Faithful Servant…..Do will of God in spite of difficulties, …………………………………………Keep heart free from bitterness
Ten Virgins. ……Cultivate deep personal intimacy with Jesus
Talents. ……Faithful and productive in assignment no matter how small
§ Each parable contains an instruction together with a promise of reward or loss
2. The Hebrew Wedding
The Hebrew wedding had three distinct parts
§ The Marriage Contract signed by the Brides parents and the groom
The groom paid a dowry and they were now betrothed
§ The Groom’s arrival
The Groom and friends came to the Brides Home at night by torchlight
The Bride knew he was coming but not the exact hour
The Bride prepared herself and then went with the groom and his friends to His home
§ The Marriage Supper which went on for days
Those who are invited to the feast must prepare themselves
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will be the greatest event in history
Rev 19:6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
III. Who are the Virgins?
1. There were Five Wise and Five Foolish Virgins
§ “Foolish”…moros…moron….dull, lacking understanding,
§ How you you interpret & apply this will determine how seriously you take the call to prepare
§ Those who were ready entered ….those who were not ready were excluded
2. Evidence that The Virgins Represent Believers
There are several reasons that reveal the virgins represent believers
Virgins: All Believers are called Virgins by Paul
§ 2Co 11:2 For I am jealous for you (Corinthian Believers) with godly jealousy.
For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
2Co 11:3 But I am afraid that, even as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted and led away from the simplicity of [your sincere and] pure devotion to Christ.
§ When we are born again we are made clean and enter a covenant relationship with Christ. We are betrothed to Christ
§ Paul expresses concern that believers will be seduced away from a pure devotion to Christ
§ John also refers to believers as Virgins ( Rev.14:4)
Lamps: Both Wise and Foolish Virgins Have Lamps
§ Lamps represent two closely related things
God’s Word
Psa 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
God’s Word to us is a lamp that gives light or revelation to direct our life
Our External life and Service
§ The lamps also represent our external life and service for God’s Kingdom empowered by the Spirit and Word of God
Joh 5:35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.
John’s ministry was to prepare people for the Coming of the Lord
§ John operated as a prophet carrying revelation…A Word in Season
Luk 3:2 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
Luk 3:2 while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of The Lord came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
“Word” = Rhema = A Word spoken,
Personal revelation that came from intimacy and prayer
§ John had revelation of the purpose of God in His generation and time…what God was saying
§ The Religious System of John’s day continued in lifeless tradition, devoid of life and power
Light: Both the Wise and Foolish Virgins had light
§ Joh 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
Life = Zoe….The life of God
Light = Presence and activities of the Holy Spirit within our spirit
§ Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
§ Light…results in tangible works motivated by love and empowered by The HSp
Oil: Both Wise and Foolish virgins have Oil.
§ Their lamps of both wise and foolish virgins are burning…there is life!
§ The source of power to keep the light burning is OIL
§ Oil is a type or picture of the life giving Holy Spirit…His Presence and Power
§ Heb 1:9 YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS MORE THAN YOUR COMPANIONS."
The BrideGroom: Both Wise and Foolish Virgins are Waiting for the Groom
§ The Bridegroom is Jesus Christ himself
§ Unbelievers have no interest in the coming of The Lord
§ The Second Coming of Christ is the great Hope of the Church
Col 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
The Numbers:
§ Ten: This is the number representing “completion, the fullness”
Eg. Ten Commandments, Ten plagues, Ten tests in the Wilderness
Ten Virgins represents all the virgins…all are responsible to prepare
The Virgins are all born again believers who respond differently to the call to prepare
§ Five: This is the Number representing Grace
Eg Five in the bible represents the grace and favor and mercy of God
Grace is available to all of the virgins to prepare
IV. The Necessity of Oil for Your Lamp
1. The Importance of the Having Oil
§ The difference between the wide and the foolish virgins was:
Not…Education, Family, Money, Success, Bible Knowledge, Ministry, Success
It was the Priority they placed on having oil, and the Price they paid to have it
2. The Wise Virgins were Ready for the Coming of The Groom
§ Mat 25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
§ The Wise Virgins were ready for the coming of the Groom…They had a full supply of oil
§ The lamp is a torch that is fed by a small vessel or container of oil
§ The oil that fueled the flame was concealed in the container out of sight
§ The oil was consumed as the flame burned and had to be replenished
§ The burning lamp revealed their hidden relationship and intimacy with Jesus the Source
§ They placed a priority on and paid the price for the supply of oil
3. The Foolish Virgins were Not Ready for the Coming of The Groom
§ Mat 25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
§ The Foolish Virgins were not ready for the coming of the Groom…They lacked oil
“Our lamps are going out”
“Going out”….to extinguish, to quench, put out a fire that once burned brightly
§ The five foolish virgins lacked a supply of oil…they failed to prepare
§ They had not made this a priority, they had not paid the price to ensure a supply of oil
§ They’re were not evil people….this is an issue of the heart and priorities
“Give Us Your Oil”
They wanted the wise virgins to give them oil….wanted others to come through for them
They needed to pay the price themselves to have a supply of oil
§ Each of us needs a regular supply of oil to keep our life shining brightly
§ Each of us needs to be daily filled with the Holy Spirit
§ Each of us must pay a price to purchase our own supply of oil
V. There is a Personal Cost to Having a Supply of Oil
1. “Buy for yourselves”
§ You cannot borrow from someone else, cannot live off someone else’s sacrifice
§ “Buy”….To acquire possession of something by exchange of money or something of value
§ To Buy means you must personally pay a price to obtain something.
§ You sacrifice something you value to obtain something of greater value
§ If it is of no value to you it is of no value to God
§ Everything in the Kingdom of God has a different value and requires a different price to obtain it
§ Eg. Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Eg. Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and
white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be
revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
§ There is a personal cost to us to be constantly filled with the oil of God’s Spirit
§ There is a price to pay for the Oil of Intimacy
2. Oil of Intimacy
The Oil:
§ Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit and His work
§ Holy Spirit reveals Jesus and enlarges our heart and desire for Him
§ Holy Spirit empowers personal Transformation of Heart and Character to become more Christlike
§ Holy Spirit tenderizes our heart from the pressures and demands of life
§ Holy Spirit reveals areas where our heart is broken and damaged and needs healing
§ Holy Spirit exposes areas our motivation lacks love and purity…needs cleansing
§ Holy Spirit increases our zeal and passion to love and to serve….burning light
§ Holy Spirit empowers us to minister…bring the life and power of God to others
What is Intimacy?
§ Intimacy is …...Close affection through personal relationship developed over time
§ Intimacy is ……Progressive disclosure over time, deepening personal knowledge
§ Intimacy is……Face to Face communication with one another…talking and listening
§ Intimacy is……Companionship and sharing life experiences
§ Intimacy takes time and effort to cultivate and develop…there is a price to pay
§ Intimacy costs us:
Humility, Repentance, Time, Prayer, Worship, Fasting, Giving, Loving obedience, Sacrifice, Surrender.
§ Even though there is a price to pay it is small compared to the reward offered
§ Intimacy takes time in His presence becoming one with Him…..His life is imparted to us
§ Intimacy brings Revelation where He speaks to us exposes the places in our heart that are wounded, in bondage
§ Intimacy brings Encounters with His love and presence that transform us
Eg. Mose Face shone …and he wasn’t aware of it
§ Jesus is coming as our Bridegroom King……let us make ourselves ready
3. Esther Made Herself Ready
§ Esther2:7-17
§ Est 2:17 The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
§ What made Esther different? …. Her Heart!
§ She deeply desired to please the King
§ She submitted to the Holy Spirit….
“Hegai ….the custodian of the women” vs 15
“ And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification” vs.9
“she requested nothing but what Hegai, …the custodian of the women advised”
§ She submitted to the King’s cleansing and purification process
“6 months of with oil of Myrrh” vs.12
Myrrh: Bitter…….bitter taste but sweet perfume…
Myrrh was used for Sweet Perfume, Anointing oil, Burial,
Oil of Myrrh baths….Removing of the rural grime….healing from abuse, rejection, trauma, wounds, deliverance
§ She submitted to the King’s Beauty process.
“6 months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women” v 12
She yielded to beautifying work of Holy Spirit in character and life
1Pe 3:4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a meek and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
Note: A 12 Month Process of Purification and Cleansing
§ Beauty Process, total time =12 Months…...
§ 12= God’s Government Rule and Order
Esther submitted to God’s Kingdom authority and order…she aligned with His Order
She submitted to Mordecai, and she submitted to Hegai….she lived under authority
§ How can we have authority in the coming Kingdom if we resist its order now?
“The King loved Esther more than all the other women, so she obtained grace & favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. ” Vs.17
§ Esther entered the marriage feast and a place of Honour, and Authority in the Kingdom
§ Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
To enter the Marriage Supper of The Lamb we must “make ourselves ready
VI. Jesus Warning: Reward or Loss!
1. Jesus Teaching: “Stay Spiritually Alert”
§ Mat 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
§ Mat 24:42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
§ “Watch”….Stay awake, stay alert, ..the alternative is to be passive or to be asleep, unaware
What Does it mean “Watch”
§ To stay alert to what is affecting your thoughts, emotions, actions…resist temptations
§ To stay intimately connected to Jesus…alert to anything that negatively affects your first love for Him
§ To stay attentive to the Voice of God
§ To stay sensitive and responsive to Him
§ Watching is always associated with Prayer…Watch and Pray in that order
§ Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Mar 13:35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
2. Watch and Pray!
§ Each of us needs a constant daily filling with The Holy Spirit
§ The Holy Spirit empowers us to overcome
Passivity, Spiritual insensitivity, temptation
How?
§ Make it a priority (“one thing”)
§ Set aside time daily…first and best
§ Cultivate a spiritual atmosphere …Gratitude, Praise, Worship
§ Cultivate Two way communication ….talking and listening
§ Meditate on the Word of God
§ Obey what God is saying to you
§ Embrace heart transformation by Holy Spirit….
Inner healing, deliverance
Formation of heart and character
Eg. Pure Heart, Meek and Humble heart, Faithful heart,
§ Resist temptations
3. The Reward at Stake
Mat 25:10 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.
Mat 25:11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
§ “Ready”…..to be prepared, waiting in anticipation, made all the necessary preparations
§ The Key issue is not our salvation but our preparation and being ready
The Foolish Virgins:
The Loss
§ “Door was shut” ….The opportunity to enter the wedding celebration had now ceased …irreversibly
§ “Not Know you”………Deep full knowledge gained over time through intimate relationship
§ They failed to anticipate the coming of The Lord and pay the price to prepare
§ This is a Heart issue!......lukewarmness, passivity, indifference, compromise, independence
The Wise Virgins:
§ “those who were ready went in with him to the wedding”
§ Jesus spoke frequently about Eternal Rewards
§ These give Motivation for a life pursuing intimacy and of faithful serving Him,
§ Our life now is preparation for the coming Kingdom, and the ages to come
The Reward:
Entrance to the Great Marriage Banquet and to Ruling with Christ in His Coming Kingdom
§ There will be different realms of intimacy and closeness to Jesus in His coming Kingdom
§ There will be different ranks of authority and responsibility in the coming Kingdom
§ There will be different realms of Glory in the coming Kingdom
§ This is a Heart issue!.......Passionate, Prepared and Paid a Price
Rev 19:6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
Rev 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
Rev 19:8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Rev 19:9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
Rev 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called
Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
Rev 19:12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name
written that no one knew except Himself.
Rev 19:13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
Rev 19:14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white
horses.
VII. Questions for Personal Consideration:
1. Which are you: Wise or Foolish?
2. What are you doing to cultivate intimacy with Jesus?
3. Is your Prayer life deepening and growing?
4. Are you opening your heart for healing deliverance and transformation?
5. Are you developing the fruit of the Spirit
6. How do you respond to authority? Does anyone speak into your life?
7. How strongly is your light burning?....passion, hunger, serving?
8. What changes do you ne