1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
Chapter 25 continues the Olivet Discourse started in chapter 24.
This chapter introduces judgment on the nation Israel (25:1-30). At Christ’s Second Coming separations will occur. The parable of the 10 virgins shows judgment on living Jews at that time (25:1-13). Jesus demonstrated a further separation in the parable of the sheep and goats (25:31-46).
25:1
“Then [connects to preceding chapter—the time of the Second Coming] the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Jesus pictured Israel as 10 virgins (bridesmaids) awaiting the return of the bridegroom with his bride. Return of the bridegroom in Jesus’ day indicated return from the bride’s house to his own house where the bridesmaids enjoyed a banquet with the new couple. Jesus will invite some Jews (the prepared bridesmaids) in the Tribulation to come to a banquet.
25:2
Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Preparation was necessary to attend the wedding banquet for a night procession to the wedding place.
25:3
Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
It was necessary for the maidens to bring oil for their lamps (torches), but five of them did not bring oil for their torches for the night wedding.
25:4
but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
The five wise virgins were prudent to take oil for their lamps.
25:5
But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
All 10 virgins slept while waiting for the coming of the bridegroom. The bridegroom tarried. All 10 bridesmaids became sleepy or dull about the bridegroom’s coming.
PRINCIPLE:
It is important to be prepared for Christ’s coming, whether it is the Second Coming or the Rapture.
APPLICATION:
The Lord’s coming has been delayed for a long time. This is no excuse not to be prepared for His coming. The Lord requires that we stay vigilant about His return.
It is especially important for those who have never received the claims of Christ to recognize that there will be a judgment day for them.
There is solemnity about the coming of Christ. We dare not treat it lightly. Our welcoming of Christ is important to Him. It is an issue of placing value on meeting Him personally. We dare not delay preparation for His coming.
Why did you use the word “delayed” in the application section?
The word delayed to me suggests that a time was given for his arrival and that time has passed as in “the train was delayed”.
If no man knows the hour and the signs have not yet all been fulfilled then delayed in my opinion seems like an incorrect choice of word. Am I missing something?
Richard, I can see your point in one sense, however, there was a delay in the sense that Jesus came unto His own [things, neuter] and His own [people, masculine] received Him not (Jn 1:11). Jesus came to offer His kingdom to the nation Israel but Israel officially rejected Him as a national entity. He then turned to launch the church during an intercalation period. Jesus will bring the kingdom again to Israel after the Tribulation and at His Second Coming. The purpose of the Tribulation is to bring Israel back to God. God will in this fulfill His 5 unconditional covenants with Israel.