As we go through the Parables of Jesus, this session will have a simple message for us, but yet very vital.  The parable is one that Jesus taught to His disciples, in regard to His return.

There is no clear definition of which return the parable is referring to. It could be the His return for the rapture of the Church, or His return to set up the Millennial Kingdom at the end of the Tribulation? Regardless of which return it is, the lessons to be learned are relevant to both.

¹ “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ³ The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, ⁴ but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. ⁵ When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 

⁶ “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ 

⁷ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. ⁸ Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 

⁹ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 

¹⁰ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. ¹¹ Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ 

¹² “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
¹³ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
Matthew 25:1-13 – NLT

What are some of the points you get from this parable?

The basics the parable is that Christ will return at an unknown hour and that His people must be ready. So whether the people claiming that His return is soon, or if it is many years away, it really does not apply to the parable. We are to be prepared for any time.

Being ready means preparing for whatever contingency arises in our lives and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus at all times while we eagerly await His coming. This can be difficult in times such as now. With our government being unstable, our medical practices and health conditions unstable, finances and money concerns seem to always be volatile. Emotions and relationships seem to be wide open and all over the board. These distractions can easily hook us and take our eye off of our preparation for Jesus’ return.

How are you doing through these times with your personal relationship with Christ? Are you slipping into the world more? Or are you thriving in spite of the distractions?

As seen in the fact that all the virgins were sleeping when the call came indicates that it doesn’t matter what we are doing when Christ returns. We may be working, eating, sleeping, or pursuing leisure activities. Whatever it is, we must be doing it in such a way that we don’t have to “make things right” (get more oil) when He comes. This would apply to either the coming of Christ for His Church or for the Tribulation saints as they await His second coming.

Being ready for Christ’s return ultimately involves one major thing which manifests itself in several areas of our lives. If we would be ready for Christ’s return, we must be born again through saving faith in Jesus Christ…His death, burial and literal resurrection from the dead.

Saving faith in Jesus Christ will manifest itself as illustrated in Galatians 5:22

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. – Galatians 5:22

These characteristics should be evident in every aspect of our lives, not just on Sunday morning, or at Bible study. But at all times. at the grocery store, at our job, and yes, even behind the doors of our home.

There should be an evident desire for greater holiness and less sin. This should be apparent. We should have a new life, not resembling our old selves with that cross around our neck and membership card in our wallet. A consistent looking for His coming will mark our lives. One of the best passages articulating what saving grace and faith look like in a believer’s life is Titus chapter 2.

¹¹ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. ¹² And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, ¹³ while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. – Titus 2:11-13 NLT

Being ready, is not simply saying the sinner’s prayer and going on with your life as before. It is not like getting a gym membership and putting it in your wallet and going about your business.

The five virgins who have the extra oil represent the truly born again who are looking with eagerness to the coming of Christ. They have saving faith and have determined that, whatever occurs, be it lengthy time or adverse circumstances, when Jesus returns, they will be looking with eagerness.

The five virgins without the oil represent false believers who enjoy the benefits of the Christian community without true love for Christ. They are more concerned about the party than about longing to see the bridegroom. Their hope is that their association with true believers (“give us some of your oil” of verse 8) will bring them into the kingdom at the end. This, of course, is never the case. One person’s faith in Jesus cannot save another. The “Lord, lord” and “I do not know you” of verses 11 and 12 fit very well with Jesus’ condemnation of the false believers of Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

May we not be found “going away to make the purchase” when Christ returns. Take the time now to fill your lamp with oil and take extra along. Keep waiting and watching with joy and anticipation. Through community we should be encouraging and holding each other accountable for our preparation. Helping and correcting each other, with love, in reference to that fruit of the spirit in all of our lives, not just sometimes.

Are you awake? Do you have enough oil? The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Paul tell us to be filled with the Spirit—Eph. 5:18. Don’t depend on past experiences or blessings. Each day, renew the touch of God upon your life. Learn to walk in the Spirit … pray in the Spirit … live in the Spirit. As the Holy Spirit controls your life, you will be ready when the bridegroom comes.