Philippians 1:6

“I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

The number ‘10’ in the Bible is widely understood as a symbol of completeness, order, responsibility, and divine law.

The Number “10” in the Scriptures

“A Period of Testing Before A Final Outcome”

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (Virgins)

Matthew 25:1-13

Let Us Heed and Pass the Test of “10”

Matthew 25:1-13

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; ⁴ but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. ⁵ When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’

⁷ “Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “The wise ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. ¹¹ Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’

¹² “He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you!’

¹³ “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.

A parable is a simple story that uses everyday imagery to reveal deep spiritual truths.

What is a Parable?

The Context Leading to Matthew 25

The Teaching Illustrations of Matthew 25

The Ancient Jewish Wedding Context

The Summary of the Parable

1.) The Importance of Spiritual Preparedness

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ When the foolish took their lamps, they didn’t take oil with them; ⁴ but the wise ones took oil in their flasks with their lamps. ⁵ When the groom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

What priority do you give towards the Second Coming of Jesus?

Did you Know?

The First Church’s Expectation of The Lord’s Coming

1. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.” (James 5:7-8)
2. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)

The First Church’s Expectation of The Lord’s Coming

3. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” �(1 Peter 4:12-13, NIV)

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Application

1. How informed are you about how the Bible speaks of this topic? Don’t get sucked into what others think about His second coming. Learn it for your own.
2. How will you live your life knowing Jesus is coming soon?

2.) Spiritual Readiness Cannot be Borrowed. It Must be Our Own. �

⁶ “In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’

⁷ “Then all the virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “The wise ones answered, ‘No, there won’t be enough for us and for you. Go instead to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourselves.’

2Cor. 5:10

^“10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

Galatians 6:4-5

⁴ Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. ⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.

You must light your own lamp first. You cannot rely on the fire of your brother and sister.

Application

1. Is your faith yours – or that of someone else?
2. What is your next step of accountability to light your lamp for the Lord?
3. What do you need to do to spur your brother or sister on to take full responsibility before the Soon coming King?

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3.) The Door Will Close One Day – We Must Move with Urgency and Vigilance

¹⁰ “When they had gone to buy some, the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut. ¹¹ Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’

¹² “He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you!’

¹³ “Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.

Matthew 7:21-23

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ ²³ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’

C.S Lewis, The Great Divorce

"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'THY will be done.' All that are in Hell choose it."

“But this parable makes us ask if it’s possible that there will also be those who are found errant in their faith and will be “locked out” of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. Second-guessing on this question is too serious, and failing to be ready is a serious misgiving and price to pay. Thus, we must respond to the Parable of the Ten Virgins as a divine admonition to be holy even as He is holy (See 1 Peter 1:15-16) — to walk closely with Him in a constant state of readiness for any moment that the Lord may come.” – Rick Renner

Ephesians 5:15-16

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil.”

Application

Matthew 16:18

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

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