“The Ten Virgins”

Tuesday, June 06, 2017

This parable of our Lord is found only in Matthew 25:1-13. It is one of three parables in this chapter and each one of them encourages us to be prepared for the second coming of Christ. 

Verses 14-30 contain the parable of the talents which helps us to realize that we must use the abilities and opportunities God gives us to serve Him and others in the full strength of our capabilities.

Verses 31-46 describe, in parable form, the end of time and the separation of the righteous from the wicked. It reminds us that we will all be judged by the Lord, in part based on how we have dealt with our fellow man. We are to be “good deed doers” whenever we have the opportunity and this parable shows us that, when we serve others, we are serving God.

The parable of the ten virgins teaches us to be prepared for the coming of our Judge, by describing five young girls who were ready to go the wedding feast and five who wanted to go but who made inadequate preparation.

There is an old song that says, “Everybody talking about heaven ain’t going there.”  Just because some people have expressed a casual interest in spiritual things doesn’t mean they will make the necessary preparation to go to heaven. No one is going to get into heaven accidentally.

We do not “work” to earn our salvation (see Ephesians 28-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:3-7). But God does call us to obedience (see Matthew 7:21-27, James 2:14-26, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). We are saved by God’s grace, His unmerited favor. But He has inspired the Bible to tell us how He wants us to live in this earth life in submission to His will.

The obedient will be saved; the rebellious will be lost. It is that simple. Which one are you? If you are not saved, it is not too late. But at some point, the door will be shut (verse 10). Then it will be too late. Don’t be left outside.

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13).

--Roger Hillis

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