THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

Matthew 25:1-13

V: 1   (A) There is joy in the judgment for those who spend each day in preparation for the midnight hour.

(B)     Ready for duty and prepared for joy. Revelation 22:20

(C)     Ten virgins - custom - ten friends of the bride.

(D)     This is the kind of willing, joyful anticipation JESUS wanted for his disciples - us - the church, everyday and every minute! Hebrews 9:28

V: 2   Israel longed for the MESSIAH to come. When HE did, they were not ready - Now the church?
          Revelation 19:7-8

V:3    Their job was to light the way for the procession from the bride's house to the bridegroom's house
          when he came to claim his bride.

V: 4   The oil -  JESUS was anointed with the oil of gladness The Holy Spirit (Hebrews 1:9).

V: 5   The bridegroom tarried - The grace of GOD. Isaiah 30:18 and 11 Peter 3:8-10

V: 6   It was a custom to send a courier announcing: Behold, the bridegroom cometh! 1 Thes 4:13-17          

V: 7   Self examination - Lamentations 3:40, 11 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Corinthians Galatians 6:4, 1 John 2:28

V: 8   They should have known - and been ready - No excuse! Acts 26:28

V: 9   (A) Jewish weddings were held at night.

          (B) Sad, if they shared, there would not be enough oil to light the way and all their lamps would go
                out before they reached the bridegroom's house.

V: 10 The custom was to shut and lock the door. 1 Corinthians 15:50-55.

V: 11 They could not enter the joy! Psalms 88:1-18

V: 12 Too late - Numbers 14:40-45, 1 Samuel 15:24-26, Jeremiah 8:20

V: 13 TODAY could be our LAST DAY! 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, Revelation 16:15.