MATTHEW 25:1-25: THE PARABLE OF THE 10 VIRGINS
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
First of all I understand that in God’s program with Israel being justified unto eternal life and having entrance into the kingdom when it is established are not the exact same thing. One would have to be justified in God’s sight to have entrance into the kingdom, but just because an Israelite, for example, is so justified does not guarantee him immediate entrance into the kingdom. Rather, immediate entrance into the kingdom and participation in its glories and blessings is a reward for the faithfulness of a justified Israelite. There is therefore the real possibility for a justified Israelite to be denied immediate entrance into the kingdom once it is established, if his service to the Lord has not been faithful and so worthy of being given immediate entrance.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
This real possibility is something that the Lord deals with on a number of occasions and in a number of parables, including those in Matthew 25. With respect to Matthew 25:1-13, my understanding is that the Lord is amplifying upon this very real possibility and illustrating it, especially in view of the fact that in 24:42–51 He has just warned His disciples about becoming victims of it during the pressures and temptations of the tribulation period to come. As He said in 24:45, He wants them to be “faithful” and “wise” servants during that time, in connection with the responsibilities that He is entrusting them to fulfill during that time. And they need to be both “faithful” and “wise,” for that is the only way that they will be rewarded by Him when He returns. If they are so “faithful” and “wise,” then He will respond to them by giving them positions of rulership.
Mat 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
However, if they are not “faithful” and “wise,” but “evil” in their thinking and conduct, then such will be separated from those who are faithful, and they will be ‘appointed their portion with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (By the way, I understand that there are two separate and distinct places where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” One is the “furnace of fire” for the unjustified. But the other is “outer darkness,” which is not the same place. Rather it is the issue of being outside the light of the land of Israel once the kingdom is established. And it is this issue of being outside the land of Israel’s glorious kingdom that is the “portion” that is appointed unfaithful and unwise members of the remnant of Israel once the kingdom is established.
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mat 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Mat 24:48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Having then set forth this warning to His disciples in 24:42–51, the Lord then goes on in Matthew 25 and sets forth two parables that amplify upon, and illustrate, the issues of being “faithful” and “wise”; along with the opposite issues of being “unfaithful” and “unwise.” (Hence the Lord’s opening words in 25:1 being, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto…) The first parable of the 10 virgins awaiting the commencement of the marriage amplifies upon and illustrates the issues of being “wise” and “unwise” (or “foolish”). The second one in verses 14–30 particularly amplifies upon and illustrates the issues of being “faithful” and “unfaithful” (or “slothful”).
Mat 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
Mat 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
Mat 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
As is illustrated by the actions of the five “foolish” virgins, they were “foolish” for not taking heed to the time-factor and patience-factor involved in waiting for the commencement of the marriage. And as such they were not “ready” when bridegroom returned for the marriage. (Just as can be the case with any one of the disciples who does not pay attention to the time-factor and patience-factor doctrines the Lord taught concerning the final installment in Israel’s program and His return at the end of it.) Due to their lack of wisdom, the five “foolish” virgins are denied entrance into the marriage. Which is just what will be the case with a similarly “foolish” member of the remnant of Israel. The Lord will deny any of His “foolish” servants immediate entrance into His kingdom. Instead for a time they will be on the outside looking in, so to speak.
Keith Blades
Enjoy The Bible Ministries