A Systematic Expository Study of the Word of God

SANCTIFIED, PREPARED VIRGINS WAITING FOR CHRIST’S RETURN

Matthew 25:1-13

This parable shows the danger of missing the opportunity to go with the Lord when He comes. He came for the first time to pay for our redemption on the cross at Calvary. He will come the second time to establish His reign on the earth. But before then, there will be the Rapture. The Church will be taken up in the air to be with the Lord for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb while on earth there will be the Great Tribulation for a period of seven years. The parable of the ten virgins is meant to teach the believer the need to be in a state of readiness, preparedness for the Lord’s coming. If there is no danger of missing out at the Lord’s return, there would have been no need for the various warnings on the need to be watchful (Matthew 24:42; 25:13; Mark 13:35; Luke 21:36; Revelation 16:15). “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

It is worthy to note that (1) The ten virgins believed in and expected the coming of the Bridegroom. That’s why they went out to wait for the Bridegroom. (2) They separated themselves from the society of the unconcerned about the coming of the Bridegroom. (3) They knew Him and addressed Him as Lord. (4) They loved and longed for His return. (5) They made some preparations; all of them had their lamps. (6) They waited, all of them: they did not return home during the period of delay. (7) They desired to meet Him at all costs.    

For us (believers) to be ready for Christ’s return, (1) we must be saved from sin; except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (2) We must be separated from the world and separated unto the Lord. (3) We must live self-denying life (4) We must be sanctified. (5) We must be engaged in soulwinning. (6) We must be Spirit-controlled. (7) We must be steadfast Christians.

SANCTIFIED VIRGINS READY FOR CHRIST’S RETURN

2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:27; Romans 12:1,2; Colossians 1:28; 4:12; Revelation 14:4,5; Titus 2:11-14; John 17:11-16,19-25; Matthew 5:8.

In using the word “virgin”, the Lord refers to the spiritual, moral lives of His own disciples. “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” The Lord wants to meet with, at His coming, a sinless, spotless and glorious Church. Like his Lord, it should be the desire and aim of every pastor, leader, worker to present the Church of God righteous and holy through their preaching, prayer, counseling, warnings and words of encouragement. How does one get sanctified? The first step toward that is to get born again. After salvation then comes the need to pray for a definite, instantaneous experience of sanctification. Salvation grants us pardon from sin while sanctification ensures our purity of heart and action. Purity leads to perfection. Sanctification makes our will fully conformed to God’s will. It makes us free from inward corruption, from the Adamic nature, and keeps us united with other believers.

SHORT-SIGHTED VIRGINS REJECTED AT CHRIST’S RETURN

Matthew 25:3-12; 2 Peter 1:9,5-11; Matthew 7:17-23; 1 Peter 4:17,18; Hebrews 12:14.

The foolish virgins were short-sighted. Though they knew that the oil was not going to be enough, they did not make adequate preparations to get more before it was too late. They felt satisfied with the oil they had. They made some preparations but they were not adequate. They rested in their insufficiency.

1.They were shortsighted in perception. They didn’t know all that it will take to wait for the bridegroom to come.

2.They were self-centered in pursuit. They saw the wise virgins running after extra oil but they never cared. Perhaps, they were engaged in other pursuits.

3.They were slack in preparation. They were not actually up-and-doing in their preparations.

4.They were slothful in prayer.

5.They were self-willed in personality. They wouldn’t listen to warning, counsel, encouragement from the wise virgins.   

6.They were satisfied without purity. Such were they that were satisfied without the sanctification experience.

7.They were shut out from paradise, out of His presence because they didn’t have enough grace (Hebrews 12:28), love (1 Corinthians 13:1-8); faith (Luke 18:8); righteousness (Matthew 5:20).

It takes more than knowing the Lord superficially to get to heaven, to partake in the rapture. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” The Lord wants us to be righteous, holy and pure. To make it at the time of the rapture, you must be born again, and you must be sanctified and holy. “Follow peace with all men (with your landlord and landlady, with your neighbours and relations), and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

SOULWINNING AND VIGILANCE REWARDED AT CHRIST’S RETURN

Luke 19:13,15-26; Daniel 12:3; 2 Timothy 4:5-8; Revelation 22:12-19; 1 John 3:1-3.

If you are saved, sanctified and Spirit-filled, you are here on earth to “occupy till I come.” The Lord wants us to use the rest of the time we have to spend here on earth to win souls, to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. When He comes again He is going to look at what we have achieved with our voice, knowledge, opportunity and talent. And He will  reward us accordingly. The Lord wants us to be winning souls, turning people to righteousness. We are not just to preach for preaching sake, but to turn people to righteousness. Soulwinning and vigilance will be rewarded at the coming of the Lord. If you are going to work for the Lord, affliction is part of the deal. “Endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  The Lord will reward His saints when He comes. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure”.