Matt 25:1-13 NCV 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 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. 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. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. When I think about what the word virgin represents, I think of something that is pure, clean, uncontaminated, and/or has never been touched by mankind. That is the way that God wants His Church. He wants her to be a virgin bride who has eyes only for Him. I like this story because it can mean different things to different people. However, I want to concentrate on the oil in their lamps. I believe that the lamps represent our faith, and the oil is the word of God. The bible says in Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. It wasn't foolish for the virgins to run out of oil. Their mistake was not having extra oil to refill their lamps. While the Bridegroom tarried, they all went through hard times and spiritual droughts (because the Bible says that they all slumbered and slept, vs 5), but when the Bridegroom came, those who store up oil were the only ones ready to go with Him. Those who were not prepared, panicked and begged the others to share with them, or in other words give them what they were lacking. The wise told them that they only had enough for themselves. The wise advised the foolish to go to them that sell and by for yourselves. Why couldn't they share with them? Because no one else can store up oil for you. You have to continually check and fill your lamp (faith). How? By studying the word of God, praying, assembling yourself with other believers who are steadily filling their own lamps. I urge you not to wait to late. Even the foolish virgins called Him, Lord (vs 11). While the foolish hustled to get more oil, they missed their opportunity to go with the Bridegroom, who later closed the door of grace. Please don't let the door shut on you. Prepare yourself for the coming of the Lord! I hope you enjoyed reading the Word of God in a new light! Have a happy Wednesday! God Bless Min. Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray Additional Scripture References NCV 2 Pet 1:16 When we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling just smart stories that someone invented. But we saw the greatness of Jesus with our own eyes. James 5:8 You, too must be patient. Do not give up hope, because the Lord is coming soon. 1 Cor 1:7-9 So you have every gift form God while you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to come again. Jesus will keep you strong until the end so that there will be no wrong in you on the day our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God, who has called you to share everything with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. |
| Ten Virgins Feb. 4, 2004 |