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“The  Parable  Of  The  Ten  Virgins”  Matthew  25:1-­‐13  

   Message  by  Michael  J.  Barnard                                                                                                              July  26,  2015      Teaching  Aim:    To  examine  “The  Parable  of  the  Ten  Virgins”  and  see  how  the  parable  applies  both  to  the  Jews  during  the  tribulation  period  and  to  Christians  today.    To  understand  the  importance  of  being  ready  for  the  sudden  return  of  Jesus  Christ  (the  Bridegroom)  to  receive  His  Bride  (the  Church).    To  realize  the  only  way  God  will   allow  us   into  “the  Marriage   Supper  of   the   Lamb”   is   to  be   regenerated  by   the  Holy  Spirit  as  we  receive  Jesus  Christ  by  grace  through  faith.  

DIGGING  DEEPER  INTO  GOD’S  WORD  (BIBLE  STUDY)  Part  I:    The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  likened  to  ten  virgins    (Matt.  25:1-­‐5)  1. Jewish  weddings   in   the  days  of   Jesus  were  a   little  different   than  our  modern  weddings   today.     The  

Jewish  wedding   involved   “a   bride   price”   to   be   accepted   or   rejected   by   the   father,   and   “a   cup   of  wine”   to   be   accepted   or   rejected   by   the   potential   bride.     If   the   father   accepted   the   bride   price  (which  was  quite  valuable)  and  the  young  maiden  accepted  the  marriage  proposal,  she  would  drink  the  cup,  if  not  she  would  reject  it.    What  are  some  traditions  we  use  today  when  proposing?  

               2. If   the  young  maiden  accepted  the  proposal,  her   future  husband  would  go  to  his   father’s  house  and  

begin   construction   on   a   new   room,   it   was   up   to   the   father   to   determine  when   the   construction  would   be   complete.    What   promise   does   Jesus   give   to   His   Bride   in   John   14:1-­‐3?     How   does   this  promise   relate   to   both   the   Jewish  wedding   and   also   the   Second  Coming   of   Christ?    Why   is  Mark  13:32-­‐33  so  important  to  understanding  the  Second  Coming  of  Christ  and  the  limited  knowledge  of  His  human  nature?      

               3. As  we  begin  Matthew  25,   Jesus  uses   another  parable   to   illustrate   the   importance  of  watching   and  

waiting  for  His  future  return.    What  is  a  “parable”?    (See  Dictionary)    Why  do  you  think  Jesus  used  this  method  of  teaching  so  often?  

                   

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4. The  number  ten  is  important  in  Judaism,  we  see  the  Ten  Commandments;  it  took  ten  men  to  form  a  Jewish   synagogue;   here  we   see   ten   bridesmaids   used   in   this  parable   to  most   likely   represent   the  Jews   during   the   Great   Tribulation   (vs.   1).     Ten   is   the   number   of   completeness.     What   did   each  bridesmaid  pick  up  as  they  prepared  to  meet  the  groom  and  proceed  to  the  wedding  celebration?      

                 5. Many  believe  the  lamps  symbolized  each  virgin’s  “profession  of  faith”  (vs.  1).        What  is  the  difference  

between  “profession  of  faith”  and  “true  possession  of  faith”?  (See  John  3:3,5)                      6. If  ten  represents  the  complete  number  of  the  Jews  in  the  Great  Tribulation,  what  percentage  of  the  

Jews   were   not   ready   to   meet   the   groom   when   he   came   (vs.   2)?     The   Greek   work   for   foolish   is  “moros”  which  means  “stupid”.    What  familiar  sounding  English  word  do  we  get  from  this?    Why  did  Jesus  say  these  people  were    “morons”  for  not  being  ready  for  the  return  of  the  Groom  (vs.  3)?    How  does  this  illustration  hold  true  for  unbelievers  today?  

7. If  the  lamps  are  symbolic  of  a  profession  of  faith,  what  is  the  oil  symbolic  of?    (See      1  Cor.  12:12-­‐13)    

What  did  the  wise  virgins  do  differently  than  the  foolish  ones  as  they  waited  for  the  groom  (vs.  4)?    Have  you  taken  steps  to  make  sure  you  are  prepared  to  pend  eternity  with  God?  

                 8. There  was   a   long   delay   between   the   acceptance  of   the  marriage   proposal,   the   construction   of   the  

new  room  at  the  father’s  house,  and  the  return  of  the  groom  to  pick  up  his  new  bride.    Often  this  delay  took  as  long  as  one  year.    How  long  has  the  Church  (the  Bride  of  Christ)  been  waiting  for  her  Husband   to   come  along  and  catch  her  away   to  His  home?    Why  do  you   think   the  maids-­‐of-­‐honor  slumbered  and  slept  (vs.  5)?    Is  the  church  guilty  of  doing  the  same  today?    What  are  some  ways  the  modern  Church  has  become  lethargic  and  lazy?        

           

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Part  II:    At  midnight  the  cry  came  (Matt.  25:6-­‐11)  1. Usually  people  are  sleeping  at  midnight,  but  what  happened  during  this  particular  night  (vs.  6)?    The  

best  man   had   the   honor   of   shouting   the   announcement   that   the   Bridegroom  was   coming.    Who  claimed   this   position   during   Christ’s   earthly   ministry?     (See   John   3:29-­‐30)     Who   will   have   this  honored  position  and  when  Christ  returns  during  the  end  times?    (See  1  Thess.  4:16-­‐18)?  

                 2. According  to  verse  7,  how  many  of  the  virgins  rose  from  sleep  and  trimmed  their  lamps?    If  the  lamps  

symbolized  a  profession  of  faith,  how  many  of  the  virgins’      assumed  they  were  going  to  the  father’s  house  for  the  seven-­‐day  wedding  celebration?    Many  believe  the  Jewish  wedding  feast  celebrated  for  seven  days  at  the      father’s  house  may  symbolize  the  seven-­‐years  believers  will  be  in  the  Father’s  house  (Heaven)  during  the  seven  year  tribulation  period,  what  can  we  learn  about  the  timing  of  the  rapture  if  this  is  true?    (See  1  Cor.  15:51-­‐52)  

               3. Notice  the  foolish  and  unprepared  virgins  had  no  oil  (Holy  Spirit).    On  whom  did  they  look  to  get  them  

to   the  wedding  celebration   (vv.  8  &  9)?    Who  should   they  have  been   looking   to?     (See  Acts  4:12)    Can  we  get   to  heaven  simply  by  riding  on  somebody  else’s  coattail   today  (family,   friends,  spiritual  leader,  etc.)?    Why  or  why  not?  What  is  the  only  way  we  can  be  saved  today?    (See  1  Cor.  15:3-­‐4;  John  3:16;  14:6;  Eph.  2:8-­‐9)  

                 4. What  happened  to  the  foolish  virgins  who  were  unprepared  for  the  Groom’s  arrival   (vs.  10)?    What  

will  happen  when  Christ  returns  if  we  are  not  ready  spiritually?     Part  III:    The  unprepared  virgins  caught  by  surprise  (Matt.  25:12-­‐13)  1. How  do  verses  11  &  12  relate  to  the  frightening  words  of  Jesus  found  in  Matt.  7:21-­‐23?    What  does  

the   repetition   of   the  words   “Lord,   Lord”   imply?     There   are  many   people   affiliated  with   churches  today  who   think   they   are   saved  but   are   not.    How   can  we   identify   the   true  believer   from  a   false  professor?    (See  John  14:15;  Gal.  5:22-­‐25)      

   

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2. According  to  Paul,  if  we  profess  to  be  a  Christian  but  don’t  live  like  it,  what  would  we  be  wise  to  do?    (See  2  Cor.  13:5)    How  would  you  evaluate  your  spiritual  walk  at  this  point   in  your   life?    What  are  some  steps  you  can  take  to  improve  it?  

                 3. What   final  warning   does   Jesus   give   in  verse   13?       In   your   own  words,   how  would   you   sum  up   the  

teachings  of  Jesus  in  verse  13?                      4. Why  is  it  so  important  for  each  of  us  to  be  regenerated  by  the  Holy  Spirit  (born  again)  and  ready  for  

the  return  of  Jesus  Christ  (vs.  13)?    What  happens  if  we  are  not?                    5. Have  you  received  Jesus  Christ  as  Savior  and  Lord?    If  not,  why  not  repent;  confess  your  sins  to  Him,  

and  do  so  in  prayer  right  now?              MINER’S  CORNER  ~  Manna  to  live  by!  • The  Jewish  wedding  ceremony  is  a  beautiful  picture  of  the  marriage  between  Christ  and  His  Bride  (the  

Church).  • The  ten  bridesmaids  most  likely  represent  the  differing  responses  by  the  Jewish  people  (God’s  chosen  

nation)  during  the  Great  Tribulation.  • Many   believe   the   lamps   symbolize   profession   of   faith;   the   oil   symbolizes   regeneration   by   the   Holy  

Spirit.  • The  call  at  midnight  symbolizes  the  unexpected  call  from  the  Archangel  announcing  the  sudden  return  

of  Jesus  Christ  for  His  Bride  (the  Church).  • Those  who  are  unprepared  and  have  no  Holy  Spirit  will  not  be  allowed   into  “the  Wedding  Supper  of  

the  Lamb”  and  “the  kingdom  of  God”.  • Many   people   attending   churches   today   believe   they   are   saved  when   in   actuality   they   are   not,   only  

those  who  have  been  regenerated  by  the  Holy  Spirit  (meaning  born  again)  are  saved.  • Since  we  don’t  know  the  day  nor  the  hour  when  Christ  will  return  to  catch  His  Bride  away,  we  ought  

always  be  on  watch  and  prepared  spiritually.