If this is the kingdom of God, do I really want it?

The Ten Virgins - Matthew 25:1-13

Jesus tells the story of ten virgins, five prepared and five not prepared. What have you understood about this parable? The five unprepared bridesmaids are symbolic of people who will not be ready for Jesus’ return? That’s what I’ve always understood. 

The setting was that there were ten “bridesmaids” who were waiting for a groom to arrive. Apparently, in a Jewish wedding, the groom would go to the bride’s father’s house and fetch his bride. Afterward, there would be a procession to the groom’s house, where a wedding party would occur. 

In this case, five maids were prepared for the groom’s possible delay, and the other five weren't. Five brought extra oil for their torches, and five brought just enough to go in when they got to the procession. However, the groom delayed his coming until midnight. 

When he finally did come, the prepared virgins went into the party with him while the unprepared girls were seeking oil. When they returned, they discovered that the groom had shut the door, and the festivities had already begun. The locked-out bride's maids cried for entry; however, the groom replied, “Truly, I tell you, I don't know you.”

Matthew gives us a final warning where Jesus says, “Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.”

Jesus told parables to hide information. John MacArthur states the following about this parable. “The parable of the ten virgins is given to underscore the importance of being ready for Christ’s return in any event—even if he delays longer than expected. For when he does return, there will be no second chances for the unprepared.”

D.A. Carson states that “the sole distinction between the two groups is this: the wise bring not only oil in their lamps but an extra supply in separate jars. While the foolish brought no oil.

Are you ready for Christ’s return? The end of the world is on many lips these days with the seeming crumbling of the United States. However, what if Christ delays his return for another two hundred or a thousand years? What are you teaching your children and grandchildren about the second coming? I believe that with all of our gloom and doom predictions and thoughts, often, our kids get the wrong idea about God’s plan. Instead, we should teach them to be ready for the long haul. And, if Jesus comes sooner, all the better.