Flickering Flames and Empty Vessels

PPHC – October 28, 2007 A.M. Matt. 25:1-13

I. The Natural Meaning

· Things that are to be understood in the spiritual realm must first be understood in the natural realm.

A. Jewish Weddings

· (Prior to this event ) At this point, the bridegroom leaves for his father's house to prepare the bridal chamber for his bride. It was understood to be the man's duty to go away to be with his father, build a house, and prepare for the eventual wedding. Before he goes, though, he will make a statement to the bride. "I go to prepare a place for you; if I go, I will return again unto you." This is the same statement Yeshua made in John: (Jn. 14:1-3)

1. Background of the story:

a. Characters (Bridegroom, virgins (wise and foolish)

b. The Time: At midnight (the darkest of night; when one is in his deepest sleep)

2. As customary, the virgins were awaiting the bridegroom’s arrival…he came at night.

a. When his caravan would draw near, they would blow the shofar to alert those within the house. (Matt. 25:6; 1 Thess. 4:16-17)

b. Hearing the trumpet, they would arise, refuel their lamps and go escort him to the house.

c. From there the sacred procession would go to the chupah, the wedding canopy, where the ceremony between the bride and the groom would take place.

B. The Bridegroom’s Caravan Arrives Near the Home – (25:1)

1. The trumpet (call) is given before arrival (25:6)

2. The call finds the virgins (wise and foolish) asleep...No condemnation is given for their sleeping. They were tired (exhausted from the preparation of the wedding). (25:5)

3. Hearing the call, they get up and prepare their lamps…to escort the Bridegroom to the home. (25:7)

4. Herein is the problem; the foolish did not bring additional oil for their lamps (other vessels); the wise did. (25:8)

a. To one class, the call came unexpectedly, but to the other class it also came unpreparedly.

5. The foolish pleaded to have some of the oil of the wise virgins…they could not lest they would not have had enough for themselves…(25:9)

6. Yet, they pointed them in the direction that would supply their lack...the merchants. (25:9)

7. But while they did go, genuinely concerned…they tried…but they were too late by the time they got back…the wedding party had been ushered in and the door closed. (25:10)

8. Their pleading now turns to the Bridegroom himself…his haunting words echo in their ears, “I know you not.” (25:12)

II. The Spiritual

A. The Virgins (two classes – Wise and Foolish)

1. Similarities

a. They were all virgins, all had lamps; all expecting the bridegroom’s coming; they all went to sleep.

2. Difference between them

a. The wise had an extra supply of oil (in other vessels), the foolish didn’t.

3. The lamp seems to represent the outward Christian life of worship / obedience…seen by the eye.

a. Outwardly, there was no observable difference.

B. The Foolish Virgins

1. They took no oil with them

· “They acted as if the lamps, once lighted, would burn on forever.” (no oil for the future)

a. They had the “washing of regeneration”

b. They delighted in their past experience.

c. They trusted in it as if they had all that was needed for their spiritual life.

d. They didn’t have the “renewing of the Holy Ghost”

e. Their lamps burned brightly “for a time”

C. The Wise Virgins

1. They took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

a. Knew it was not enough to trust in the moment of one past experience.

b. Knew it was not enough to trust in a “flush of excitement”

c. They counted not themselves as having apprehended.

d. They forgot what was behind…ever reaching for the things before them.

D. The Oil

1. A symbol of the Holy Spirit

a. All believers have received “an unction” (1 Jn. 2:27)

b. The anointing abides “within”

c. Yet, we are to continually “grow in grace”….”walking” in the Spirit

d. Increasing in the Holy Spirit more and more….seeking for Its daily renewing.

E. They All Slept (Could this be a picture of us today?)

1. Forgetting the first enthusiasm of our conversion.

2. “Are our religious exercises performed as a matter of routine, sometimes unconsciously…without energy, without that deep and awful sense of immense importance which ought to fill the heart of every Christian.”

· It’s one thing for the moment of His coming to catch us unexpected; it’s quite another thing for His coming to catch us unprepared!

F. The Midnight Cry

1. It came suddenly (One day He will come with the voice of the archangel / trump of God).

2. They all arose to ready their lamps (trim and light) – Preparing to go out!

3. But the difference is now evidenced:

a. The foolish NOW feel the great need of the vessels they left behind…the oil they had neglected to provide.

b. When they awoke, their lamps were going out.

· “So dying men feel when they are not ready. Their religion was enough to give them some comfort under ordinary circumstances. But it’s not enough to support them now in the presence of the king of terrors.”

4. The wise virgins do all they can do under these circumstances.

a. One man cannot give Holy Oil to another…what God has done for you will only be enough for you.

a. But they pointed them in the direction of those that could offer help.

b. Yet, while they go earnestly seeking for what they needed…the door was shut!

G. The Door

1. Shut in the story…is still open at this moment.

a. But the time will come when it will be shut, no longer to be opened.

· Do not wait until you hear the words, “Depart from Me…I know ye not.”

· Come while the door is open and His hand is extended to you.