Check Yourself

The Introduction

Marriage language of God and Israel, continuing in the NT through churches

The virgins are guests, not multiple brides

Yes, the parables are largely condemning Jewish leadership, and also about soul salvation

Appearance

Would we immediately know the wise from the foolish?

They all looked arrayed for the wedding

Preparation

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 ESV

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Revelation 19:7 ESV

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;

Only 5 ensured they had oil, and they knew it was only for them

Varied Reception

Matthew 25:10 ESV

And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.

God remains Just in all.

All had the invitation / warning

All had their time

Not all heeded wisely

Check Yourself

Matthew 25:13 ESV

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

We know seemingly infinitely more than the original audience for this text (Matthew writing as a first hand witness of Jesus’ ministry to mostly Jews,) and yet no man, excepting Jesus, knows the hour of His return .

Psalm 70:1 ESV

Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!