Intro to Matthew 25

Taking a look at Chapter 25

Chapter 25 is a series of 3 parables

These parables are used to inform those who will endure the tribulation what to expect at the Lord's return

The Parables Are:

The Ten Virgins 1-13

The Talents 14-30

The Judgment of the Gentile nations 31-46

The Ten Virgins 1-13

Before Christ can set up His kingdom 3 things must happen:

The church MUST be raptured

The tribulation must run its course

Christ must physically return, put down Satan's army, and judge Israel and the gentiles

When will this happen?

No one knows, but there are instructions given to those who will endure the tribulation

The first 2 parables were used by the Lord to explain that following His return Israel would be judged

The purpose of this judgment is to determine who is saved and who is not

To understand the parable of the 10 virgins we must first understand the Jewish wedding

How do we know that the church is not in view here?

Paul used the picture of a bride to describe the church in 2 Cor. 11:2

2 Corinthians 11:2 KJV 1900

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

We know the church is the bride of Christ, so how do we know for sure?

We know this because the context of this passage is undoubtedly Jewish

The Jewish wedding ceremony in a nutshell:

Prior to the wedding an invitation would go out to those invited to the marriage feast

At the time of the banquet another invitation would be sent out declaring that the banquet was prepared

While the bridegroom sent for his bride to claim her as his own, the guests would assemble

The presentation of the bride to the bridegroom would be made in a private chamber (reference D. Pentecost p.407)

The conclusion to the ceremony was the public presentation of the bride and bridegroom and the feast, lasting several days

In this parable…

10 virgins were invited to the banquet and were awaiting the bridegroom

There were 5 wise (who brought extra oil for their lamps

There were also 5 unwise who weren't prepared for the bridegroom's arrival

Quite often in the Oriental wedding ceremony there was a long delay between the time the bridegroom was announced and his appearance with his bride

The wise were prepared because they anticipated a possible delay

The unwise were not ready at all

When the bridegroom came the unwise had to go and try and find oil, and when they returned, they were turned out

The Bible says that when the prepared virgins entered the feast the “door was shut”

From the rapture of the church to the return of Christ to claim His kingdom there will be an interval of at least 7 years

Those who are expecting His return (those who are saved) will be brought into the kingdom

For those who are not prepared (unsaved) they will be shut out permanent

Look at verse 13… Matthew 25:13

Matthew 25:13 KJV 1900

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

That will be true for those in the Tribulation, it is equally true those alive today! Be ready!