(1) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (2) And five of them were wise, and five of them were foolish. (3) they that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: (4) but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (5) While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (6) And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh: go ye out to meet him. (7) Then all the virgins rose, and trimmed their lamps. (8) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps have gone out. (9) But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (11) After came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord open to us. (12) But he answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not. (13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. ( Matthew 25:1-13 KJV)

A few weeks ago in bible study. My pastor asked us two questions. How many bibles do we have in our homes and then he asked us. How often do we pick it up and read it. He gave us options that were everyday, once or twice a week, occasionally and rarely. I was actually surprised at the number of those who admitted to occasionally to rarely. Now, let me ask you this question. It’s a personal one for you to answer honestly. I don’t need to know your answer. This is between you and God. Are you among the wise follower of Christ or you among the foolish. Before, we can honestly answer that question. We must truly understand what made one group wise and the other group foolish. In verse one it lets us know that all ten of them were virgins. We can look at it like this they all accepted Christ. They were all church goers. Right, now we can’t differentiate between who is the wise and who is the foolish. In verses three and four it says that the foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them. While, the wise took oil in their vessels. Verse 5 lets us know that while the bridegroom tarried. All ten of them slumbered and slept. Which shows that all ten of them worked in some capacity and that they all had seasons or times were they rested. Get this the five wise were not considered wise cause they out worked the foolish. They all slumbered at some point. Verse 4 shows us what made the wise virgins well wise. It was the fact that they carried oil in their vessels. Along with their lamps. To be honest with you. For a long time I was confused about this parable and what it truly meant. Until, I understood this truth which the Holy Spirit had to show me. The five wise had a relationship with God outside of the four walls of the church. Outside of what the pastor and outside of what was being preached on Sunday mornings and taught during midweek bible studies. The wise spent time seeking God’s face in prayer and studying his word. They had an intimate relationship with God. They not only knew God, but God knew them. In Psalm 119: 105 it says Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The oil that the wise carried with them. Was the word of God, because they spent time with the Lord. They carried his word on the inside of them. The Holy spirit also dwelt in them. I don’t believe that you can be void of the word and have the Holy Spirit dwell in you.. For in Psalm 32:8 it tells us I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with my eye. The Holy Spirit is a guide and the main way that he guides us is through his word. We cannot neglect to spend time in his word and expect to be guided by his Holy Spirit.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. (Matthew 25:3 KJV)

Now the foolish represents those that while they went to church. While they served in some capacity. Their relationship with God. Went no further than the four walls of the church. Meaning that they depended on what was being preached to them to get them by. Now God gave us pastors, teachers and the five fold ministry to equip the body of Christ, but our personal relationship with Christ is up to us. God would rather have you spend 15 minutes a day with him. Then none at all. Here is one of the major problems with not knowing the word of God for ourselves. Any body can come along and tell you the bible says this and it’s no where in the bible. I see this a lot on social media on christian platforms. Where it reads the bible says …….. and in the comments it’s a hundreds of amens. Honestly, it both saddens me and angers me because it’s telling to both the one who posted what they claim the bible says and to those who responded with amen. That neither really spend time in the word. The foolish were foolish because they depended on everything but intimate time with God to get them into heaven.

(8) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. (9) But the wise answered, saying not so, lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves. (Matthew 25:8-9 KJV)

When my father was still alive. He would tell his kids all of the time. That your daddy can’t know God for you and your mama can’t know God for you. You have to know him for yourself. This passage of scripture reminds me of my dad’s old saying because basically now the five foolish wants to get into the marriage feast on the coattails of the five wise. Here’s the thing though salvation is an individual thing and if scripture tells us that the righteous is scarcely saved (1 Peter 4:18) meaning that we’re barely making it in. Then it shows that its not enough for someone else to ride on our relationship with God to get into heaven. Lest we both miss out.

(10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying Lord, Lord, open to us. (12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know ye not. ( Matthew 25:10-12 KJV)

I believe that the main take away from this parable. Is that we should always be prepared for the second coming of Christ. It’s no coincidence that half of the virgins who were supposed to represent Christ were foolish. In truth until the moment the cry came forth letting them know that the bridegroom was coming. That it wasn’t obvious who carried oil with them and who didn’t. Until then they were all together until it came time for the foolish to depart. There is coming a time of separation where the true saints of God will separate from those not truly serving him. Those who spent time in his word. Therefore in relationship with him were ready for his return. Therefore when he came they were able to enter in with him to the marriage. Get this the five foolish truly expected to be let into the marriage when they cried for the bridegroom (Christ) to open the door for them. Here is the truth. The door had already been opened to them. A way had already been paved for a true relationship but they didn’t take the time. The last thing that anyone wants to hear in that day. Is that I know you not. Then it will be too late to enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ. It will be too late to wish you carved out time for God. When my pastor asked that question a few weeks back. How often do we read our bibles. Those who answered rarely or occasionally said they were too tired or to busy to read God’s word. To that I would say I get life gets busy with work and family. If you are to tired to read the word. Then play the word. Listen to it on the way to work. While you cook or clean. Whatever it takes to get the word get it. Also just talk to God throughout your day. Let him hear your voice and listen for his. Prayer opens up a way to relationship with Christ. Whatever you do be not foolish in your relationship with God.

God’s blessings,

Aqua.