Matthew 25:13 - Parable of the Ten Virgins; Be Alert & Ready - Walking in the Spirit!
Mat.25:13: Parable of the Ten Virgins; Be Alert & Ready -
Walking in the Spirit!
Mat 25:13 (KJV) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day
nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:13 (NLT) "So stay awake and be prepared, because you
do not know the day or hour of my return.
Mat 25:13 (EAV) Watch therefore [give strict attention and be
cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the
Son of Man will come.
OVERVIEW
Mat. 24 and 25: To illustrate the importance of remaining alert,
Jesus spoke six parables: the Porter (Mark 13:34-37), which is here
condensed into one verse (Matt. 24:42), the Master of the House (vs. 43,
44), the Faithful and Unfaithful Servants (vs. 45-51), the Ten
Virgins (ch. 25:1-13), the Talents (vs. 14-30), and the Sheep and the
Goats (vs. 31-46). [SDA Commentary]
Mat. 24: The great trio of admonitions of the discourse--"take
heed" (v. 4), "watch" (v. 42), "be ... ready" (v. 44). "[SDA Commentary
re Mat.24]
Mat. 25: Jesus told the following parables to clarify further
what it means to be spiritually vigilant -- ready for his return and
how to live until he comes. The ten bridesmaids (25:1-13) teach that
every person is responsible for his or her own spiritual condition.
The story of the talents (25:14-30) shows the necessity of using
well what God has entrusted to us. The parable of the sheep and goats
(25:31-46) stresses the importance of serving others in need. No parable by
itself completely describes our preparation. Instead, each presents one
part of the whole picture. (Life Application Commentary)
THEME
Watch therefore is the lesson of the parable. [SDA Commentary]
The story clearly teaches watchfulness i.e., only those who are
prepared for His coming will enter the kingdom. [Ryrie SB]
The application by Jesus is that men must continuously be
prepared and watching if they wish to enter the kingdom when the King
comes. [Believer's SB]
When Jesus returns to take his people to heaven, we must be
ready. Spiritual preparation cannot be bought or borrowed at the last
minute. Our relationship with God must be our own. [Life Application
SB]
There are certain things which cannot be obtained at the last
minute. It is far too late for a student to be preparing when the day of
the examination has come. It is too late for a man to acquire a
skill, or a character, if he does not already possess it, when some
task offers itself to him. Similarly, it is easy to leave things so
late that we can no longer prepare ourselves to meet with God. . . .
. A man cannot borrow a relationship with God; he must possess it
for himself. A man cannot borrow a character; he must be clothed
with it. We cannot always be living on the spiritual capital which
others have amassed. There are certain things we must win or acquire
for ourselves, for we cannot borrow them from others. [Barclay
Commentary]
DEFINITIONS & TERMINOLOGY
The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who
profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because
they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the word of
God. The psalmist says, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto may path." Ps. 119:105. The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
COL405-420
APPLICATION COMMENTARY (part 1):
Watch
Consider the parable of the ten virgins. All had lamps, that is,
an outward semblance of religion; but only five of them had the
inward piety. Five of them were wanting in the oil of grace. The Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit, was not abiding in their
hearts. Without the oil of grace, of what use was it to bear about a
lamp of profession? However high may be the profession, however high
may be the position held by a professor of religion, if the oil of
grace is wanting, he has nothing with which to feed his lamp, and it
cannot send forth clear, shining rays of light. . . . SD118
In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the
bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no
difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ's
second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard
the message of Christ's near approach, and confidently expect His
appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting
intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, "Behold, the
Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him," many are unready. They have no
oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the
Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of
no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit,
cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with
the commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God
sets the truth home, the character will not be transformed. Without
the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish
truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations
of Satan. The class represented by the foolish virgins are not
hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth,
they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not
yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit's working. They have not fallen
upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be
broken up. This class are represented also by the stony-ground hearers.
They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating
its principles. Its influence is not abiding. The Spirit works upon
man's heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a
new nature; but the class represented the foolish virgins have been
content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not
studied His character; they have not held communion with Him; therefore
they do not know how to trust, how to look and live. Their service to
God degenerates into a form. COL405-420
APPLICATION COMMENTARY (part 2):
Doing Good While Watching.
The watchful Christian is a working Christian, AA261
Christians are not to await their Lord's return in idle
expectancy. While waiting and watching they are to be vigilant in purifying
their own souls by obedience to the truth, and to be earnest in
working for others. It is their privilege "not only to look for but to
hasten the coming of the day of God." [SDA Commentary]
The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good
works--in words of truth and deeds of holiness. Christ, the outshining of
the Father's glory, came to the world as its light. He came to
represent God to men, and of Him it is written that He was anointed "with
the Holy Ghost and with power," and "went about doing good." Acts
10:38. In the synagogue at Nazareth He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is
upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the
poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance
to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at
liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the
Lord." Luke 4:18, 19. This was the work He commissioned His disciples
to do. "Ye are the light of the world," He said. "Let your light so
shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven." Matt. 5:14, 16. This is the work which the
prophet Isaiah describes when he says, "Is it not to deal thy bread to
the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy
house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou
hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break
forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily;
and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord
shall be thy rereward." Isa. 58:7, 8. Thus in the night of spiritual
darkness God's glory is to shine forth through His church in lifting up
the bowed down and comforting those that mourn. All around us are
heard the wails of a world's sorrow. On every hand are the needy and
distressed. It is ours to aid in relieving and softening life's hardships
and misery. Practical work will have far more effect than mere
sermonizing. We are to give food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and
shelter to the homeless. COL405-420
It is the privilege of every soul to be a living channel through
which God can communicate to the world the treasures of His grace, the
unsearchable riches of Christ. There is nothing that Christ desires so much
as agents who will represent to the world His Spirit and character.
There is nothing that the world needs so much as the manifestation
through humanity of the Saviour's love. All heaven is waiting for
channels through which can be poured the holy oil to be a joy and
blessing to human hearts. COL405-420
APPLICATION COMMENTARY (part 3):
Holy Spirit Mandatory.
No amount of education, no advantages, however great, can make
one a channel of light without the co-operation of the Spirit of
God. The sowing of the gospel seed will not be a success unless the
seed is quickened into life by the dew of heaven.... We cannot use the
Holy Spirit. The Spirit is to use us. Through the Spirit God works in
His people "to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil. 2:13. But
many will not submit to this. They want to manage themselves. This is
why they do not receive the heavenly gift. Only to those who wait
humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit
given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This
promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its
train. DA671,2
The members of the church of Christ should gather up the divine
rays of light from Jesus, and reflect them to others, leaving a
bright track heavenward in the world. They are to be as the wise
virgins, having their lamps trimmed and burning, representing the
character of Christ to the world. We are not to be satisfied with anything
short of this. We are not to be satisfied with our own righteousness,
and content without the deep movings of the Spirit of God. SD326
From hours spent with God He came forth morning by morning, to
bring the light of heaven to men. Daily He received a fresh baptism of
the Holy Spirit. COL139
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
You must pray, believe, and obey. In your own strength you can
do nothing; but in the grace of Jesus Christ, you can employ your
powers in such a way as to bring the greatest good to your own soul,
and the greatest blessing to the souls of others. Lay hold of Jesus,
and you will diligently work the works of Christ, and will finally
receive the eternal reward. SD118
This parable makes a simple point. Expect Him at any moment. But
be prepared for a long wait. This is the perspective you and I are
to adopt as we live our lives on earth. We are to look forward each
morning to Jesus' return, and live as though He were to appear before
evening. Yet we are to prepare for a lifetime here, ready to wait as long
as it takes for Him to come. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]
At the end of earth's history we will meet God with or without
the Holy Spirit in charge of our lives - we will be either wise or
foolish. SS Quarterly, 1/11/96
Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. Luke 12:35
(NASB)
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