0:00:01.303,0:00:11.558 Matthew 25:1. 0:00:11.558,0:00:19.898 Then the kingdom of heaven[br]will be like ten virgins 0:00:19.898,0:00:25.483 who took their lamps and[br]went to meet the bridegroom. 0:00:25.483,0:00:29.710 Five of them were foolish, 0:00:29.710,0:00:33.639 and five were wise. 0:00:33.639,0:00:38.610 For when the foolish took their lamps,[br]they took no oil with them, 0:00:38.610,0:00:47.480 but the wise took flasks[br]of oil with their lamps. 0:00:47.482,0:00:53.542 As the bridegroom was delayed,[br]they all became drowsy and slept. 0:00:53.542,0:00:55.702 But at midnight there was a cry: 0:00:55.702,0:01:00.121 Here is the bridegroom![br]Come out to meet him. 0:01:00.121,0:01:08.713 Then all those virgins rose[br]and trimmed their lamps. 0:01:08.713,0:01:14.004 And the foolish said to the wise: 0:01:14.004,0:01:18.955 Give us some of your oil,[br]for our lamps are going out. 0:01:18.955,0:01:20.495 But the wise answered, saying: 0:01:20.495,0:01:23.287 Since there will not be enough[br]for us and for you, 0:01:23.287,0:01:29.254 go rather to the dealers[br]and buy for yourselves. 0:01:29.254,0:01:34.905 And while they were going to buy,[br]the bridegroom came, 0:01:34.905,0:01:43.767 and those who were ready went in[br]with him to the marriage feast, 0:01:43.767,0:01:47.486 and the door was shut. 0:01:47.487,0:01:55.129 Afterward the other virgins came also,[br]saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. 0:01:55.129,0:02:01.478 But he answered:[br]Truly, I say to you, I do not know you. 0:02:01.478,0:02:10.949 Watch therefore, for you know[br]neither the day nor the hour. 0:02:10.949,0:02:14.370 We are studying the end times. 0:02:14.379,0:02:17.529 And as I said to you from the beginning, 0:02:17.541,0:02:23.130 I don't want to go into the difficulties[br]of Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel. 0:02:23.130,0:02:29.374 I wanted to look at concepts, at texts, 0:02:29.374,0:02:38.074 passages of God's Word,[br]that show us very plainly 0:02:38.074,0:02:45.194 about who the true people of God are,[br]who the true Israel is, 0:02:45.194,0:02:49.214 about what the end looks like. 0:02:49.214,0:02:54.234 Not in the difficult [br]passages of prophecy, 0:02:54.234,0:02:59.134 apocalyptic texts, 0:02:59.134,0:03:02.919 very difficult and shrouded prophecies 0:03:02.919,0:03:08.944 which historically the best[br]Bible scholars have wrestled with. 0:03:08.944,0:03:13.016 But I wanted to just take us to[br]the plain teachings of our Lord. 0:03:13.016,0:03:17.496 And I know there are some things[br]that our Lord says that are not so plain. 0:03:17.496,0:03:21.940 But I wanted to look at some[br]of the things that are plain. 0:03:21.940,0:03:27.043 Him, His apostles, what they[br]have to say, just the plain words. 0:03:27.043,0:03:35.518 Brethren, the only safe method[br]for interpreting your Bibles 0:03:35.518,0:03:42.216 is always to start with the[br]plainest teaching on a subject. 0:03:42.216,0:03:44.258 Always. 0:03:44.258,0:03:47.389 Not to run to the most difficult first, 0:03:47.389,0:03:50.839 but the most [br]straightforward teaching first. 0:03:50.839,0:03:56.350 I believe that what [br]we have in Matthew 25 - 0:03:56.350,0:04:00.461 I will not argue with you if you say: 0:04:00.461,0:04:04.981 Wait, Matthew 24 has some things[br]that are difficult to figure out. 0:04:04.981,0:04:07.933 Yes, yes. And I hope to get there. 0:04:07.933,0:04:11.154 But that's not where I want to start. 0:04:11.154,0:04:17.572 I want to bypass 24, I want to go to 25. 0:04:17.572,0:04:20.736 Because I want you to see some clear, 0:04:20.736,0:04:25.086 very clear teaching here [br]about the end times. 0:04:25.086,0:04:29.696 We have the parable of the ten virgins,[br]verses 1 through 13, 0:04:29.696,0:04:34.284 the parable of the talents,[br]verses 14 through 30, 0:04:34.284,0:04:38.915 and then we have a picture of Jesus Christ[br] 0:04:38.915,0:04:41.365 coming in the final judgment, 0:04:41.365,0:04:45.885 dividing like a shepherd divides[br]the sheep from the goats. 0:04:45.885,0:04:50.954 This chapter can be naturally[br]broken up into three sections. 0:04:50.954,0:04:53.765 I hope to deal with one today, 0:04:53.765,0:05:01.696 and, Lord willing, the next two [br]in the next two weeks. 0:05:01.696,0:05:05.326 What all three of these deal with, 0:05:05.326,0:05:09.407 all three deal with the same thing. 0:05:09.407,0:05:16.218 They are all three pictures[br]of the coming of Jesus Christ. 0:05:16.218,0:05:19.012 You say: How do you know that? 0:05:19.012,0:05:22.112 Well, just for starters,[br]I want you to see something. 0:05:22.112,0:05:26.229 Look at verse 10. 0:05:26.229,0:05:35.439 While they were going to buy,[br]the bridegroom came... 0:05:35.439,0:05:37.739 You can see that there. 0:05:37.739,0:05:41.085 Look in 19. 0:05:41.085,0:05:48.780 Now after a long time the master[br]of those servants came. 0:05:48.780,0:05:50.760 Verse 31 0:05:50.760,0:05:55.965 When the Son of Man comes in His glory,[br] 0:05:55.965,0:05:58.315 and all the angels with Him, 0:05:58.315,0:06:03.392 then he will sit on His glorious throne. 0:06:03.392,0:06:06.973 All three deal with His coming. 0:06:06.973,0:06:09.754 Now, this is a parable. 0:06:09.764,0:06:12.303 This is a parable. 0:06:12.303,0:06:13.935 What is a parable? 0:06:13.935,0:06:16.224 Let's break it up into [br]its component parts. 0:06:16.224,0:06:19.754 "Para" - Anybody know what this prefix is? 0:06:19.754,0:06:22.864 Alongside. 0:06:22.865,0:06:25.184 "-ble" 0:06:25.184,0:06:27.384 "para-ble" 0:06:27.384,0:06:31.543 I know it's a "b-l-e", [br]but it's abbreviated. 0:06:31.543,0:06:35.495 You may have heard [br]the word "παραβολή". 0:06:35.495,0:06:37.935 What is the "bal"? 0:06:37.935,0:06:41.602 What does "bal" mean? 0:06:41.602,0:06:44.156 It means to throw. 0:06:44.156,0:06:46.567 We think of bowling. 0:06:46.573,0:06:49.037 You know in cricket, [br]they don't call the guy 0:06:49.037,0:06:53.457 that launches the [br]ball a pitcher, like we do. 0:06:53.457,0:06:56.288 In cricket it is a bowler. 0:06:56.288,0:06:57.757 Bowling is to throw. 0:06:57.757,0:07:00.498 And so, what is a parable? 0:07:00.498,0:07:03.639 It means: to throw alongside. 0:07:03.639,0:07:05.900 What a parable is, 0:07:05.900,0:07:08.630 is when I'm trying to teach on something, 0:07:08.630,0:07:12.360 I take a story, an illustration, 0:07:12.360,0:07:17.140 and I throw it alongside that teaching. 0:07:17.140,0:07:22.169 Why? What's the purpose there? 0:07:22.170,0:07:23.351 What's my objective? 0:07:23.351,0:07:24.870 Well, the objective is this: 0:07:24.870,0:07:28.805 The objective is: I'm trying to teach[br]you about the second coming, 0:07:28.805,0:07:32.142 spiritual truths that you [br]are not familiar with, 0:07:32.142,0:07:33.787 and so I want to help you. 0:07:33.787,0:07:35.202 This is what Jesus does. 0:07:35.202,0:07:38.702 I want to help you and [br]so I throw alongside... 0:07:38.702,0:07:42.745 That's parable: alongside, throw. 0:07:42.745,0:07:47.152 You throw alongside that truth a story. 0:07:47.152,0:07:48.995 That's what parables are. 0:07:48.995,0:07:58.455 They are stories that are thrown[br]alongside some spiritual truth. 0:07:58.455,0:08:00.480 And what they do, is: 0:08:00.480,0:08:03.540 They are typically a story [br]of something physical, 0:08:03.540,0:08:05.040 that we are familiar with, 0:08:05.040,0:08:08.130 that is going to help us to [br]understand this spiritual truth 0:08:08.130,0:08:10.330 that we are not so familiar with. 0:08:10.330,0:08:14.404 That's what it's all about. A parable. 0:08:14.404,0:08:19.116 The very nature of a parable[br]is that it has to be interpreted. 0:08:19.116,0:08:22.999 If you don't have the interpretation,[br]it doesn't help. 0:08:22.999,0:08:25.990 Now, I think, the truth is, 0:08:25.990,0:08:27.830 with a lot of parables, 0:08:27.830,0:08:30.640 the meaning is pretty obvious. 0:08:30.640,0:08:32.609 In some of them they're not so obvious. 0:08:32.609,0:08:35.190 I mean, we might wish[br]that our Lord had come along 0:08:35.190,0:08:38.250 and interpreted every [br]single parable for us, 0:08:38.250,0:08:40.060 just like He does some of them. 0:08:40.060,0:08:43.736 But I think the reason that He does[br]some of them for us and not all of them 0:08:43.736,0:08:47.966 is to show us in the ones[br]that He does interpret 0:08:47.966,0:08:51.356 how we ought to be [br]interpreting these things. 0:08:51.356,0:08:53.811 He gives us some [br]examples of interpretation. 0:08:53.811,0:08:57.172 And without the interpretation,[br]these things don't help us. 0:08:57.172,0:08:59.401 You know, the disciples, [br]you remember them? 0:08:59.401,0:09:02.953 They would hear His parables, 0:09:02.953,0:09:05.223 and then when they [br]would go home they'd say: 0:09:05.223,0:09:07.534 Lord, explain to us what that meant. 0:09:07.534,0:09:11.915 And He would say things like:[br]Well, the field is the world. 0:09:11.915,0:09:14.494 The one who casts seed is the Son of Man. 0:09:14.494,0:09:16.738 You see you have to know 0:09:16.738,0:09:21.228 what they really mean for it to help you. 0:09:21.228,0:09:24.545 You can't just let it stay[br]in the realm of allegory. 0:09:24.545,0:09:27.565 We have to pull the true meaning out. 0:09:27.565,0:09:33.428 Well, Jesus doesn't specifically[br]interpret this one for us, 0:09:33.428,0:09:37.588 so we need to decipher the meaning. 0:09:37.588,0:09:39.326 We need to look at this. 0:09:39.326,0:09:41.094 That's what I want to do. 0:09:41.094,0:09:46.288 But before we get into actually[br]trying to see what things signify here, 0:09:46.288,0:09:49.158 let's just think about [br]the parable as it is. 0:09:49.158,0:09:52.710 Let's think about the story itself,[br]the illustration. 0:09:52.710,0:09:53.897 What do you have? 0:09:53.897,0:09:57.866 I mean... this is a wedding. 0:09:57.866,0:09:59.864 Is that clear to everybody? 0:09:59.864,0:10:03.370 If it's not clear to you, you just have[br]to notice there is a bridegroom. 0:10:03.370,0:10:06.855 Anytime we talk about a groom,[br]we're talking about a wedding. 0:10:06.855,0:10:09.725 And it's not too mysterious. 0:10:09.725,0:10:12.966 You get down to verse 10,[br]you get a marriage feast. 0:10:12.966,0:10:15.394 Obviously this is a marriage ceremony. 0:10:15.394,0:10:19.876 Now, the idea with the parable is[br]to take something that is common to us 0:10:19.876,0:10:23.466 and throw it alongside a spiritual [br]truth not so common to us. 0:10:23.466,0:10:26.798 We would all have to admit this:[br]Whatever is happening here, 0:10:26.798,0:10:34.058 this is a form of ceremony[br]that we are not so familiar with. 0:10:34.058,0:10:38.338 Jesus wasn't speaking directly to us.[br]He is speaking to us, 0:10:38.338,0:10:46.429 but He was directly speaking to His[br]Jewish disciples 2000 years ago. 0:10:46.429,0:10:49.919 Now, even if we go to the Middle East, 0:10:49.919,0:10:52.759 even if we were to ask some of the folks 0:10:52.759,0:10:55.759 that have observed weddings [br]like, say, in India. 0:10:55.759,0:10:58.708 You might ask the Dees',[br]what are weddings like over there. 0:10:58.708,0:11:00.638 You know when you go to other countries,[br] 0:11:00.638,0:11:02.651 you go to other times in history, 0:11:02.651,0:11:05.127 weddings have not always been 0:11:05.127,0:11:10.337 just perfectly according to our [br]American 21st century model. 0:11:10.337,0:11:13.650 I mean, we know what a typical [br]wedding should look like. 0:11:13.650,0:11:16.040 But you get a lot of the same components. 0:11:16.040,0:11:22.142 You've got virgins there,[br]that's basically the bridesmaids. 0:11:22.142,0:11:27.501 This is not a wedding tradition[br]that we are familiar with so much, 0:11:27.501,0:11:31.623 but you know,[br]it's not a whole lot different. 0:11:31.623,0:11:33.725 Let me tell you basically what happens, 0:11:33.725,0:11:37.595 you can kind of glean this[br]from the parable itself. 0:11:37.595,0:11:40.145 What you had, and if you look at this[br] 0:11:40.145,0:11:42.195 and you just search out historically, 0:11:42.195,0:11:46.115 you can find and in fact they[br]may do this still in other countries. 0:11:46.115,0:11:50.235 But you can find that what would happen is 0:11:50.235,0:11:54.315 you would have the groom, 0:11:54.315,0:11:57.315 and he would have [br]his groomsmen with him. 0:11:57.315,0:12:00.855 And they would go to the home of the bride 0:12:00.855,0:12:02.625 and the bride is waiting there[br] 0:12:02.625,0:12:06.265 with her bridesmaids, the virgins. 0:12:06.265,0:12:08.528 And he would go there with his entourage[br] 0:12:08.528,0:12:10.728 and show up at her door. 0:12:10.728,0:12:17.639 And the bridesmaids would have lamps. 0:12:17.639,0:12:21.546 They would do this typically [br]after dark in the evening. 0:12:21.546,0:12:23.978 I mean he might take off [br]when it was still light 0:12:23.978,0:12:27.908 but the whole objective is[br]they would parade through the streets. 0:12:27.908,0:12:31.352 They go get all the ladies [br]from the bride's house 0:12:31.352,0:12:33.912 and then they would [br]parade through the streets, 0:12:33.912,0:12:36.132 all the ladies having their lamps 0:12:36.132,0:12:39.262 and they would go to [br]where the actual marriage 0:12:39.262,0:12:41.002 was going to take place, 0:12:41.002,0:12:44.182 where the vows would happen, 0:12:44.182,0:12:48.042 actually a lot of times where the[br]consummation would take place, 0:12:48.042,0:12:50.552 right at the father's house. 0:12:50.552,0:12:54.080 And then there would [br]be this marriage feast 0:12:54.080,0:12:57.080 and sometimes this feast went on for days. 0:12:57.080,0:13:00.062 That's the basic picture that you have. 0:13:00.062,0:13:02.449 You'll notice this: 0:13:02.449,0:13:06.661 There is no bride mentioned. 0:13:06.661,0:13:08.683 It's not necessary. 0:13:08.683,0:13:10.443 I'll say more about that in a second. 0:13:10.443,0:13:12.197 Another thing you want to notice is: 0:13:12.197,0:13:17.744 We have eleven individuals[br]specifically named in this parable. 0:13:17.744,0:13:21.765 We have eleven and only eleven. 0:13:21.765,0:13:27.101 And they all fit into [br]one of three categories: 0:13:27.101,0:13:30.515 You have the bridegroom,[br]he is in a class by himself. 0:13:30.515,0:13:34.145 And then you have a second category:[br] 0:13:34.145,0:13:35.815 Five wise virgins. 0:13:35.815,0:13:39.971 The third category: Five foolish. 0:13:39.971,0:13:41.641 It's just a basic overlay 0:13:41.641,0:13:44.004 of what we are dealing with[br]here in the parable. 0:13:44.004,0:13:47.946 So let's think about the interpretation. 0:13:47.948,0:13:53.728 Look, the overarching [br]theme of this parable 0:13:53.728,0:13:56.728 is the second coming of Jesus Christ. 0:13:56.728,0:14:01.668 Nobody should be in [br]doubt about that at all. 0:14:01.668,0:14:07.739 Brethren, would you please just let[br]your eyes drift back into chapter 24. 0:14:07.739,0:14:11.791 Let's just hit this rapid fire. 0:14:11.791,0:14:16.645 Matthew 24:37 0:14:16.645,0:14:21.486 As were the days of Noah,[br]so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 0:14:21.486,0:14:24.171 Any question what's [br]being dealt with there? 0:14:24.171,0:14:26.548 Not at all. The coming of the Son of Man. 0:14:26.548,0:14:28.641 Look at verses 38, 39. 0:14:28.641,0:14:31.882 For as in those days before the flood[br]they were eating and drinking, 0:14:31.882,0:14:33.492 marrying and giving in marriage,[br] 0:14:33.492,0:14:35.592 until the day when [br]Noah entered the ark, ... 0:14:35.592,0:14:38.513 You may remember we [br]dealt with these verses 0:14:38.513,0:14:41.532 from Luke's gospel last week. 0:14:41.532,0:14:45.364 ... and they were unaware until the [br]flood came and swept them all away, 0:14:45.364,0:14:48.235 so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 0:14:48.235,0:14:51.030 This is about the second coming[br]of our Lord Jesus Christ. 0:14:51.030,0:14:52.613 Verse 42 0:14:52.613,0:14:54.072 Therefore, stay awake, 0:14:54.072,0:14:57.502 for you do not know on what [br]day your Lord is coming. 0:14:57.502,0:14:58.754 Any doubts there? 0:14:58.754,0:15:01.096 We're dealing about the Lord's coming. 0:15:01.096,0:15:02.075 Verse 44 0:15:02.075,0:15:04.240 Therefore you also must be ready, 0:15:04.240,0:15:08.140 for the Son of Man is coming at [br]an hour you do not expect. 0:15:08.140,0:15:10.508 It's the coming of the Son of Men. 0:15:10.508,0:15:11.327 Verse 46 0:15:11.327,0:15:17.946 Blessed is that servant whom His master[br]will find so doing when He comes. 0:15:17.946,0:15:18.797 Verse 50 0:15:18.797,0:15:21.207 ... the master of that [br]servant will come ... 0:15:21.207,0:15:24.324 You see this is about [br]the coming of Christ. 0:15:24.324,0:15:26.613 ... come on a day when [br]he does not expect Him 0:15:26.613,0:15:28.373 and at an hour he does not know ... 0:15:28.373,0:15:31.256 And you know what: [br]There is no chapter break 0:15:31.256,0:15:34.866 between chapters 24 [br]and 25 in the original. 0:15:34.866,0:15:36.459 There is no chapter break there. 0:15:36.459,0:15:38.188 This is the same discourse. 0:15:38.188,0:15:41.277 Our Lord immediately [br]goes into this parable. 0:15:41.277,0:15:44.189 And He talks about when [br]the bridegroom comes. 0:15:44.189,0:15:46.602 And then you have the [br]parable of the talents. 0:15:46.602,0:15:49.030 And He talks about the [br]master of those servants 0:15:49.030,0:15:51.020 is going to come and settle accounts. 0:15:51.020,0:15:54.648 And then you have [br]this glorious final picture 0:15:54.648,0:15:58.228 of this last judgment there in verse 31. 0:15:58.228,0:16:01.490 When the Son of Man comes in His glory,[br]and all the angels with Him, 0:16:01.490,0:16:03.011 Brethren, there is no question, 0:16:03.011,0:16:05.791 we are dealing with the [br]second coming of Jesus Christ. 0:16:05.791,0:16:07.951 And so, here is the thing,[br] 0:16:07.951,0:16:11.171 here is what this ought[br]to make obvious to us. 0:16:11.171,0:16:13.202 Since it's crystal clear that the parable[br] 0:16:13.202,0:16:15.842 is dealing with the [br]second coming of Christ, 0:16:15.842,0:16:20.016 and since the one who [br]comes in our parable, 0:16:20.016,0:16:24.936 verse 10, is the bridegroom, 0:16:24.936,0:16:28.214 it ought to be really clear to all of us[br] 0:16:28.214,0:16:31.724 that the bridegroom is Christ. 0:16:31.724,0:16:34.345 I know this is very simple, 0:16:34.345,0:16:40.005 but this is how you want to [br]go about interpreting Scripture. 0:16:40.005,0:16:41.465 It's obvious. 0:16:41.465,0:16:42.885 Yes. 0:16:42.885,0:16:46.681 The bridegroom is Christ. 0:16:46.681,0:16:51.526 The bridegroom is the Lord. 0:16:51.526,0:16:55.026 Brethren, don't you love the imagery? 0:16:55.026,0:16:56.756 Because, here is the thing. 0:16:56.756,0:17:02.437 We get different pictures [br]of this second coming. 0:17:02.437,0:17:04.867 Remember last week, just like you saw 0:17:04.867,0:17:06.917 there at the end of chapter 24. 0:17:06.917,0:17:13.718 It's like it was in days of Noah and Lot. 0:17:13.718,0:17:15.162 It's a time of judgment. 0:17:15.162,0:17:16.571 He is going to come 0:17:16.571,0:17:18.981 and destruction is going [br]to fall upon people 0:17:18.981,0:17:20.981 when they don't expect it. 0:17:20.981,0:17:23.270 When you look at [br]the parable of the talents, 0:17:23.270,0:17:30.580 it's like a master who is entrusting [br]things to his servants. 0:17:30.580,0:17:33.579 And brethren, don't you [br]love the picture here? 0:17:33.579,0:17:37.159 It's the bridegroom. 0:17:37.159,0:17:43.789 It's the Bridegroom coming to take[br]His people in to the wedding feast. 0:17:43.789,0:17:46.331 What a picture! 0:17:46.331,0:17:49.200 I love that imagery. 0:17:49.200,0:17:52.712 In the book of Revelation, you find[br]the same sort of imagery. 0:17:52.712,0:17:55.521 Let us rejoice...[br]Revelation 19:7 0:17:55.521,0:17:59.287 “Let us rejoice and exult [br]and give Him the glory, 0:17:59.287,0:18:01.957 for the marriage of the Lamb has come,[br] 0:18:01.957,0:18:04.957 and His Bride has made herself ready; 0:18:04.957,0:18:09.293 it was granted her to clothe herself[br]with fine linen, bright and pure” 0:18:09.293,0:18:12.653 --- for the fine linen is[br]the righteous deeds of the saints. 0:18:12.653,0:18:15.053 And the angel said to me,[br]“Write this: 0:18:15.053,0:18:24.181 Blessed are those who are invited[br]to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” 0:18:24.181,0:18:27.589 You know what it brings to our minds? 0:18:27.589,0:18:32.726 It brings to the minds[br]the love of a husband for a bride. 0:18:32.726,0:18:34.347 What is that? 0:18:34.347,0:18:39.295 Particular and special. 0:18:39.295,0:18:42.737 That's what it brings to our mind here. 0:18:42.737,0:18:46.306 It speaks, think of a wedding. 0:18:46.306,0:18:50.008 There is anticipation,[br]there is anticipation of the intimacy. 0:18:50.008,0:18:52.631 There is joy. 0:18:52.631,0:18:57.159 We had a wedding last weekend. 0:18:57.159,0:19:00.778 I mean, at weddings [br]there's lots of smiles, 0:19:00.778,0:19:02.928 there is lots of joy. 0:19:02.928,0:19:04.561 That's the picture here. 0:19:04.561,0:19:10.069 It's the husband bringing [br]the bride to himself, 0:19:10.069,0:19:14.719 fulfilling the intimacy. 0:19:14.719,0:19:16.401 That's the picture. 0:19:16.401,0:19:21.170 It's one of the most glorious [br]pictures of the second coming, 0:19:21.170,0:19:23.460 as it regards the church. 0:19:23.460,0:19:26.332 It speaks of that union forever. 0:19:26.332,0:19:28.572 I mean, just think:[br]It's the Bridegroom, 0:19:28.572,0:19:31.437 the perfect Lover, 0:19:31.437,0:19:33.927 the perfect Husband, 0:19:33.927,0:19:36.761 the perfect Friend. 0:19:36.761,0:19:39.823 And its a picture of:[br] 0:19:39.823,0:19:45.563 we are going to go under His arm forever. 0:19:45.563,0:19:47.304 I mean that's what we have. 0:19:47.304,0:19:48.923 Right now, we're betrothed. 0:19:48.923,0:19:50.533 Paul said to the Corinthians: 0:19:50.533,0:19:54.924 I feel a divine jealousy for you,[br]since I betrothed you to one Husband, 0:19:54.924,0:19:58.584 to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 0:19:58.584,0:20:00.583 Betrothed now. 0:20:00.583,0:20:02.215 What does it mean to be betrothed? 0:20:02.215,0:20:06.677 Well, you know, there is a [br]covenantal agreement there 0:20:06.677,0:20:09.434 that's binding. 0:20:09.436,0:20:12.732 Christ has pledged Himself to it[br]and will never break that covenant. 0:20:12.732,0:20:14.812 It is not like our engagements. 0:20:14.812,0:20:16.435 That can be broken. 0:20:16.435,0:20:17.796 It is not like that. 0:20:17.796,0:20:20.459 But you know a betrothal falls short[br] 0:20:20.459,0:20:23.229 of the full intimacy of the marriage 0:20:23.229,0:20:26.169 and that is what is going [br]to happen when He comes. 0:20:26.169,0:20:31.583 It is going to be the consummation 0:20:31.583,0:20:34.583 and the feast. 0:20:34.583,0:20:40.854 The fullness of intimacy is yet [br]reserved for us at that great day. 0:20:40.854,0:20:45.409 When the bride, the Lamb's wife[br] 0:20:45.409,0:20:48.109 is going to be presented to her Husband[br] 0:20:48.109,0:20:50.109 without spot and blemish. 0:20:50.109,0:20:52.181 Brethren, it says it: 0:20:52.181,0:20:59.041 O how blessed, blessed[br]are those who are invited 0:20:59.041,0:21:02.041 to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 0:21:02.041,0:21:06.942 Let's direct our focus to the virgins. 0:21:06.942,0:21:11.652 Some might say:[br]Hey, the parable has no bride. 0:21:11.652,0:21:14.142 And you would be exactly right. 0:21:14.142,0:21:15.992 You say, but, wait, 0:21:15.992,0:21:17.975 we see that the church is the bride. 0:21:17.975,0:21:20.384 And the church is prepared as a bride[br] 0:21:20.384,0:21:23.004 and we are betrothed to Christ. 0:21:23.004,0:21:25.744 He is a Husband,[br]He is the Bridegroom. 0:21:25.744,0:21:26.984 Where is the bride? 0:21:26.984,0:21:29.132 You have to understand this: 0:21:29.132,0:21:31.953 Our Lord is wanting to give us a parable 0:21:31.953,0:21:33.653 about some who are ready 0:21:33.653,0:21:35.653 and some who are not ready. 0:21:35.653,0:21:39.317 Can you imagine if He tried [br]to do that with a wife? 0:21:39.317,0:21:41.666 You would really have to have ten wives. 0:21:41.666,0:21:43.612 Five are ready and five are not ready. 0:21:43.612,0:21:45.415 Or at least two. 0:21:45.416,0:21:47.935 If what you want to manifest,[br] 0:21:47.935,0:21:50.675 if what you want to bring out, draw out, 0:21:50.675,0:21:52.675 is that you have some who are ready[br] 0:21:52.675,0:21:54.125 and some who are not ready 0:21:54.125,0:21:56.705 you don't want to do that [br]with wives. Otherwise what? 0:21:56.705,0:21:59.808 You gonna end up with some kind of parable[br] 0:21:59.808,0:22:03.978 that's going to have [br]polygamist overtones, right? 0:22:03.978,0:22:06.868 You don't want to go there. 0:22:06.878,0:22:10.408 The virgins, the bridesmaids [br]is a perfect way, 0:22:10.408,0:22:13.748 it's a perfect way to display 0:22:13.748,0:22:18.818 exactly what our Lord wants to display. 0:22:18.818,0:22:24.307 There are ten, there are ten bridesmaids[br] 0:22:24.307,0:22:28.957 who are waiting for the bridegroom. 0:22:28.957,0:22:34.268 They are waiting for the wedding feast. 0:22:34.268,0:22:37.781 So who are they supposed to represent? 0:22:37.784,0:22:40.318 You have five that are wise, [br]five that are foolish. 0:22:40.318,0:22:42.502 Look, it's not very [br]difficult to look at this 0:22:42.502,0:22:45.182 and recognize that when Jesus comes 0:22:45.182,0:22:46.612 He takes five in with Him 0:22:46.612,0:22:49.292 and five are shut out. 0:22:49.292,0:22:50.701 I think it's pretty clear. 0:22:50.701,0:22:52.881 That what you have is [br]you have the saved 0:22:52.881,0:22:54.114 and they go in with Him. 0:22:54.114,0:22:57.813 And the ones that are outside are lost. 0:22:57.813,0:23:00.294 The ones that go in with [br]Him are true Christians. 0:23:00.294,0:23:03.343 The ones that are left [br]out are not Christians. 0:23:03.343,0:23:05.545 I think that's pretty obvious. 0:23:05.545,0:23:08.475 But I think we want to define them[br] 0:23:08.475,0:23:10.855 a little more precisely than that. 0:23:10.855,0:23:14.356 I don't believe our Lord is just [br]painting a generic picture here 0:23:14.356,0:23:19.196 of saved humanity over [br]against lost humanity. 0:23:19.196,0:23:23.816 I think what He's painting a picture of 0:23:23.816,0:23:25.686 are professing Christians[br] 0:23:25.686,0:23:29.156 who are sitting in the church right now. 0:23:29.156,0:23:34.001 Some are saved, some are not. 0:23:34.001,0:23:38.710 I do not believe this is a picture[br]generically of all mankind. 0:23:38.710,0:23:40.100 You say: Why? 0:23:40.100,0:23:41.637 Why would you not think that? 0:23:41.637,0:23:46.778 Why do you think that this has to do[br]with people who profess Christ? 0:23:46.778,0:23:50.788 True Christians and false Christians[br]who are in the church right now? 0:23:50.788,0:23:52.597 Why do you think that? 0:23:52.597,0:23:54.339 Here is why I think it: 0:23:54.339,0:23:57.769 Because for one, when our Lord[br]paints the picture, He doesn't say: 0:23:57.769,0:24:01.229 Well you have these virgins over here[br]that are involved in the wedding, 0:24:01.229,0:24:03.830 and then you have the onlookers. 0:24:03.830,0:24:09.039 You now, the people that watch the[br]parade go by, who aren't even involved. 0:24:09.039,0:24:15.451 What you have is you have virgins. 0:24:15.451,0:24:18.165 They're all virgins. 0:24:18.165,0:24:22.401 They're all dressed for a wedding. 0:24:22.410,0:24:25.641 They all have lamps. 0:24:25.651,0:24:30.352 You know what? On the outside they [br]all look pretty much the same. 0:24:30.352,0:24:32.942 That's why I think that.[br]That's one reason. 0:24:32.942,0:24:35.093 The second is this: 0:24:35.093,0:24:40.968 They're all waiting for the Bridegroom. 0:24:40.968,0:24:45.852 They're not Muslims, [br]who are denying the fact 0:24:45.852,0:24:51.202 that a bridegroom is [br]even coming, who is Christ. 0:24:51.202,0:24:53.504 They're all waiting for the Bridegroom. 0:24:53.504,0:25:00.385 The third thing here is you know[br]when He says in verses 11 and 12, 0:25:00.385,0:25:08.606 when those virgins,[br]the five foolish are shut out? 0:25:08.606,0:25:10.116 Listen to what's said: 0:25:10.116,0:25:13.988 Afterward the other [br]virgins came also, saying 0:25:13.988,0:25:17.878 ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ 0:25:17.878,0:25:24.568 But He answered,[br]‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 0:25:24.568,0:25:30.087 What does that sound a whole lot like? 0:25:30.087,0:25:33.190 Sounds like Matthew chapter 7. 0:25:33.190,0:25:35.038 And you know what you have there? 0:25:35.038,0:25:37.879 You have wise and foolish as well. 0:25:37.879,0:25:42.230 You have the wise who built their[br]house on a rock, and who are they? 0:25:42.230,0:25:45.076 They hear the word of God and do it. 0:25:45.076,0:25:47.746 Over against the fools.[br]What do they do? 0:25:47.746,0:25:51.519 They hear the Word and they don't do it. 0:25:51.519,0:25:55.842 Again, they're not the Muslim[br]who doesn't hear the Word. 0:25:55.842,0:25:58.372 These are people who sit [br]there under the preaching. 0:25:58.372,0:25:59.511 They have a Bible. 0:25:59.511,0:26:03.462 They hear what Christ says,[br]and they don't do it. 0:26:03.462,0:26:07.353 These are the people, who say:[br] 0:26:07.353,0:26:12.753 "Lord, Lord, we did many mighty works." 0:26:12.753,0:26:18.392 And He said: "I never knew you." 0:26:18.392,0:26:23.484 You see, it's the same terminology. 0:26:23.484,0:26:26.172 I believe that's what we have. 0:26:26.172,0:26:27.964 You know what? 0:26:27.964,0:26:34.925 This parable has to do with us. 0:26:34.925,0:26:40.015 This isn't us and them. 0:26:40.016,0:26:43.367 This is us. 0:26:43.367,0:26:46.034 This is you and me. 0:26:46.035,0:26:53.331 There is an us and them[br]right here within these walls. 0:26:53.331,0:26:59.507 There are the wise and [br]the foolish right here. 0:26:59.507,0:27:02.124 That's the picture. 0:27:02.124,0:27:05.108 We have the wise and the foolish. 0:27:05.108,0:27:07.309 And we wait. 0:27:07.309,0:27:08.437 That's the picture. 0:27:08.437,0:27:10.917 Waiting. 0:27:10.917,0:27:12.609 Notice verse 5: 0:27:12.609,0:27:16.676 The bridegroom was delayed. 0:27:16.676,0:27:17.882 That's what we're at. 0:27:17.882,0:27:20.276 The Bridegroom is not here. 0:27:20.276,0:27:22.363 We wait. 0:27:22.363,0:27:24.711 We are these virgins. 0:27:24.711,0:27:26.246 We are waiting. 0:27:26.246,0:27:28.138 Waiting. 0:27:28.138,0:27:29.390 What are we waiting for? 0:27:29.390,0:27:31.801 We are waiting for Him to come. 0:27:31.801,0:27:34.934 It hasn't happened as soon[br]as we might have expected. 0:27:34.934,0:27:40.231 Notice, down in the [br]next parable, in verse 19: 0:27:40.231,0:27:42.700 Now after a long time[br] 0:27:42.700,0:27:45.280 the master of those servants came... 0:27:45.280,0:27:47.743 There are places in our Bibles 0:27:47.743,0:27:51.713 where we get the idea [br]He's coming quickly, right? 0:27:51.713,0:27:56.913 He says it. "I'm coming quickly." 0:27:56.913,0:27:59.348 We don't want to say [br]there is a contradiction. 0:27:59.348,0:28:02.786 Here it says after a [br]long time, and delayed. 0:28:02.786,0:28:07.006 O, a day with the Lord... 0:28:07.006,0:28:11.152 Brethren, the time frame of our Lord[br] 0:28:11.152,0:28:13.602 is not always according to our time frame. 0:28:13.602,0:28:15.434 And what is quick and what is slow? 0:28:15.434,0:28:17.633 But we do get this idea. 0:28:17.633,0:28:18.884 After a long time. 0:28:18.884,0:28:21.286 2000 years is a long time. 0:28:21.286,0:28:24.273 But that may not be as long[br]as what a long time is. 0:28:24.273,0:28:26.966 It could be 10,000 years. 0:28:26.966,0:28:30.836 I don't know. You don't know. 0:28:30.836,0:28:32.536 It seems like in every generation, 0:28:32.536,0:28:34.876 there's been those who [br]expected Him to come 0:28:34.876,0:28:38.726 and those who expected [br]Him not to come. 0:28:38.726,0:28:40.265 It's the same now. 0:28:40.265,0:28:42.319 But we're waiting. 0:28:42.319,0:28:44.360 We're waiting. 0:28:44.360,0:28:49.727 There is a delay. 0:28:49.727,0:28:51.719 Now, notice this: 0:28:51.719,0:28:54.908 They sleep. 0:28:54.908,0:28:56.158 You see that in verse 5? 0:28:56.158,0:29:00.517 They all became drowsy and slept. 0:29:00.517,0:29:04.041 Look, I don't think we necessarily need[br] 0:29:04.041,0:29:06.761 to read anything negative into that. 0:29:06.761,0:29:08.553 It doesn't sound good. 0:29:08.553,0:29:14.131 When you hear these exhortations[br]to stay awake, stay awake, 0:29:14.131,0:29:16.850 watch, watch! 0:29:16.850,0:29:20.730 And then you see them fall asleep. 0:29:20.730,0:29:22.798 Here is the reason that I don't think 0:29:22.798,0:29:26.478 you want to read too much [br]into their falling asleep 0:29:26.478,0:29:32.058 is because even the [br]wise virgins fell asleep 0:29:32.058,0:29:38.598 and it didn't make them [br]any less ready to enter in 0:29:38.598,0:29:40.498 when the bridegroom came. 0:29:40.498,0:29:41.854 You see that? 0:29:41.854,0:29:44.704 They both did it. 0:29:44.704,0:29:50.561 I don't think the sleeping here[br]is the point of this parable. 0:29:50.561,0:29:52.646 Because they both do it. 0:29:52.646,0:29:55.043 It seems to be more like life is going on. 0:29:55.043,0:29:57.502 Remember how it was before?[br]As in the days of Noah? 0:29:57.502,0:29:59.994 You have marriage, and giving in marriage. 0:29:59.994,0:30:02.453 In the days of Lot, they [br]are buying and selling. 0:30:02.453,0:30:04.746 I think it's the same kind of thing. 0:30:04.746,0:30:07.548 You're getting this picture [br]of the wise and the foolish, 0:30:07.548,0:30:09.168 and they're doing the same thing. 0:30:09.168,0:30:10.566 They go to sleep. 0:30:10.566,0:30:14.147 I don't know that you want to read[br]anything specifically negative into it. 0:30:14.147,0:30:17.798 If there is anything foolish [br]about falling asleep here 0:30:17.798,0:30:23.318 it's going to sleep when you're [br]not ready for Christ to come. 0:30:23.318,0:30:25.766 That's the thing [br]that's foolish about this. 0:30:25.766,0:30:31.798 The difference between the wise[br]and the foolish is not the sleep. 0:30:31.798,0:30:34.093 They both do that. 0:30:34.093,0:30:37.071 You see what the difference is. 0:30:37.071,0:30:40.198 The difference between the wise[br]and the foolish is the oil. 0:30:40.198,0:30:43.770 One has reserves of oil [br]and the other does not. 0:30:43.770,0:30:47.039 Let's think about this oil for a second. 0:30:47.039,0:30:48.351 The oil. 0:30:48.351,0:30:51.020 What's represented by this oil? 0:30:51.020,0:30:53.300 We see it here, right? In 4: 0:30:53.300,0:31:01.852 The wise took flasks of [br]oil with their lamps. 0:31:01.852,0:31:03.747 Oil. 0:31:03.747,0:31:05.943 In verse 8:[br]The foolish said to the wise, 0:31:05.943,0:31:13.073 ‘Give us some of your oil,[br]for our lamps are going out.’ 0:31:13.073,0:31:15.103 The oil. 0:31:15.103,0:31:18.643 What is it? 0:31:18.643,0:31:21.114 I tell you this: 0:31:21.114,0:31:27.464 Those who go in to the [br]wedding feast have it. 0:31:27.464,0:31:32.005 And those who are shut out don't. 0:31:32.005,0:31:37.046 This is what makes the difference. 0:31:37.056,0:31:42.026 Beloved, 0:31:42.026,0:31:47.537 you do not want to get shut out. 0:31:47.537,0:31:49.857 You must have oil. 0:31:49.857,0:31:52.177 So, what is it? 0:31:52.178,0:31:59.008 The oil is what makes the lamp burn. 0:31:59.018,0:32:00.457 That you can see. 0:32:00.457,0:32:02.968 That's obvious. 0:32:02.968,0:32:07.478 Oil is essential if the [br]lamp is going to do 0:32:07.478,0:32:10.478 what the lamp ought to do. 0:32:10.478,0:32:14.720 Seems like the foolish [br]virgins and the wise virgins 0:32:14.720,0:32:19.220 initially had lamps that were burning. 0:32:19.220,0:32:24.065 I mean, notice how the foolish virgins say[br]what they say in verse 8: 0:32:24.065,0:32:32.332 ‘Give us some of your oil,[br]for our lamps are going out.’ 0:32:32.332,0:32:36.549 Sometimes when people [br]want to interpret this, 0:32:36.549,0:32:39.859 they almost paint the picture 0:32:39.859,0:32:44.929 that the lamps of the [br]foolish were never lit. 0:32:44.929,0:32:46.942 That's not the feeling that you get. 0:32:46.942,0:32:48.913 You know, the feeling that you get here, 0:32:48.913,0:32:52.065 is that all of their [br]lamps were lit in verse 1, 0:32:52.065,0:32:53.445 when they went out. 0:32:53.445,0:32:56.583 You see they were expecting -[br]and you can imagine this. 0:32:56.583,0:32:58.743 I mean, if you just think about this. 0:32:58.743,0:33:00.765 You think about a wedding like this. 0:33:00.765,0:33:06.386 If the groom and his groomsmen[br]are going to come over 0:33:06.386,0:33:08.146 and they're going to get these ladies[br] 0:33:08.146,0:33:10.116 and they're going to [br]parade through the street 0:33:10.116,0:33:13.436 and they're going to go back and actually[br]they have a ceremony and have a feast, 0:33:13.436,0:33:16.536 you'd probably like to do [br]it early in the evening. 0:33:16.536,0:33:19.118 You don't want to come at midnight. 0:33:19.118,0:33:21.942 Because if you come at midnight[br]by the time you get them 0:33:21.942,0:33:25.054 and then you go where you have to go[br]and now and then it might be 12.30, 0:33:25.054,0:33:28.054 one o'clock, and you get [br]there, and now what? 0:33:28.054,0:33:29.974 You gonna have a wedding and then,[br] 0:33:29.974,0:33:33.644 after that, when your feast is going on 0:33:33.644,0:33:36.267 at three, four, five [br]o'clock in the morning. 0:33:36.267,0:33:38.767 That's probably not [br]the ideal time to come. 0:33:38.767,0:33:41.507 It's probably expected when [br]you have weddings like this, 0:33:41.507,0:33:43.197 they're typically in early evening. 0:33:43.197,0:33:44.789 The bridegroom comes[br] 0:33:44.789,0:33:47.229 and that would be a fairly obvious time. 0:33:47.229,0:33:52.065 The kind of picture you get here[br]is they went out to meet him. 0:33:52.065,0:33:54.051 They're prepared then. 0:33:54.051,0:33:56.673 Right at the beginning it [br]seems like they are ready. 0:33:56.673,0:33:59.575 They have their lamps, it seems like[br]all their lamps are burning. 0:33:59.575,0:34:00.929 But you know what happens? 0:34:00.929,0:34:02.850 He doesn't come when they expect. 0:34:02.850,0:34:05.924 And so, by the time He does come,[br]at midnight, what do you get? 0:34:05.924,0:34:07.722 In verse 8? 0:34:07.722,0:34:10.490 ‘Our lamps are going out.’ 0:34:10.490,0:34:12.972 Not that they were never lit. 0:34:12.972,0:34:15.733 ‘Our lamps are going out.’ 0:34:15.733,0:34:17.544 What's the difference between them? 0:34:17.544,0:34:20.005 The reservoir. 0:34:20.013,0:34:22.895 The wise ones have flasks. 0:34:22.895,0:34:24.825 It means they have a reserve. 0:34:24.825,0:34:29.432 They have something to [br]keep filling their lamp with. 0:34:29.432,0:34:36.294 That's the picture that we get here. 0:34:36.294,0:34:41.383 There is something very implicit[br]to this whole parable. 0:34:41.383,0:34:43.535 And it's this: 0:34:43.535,0:34:46.800 If you are a virgin, 0:34:46.800,0:34:51.770 it is expected that you will [br]have a lamp that stays lit. 0:34:51.770,0:34:53.203 That's obvious. 0:34:53.203,0:34:56.659 Because when those virgins find[br]that their lamps are starting to go out, 0:34:56.659,0:34:59.586 rather than just saying:[br]O, well, there will be enough light, 0:34:59.586,0:35:01.637 your five have yours, so ours don't work, 0:35:01.637,0:35:04.167 we'll just leave them here [br]and we'll go on anyway. 0:35:04.167,0:35:06.168 You can tell, this was essential. 0:35:06.168,0:35:09.550 They recognized it was essential. 0:35:09.550,0:35:14.177 So, what did they do? 0:35:14.177,0:35:19.728 They start crying out:[br]Give us some of yours! 0:35:19.731,0:35:24.970 Suddenly the cry comes. 0:35:24.970,0:35:28.888 Bridegroom! 0:35:28.888,0:35:32.420 Uh oh... 0:35:32.420,0:35:36.998 We are not ready. 0:35:36.998,0:35:38.853 That's the idea. 0:35:38.853,0:35:40.991 Bridegroom's tarried, now He's here,[br] 0:35:40.991,0:35:44.441 foolish virgins realized [br]they are not ready. 0:35:44.441,0:35:47.021 Their oil is running dry. 0:35:47.021,0:35:49.722 Their lamps are going out. 0:35:49.722,0:35:54.511 We're told the oil must be purchased. 0:35:54.511,0:35:57.553 There is simply no time to go for it now. 0:35:57.553,0:35:59.270 It's too late. 0:35:59.270,0:36:04.827 It's too late! 0:36:04.827,0:36:06.813 Can you imagine? 0:36:06.813,0:36:12.813 Look, this is dealing with people[br]who profess to be Christians. 0:36:12.813,0:36:16.884 They think it's ok. 0:36:16.884,0:36:21.363 And suddenly, it's too late. 0:36:21.363,0:36:23.846 It's too late. 0:36:23.846,0:36:27.397 There is simply no time to go and buy. 0:36:27.401,0:36:29.394 The Lord is at hand. 0:36:29.394,0:36:31.614 What is this? 0:36:31.614,0:36:38.053 Some have said the oil [br]is the presence of God. 0:36:38.053,0:36:47.190 Some have said the [br]oil is the Spirit of God. 0:36:47.190,0:36:49.155 Some have said it's true wisdom. 0:36:49.155,0:36:50.245 Some sincerity. 0:36:50.245,0:36:54.197 Some the Word of God in our [br]hearts or its understanding. 0:36:54.197,0:36:59.389 Matthew Henry says the oil is grace. 0:36:59.389,0:37:01.259 Here is the thing: 0:37:01.259,0:37:04.629 If you really take... 0:37:04.629,0:37:06.459 If you really look at the parable, 0:37:06.459,0:37:09.129 and it seems like their lamps were lit[br] 0:37:09.129,0:37:12.389 and now they're going out. 0:37:12.389,0:37:14.689 I think you run into a lot of problems[br] 0:37:14.689,0:37:17.949 if you try to dissect this too closely. 0:37:17.949,0:37:20.880 I think one of the reasons that guys 0:37:20.880,0:37:23.300 are all over the place on what this is, 0:37:23.300,0:37:26.370 is because what it is is not essential[br] 0:37:26.370,0:37:30.260 to getting the drift of this parable. 0:37:30.260,0:37:34.042 Brethren, 0:37:34.042,0:37:37.921 I don't think oil is critical[br]to the primary message here. 0:37:37.921,0:37:43.076 The primary message that the Lord[br]wants to send you and me here, 0:37:43.076,0:37:49.446 when He gets to the end, verse 13,[br]He says this: 0:37:49.446,0:37:54.166 Watch therefore, for you know [br]neither the day nor the hour. 0:37:54.166,0:37:56.194 This has been the recurring theme. 0:37:56.194,0:37:58.990 As much as the second coming has hit us[br] 0:37:58.990,0:38:01.050 again and again and again and again. 0:38:01.050,0:38:04.166 If you jump right back[br]into the end of Matthew chapter 24, 0:38:04.166,0:38:07.604 look at what He keeps saying[br]about the second coming. 0:38:07.604,0:38:10.214 Verse 36 of chapter 24: 0:38:10.214,0:38:14.275 Concerning that day and hour no one knows. 0:38:14.275,0:38:15.402 Verse 39 0:38:15.402,0:38:20.246 They were unaware until the flood came[br]and swept them all away, 0:38:20.246,0:38:22.467 so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 0:38:22.467,0:38:23.635 Verse 42 0:38:23.635,0:38:28.574 Therefore, stay awake, [br]for you do not know... 0:38:28.574,0:38:30.424 What? 0:38:30.424,0:38:32.216 When! 0:38:32.216,0:38:36.483 You don't know on what [br]day your Lord is coming. 0:38:36.483,0:38:37.498 Verse 44 0:38:37.498,0:38:39.099 Therefore you must be ready, ... 0:38:39.099,0:38:39.919 Why? 0:38:39.919,0:38:43.240 ... for the Son of Man is coming[br]at an hour you do not expect. 0:38:43.240,0:38:45.342 You see the idea here is readiness. 0:38:45.342,0:38:47.590 Why? Because He is coming [br]when you don't know. 0:38:47.590,0:38:51.279 You're not gonna have time[br]to prepare when He comes. 0:38:51.279,0:38:54.620 You have to be ready now. 0:38:54.620,0:38:58.200 You do not know when [br]death is going to take you. 0:38:58.200,0:39:02.300 You do not know when [br]Christ is going to come. 0:39:02.300,0:39:03.911 You have to be ready now. 0:39:03.911,0:39:06.241 And it's possible to be [br]dressed like the virgin, 0:39:06.241,0:39:07.751 and have a lamp like a virgin, 0:39:07.751,0:39:10.288 and be waiting for the [br]Bridegroom like the virgin, 0:39:10.288,0:39:11.845 and to be where they are, 0:39:11.845,0:39:15.382 and to not be ready when that hour comes. 0:39:15.382,0:39:16.845 That is the issue. 0:39:16.845,0:39:18.520 It is being ready. 0:39:18.520,0:39:21.282 It is being ready! 0:39:21.282,0:39:22.324 Verse 50 0:39:22.324,0:39:25.574 The master of that servant [br]will come on a day[br] 0:39:25.574,0:39:27.474 when he does not expect him 0:39:27.474,0:39:30.804 and at an hour he does not know. 0:39:30.804,0:39:35.495 The primary issue about this parable[br]is not what the oil is. 0:39:35.495,0:39:37.826 It is, that whatever it is... 0:39:37.826,0:39:41.926 It is that which is essential [br]for you to be ready. 0:39:41.926,0:39:44.836 And those five foolish virgins 0:39:44.836,0:39:50.656 were not ready when the hour came. 0:39:50.656,0:39:54.856 They weren't ready. 0:39:54.856,0:39:58.086 You say, "but, I go to church." 0:39:58.086,0:40:00.426 So did they. 0:40:00.428,0:40:03.287 And they were not ready. 0:40:03.287,0:40:05.534 They weren't ready. 0:40:05.534,0:40:07.675 Why? Because they do not possess[br] 0:40:07.675,0:40:12.245 what must be possessed to be ready 0:40:12.245,0:40:15.675 when the Lord comes. 0:40:15.688,0:40:19.103 And here is the thing. 0:40:19.103,0:40:24.200 You see no evidence 0:40:24.200,0:40:28.110 that they are concerned about it 0:40:28.110,0:40:33.090 until it's too late. 0:40:33.090,0:40:43.088 That is not the right time[br]to figure out you're not ready. 0:40:43.088,0:40:49.781 Our Lord knows multitudes. 0:40:49.781,0:40:53.811 Multitudes fit this category. 0:40:53.811,0:40:56.831 This is why He warns us. 0:40:56.831,0:40:59.166 If you think:[br] 0:40:59.166,0:41:04.186 Well, it's not gonna happen to me. 0:41:04.186,0:41:08.561 What do you think it is[br]that makes a foolish virgin? 0:41:08.561,0:41:11.544 It's that kind of attitude right there. 0:41:11.544,0:41:16.174 Won't be me! 0:41:16.174,0:41:19.054 Not me! 0:41:19.054,0:41:23.875 That was why these five [br]virgins are so foolish. 0:41:23.875,0:41:24.857 What did they do? 0:41:24.857,0:41:27.695 They picked up their lamps, they rush off[br] 0:41:27.695,0:41:32.285 and they are not ready. 0:41:32.285,0:41:38.168 And then they slumber and fall asleep[br] 0:41:38.168,0:41:42.068 and they are not ready. 0:41:42.068,0:41:44.306 And when the Bridegroom comes[br] 0:41:44.306,0:41:46.136 and the cry rings forth, 0:41:46.136,0:41:47.956 suddenly they find they have no oil. 0:41:47.956,0:41:50.895 And they are not ready. 0:41:50.895,0:41:53.124 Not ready. 0:41:53.124,0:41:54.935 Not ready. 0:41:54.935,0:42:00.239 They never troubled themselves about[br]getting the oil and being ready. 0:42:00.239,0:42:04.309 You know what the trouble [br]with the foolish virgins is? 0:42:04.309,0:42:06.119 There they are. 0:42:06.119,0:42:12.599 They assume everything is ok. 0:42:12.599,0:42:14.629 Why? 0:42:14.629,0:42:18.611 Lord, Lord, ... 0:42:18.611,0:42:21.237 We did what your people do. 0:42:21.237,0:42:24.101 We did many mighty works. 0:42:24.101,0:42:26.311 We were prophesying [br]right along with them. 0:42:26.311,0:42:28.712 We were casting out demons [br]right along with them. 0:42:28.712,0:42:34.021 We heard the Word of God [br]right along with them. 0:42:34.021,0:42:36.854 He says, "I never knew you." 0:42:36.855,0:42:40.068 Why? They weren't ready. 0:42:40.068,0:42:41.643 They weren't ready. 0:42:41.643,0:42:44.145 Just taking everything for granted. 0:42:44.145,0:42:47.434 Their everlasting soul is at stake 0:42:47.434,0:42:51.554 and they're not making [br]certain they're secure. 0:42:51.554,0:42:54.043 When somebody would come along[br]in the church and say: 0:42:54.043,0:42:57.813 Brother, sister, test yourself![br]Are you sure? Are you sure? 0:42:57.813,0:43:01.155 They got aggravated. 0:43:01.155,0:43:04.073 They got upset. 0:43:04.073,0:43:07.486 They hated you holier-than-thous. 0:43:07.486,0:43:09.606 Don't press me with your strictness. 0:43:09.606,0:43:11.655 I have Christian liberty. 0:43:11.655,0:43:14.115 Don't tell me about what [br]music I do listen to, 0:43:14.115,0:43:15.795 I have Christian liberty. 0:43:15.795,0:43:18.214 Don't tell me about what [br]I'm doing with my life. 0:43:18.214,0:43:20.574 Don't tell me that you're [br]concerned that you see 0:43:20.574,0:43:22.557 I love the things of [br]the world too much. 0:43:22.557,0:43:23.756 Don't tell me that. 0:43:23.756,0:43:27.519 Don't tell me that I seem[br]too greedy or too possessed 0:43:27.519,0:43:29.959 by the things the world [br]is all obsessed with. 0:43:29.959,0:43:32.017 Don't tell me that. 0:43:32.017,0:43:34.507 You Christians are just too strict. 0:43:34.507,0:43:36.747 You people of Grace Community Church. 0:43:36.747,0:43:38.716 You people. 0:43:38.716,0:43:40.486 There's kind of a separation. 0:43:40.486,0:43:41.850 I don't like those people. 0:43:41.850,0:43:44.710 Because when they come around[br]they ask me those questions 0:43:44.710,0:43:46.413 and I don't like those questions. 0:43:46.413,0:43:48.148 Let me live my life. 0:43:48.148,0:43:49.360 I'm a Christian too. 0:43:49.360,0:43:52.289 And they get upset with that. 0:43:52.289,0:43:58.478 Their eternal soul is at stake. 0:43:58.478,0:44:00.008 They won't examine themselves. 0:44:00.008,0:44:02.514 They do not prove their own selves. 0:44:02.514,0:44:04.724 God's word says examine your own self[br] 0:44:04.724,0:44:06.142 whether you are in the faith. 0:44:06.142,0:44:07.530 But they don't want to do it. 0:44:07.530,0:44:09.630 And they hear messages [br]that cut to the heart 0:44:09.630,0:44:12.241 but they just say: No, it's [br]not me. Nope, it's not me. 0:44:12.241,0:44:15.000 Yeah, that makes me feel [br]uncomfortable, but that's not me. 0:44:15.000,0:44:16.476 Why is it not you? 0:44:16.476,0:44:20.282 Well because I made a decision and[br]I claim to be a believer in Jesus Christ. 0:44:20.282,0:44:23.692 Yeah, you're right there [br]along with the other virgins. 0:44:23.701,0:44:25.602 Whatever the oil is I'll tell you this: 0:44:25.602,0:44:29.243 It's what you have to have to enter in. 0:44:29.243,0:44:30.214 And you know what? 0:44:30.214,0:44:33.253 This book from one end to the other[br] 0:44:33.253,0:44:37.713 describes to us what God's [br]true people look like. 0:44:37.713,0:44:39.521 You know what they wouldn't do? 0:44:39.521,0:44:44.035 They wouldn't come and look [br]in the mirror of this book 0:44:44.035,0:44:47.035 and see if all is well. 0:44:47.035,0:44:48.894 They didn't want to go there. 0:44:48.894,0:44:52.805 Why? Because men [br]love to believe a lie. 0:44:52.805,0:44:55.616 What's one of the chief lies [br]they love to believe? 0:44:55.616,0:44:58.686 They have a form of godliness[br]but they deny the power thereof. 0:44:58.686,0:45:01.406 You see, they love to [br]have a form of godliness 0:45:01.406,0:45:04.176 that convinces them deceptively so 0:45:04.176,0:45:05.776 that they're going to heaven,[br] 0:45:05.776,0:45:07.196 but they have no power of it, 0:45:07.196,0:45:10.310 which means that they [br]live in the powerlessness 0:45:10.310,0:45:11.910 of the rest of the world. 0:45:11.910,0:45:13.570 They're controlled by their lust.[br] 0:45:13.570,0:45:16.054 They are slaves to sin, [br]they just go along. 0:45:16.054,0:45:18.299 But they have religion. 0:45:18.299,0:45:20.499 You see, they have [br]a religious appearance, 0:45:20.499,0:45:22.038 these five foolish virgins. 0:45:22.038,0:45:25.187 O, well, I go to church, [br]I do this, I do that... 0:45:25.187,0:45:27.680 Now, I'm not out there [br]with the carousing hordes. 0:45:27.680,0:45:29.610 I'm not a Muslim. I'm not a Hindu. 0:45:29.610,0:45:31.810 I don't do those things. 0:45:31.810,0:45:34.361 You see, that's what they [br]were saying in Matthew 7. 0:45:34.361,0:45:36.823 Lord, Lord, we did this, we did that. 0:45:36.823,0:45:41.011 And that's typically how [br]the five foolish virgins 0:45:41.011,0:45:43.311 just go on being so foolish. 0:45:43.311,0:45:46.492 That's just a checklist of some things[br]what they do or don't do. 0:45:46.492,0:45:48.571 But the reality's in the heart. 0:45:48.571,0:45:53.862 When you go look at Scripture,[br]you see fellowship. 0:45:53.862,0:45:58.212 You see Christ manifesting [br]Himself to His people. 0:45:58.212,0:46:01.198 You see that there is a [br]sweetness in the relationship. 0:46:01.198,0:46:06.485 You see people who are made[br]into praying men and women. 0:46:06.485,0:46:11.222 Men and women who become[br]controlled by the Spirit of God. 0:46:11.222,0:46:13.974 And they begin to love in ways[br]they never loved before. 0:46:13.974,0:46:15.615 From the heart. 0:46:15.615,0:46:17.805 They become these true Jews. 0:46:17.805,0:46:19.012 Something changes. 0:46:19.012,0:46:21.773 The life of God is in their soul. 0:46:21.773,0:46:24.314 Suddenly they're not like [br]those gentiles anymore. 0:46:24.314,0:46:26.734 They're new men, they're new creations. 0:46:26.734,0:46:28.416 Old things pass away. 0:46:28.416,0:46:32.164 Suddenly their eyes behold[br]the beauty in Christ, and they know it. 0:46:32.164,0:46:34.845 They can hear His voice in ways[br]they couldn't before. 0:46:34.845,0:46:35.805 And they know it. 0:46:35.805,0:46:36.715 And you know what? 0:46:36.715,0:46:40.756 The five foolish virgins get [br]around people that talk that way, 0:46:40.756,0:46:43.756 and they don't want to hear. 0:46:43.756,0:46:45.756 Holier-than-thou, that's what they are. 0:46:45.756,0:46:48.879 They're self-righteous. 0:46:48.879,0:46:51.407 I don't like people like that. 0:46:51.407,0:46:55.757 Why are they always talking [br]to me about my sin? 0:46:55.757,0:47:05.148 It seems like they look at [br]me just a certain way. 0:47:05.159,0:47:08.269 God gives us a love for the [br]brethren and I'll tell you this: 0:47:08.269,0:47:11.849 When you fall in love with Christ and[br]you haven't been in love with Christ, 0:47:11.849,0:47:15.399 and then, suddenly, you get around[br]other people that are in love with Him, 0:47:15.399,0:47:18.180 you tend to be able to pick up on that. 0:47:18.180,0:47:21.730 When you get around[br]people that are worldly... 0:47:21.730,0:47:26.524 Yeah, they're virgins,[br]they're sitting there in the church. 0:47:26.524,0:47:32.144 But you know you just... 0:47:32.144,0:47:36.653 You can sense there's no oil. 0:47:36.653,0:47:40.182 But they're heedless, they're thoughtless,[br]they don't examine themselves... 0:47:40.182,0:47:43.134 Someone might say to them:[br]Are you sure you're ready? 0:47:43.134,0:47:45.263 You're sure you have oil?[br]Examine yourself! 0:47:45.263,0:47:47.012 Be sure![br]Everything is at stake! 0:47:47.012,0:47:48.433 What happens? 0:47:48.433,0:47:51.454 Foolish virgins, they resent it. 0:47:51.463,0:47:53.023 They resent that. 0:47:53.023,0:47:55.482 They are uncomfortable. 0:47:55.482,0:47:57.863 I don't like to go where those people are. 0:47:57.863,0:48:02.324 They make me uncomfortable. 0:48:02.324,0:48:03.684 I'm afraid... 0:48:03.684,0:48:06.537 I mean, if you are in a place [br]where you are afraid 0:48:06.537,0:48:10.297 to be around the godliest people 0:48:10.297,0:48:12.435 that ought to tell you something. 0:48:12.435,0:48:15.054 And listen... 0:48:15.054,0:48:20.144 Jesus, at the end of this, says:[br]Watch! 0:48:20.144,0:48:23.676 Because you don't know when He's coming,[br] 0:48:23.676,0:48:26.046 watch therefore! 0:48:26.046,0:48:28.070 This isn't a picture. 0:48:28.070,0:48:30.451 You don't get the feeling [br]from this parable 0:48:30.451,0:48:32.751 that this is a picture of a man,[br] 0:48:32.751,0:48:35.381 who goes up on his rooftop, 0:48:35.381,0:48:38.581 and day and night stands [br]looking at the horizon 0:48:38.581,0:48:43.401 for when the sky is gonna break open. 0:48:43.401,0:48:48.468 You know what you're to watch? 0:48:48.468,0:48:55.070 The whole idea in watching[br] 0:48:55.070,0:49:00.380 is that you need to be ready. 0:49:00.380,0:49:05.658 You need to watch your walk, 0:49:05.658,0:49:10.188 watch your relationship, 0:49:10.188,0:49:13.328 watch the Scriptures. 0:49:13.328,0:49:15.118 Where are you at? 0:49:15.118,0:49:18.792 Watch that you be not deceived. 0:49:18.792,0:49:21.152 Watch! 0:49:21.152,0:49:25.850 If you show up at that wedding feast 0:49:25.850,0:49:28.180 and the door is shut, 0:49:28.180,0:49:30.604 do you recognize it is all over? 0:49:30.604,0:49:35.244 It is eternal loss.[br]You have lost everything. 0:49:35.244,0:49:39.410 My brothers and sisters, 0:49:39.410,0:49:44.070 this eschatology that's out there [br]that wants to teach you 0:49:44.070,0:49:47.950 that there is going to be a rapture first,[br]and then you can get things right, 0:49:47.950,0:49:50.463 then there is going to be [br]a seven year tribulation, 0:49:50.463,0:49:51.973 and you can get things right, 0:49:51.973,0:49:55.503 and then Jesus Christ is going to return[br]and set up His 1000 year kingdom, 0:49:55.503,0:49:59.273 and then you can get things right...[br]That is a lie. 0:49:59.273,0:50:02.616 This tells you in no uncertain terms: 0:50:02.616,0:50:06.595 When Jesus Christ comes it's over. 0:50:06.595,0:50:10.240 That door is shut and if you [br]are on the wrong side of it 0:50:10.240,0:50:14.657 there is no seven year [br]tribulation to get it right. 0:50:14.657,0:50:17.137 You're undone. 0:50:17.137,0:50:21.928 You are undone forever. 0:50:21.928,0:50:29.068 Brethren, regeneration is real. 0:50:29.068,0:50:34.199 It is real. 0:50:34.199,0:50:39.724 Listen, they had to buy the oil,[br] 0:50:39.724,0:50:50.934 and Jesus says: you buy [br]from Me without price. 0:50:50.934,0:50:58.970 There is a time in [br]every true virgin's life 0:50:58.970,0:51:04.430 where bankrupt they come to Christ. 0:51:04.430,0:51:06.873 They must do business with Him,[br] 0:51:06.873,0:51:11.563 but they have nothing in their hand. 0:51:11.563,0:51:15.382 Lord, I don't have anything but my sin. 0:51:15.382,0:51:25.843 Lord, I've botched this thing [br]from the beginning. 0:51:25.845,0:51:28.024 I can't do this. 0:51:28.024,0:51:32.308 I don't have the power. 0:51:32.308,0:51:37.208 Lord, my sin is going to sink me[br] 0:51:37.208,0:51:39.098 into the depths of hell. 0:51:39.098,0:51:41.518 I can't do a thing about it. 0:51:41.526,0:51:44.414 If I run to Sinai, it condemns me. 0:51:44.414,0:51:47.989 If I try I find my best [br]works are just filth. 0:51:47.989,0:51:52.209 I can't do it. 0:51:52.209,0:51:54.378 Lord, help me! 0:51:54.378,0:51:56.609 Lord, save me! 0:51:56.609,0:51:59.513 And you know what Scripture says? 0:51:59.513,0:52:06.111 That justifying faith [br]is always accompanied 0:52:06.111,0:52:13.841 by a change of life, new creation. 0:52:13.841,0:52:20.968 The old things pass away. 0:52:20.968,0:52:24.691 Brethren, those are the indicators[br] 0:52:24.691,0:52:28.551 that we possess that oil. 0:52:28.551,0:52:30.682 All those things that the men[br] 0:52:30.682,0:52:32.912 historically have thought it means, 0:52:32.912,0:52:35.762 all those things are real[br] 0:52:35.762,0:52:37.222 if you're a true virgin. 0:52:37.222,0:52:38.693 You have the Spirit, 0:52:38.693,0:52:41.074 you have the presence of God, 0:52:41.074,0:52:42.892 you have an anointing, 0:52:42.892,0:52:45.085 you have an understanding, 0:52:45.085,0:52:48.493 you have a wisdom, 0:52:48.493,0:52:50.802 your eyes are made open, 0:52:50.802,0:52:53.633 you have grace. 0:52:53.633,0:52:56.374 All of those things are true. 0:52:56.374,0:53:01.525 Brethren, this book [br]describes true Christianity. 0:53:01.525,0:53:05.875 If you look and there are questions, 0:53:05.875,0:53:10.025 look, there is one place to go: 0:53:10.025,0:53:15.225 Always and only: To Christ. 0:53:15.225,0:53:16.872 If there's questions, 0:53:16.872,0:53:18.969 if there's doubts, 0:53:18.969,0:53:20.726 if you need help, 0:53:20.726,0:53:23.386 if you are uncertain: 0:53:23.386,0:53:25.448 It's to Christ. 0:53:25.448,0:53:28.983 You flee to Christ. 0:53:28.990,0:53:32.998 I was just hearing yesterday Spurgeon. 0:53:32.998,0:53:35.528 You might think: Oh, I wish I could have[br] 0:53:35.528,0:53:39.008 the kind of assurance such a one as him. 0:53:39.008,0:53:40.749 In the middle of his ministry 0:53:40.749,0:53:43.749 being used tremendously [br]he got so discouraged 0:53:43.749,0:53:45.679 and began to doubt where he was,[br] 0:53:45.679,0:53:47.120 even if he was saved, 0:53:47.120,0:53:48.820 if he was called to the ministry. 0:53:48.820,0:53:50.189 He couldn't go on. 0:53:50.189,0:53:52.079 He couldn't preach. 0:53:52.079,0:53:53.210 He just left. 0:53:53.210,0:53:55.971 Somebody else had to fill the pulpit. 0:53:55.974,0:53:58.689 He left to go out to the [br]country and to the fresh air. 0:53:58.689,0:54:03.482 He went to Essex to where he was from. 0:54:03.482,0:54:06.932 He's quietly crept in, [br]little baptist church, 0:54:06.932,0:54:08.962 sat in the back row. 0:54:08.962,0:54:11.644 Nobody knew he was there. 0:54:11.652,0:54:13.531 You know what he heard? 0:54:13.531,0:54:16.994 He heard this little country preacher[br] 0:54:16.994,0:54:23.534 preach one of his sermons. 0:54:23.534,0:54:29.685 As he heard his own sermon being preached, 0:54:29.685,0:54:32.553 it was just... It was Christ. 0:54:32.553,0:54:35.943 It was Christ. 0:54:35.943,0:54:37.936 His hope was there. 0:54:37.936,0:54:41.505 He came up to that preacher afterwards. 0:54:41.505,0:54:43.832 The man saw him, you know, 0:54:43.832,0:54:47.376 he was embarrassed. 0:54:47.376,0:54:49.216 Just hung his head. 0:54:49.216,0:54:52.686 Just plagiarized his sermon. 0:54:52.696,0:54:54.906 Spurgeon didn't care. 0:54:54.906,0:54:56.855 He just rejoiced. 0:54:56.855,0:55:00.106 He rejoiced. 0:55:00.106,0:55:02.393 He said as he sat there just hearing - 0:55:02.393,0:55:04.253 I don't know if he even recognized 0:55:04.253,0:55:07.503 it was his own sermon [br]till the guy said it, 0:55:07.503,0:55:14.158 but, I'd hardly know one of [br]mine from the past. 0:55:14.158,0:55:16.228 But it was Christ. 0:55:16.228,0:55:18.109 It was all Christ. 0:55:18.109,0:55:22.334 He saw it: My only hope is there. 0:55:22.334,0:55:26.820 He saw it in the simple man's words,[br]in his own message. 0:55:26.820,0:55:32.150 Brethren, that's it! 0:55:32.150,0:55:35.010 I'll tell you, whatever the oil is: 0:55:35.010,0:55:36.822 If you're clinging to Christ 0:55:36.822,0:55:40.242 and your hope is there, you have it. 0:55:40.242,0:55:48.306 Your only hope there. 0:55:48.306,0:55:50.882 There is finality coming. 0:55:50.882,0:55:55.692 The door is going to be shut, 0:55:55.692,0:56:01.803 and if you're on the wrong side, 0:56:01.803,0:56:06.643 that's not the time to get [br]concerned you have no oil. 0:56:06.643,0:56:09.305 It's too late. 0:56:09.305,0:56:11.073 It's too late. 0:56:11.073,0:56:17.115 Today Jesus Christ says: It's free. 0:56:17.124,0:56:18.558 Come, get it. 0:56:18.558,0:56:26.035 Come to Me and you can have it. 0:56:26.035,0:56:34.179 I think regularly about sinners in hell. 0:56:34.179,0:56:42.000 They just walked everyday past that door,[br] 0:56:42.000,0:56:47.490 and it was wide open. 0:56:47.490,0:56:51.926 It is open. 0:56:51.926,0:56:55.948 Can you imagine men's and [br]women's souls are at stake 0:56:55.948,0:57:00.318 and they count that [br]door so light a matter? 0:57:00.318,0:57:04.608 But when it shuts... 0:57:04.608,0:57:09.901 So what if they give all [br]their attention to it then? 0:57:09.901,0:57:12.260 It's too late. 0:57:12.260,0:57:17.936 It's too late. 0:57:17.936,0:57:21.546 Father, I pray: 0:57:21.546,0:57:33.352 Awake, awaken the fools! 0:57:33.352,0:57:37.366 Awaken them, Lord! 0:57:37.366,0:57:43.414 Even so, come Lord Jesus! 0:57:43.414,0:57:44.664 Amen.