The Kingdom of God (8)
By Grace Eli
This study was first taught on December 18, 2012
Topic: The Kingdom of God (8): The Parable of the Ten Virgins
No audio available for this study.Background
Last week, we studied the Parable of the Talents as likened to the kingdom of God. (Matthew 25:14-30). We noted that the central message of this parable is to remind all Christians that God will require an accountability of the spiritual gifts, talents, calling and grace upon the life of every believer. We saw that God is the Giver of gifts and talents to all His children, and He distributes them severally as He wills, according to the grace or capacity that He has given to each one, and also, He gives the gifts according to the heavenly assignment that He has given to each one to perform. We established that the reason why God gives gifts/talents to believers is to help them do the work of ministry; to make profit for the kingdom of God by bringing in many souls into it; and to glorify His Name. We also saw from the story of the parable, that the servants who doubled the talents that were given to them were commended by their Master to be good and faithful servants; judged to be good and faithful over a few things; promoted to be rulers over many things; and, were given access into the joy of their Lord! We said therefore, that it follows that all who will make it into the kingdom of heaven are expected to employ their God-given talents and special abilities to make profit for the kingdom: Whereas, the servant who refused to work with his one talent, but went to bury it, was judged to be lazy, wicked and slothful. He was seen as a waster and destroyer because he did not add value to His Master’s investment in His care, even though he was given the ability to do so. We said therefore that God expects returns on His investment in all His Children. To this end, every child of God has been given at least, one gift to profit the work of the kingdom, and, all our gifts working together as the body of Christ is to bring glory to God, the owner of the gifts and talents. No child of God is permitted to be slothful in the business of the kingdom; rather, we are to be kingdom-minded and work hard to please God Who has graciously called, redeemed, equipped, and empowered us to go into all the earth and make disciples of all nations in His Name.
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 25:1-13
Today, we continue with our studies of the parables of the kingdom of God (Heaven), as we examine the Parable of the Ten Virgins. We pray the Lord to give understanding of the true meaning of this parable, as it relates to each one of us, as Christians, who are waiting for the return of their Lord, in Jesus Name, Amen.
Matthew 13:47; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 John 3:2-3; Ephesians 5:32, 23-27; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23; John 8:12; Matthew 5:14; Acts 10:38; Hebrews 9:14; John 3:34; Zechariah 4:6b; John 14:16-17; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Timothy 4:13,16; Ephesians 5:17a; Mark 13:32-36; Luke 12:35-40; 21:34-36; 2 Peter 3:1-18.
Conclusion
This parable specifically addresses Christians who believe they are earnestly preparing themselves for marriage to Christ, the Bridegroom and the Head of the Church, at His re-appearing. Such Christians are they who are referred to in this parable, as ‘virgins’, which implies that they are holy and undefiled. But as the parables goes, we sadly observe that only five of these virgins were said to be wise, while the other five were said to be foolish. The wise virgins were commended and taken into the Wedding because they were ready, and had taken extra oil in their vessels for their lamps which were bright and burning at the appearing of the Bridegroom; whereas, the foolish virgins had taken no extra oil for their lamps which were going out at the time. And by the time that the foolish virgins had returned from the search for oil for their lamps, it was already too late! The other five wise virgins had gone in with the Lord and the door was tightly shut, locking the foolish virgins out of the long-awaited wedding!
The implication for the Christian today is to learn from the costly mistake of the unpreparedness of the foolish virgins when it mattered the most. There are many believers who started off being fervent and on fire for the Lord, but due to persecution, challenges of daily living, and spiritual dryness, they have gradually become lukewarm, cold and non-sacrificial in their commitment to Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. Many Christians today are too busy with their personal concerns. They are not watching and praying; not labouring in the word and doctrine; not having fellowship or drawing strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit; not to mention increasing in their knowledge of God. So, our churches are populated with Christians whose spiritual lives are shallow and complacent, and who are ignorant of what the will of God is concerning them. We see Christians today who are dependent on the anointing of another man for all their spiritual needs. This should not be so. You need to have your own oil and extra in your vessel for whenever it shall be needed. You need to have your own personal vibrant relationship with God, His Word, and the Holy Spirit, if you will make it to the end. You cannot borrow another man’s anointing (oil), experience, or relationship with God. The Bible tells the believer in Christ to labour in word and doctrine, to be sober and watchful, equipped and prepared at all times, listening for the cry of the return of the Lord, which can come at any time. When the trumpet of God shall sound, there will be no room for last minute Christianity! Last minute seriousness with bible study, prayer and fasting, night vigils, evangelism, etc for the purpose of meeting with the Bridegroom, will be far too late! The extra oil which represents the oil of the Holy Spirit that makes our lamps to burn bright is what was lacking in the foolish virgins. Though all the ten virgins slept while waiting long for the Bridegroom to appear, when the shout of the Bridegroom sounded, because the foolish ones had nothing stored up in them for emergency, their lamps went out, they were caught unawares and couldn’t go in to the wedding, but went about last minute in search of oil. This is what will happen to anyone who professes to be waiting for the return of the Lord, but will do nothing to get himself or herself ready to meet with Him. It is not in our interest as Christians, who expect to take part in the wedding of the Lord to be unprepared, complacent, planless, do the right things at the wrong time, and live our lives like people who do not know the will of God. Let us repent before the Lord, gird our loins, get extra oil in our vessels, and make sure that our lamps are burning bright and will remain so until we meet with the Bridegroom on the Last Day.
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