Matthew 25:1-13
Today's Passage: Matthew 25:1–13
Eschatology is the study of the “End Times.” God’s grand narrative began with “Let there be light...” The end of the story will be an eternal dwelling in the New Creation for all those who have been saved. However, there are some events that the Bible records that remain future for us today. Some of the particulars of those events are debated among Bible-believing, godly, Christians. One of those things that’s not up for debate is in view in today’s parable of the 10 virgins.
Since our parable directly connects with Matthew 24 concerning the return of Christ, lets remind ourselves of some of yesterday’s reading:
Since we’ve never experienced a 1st Century Jewish wedding, here’s some context for that as well:
“Some background information concerning weddings in the ancient Near East is helpful in understanding this parable. First, the parents arranged the marriage with the consent of the bride and groom. Second, the couple passed an engagement period of many months in which it would become clear, hopefully, that the bride was a virgin. Third, on the day of the wedding the groom would go to the bride’s house to claim his bride from her parents. Friends of his would accompany him. Fourth, the marriage ceremony would take place at the bride’s home. Fifth, on the evening of the day of the wedding the groom would take his bride home. This involved a nighttime procession through the streets. Sixth, the bride and groom would consummate their marriage at the groom’s home the night of the wedding ceremony. Seventh, there would be a banquet that would often last as long as seven days. This often took place at the groom’s home.
The scene in this parable is at night as the bride’s friends wait to welcome the couple and to enter the groom’s house where the banquet would begin shortly. All ten of the virgins knew that the groom’s appearing would be soon.” (Constable’s Notes, netbible.org)
We’re presently in a season celebrating Jesus’ first Advent (meaning “coming” or “arrival”) with Christmas. The parable of the 10 virgins provides a reminder of who one should wait for Jesus’ second Advent.
I have my personal End Times beliefs of how all this will happen that aren’t necessarily the same as others (and that’s ok). What we can all agree on is that Jesus will return one day in power and glory—he will return physically, and suddenly. His sudden appearance is the Doctrine of Imminency—that Jesus can return at any moment without warning.
The parable of the 10 virgins is about readiness in our waiting. If Jesus returned in the next 30-seconds, would you be ready? Has anything been left unsaid, undone, unconfessed, or unprepared? Although there may be certain meanings in the parable based on your Eschatological beliefs, here is the warning of the passage for us, don’t get caught unprepared!
Written By: Tyler Short
Eschatology is the study of the “End Times.” God’s grand narrative began with “Let there be light...” The end of the story will be an eternal dwelling in the New Creation for all those who have been saved. However, there are some events that the Bible records that remain future for us today. Some of the particulars of those events are debated among Bible-believing, godly, Christians. One of those things that’s not up for debate is in view in today’s parable of the 10 virgins.
Since our parable directly connects with Matthew 24 concerning the return of Christ, lets remind ourselves of some of yesterday’s reading:
9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death…12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come…
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days …(30)will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory…
36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
Since we’ve never experienced a 1st Century Jewish wedding, here’s some context for that as well:
“Some background information concerning weddings in the ancient Near East is helpful in understanding this parable. First, the parents arranged the marriage with the consent of the bride and groom. Second, the couple passed an engagement period of many months in which it would become clear, hopefully, that the bride was a virgin. Third, on the day of the wedding the groom would go to the bride’s house to claim his bride from her parents. Friends of his would accompany him. Fourth, the marriage ceremony would take place at the bride’s home. Fifth, on the evening of the day of the wedding the groom would take his bride home. This involved a nighttime procession through the streets. Sixth, the bride and groom would consummate their marriage at the groom’s home the night of the wedding ceremony. Seventh, there would be a banquet that would often last as long as seven days. This often took place at the groom’s home.
The scene in this parable is at night as the bride’s friends wait to welcome the couple and to enter the groom’s house where the banquet would begin shortly. All ten of the virgins knew that the groom’s appearing would be soon.” (Constable’s Notes, netbible.org)
We’re presently in a season celebrating Jesus’ first Advent (meaning “coming” or “arrival”) with Christmas. The parable of the 10 virgins provides a reminder of who one should wait for Jesus’ second Advent.
I have my personal End Times beliefs of how all this will happen that aren’t necessarily the same as others (and that’s ok). What we can all agree on is that Jesus will return one day in power and glory—he will return physically, and suddenly. His sudden appearance is the Doctrine of Imminency—that Jesus can return at any moment without warning.
The parable of the 10 virgins is about readiness in our waiting. If Jesus returned in the next 30-seconds, would you be ready? Has anything been left unsaid, undone, unconfessed, or unprepared? Although there may be certain meanings in the parable based on your Eschatological beliefs, here is the warning of the passage for us, don’t get caught unprepared!
Written By: Tyler Short
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