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Matthew 25:1.
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Then the kingdom of heaven
will be like ten virgins
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who took their lamps and
went to meet the bridegroom.
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Five of them were foolish,
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and five were wise.
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For when the foolish took their lamps,
they took no oil with them,
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but the wise took flasks
of oil with their lamps.
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As the bridegroom was delayed,
they all became drowsy and slept.
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But at midnight there was a cry:
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Here is the bridegroom!
Come out to meet him.
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Then all those virgins rose
and trimmed their lamps.
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And the foolish said to the wise:
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Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.
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But the wise answered, saying:
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Since there will not be enough
for us and for you,
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go rather to the dealers
and buy for yourselves.
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And while they were going to buy,
the bridegroom came,
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and those who were ready went in
with him to the marriage feast,
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and the door was shut.
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Afterward the other virgins came also,
saying: Lord, Lord, open to us.
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But he answered:
Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.
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Watch therefore, for you know
neither the day nor the hour.
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We are studying the end times.
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And as I said to you from the beginning,
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I don't want to go into the difficulties
of Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel.
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I wanted to look at concepts, at texts,
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passages of God's Word,
that show us very plainly
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about who the true people of God are,
who the true Israel is,
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about what the end looks like.
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Not in the difficult
passages of prophecy,
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apocalyptic texts,
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very difficult and shrouded prophecies
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which historically the best
Bible scholars have wrestled with.
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But I wanted to just take us to
the plain teachings of our Lord.
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And I know there are some things
that our Lord says that are not so plain.
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But I wanted to look at some
of the things that are plain.
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Him, His apostles, what they
have to say, just the plain words.
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Brethren, the only safe method
for interpreting your Bibles
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is always to start with the
plainest teaching on a subject.
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Always.
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Not to run to the most difficult first,
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but the most
straightforward teaching first.
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I believe that what
we have in Matthew 25 -
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I will not argue with you if you say:
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Wait, Matthew 24 has some things
that are difficult to figure out.
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Yes, yes. And I hope to get there.
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But that's not where I want to start.
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I want to bypass 24, I want to go to 25.
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Because I want you to see some clear,
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very clear teaching here
about the end times.
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We have the parable of the ten virgins,
verses 1 through 13,
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the parable of the talents,
verses 14 through 30,
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and then we have a picture of Jesus Christ
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coming in the final judgment,
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dividing like a shepherd divides
the sheep from the goats.
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This chapter can be naturally
broken up into three sections.
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I hope to deal with one today,
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and, Lord willing, the next two
in the next two weeks.
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What all three of these deal with,
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all three deal with the same thing.
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They are all three pictures
of the coming of Jesus Christ.
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You say: How do you know that?
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Well, just for starters,
I want you to see something.
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Look at verse 10.
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While they were going to buy,
the bridegroom came...
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You can see that there.
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Look in 19.
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Now after a long time the master
of those servants came.
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Verse 31
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When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
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and all the angels with Him,
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then he will sit on His glorious throne.
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All three deal with His coming.
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Now, this is a parable.
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This is a parable.
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What is a parable?
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Let's break it up into
its component parts.
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"Para" - Anybody know what this prefix is?
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Alongside.
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"-ble"
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"para-ble"
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I know it's a "b-l-e",
but it's abbreviated.
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You may have heard
the word "παραβολή".
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What is the "bal"?
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What does "bal" mean?
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It means to throw.
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We think of bowling.
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You know in cricket,
they don't call the guy
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that launches the
ball a pitcher, like we do.
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In cricket it is a bowler.
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Bowling is to throw.
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And so, what is a parable?
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It means: to throw alongside.
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What a parable is,
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is when I'm trying to teach on something,
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I take a story, an illustration,
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and I throw it alongside that teaching.
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Why? What's the purpose there?
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What's my objective?
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Well, the objective is this:
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The objective is: I'm trying to teach
you about the second coming,
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spiritual truths that you
are not familiar with,
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and so I want to help you.
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This is what Jesus does.
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I want to help you and
so I throw alongside...
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That's parable: alongside, throw.
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You throw alongside that truth a story.
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That's what parables are.
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They are stories that are thrown
alongside some spiritual truth.
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And what they do, is:
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They are typically a story
of something physical,
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that we are familiar with,
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that is going to help us to
understand this spiritual truth
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that we are not so familiar with.
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That's what it's all about. A parable.
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The very nature of a parable
is that it has to be interpreted.
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If you don't have the interpretation,
it doesn't help.
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Now, I think, the truth is,
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with a lot of parables,
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the meaning is pretty obvious.
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In some of them they're not so obvious.
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I mean, we might wish
that our Lord had come along
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and interpreted every
single parable for us,
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just like He does some of them.
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But I think the reason that He does
some of them for us and not all of them
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is to show us in the ones
that He does interpret
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how we ought to be
interpreting these things.
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He gives us some
examples of interpretation.
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And without the interpretation,
these things don't help us.
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You know, the disciples,
you remember them?
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They would hear His parables,
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and then when they
would go home they'd say:
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Lord, explain to us what that meant.
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And He would say things like:
Well, the field is the world.
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The one who casts seed is the Son of Man.
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You see you have to know
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what they really mean for it to help you.
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You can't just let it stay
in the realm of allegory.
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We have to pull the true meaning out.
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Well, Jesus doesn't specifically
interpret this one for us,
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so we need to decipher the meaning.
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We need to look at this.
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That's what I want to do.
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But before we get into actually
trying to see what things signify here,
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let's just think about
the parable as it is.
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Let's think about the story itself,
the illustration.
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What do you have?
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I mean... this is a wedding.
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Is that clear to everybody?
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If it's not clear to you, you just have
to notice there is a bridegroom.
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Anytime we talk about a groom,
we're talking about a wedding.
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And it's not too mysterious.
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You get down to verse 10,
you get a marriage feast.
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Obviously this is a marriage ceremony.
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Now, the idea with the parable is
to take something that is common to us
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and throw it alongside a spiritual
truth not so common to us.
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We would all have to admit this:
Whatever is happening here,
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this is a form of ceremony
that we are not so familiar with.
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Jesus wasn't speaking directly to us.
He is speaking to us,
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but He was directly speaking to His
Jewish disciples 2000 years ago.
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Now, even if we go to the Middle East,
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even if we were to ask some of the folks
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that have observed weddings
like, say, in India.
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You might ask the Dees',
what are weddings like over there.
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You know when you go to other countries,
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you go to other times in history,
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weddings have not always been
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just perfectly according to our
American 21st century model.
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I mean, we know what a typical
wedding should look like.
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But you get a lot of the same components.
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You've got virgins there,
that's basically the bridesmaids.
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This is not a wedding tradition
that we are familiar with so much,
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but you know,
it's not a whole lot different.
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Let me tell you basically what happens,
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you can kind of glean this
from the parable itself.
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What you had, and if you look at this
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and you just search out historically,
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you can find and in fact they
may do this still in other countries.
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But you can find that what would happen is
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you would have the groom,
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and he would have
his groomsmen with him.
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And they would go to the home of the bride
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and the bride is waiting there
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with her bridesmaids, the virgins.
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And he would go there with his entourage
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and show up at her door.
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And the bridesmaids would have lamps.
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They would do this typically
after dark in the evening.
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I mean he might take off
when it was still light
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but the whole objective is
they would parade through the streets.
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They go get all the ladies
from the bride's house
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and then they would
parade through the streets,
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all the ladies having their lamps
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and they would go to
where the actual marriage
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was going to take place,
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where the vows would happen,
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actually a lot of times where the
consummation would take place,
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right at the father's house.
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And then there would
be this marriage feast
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and sometimes this feast went on for days.
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That's the basic picture that you have.
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You'll notice this:
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There is no bride mentioned.
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It's not necessary.
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I'll say more about that in a second.
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Another thing you want to notice is:
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We have eleven individuals
specifically named in this parable.
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We have eleven and only eleven.
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And they all fit into
one of three categories:
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You have the bridegroom,
he is in a class by himself.
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And then you have a second category:
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Five wise virgins.
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The third category: Five foolish.
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It's just a basic overlay
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of what we are dealing with
here in the parable.
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So let's think about the interpretation.
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Look, the overarching
theme of this parable
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is the second coming of Jesus Christ.
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Nobody should be in
doubt about that at all.
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Brethren, would you please just let
your eyes drift back into chapter 24.
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Let's just hit this rapid fire.
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Matthew 24:37
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As were the days of Noah,
so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
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Any question what's
being dealt with there?
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Not at all. The coming of the Son of Man.
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Look at verses 38, 39.
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For as in those days before the flood
they were eating and drinking,
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marrying and giving in marriage,
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until the day when
Noah entered the ark, ...
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You may remember we
dealt with these verses
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from Luke's gospel last week.
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... and they were unaware until the
flood came and swept them all away,
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so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
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This is about the second coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Verse 42
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Therefore, stay awake,
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for you do not know on what
day your Lord is coming.
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Any doubts there?
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We're dealing about the Lord's coming.
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Verse 44
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Therefore you also must be ready,
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for the Son of Man is coming at
an hour you do not expect.
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It's the coming of the Son of Men.
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Verse 46
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Blessed is that servant whom His master
will find so doing when He comes.
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Verse 50
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... the master of that
servant will come ...
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00:15:21,207 --> 00:15:24,324
You see this is about
the coming of Christ.
249
00:15:24,324 --> 00:15:26,613
... come on a day when
he does not expect Him
250
00:15:26,613 --> 00:15:28,373
and at an hour he does not know ...
251
00:15:28,373 --> 00:15:31,256
And you know what:
There is no chapter break
252
00:15:31,256 --> 00:15:34,866
between chapters 24
and 25 in the original.
253
00:15:34,866 --> 00:15:36,459
There is no chapter break there.
254
00:15:36,459 --> 00:15:38,188
This is the same discourse.
255
00:15:38,188 --> 00:15:41,277
Our Lord immediately
goes into this parable.
256
00:15:41,277 --> 00:15:44,189
And He talks about when
the bridegroom comes.
257
00:15:44,189 --> 00:15:46,602
And then you have the
parable of the talents.
258
00:15:46,602 --> 00:15:49,030
And He talks about the
master of those servants
259
00:15:49,030 --> 00:15:51,020
is going to come and settle accounts.
260
00:15:51,020 --> 00:15:54,648
And then you have
this glorious final picture
261
00:15:54,648 --> 00:15:58,228
of this last judgment there in verse 31.
262
00:15:58,228 --> 00:16:01,490
When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
and all the angels with Him,
263
00:16:01,490 --> 00:16:03,011
Brethren, there is no question,
264
00:16:03,011 --> 00:16:05,791
we are dealing with the
second coming of Jesus Christ.
265
00:16:05,791 --> 00:16:07,951
And so, here is the thing,
266
00:16:07,951 --> 00:16:11,171
here is what this ought
to make obvious to us.
267
00:16:11,171 --> 00:16:13,202
Since it's crystal clear that the parable
268
00:16:13,202 --> 00:16:15,842
is dealing with the
second coming of Christ,
269
00:16:15,842 --> 00:16:20,016
and since the one who
comes in our parable,
270
00:16:20,016 --> 00:16:24,936
verse 10, is the bridegroom,
271
00:16:24,936 --> 00:16:28,214
it ought to be really clear to all of us
272
00:16:28,214 --> 00:16:31,724
that the bridegroom is Christ.
273
00:16:31,724 --> 00:16:34,345
I know this is very simple,
274
00:16:34,345 --> 00:16:40,005
but this is how you want to
go about interpreting Scripture.
275
00:16:40,005 --> 00:16:41,465
It's obvious.
276
00:16:41,465 --> 00:16:42,885
Yes.
277
00:16:42,885 --> 00:16:46,681
The bridegroom is Christ.
278
00:16:46,681 --> 00:16:51,526
The bridegroom is the Lord.
279
00:16:51,526 --> 00:16:55,026
Brethren, don't you love the imagery?
280
00:16:55,026 --> 00:16:56,756
Because, here is the thing.
281
00:16:56,756 --> 00:17:02,437
We get different pictures
of this second coming.
282
00:17:02,437 --> 00:17:04,867
Remember last week, just like you saw
283
00:17:04,867 --> 00:17:06,917
there at the end of chapter 24.
284
00:17:06,917 --> 00:17:13,718
It's like it was in days of Noah and Lot.
285
00:17:13,718 --> 00:17:15,162
It's a time of judgment.
286
00:17:15,162 --> 00:17:16,571
He is going to come
287
00:17:16,571 --> 00:17:18,981
and destruction is going
to fall upon people
288
00:17:18,981 --> 00:17:20,981
when they don't expect it.
289
00:17:20,981 --> 00:17:23,270
When you look at
the parable of the talents,
290
00:17:23,270 --> 00:17:30,580
it's like a master who is entrusting
things to his servants.
291
00:17:30,580 --> 00:17:33,579
And brethren, don't you
love the picture here?
292
00:17:33,579 --> 00:17:37,159
It's the bridegroom.
293
00:17:37,159 --> 00:17:43,789
It's the Bridegroom coming to take
His people in to the wedding feast.
294
00:17:43,789 --> 00:17:46,331
What a picture!
295
00:17:46,331 --> 00:17:49,200
I love that imagery.
296
00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,712
In the book of Revelation, you find
the same sort of imagery.
297
00:17:52,712 --> 00:17:55,521
Let us rejoice...
Revelation 19:7
298
00:17:55,521 --> 00:17:59,287
“Let us rejoice and exult
and give Him the glory,
299
00:17:59,287 --> 00:18:01,957
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
300
00:18:01,957 --> 00:18:04,957
and His Bride has made herself ready;
301
00:18:04,957 --> 00:18:09,293
it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”
302
00:18:09,293 --> 00:18:12,653
--- for the fine linen is
the righteous deeds of the saints.
303
00:18:12,653 --> 00:18:15,053
And the angel said to me,
“Write this:
304
00:18:15,053 --> 00:18:24,181
Blessed are those who are invited
to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
305
00:18:24,181 --> 00:18:27,589
You know what it brings to our minds?
306
00:18:27,589 --> 00:18:32,726
It brings to the minds
the love of a husband for a bride.
307
00:18:32,726 --> 00:18:34,347
What is that?
308
00:18:34,347 --> 00:18:39,295
Particular and special.
309
00:18:39,295 --> 00:18:42,737
That's what it brings to our mind here.
310
00:18:42,737 --> 00:18:46,306
It speaks, think of a wedding.
311
00:18:46,306 --> 00:18:50,008
There is anticipation,
there is anticipation of the intimacy.
312
00:18:50,008 --> 00:18:52,631
There is joy.
313
00:18:52,631 --> 00:18:57,159
We had a wedding last weekend.
314
00:18:57,159 --> 00:19:00,778
I mean, at weddings
there's lots of smiles,
315
00:19:00,778 --> 00:19:02,928
there is lots of joy.
316
00:19:02,928 --> 00:19:04,561
That's the picture here.
317
00:19:04,561 --> 00:19:10,069
It's the husband bringing
the bride to himself,
318
00:19:10,069 --> 00:19:14,719
fulfilling the intimacy.
319
00:19:14,719 --> 00:19:16,401
That's the picture.
320
00:19:16,401 --> 00:19:21,170
It's one of the most glorious
pictures of the second coming,
321
00:19:21,170 --> 00:19:23,460
as it regards the church.
322
00:19:23,460 --> 00:19:26,332
It speaks of that union forever.
323
00:19:26,332 --> 00:19:28,572
I mean, just think:
It's the Bridegroom,
324
00:19:28,572 --> 00:19:31,437
the perfect Lover,
325
00:19:31,437 --> 00:19:33,927
the perfect Husband,
326
00:19:33,927 --> 00:19:36,761
the perfect Friend.
327
00:19:36,761 --> 00:19:39,823
And its a picture of:
328
00:19:39,823 --> 00:19:45,563
we are going to go under His arm forever.
329
00:19:45,563 --> 00:19:47,304
I mean that's what we have.
330
00:19:47,304 --> 00:19:48,923
Right now, we're betrothed.
331
00:19:48,923 --> 00:19:50,533
Paul said to the Corinthians:
332
00:19:50,533 --> 00:19:54,924
I feel a divine jealousy for you,
since I betrothed you to one Husband,
333
00:19:54,924 --> 00:19:58,584
to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
334
00:19:58,584 --> 00:20:00,583
Betrothed now.
335
00:20:00,583 --> 00:20:02,215
What does it mean to be betrothed?
336
00:20:02,215 --> 00:20:06,677
Well, you know, there is a
covenantal agreement there
337
00:20:06,677 --> 00:20:09,434
that's binding.
338
00:20:09,436 --> 00:20:12,732
Christ has pledged Himself to it
and will never break that covenant.
339
00:20:12,732 --> 00:20:14,812
It is not like our engagements.
340
00:20:14,812 --> 00:20:16,435
That can be broken.
341
00:20:16,435 --> 00:20:17,796
It is not like that.
342
00:20:17,796 --> 00:20:20,459
But you know a betrothal falls short
343
00:20:20,459 --> 00:20:23,229
of the full intimacy of the marriage
344
00:20:23,229 --> 00:20:26,169
and that is what is going
to happen when He comes.
345
00:20:26,169 --> 00:20:31,583
It is going to be the consummation
346
00:20:31,583 --> 00:20:34,583
and the feast.
347
00:20:34,583 --> 00:20:40,854
The fullness of intimacy is yet
reserved for us at that great day.
348
00:20:40,854 --> 00:20:45,409
When the bride, the Lamb's wife
349
00:20:45,409 --> 00:20:48,109
is going to be presented to her Husband
350
00:20:48,109 --> 00:20:50,109
without spot and blemish.
351
00:20:50,109 --> 00:20:52,181
Brethren, it says it:
352
00:20:52,181 --> 00:20:59,041
O how blessed, blessed
are those who are invited
353
00:20:59,041 --> 00:21:02,041
to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
354
00:21:02,041 --> 00:21:06,942
Let's direct our focus to the virgins.
355
00:21:06,942 --> 00:21:11,652
Some might say:
Hey, the parable has no bride.
356
00:21:11,652 --> 00:21:14,142
And you would be exactly right.
357
00:21:14,142 --> 00:21:15,992
You say, but, wait,
358
00:21:15,992 --> 00:21:17,975
we see that the church is the bride.
359
00:21:17,975 --> 00:21:20,384
And the church is prepared as a bride
360
00:21:20,384 --> 00:21:23,004
and we are betrothed to Christ.
361
00:21:23,004 --> 00:21:25,744
He is a Husband,
He is the Bridegroom.
362
00:21:25,744 --> 00:21:26,984
Where is the bride?
363
00:21:26,984 --> 00:21:29,132
You have to understand this:
364
00:21:29,132 --> 00:21:31,953
Our Lord is wanting to give us a parable
365
00:21:31,953 --> 00:21:33,653
about some who are ready
366
00:21:33,653 --> 00:21:35,653
and some who are not ready.
367
00:21:35,653 --> 00:21:39,317
Can you imagine if He tried
to do that with a wife?
368
00:21:39,317 --> 00:21:41,666
You would really have to have ten wives.
369
00:21:41,666 --> 00:21:43,612
Five are ready and five are not ready.
370
00:21:43,612 --> 00:21:45,415
Or at least two.
371
00:21:45,416 --> 00:21:47,935
If what you want to manifest,
372
00:21:47,935 --> 00:21:50,675
if what you want to bring out, draw out,
373
00:21:50,675 --> 00:21:52,675
is that you have some who are ready
374
00:21:52,675 --> 00:21:54,125
and some who are not ready
375
00:21:54,125 --> 00:21:56,705
you don't want to do that
with wives. Otherwise what?
376
00:21:56,705 --> 00:21:59,808
You gonna end up with some kind of parable
377
00:21:59,808 --> 00:22:03,978
that's going to have
polygamist overtones, right?
378
00:22:03,978 --> 00:22:06,868
You don't want to go there.
379
00:22:06,878 --> 00:22:10,408
The virgins, the bridesmaids
is a perfect way,
380
00:22:10,408 --> 00:22:13,748
it's a perfect way to display
381
00:22:13,748 --> 00:22:18,818
exactly what our Lord wants to display.
382
00:22:18,818 --> 00:22:24,307
There are ten, there are ten bridesmaids
383
00:22:24,307 --> 00:22:28,957
who are waiting for the bridegroom.
384
00:22:28,957 --> 00:22:34,268
They are waiting for the wedding feast.
385
00:22:34,268 --> 00:22:37,781
So who are they supposed to represent?
386
00:22:37,784 --> 00:22:40,318
You have five that are wise,
five that are foolish.
387
00:22:40,318 --> 00:22:42,502
Look, it's not very
difficult to look at this
388
00:22:42,502 --> 00:22:45,182
and recognize that when Jesus comes
389
00:22:45,182 --> 00:22:46,612
He takes five in with Him
390
00:22:46,612 --> 00:22:49,292
and five are shut out.
391
00:22:49,292 --> 00:22:50,701
I think it's pretty clear.
392
00:22:50,701 --> 00:22:52,881
That what you have is
you have the saved
393
00:22:52,881 --> 00:22:54,114
and they go in with Him.
394
00:22:54,114 --> 00:22:57,813
And the ones that are outside are lost.
395
00:22:57,813 --> 00:23:00,294
The ones that go in with
Him are true Christians.
396
00:23:00,294 --> 00:23:03,343
The ones that are left
out are not Christians.
397
00:23:03,343 --> 00:23:05,545
I think that's pretty obvious.
398
00:23:05,545 --> 00:23:08,475
But I think we want to define them
399
00:23:08,475 --> 00:23:10,855
a little more precisely than that.
400
00:23:10,855 --> 00:23:14,356
I don't believe our Lord is just
painting a generic picture here
401
00:23:14,356 --> 00:23:19,196
of saved humanity over
against lost humanity.
402
00:23:19,196 --> 00:23:23,816
I think what He's painting a picture of
403
00:23:23,816 --> 00:23:25,686
are professing Christians
404
00:23:25,686 --> 00:23:29,156
who are sitting in the church right now.
405
00:23:29,156 --> 00:23:34,001
Some are saved, some are not.
406
00:23:34,001 --> 00:23:38,710
I do not believe this is a picture
generically of all mankind.
407
00:23:38,710 --> 00:23:40,100
You say: Why?
408
00:23:40,100 --> 00:23:41,637
Why would you not think that?
409
00:23:41,637 --> 00:23:46,778
Why do you think that this has to do
with people who profess Christ?
410
00:23:46,778 --> 00:23:50,788
True Christians and false Christians
who are in the church right now?
411
00:23:50,788 --> 00:23:52,597
Why do you think that?
412
00:23:52,597 --> 00:23:54,339
Here is why I think it:
413
00:23:54,339 --> 00:23:57,769
Because for one, when our Lord
paints the picture, He doesn't say:
414
00:23:57,769 --> 00:24:01,229
Well you have these virgins over here
that are involved in the wedding,
415
00:24:01,229 --> 00:24:03,830
and then you have the onlookers.
416
00:24:03,830 --> 00:24:09,039
You now, the people that watch the
parade go by, who aren't even involved.
417
00:24:09,039 --> 00:24:15,451
What you have is you have virgins.
418
00:24:15,451 --> 00:24:18,165
They're all virgins.
419
00:24:18,165 --> 00:24:22,401
They're all dressed for a wedding.
420
00:24:22,410 --> 00:24:25,641
They all have lamps.
421
00:24:25,651 --> 00:24:30,352
You know what? On the outside they
all look pretty much the same.
422
00:24:30,352 --> 00:24:32,942
That's why I think that.
That's one reason.
423
00:24:32,942 --> 00:24:35,093
The second is this:
424
00:24:35,093 --> 00:24:40,968
They're all waiting for the Bridegroom.
425
00:24:40,968 --> 00:24:45,852
They're not Muslims,
who are denying the fact
426
00:24:45,852 --> 00:24:51,202
that a bridegroom is
even coming, who is Christ.
427
00:24:51,202 --> 00:24:53,504
They're all waiting for the Bridegroom.
428
00:24:53,504 --> 00:25:00,385
The third thing here is you know
when He says in verses 11 and 12,
429
00:25:00,385 --> 00:25:08,606
when those virgins,
the five foolish are shut out?
430
00:25:08,606 --> 00:25:10,116
Listen to what's said:
431
00:25:10,116 --> 00:25:13,988
Afterward the other
virgins came also, saying
432
00:25:13,988 --> 00:25:17,878
‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’
433
00:25:17,878 --> 00:25:24,568
But He answered,
‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
434
00:25:24,568 --> 00:25:30,087
What does that sound a whole lot like?
435
00:25:30,087 --> 00:25:33,190
Sounds like Matthew chapter 7.
436
00:25:33,190 --> 00:25:35,038
And you know what you have there?
437
00:25:35,038 --> 00:25:37,879
You have wise and foolish as well.
438
00:25:37,879 --> 00:25:42,230
You have the wise who built their
house on a rock, and who are they?
439
00:25:42,230 --> 00:25:45,076
They hear the word of God and do it.
440
00:25:45,076 --> 00:25:47,746
Over against the fools.
What do they do?
441
00:25:47,746 --> 00:25:51,519
They hear the Word and they don't do it.
442
00:25:51,519 --> 00:25:55,842
Again, they're not the Muslim
who doesn't hear the Word.
443
00:25:55,842 --> 00:25:58,372
These are people who sit
there under the preaching.
444
00:25:58,372 --> 00:25:59,511
They have a Bible.
445
00:25:59,511 --> 00:26:03,462
They hear what Christ says,
and they don't do it.
446
00:26:03,462 --> 00:26:07,353
These are the people, who say:
447
00:26:07,353 --> 00:26:12,753
"Lord, Lord, we did many mighty works."
448
00:26:12,753 --> 00:26:18,392
And He said: "I never knew you."
449
00:26:18,392 --> 00:26:23,484
You see, it's the same terminology.
450
00:26:23,484 --> 00:26:26,172
I believe that's what we have.
451
00:26:26,172 --> 00:26:27,964
You know what?
452
00:26:27,964 --> 00:26:34,925
This parable has to do with us.
453
00:26:34,925 --> 00:26:40,015
This isn't us and them.
454
00:26:40,016 --> 00:26:43,367
This is us.
455
00:26:43,367 --> 00:26:46,034
This is you and me.
456
00:26:46,035 --> 00:26:53,331
There is an us and them
right here within these walls.
457
00:26:53,331 --> 00:26:59,507
There are the wise and
the foolish right here.
458
00:26:59,507 --> 00:27:02,124
That's the picture.
459
00:27:02,124 --> 00:27:05,108
We have the wise and the foolish.
460
00:27:05,108 --> 00:27:07,309
And we wait.
461
00:27:07,309 --> 00:27:08,437
That's the picture.
462
00:27:08,437 --> 00:27:10,917
Waiting.
463
00:27:10,917 --> 00:27:12,609
Notice verse 5:
464
00:27:12,609 --> 00:27:16,676
The bridegroom was delayed.
465
00:27:16,676 --> 00:27:17,882
That's what we're at.
466
00:27:17,882 --> 00:27:20,276
The Bridegroom is not here.
467
00:27:20,276 --> 00:27:22,363
We wait.
468
00:27:22,363 --> 00:27:24,711
We are these virgins.
469
00:27:24,711 --> 00:27:26,246
We are waiting.
470
00:27:26,246 --> 00:27:28,138
Waiting.
471
00:27:28,138 --> 00:27:29,390
What are we waiting for?
472
00:27:29,390 --> 00:27:31,801
We are waiting for Him to come.
473
00:27:31,801 --> 00:27:34,934
It hasn't happened as soon
as we might have expected.
474
00:27:34,934 --> 00:27:40,231
Notice, down in the
next parable, in verse 19:
475
00:27:40,231 --> 00:27:42,700
Now after a long time
476
00:27:42,700 --> 00:27:45,280
the master of those servants came...
477
00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:47,743
There are places in our Bibles
478
00:27:47,743 --> 00:27:51,713
where we get the idea
He's coming quickly, right?
479
00:27:51,713 --> 00:27:56,913
He says it. "I'm coming quickly."
480
00:27:56,913 --> 00:27:59,348
We don't want to say
there is a contradiction.
481
00:27:59,348 --> 00:28:02,786
Here it says after a
long time, and delayed.
482
00:28:02,786 --> 00:28:07,006
O, a day with the Lord...
483
00:28:07,006 --> 00:28:11,152
Brethren, the time frame of our Lord
484
00:28:11,152 --> 00:28:13,602
is not always according to our time frame.
485
00:28:13,602 --> 00:28:15,434
And what is quick and what is slow?
486
00:28:15,434 --> 00:28:17,633
But we do get this idea.
487
00:28:17,633 --> 00:28:18,884
After a long time.
488
00:28:18,884 --> 00:28:21,286
2000 years is a long time.
489
00:28:21,286 --> 00:28:24,273
But that may not be as long
as what a long time is.
490
00:28:24,273 --> 00:28:26,966
It could be 10,000 years.
491
00:28:26,966 --> 00:28:30,836
I don't know. You don't know.
492
00:28:30,836 --> 00:28:32,536
It seems like in every generation,
493
00:28:32,536 --> 00:28:34,876
there's been those who
expected Him to come
494
00:28:34,876 --> 00:28:38,726
and those who expected
Him not to come.
495
00:28:38,726 --> 00:28:40,265
It's the same now.
496
00:28:40,265 --> 00:28:42,319
But we're waiting.
497
00:28:42,319 --> 00:28:44,360
We're waiting.
498
00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:49,727
There is a delay.
499
00:28:49,727 --> 00:28:51,719
Now, notice this:
500
00:28:51,719 --> 00:28:54,908
They sleep.
501
00:28:54,908 --> 00:28:56,158
You see that in verse 5?
502
00:28:56,158 --> 00:29:00,517
They all became drowsy and slept.
503
00:29:00,517 --> 00:29:04,041
Look, I don't think we necessarily need
504
00:29:04,041 --> 00:29:06,761
to read anything negative into that.
505
00:29:06,761 --> 00:29:08,553
It doesn't sound good.
506
00:29:08,553 --> 00:29:14,131
When you hear these exhortations
to stay awake, stay awake,
507
00:29:14,131 --> 00:29:16,850
watch, watch!
508
00:29:16,850 --> 00:29:20,730
And then you see them fall asleep.
509
00:29:20,730 --> 00:29:22,798
Here is the reason that I don't think
510
00:29:22,798 --> 00:29:26,478
you want to read too much
into their falling asleep
511
00:29:26,478 --> 00:29:32,058
is because even the
wise virgins fell asleep
512
00:29:32,058 --> 00:29:38,598
and it didn't make them
any less ready to enter in
513
00:29:38,598 --> 00:29:40,498
when the bridegroom came.
514
00:29:40,498 --> 00:29:41,854
You see that?
515
00:29:41,854 --> 00:29:44,704
They both did it.
516
00:29:44,704 --> 00:29:50,561
I don't think the sleeping here
is the point of this parable.
517
00:29:50,561 --> 00:29:52,646
Because they both do it.
518
00:29:52,646 --> 00:29:55,043
It seems to be more like life is going on.
519
00:29:55,043 --> 00:29:57,502
Remember how it was before?
As in the days of Noah?
520
00:29:57,502 --> 00:29:59,994
You have marriage, and giving in marriage.
521
00:29:59,994 --> 00:30:02,453
In the days of Lot, they
are buying and selling.
522
00:30:02,453 --> 00:30:04,746
I think it's the same kind of thing.
523
00:30:04,746 --> 00:30:07,548
You're getting this picture
of the wise and the foolish,
524
00:30:07,548 --> 00:30:09,168
and they're doing the same thing.
525
00:30:09,168 --> 00:30:10,566
They go to sleep.
526
00:30:10,566 --> 00:30:14,147
I don't know that you want to read
anything specifically negative into it.
527
00:30:14,147 --> 00:30:17,798
If there is anything foolish
about falling asleep here
528
00:30:17,798 --> 00:30:23,318
it's going to sleep when you're
not ready for Christ to come.
529
00:30:23,318 --> 00:30:25,766
That's the thing
that's foolish about this.
530
00:30:25,766 --> 00:30:31,798
The difference between the wise
and the foolish is not the sleep.
531
00:30:31,798 --> 00:30:34,093
They both do that.
532
00:30:34,093 --> 00:30:37,071
You see what the difference is.
533
00:30:37,071 --> 00:30:40,198
The difference between the wise
and the foolish is the oil.
534
00:30:40,198 --> 00:30:43,770
One has reserves of oil
and the other does not.
535
00:30:43,770 --> 00:30:47,039
Let's think about this oil for a second.
536
00:30:47,039 --> 00:30:48,351
The oil.
537
00:30:48,351 --> 00:30:51,020
What's represented by this oil?
538
00:30:51,020 --> 00:30:53,300
We see it here, right? In 4:
539
00:30:53,300 --> 00:31:01,852
The wise took flasks of
oil with their lamps.
540
00:31:01,852 --> 00:31:03,747
Oil.
541
00:31:03,747 --> 00:31:05,943
In verse 8:
The foolish said to the wise,
542
00:31:05,943 --> 00:31:13,073
‘Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.’
543
00:31:13,073 --> 00:31:15,103
The oil.
544
00:31:15,103 --> 00:31:18,643
What is it?
545
00:31:18,643 --> 00:31:21,114
I tell you this:
546
00:31:21,114 --> 00:31:27,464
Those who go in to the
wedding feast have it.
547
00:31:27,464 --> 00:31:32,005
And those who are shut out don't.
548
00:31:32,005 --> 00:31:37,046
This is what makes the difference.
549
00:31:37,056 --> 00:31:42,026
Beloved,
550
00:31:42,026 --> 00:31:47,537
you do not want to get shut out.
551
00:31:47,537 --> 00:31:49,857
You must have oil.
552
00:31:49,857 --> 00:31:52,177
So, what is it?
553
00:31:52,178 --> 00:31:59,008
The oil is what makes the lamp burn.
554
00:31:59,018 --> 00:32:00,457
That you can see.
555
00:32:00,457 --> 00:32:02,968
That's obvious.
556
00:32:02,968 --> 00:32:07,478
Oil is essential if the
lamp is going to do
557
00:32:07,478 --> 00:32:10,478
what the lamp ought to do.
558
00:32:10,478 --> 00:32:14,720
Seems like the foolish
virgins and the wise virgins
559
00:32:14,720 --> 00:32:19,220
initially had lamps that were burning.
560
00:32:19,220 --> 00:32:24,065
I mean, notice how the foolish virgins say
what they say in verse 8:
561
00:32:24,065 --> 00:32:32,332
‘Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out.’
562
00:32:32,332 --> 00:32:36,549
Sometimes when people
want to interpret this,
563
00:32:36,549 --> 00:32:39,859
they almost paint the picture
564
00:32:39,859 --> 00:32:44,929
that the lamps of the
foolish were never lit.
565
00:32:44,929 --> 00:32:46,942
That's not the feeling that you get.
566
00:32:46,942 --> 00:32:48,913
You know, the feeling that you get here,
567
00:32:48,913 --> 00:32:52,065
is that all of their
lamps were lit in verse 1,
568
00:32:52,065 --> 00:32:53,445
when they went out.
569
00:32:53,445 --> 00:32:56,583
You see they were expecting -
and you can imagine this.
570
00:32:56,583 --> 00:32:58,743
I mean, if you just think about this.
571
00:32:58,743 --> 00:33:00,765
You think about a wedding like this.
572
00:33:00,765 --> 00:33:06,386
If the groom and his groomsmen
are going to come over
573
00:33:06,386 --> 00:33:08,146
and they're going to get these ladies
574
00:33:08,146 --> 00:33:10,116
and they're going to
parade through the street
575
00:33:10,116 --> 00:33:13,436
and they're going to go back and actually
they have a ceremony and have a feast,
576
00:33:13,436 --> 00:33:16,536
you'd probably like to do
it early in the evening.
577
00:33:16,536 --> 00:33:19,118
You don't want to come at midnight.
578
00:33:19,118 --> 00:33:21,942
Because if you come at midnight
by the time you get them
579
00:33:21,942 --> 00:33:25,054
and then you go where you have to go
and now and then it might be 12.30,
580
00:33:25,054 --> 00:33:28,054
one o'clock, and you get
there, and now what?
581
00:33:28,054 --> 00:33:29,974
You gonna have a wedding and then,
582
00:33:29,974 --> 00:33:33,644
after that, when your feast is going on
583
00:33:33,644 --> 00:33:36,267
at three, four, five
o'clock in the morning.
584
00:33:36,267 --> 00:33:38,767
That's probably not
the ideal time to come.
585
00:33:38,767 --> 00:33:41,507
It's probably expected when
you have weddings like this,
586
00:33:41,507 --> 00:33:43,197
they're typically in early evening.
587
00:33:43,197 --> 00:33:44,789
The bridegroom comes
588
00:33:44,789 --> 00:33:47,229
and that would be a fairly obvious time.
589
00:33:47,229 --> 00:33:52,065
The kind of picture you get here
is they went out to meet him.
590
00:33:52,065 --> 00:33:54,051
They're prepared then.
591
00:33:54,051 --> 00:33:56,673
Right at the beginning it
seems like they are ready.
592
00:33:56,673 --> 00:33:59,575
They have their lamps, it seems like
all their lamps are burning.
593
00:33:59,575 --> 00:34:00,929
But you know what happens?
594
00:34:00,929 --> 00:34:02,850
He doesn't come when they expect.
595
00:34:02,850 --> 00:34:05,924
And so, by the time He does come,
at midnight, what do you get?
596
00:34:05,924 --> 00:34:07,722
In verse 8?
597
00:34:07,722 --> 00:34:10,490
‘Our lamps are going out.’
598
00:34:10,490 --> 00:34:12,972
Not that they were never lit.
599
00:34:12,972 --> 00:34:15,733
‘Our lamps are going out.’
600
00:34:15,733 --> 00:34:17,544
What's the difference between them?
601
00:34:17,544 --> 00:34:20,005
The reservoir.
602
00:34:20,013 --> 00:34:22,895
The wise ones have flasks.
603
00:34:22,895 --> 00:34:24,825
It means they have a reserve.
604
00:34:24,825 --> 00:34:29,432
They have something to
keep filling their lamp with.
605
00:34:29,432 --> 00:34:36,294
That's the picture that we get here.
606
00:34:36,294 --> 00:34:41,383
There is something very implicit
to this whole parable.
607
00:34:41,383 --> 00:34:43,535
And it's this:
608
00:34:43,535 --> 00:34:46,800
If you are a virgin,
609
00:34:46,800 --> 00:34:51,770
it is expected that you will
have a lamp that stays lit.
610
00:34:51,770 --> 00:34:53,203
That's obvious.
611
00:34:53,203 --> 00:34:56,659
Because when those virgins find
that their lamps are starting to go out,
612
00:34:56,659 --> 00:34:59,586
rather than just saying:
O, well, there will be enough light,
613
00:34:59,586 --> 00:35:01,637
your five have yours, so ours don't work,
614
00:35:01,637 --> 00:35:04,167
we'll just leave them here
and we'll go on anyway.
615
00:35:04,167 --> 00:35:06,168
You can tell, this was essential.
616
00:35:06,168 --> 00:35:09,550
They recognized it was essential.
617
00:35:09,550 --> 00:35:14,177
So, what did they do?
618
00:35:14,177 --> 00:35:19,728
They start crying out:
Give us some of yours!
619
00:35:19,731 --> 00:35:24,970
Suddenly the cry comes.
620
00:35:24,970 --> 00:35:28,888
Bridegroom!
621
00:35:28,888 --> 00:35:32,420
Uh oh...
622
00:35:32,420 --> 00:35:36,998
We are not ready.
623
00:35:36,998 --> 00:35:38,853
That's the idea.
624
00:35:38,853 --> 00:35:40,991
Bridegroom's tarried, now He's here,
625
00:35:40,991 --> 00:35:44,441
foolish virgins realized
they are not ready.
626
00:35:44,441 --> 00:35:47,021
Their oil is running dry.
627
00:35:47,021 --> 00:35:49,722
Their lamps are going out.
628
00:35:49,722 --> 00:35:54,511
We're told the oil must be purchased.
629
00:35:54,511 --> 00:35:57,553
There is simply no time to go for it now.
630
00:35:57,553 --> 00:35:59,270
It's too late.
631
00:35:59,270 --> 00:36:04,827
It's too late!
632
00:36:04,827 --> 00:36:06,813
Can you imagine?
633
00:36:06,813 --> 00:36:12,813
Look, this is dealing with people
who profess to be Christians.
634
00:36:12,813 --> 00:36:16,884
They think it's ok.
635
00:36:16,884 --> 00:36:21,363
And suddenly, it's too late.
636
00:36:21,363 --> 00:36:23,846
It's too late.
637
00:36:23,846 --> 00:36:27,397
There is simply no time to go and buy.
638
00:36:27,401 --> 00:36:29,394
The Lord is at hand.
639
00:36:29,394 --> 00:36:31,614
What is this?
640
00:36:31,614 --> 00:36:38,053
Some have said the oil
is the presence of God.
641
00:36:38,053 --> 00:36:47,190
Some have said the
oil is the Spirit of God.
642
00:36:47,190 --> 00:36:49,155
Some have said it's true wisdom.
643
00:36:49,155 --> 00:36:50,245
Some sincerity.
644
00:36:50,245 --> 00:36:54,197
Some the Word of God in our
hearts or its understanding.
645
00:36:54,197 --> 00:36:59,389
Matthew Henry says the oil is grace.
646
00:36:59,389 --> 00:37:01,259
Here is the thing:
647
00:37:01,259 --> 00:37:04,629
If you really take...
648
00:37:04,629 --> 00:37:06,459
If you really look at the parable,
649
00:37:06,459 --> 00:37:09,129
and it seems like their lamps were lit
650
00:37:09,129 --> 00:37:12,389
and now they're going out.
651
00:37:12,389 --> 00:37:14,689
I think you run into a lot of problems
652
00:37:14,689 --> 00:37:17,949
if you try to dissect this too closely.
653
00:37:17,949 --> 00:37:20,880
I think one of the reasons that guys
654
00:37:20,880 --> 00:37:23,300
are all over the place on what this is,
655
00:37:23,300 --> 00:37:26,370
is because what it is is not essential
656
00:37:26,370 --> 00:37:30,260
to getting the drift of this parable.
657
00:37:30,260 --> 00:37:34,042
Brethren,
658
00:37:34,042 --> 00:37:37,921
I don't think oil is critical
to the primary message here.
659
00:37:37,921 --> 00:37:43,076
The primary message that the Lord
wants to send you and me here,
660
00:37:43,076 --> 00:37:49,446
when He gets to the end, verse 13,
He says this:
661
00:37:49,446 --> 00:37:54,166
Watch therefore, for you know
neither the day nor the hour.
662
00:37:54,166 --> 00:37:56,194
This has been the recurring theme.
663
00:37:56,194 --> 00:37:58,990
As much as the second coming has hit us
664
00:37:58,990 --> 00:38:01,050
again and again and again and again.
665
00:38:01,050 --> 00:38:04,166
If you jump right back
into the end of Matthew chapter 24,
666
00:38:04,166 --> 00:38:07,604
look at what He keeps saying
about the second coming.
667
00:38:07,604 --> 00:38:10,214
Verse 36 of chapter 24:
668
00:38:10,214 --> 00:38:14,275
Concerning that day and hour no one knows.
669
00:38:14,275 --> 00:38:15,402
Verse 39
670
00:38:15,402 --> 00:38:20,246
They were unaware until the flood came
and swept them all away,
671
00:38:20,246 --> 00:38:22,467
so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
672
00:38:22,467 --> 00:38:23,635
Verse 42
673
00:38:23,635 --> 00:38:28,574
Therefore, stay awake,
for you do not know...
674
00:38:28,574 --> 00:38:30,424
What?
675
00:38:30,424 --> 00:38:32,216
When!
676
00:38:32,216 --> 00:38:36,483
You don't know on what
day your Lord is coming.
677
00:38:36,483 --> 00:38:37,498
Verse 44
678
00:38:37,498 --> 00:38:39,099
Therefore you must be ready, ...
679
00:38:39,099 --> 00:38:39,919
Why?
680
00:38:39,919 --> 00:38:43,240
... for the Son of Man is coming
at an hour you do not expect.
681
00:38:43,240 --> 00:38:45,342
You see the idea here is readiness.
682
00:38:45,342 --> 00:38:47,590
Why? Because He is coming
when you don't know.
683
00:38:47,590 --> 00:38:51,279
You're not gonna have time
to prepare when He comes.
684
00:38:51,279 --> 00:38:54,620
You have to be ready now.
685
00:38:54,620 --> 00:38:58,200
You do not know when
death is going to take you.
686
00:38:58,200 --> 00:39:02,300
You do not know when
Christ is going to come.
687
00:39:02,300 --> 00:39:03,911
You have to be ready now.
688
00:39:03,911 --> 00:39:06,241
And it's possible to be
dressed like the virgin,
689
00:39:06,241 --> 00:39:07,751
and have a lamp like a virgin,
690
00:39:07,751 --> 00:39:10,288
and be waiting for the
Bridegroom like the virgin,
691
00:39:10,288 --> 00:39:11,845
and to be where they are,
692
00:39:11,845 --> 00:39:15,382
and to not be ready when that hour comes.
693
00:39:15,382 --> 00:39:16,845
That is the issue.
694
00:39:16,845 --> 00:39:18,520
It is being ready.
695
00:39:18,520 --> 00:39:21,282
It is being ready!
696
00:39:21,282 --> 00:39:22,324
Verse 50
697
00:39:22,324 --> 00:39:25,574
The master of that servant
will come on a day
698
00:39:25,574 --> 00:39:27,474
when he does not expect him
699
00:39:27,474 --> 00:39:30,804
and at an hour he does not know.
700
00:39:30,804 --> 00:39:35,495
The primary issue about this parable
is not what the oil is.
701
00:39:35,495 --> 00:39:37,826
It is, that whatever it is...
702
00:39:37,826 --> 00:39:41,926
It is that which is essential
for you to be ready.
703
00:39:41,926 --> 00:39:44,836
And those five foolish virgins
704
00:39:44,836 --> 00:39:50,656
were not ready when the hour came.
705
00:39:50,656 --> 00:39:54,856
They weren't ready.
706
00:39:54,856 --> 00:39:58,086
You say, "but, I go to church."
707
00:39:58,086 --> 00:40:00,426
So did they.
708
00:40:00,428 --> 00:40:03,287
And they were not ready.
709
00:40:03,287 --> 00:40:05,534
They weren't ready.
710
00:40:05,534 --> 00:40:07,675
Why? Because they do not possess
711
00:40:07,675 --> 00:40:12,245
what must be possessed to be ready
712
00:40:12,245 --> 00:40:15,675
when the Lord comes.
713
00:40:15,688 --> 00:40:19,103
And here is the thing.
714
00:40:19,103 --> 00:40:24,200
You see no evidence
715
00:40:24,200 --> 00:40:28,110
that they are concerned about it
716
00:40:28,110 --> 00:40:33,090
until it's too late.
717
00:40:33,090 --> 00:40:43,088
That is not the right time
to figure out you're not ready.
718
00:40:43,088 --> 00:40:49,781
Our Lord knows multitudes.
719
00:40:49,781 --> 00:40:53,811
Multitudes fit this category.
720
00:40:53,811 --> 00:40:56,831
This is why He warns us.
721
00:40:56,831 --> 00:40:59,166
If you think:
722
00:40:59,166 --> 00:41:04,186
Well, it's not gonna happen to me.
723
00:41:04,186 --> 00:41:08,561
What do you think it is
that makes a foolish virgin?
724
00:41:08,561 --> 00:41:11,544
It's that kind of attitude right there.
725
00:41:11,544 --> 00:41:16,174
Won't be me!
726
00:41:16,174 --> 00:41:19,054
Not me!
727
00:41:19,054 --> 00:41:23,875
That was why these five
virgins are so foolish.
728
00:41:23,875 --> 00:41:24,857
What did they do?
729
00:41:24,857 --> 00:41:27,695
They picked up their lamps, they rush off
730
00:41:27,695 --> 00:41:32,285
and they are not ready.
731
00:41:32,285 --> 00:41:38,168
And then they slumber and fall asleep
732
00:41:38,168 --> 00:41:42,068
and they are not ready.
733
00:41:42,068 --> 00:41:44,306
And when the Bridegroom comes
734
00:41:44,306 --> 00:41:46,136
and the cry rings forth,
735
00:41:46,136 --> 00:41:47,956
suddenly they find they have no oil.
736
00:41:47,956 --> 00:41:50,895
And they are not ready.
737
00:41:50,895 --> 00:41:53,124
Not ready.
738
00:41:53,124 --> 00:41:54,935
Not ready.
739
00:41:54,935 --> 00:42:00,239
They never troubled themselves about
getting the oil and being ready.
740
00:42:00,239 --> 00:42:04,309
You know what the trouble
with the foolish virgins is?
741
00:42:04,309 --> 00:42:06,119
There they are.
742
00:42:06,119 --> 00:42:12,599
They assume everything is ok.
743
00:42:12,599 --> 00:42:14,629
Why?
744
00:42:14,629 --> 00:42:18,611
Lord, Lord, ...
745
00:42:18,611 --> 00:42:21,237
We did what your people do.
746
00:42:21,237 --> 00:42:24,101
We did many mighty works.
747
00:42:24,101 --> 00:42:26,311
We were prophesying
right along with them.
748
00:42:26,311 --> 00:42:28,712
We were casting out demons
right along with them.
749
00:42:28,712 --> 00:42:34,021
We heard the Word of God
right along with them.
750
00:42:34,021 --> 00:42:36,854
He says, "I never knew you."
751
00:42:36,855 --> 00:42:40,068
Why? They weren't ready.
752
00:42:40,068 --> 00:42:41,643
They weren't ready.
753
00:42:41,643 --> 00:42:44,145
Just taking everything for granted.
754
00:42:44,145 --> 00:42:47,434
Their everlasting soul is at stake
755
00:42:47,434 --> 00:42:51,554
and they're not making
certain they're secure.
756
00:42:51,554 --> 00:42:54,043
When somebody would come along
in the church and say:
757
00:42:54,043 --> 00:42:57,813
Brother, sister, test yourself!
Are you sure? Are you sure?
758
00:42:57,813 --> 00:43:01,155
They got aggravated.
759
00:43:01,155 --> 00:43:04,073
They got upset.
760
00:43:04,073 --> 00:43:07,486
They hated you holier-than-thous.
761
00:43:07,486 --> 00:43:09,606
Don't press me with your strictness.
762
00:43:09,606 --> 00:43:11,655
I have Christian liberty.
763
00:43:11,655 --> 00:43:14,115
Don't tell me about what
music I do listen to,
764
00:43:14,115 --> 00:43:15,795
I have Christian liberty.
765
00:43:15,795 --> 00:43:18,214
Don't tell me about what
I'm doing with my life.
766
00:43:18,214 --> 00:43:20,574
Don't tell me that you're
concerned that you see
767
00:43:20,574 --> 00:43:22,557
I love the things of
the world too much.
768
00:43:22,557 --> 00:43:23,756
Don't tell me that.
769
00:43:23,756 --> 00:43:27,519
Don't tell me that I seem
too greedy or too possessed
770
00:43:27,519 --> 00:43:29,959
by the things the world
is all obsessed with.
771
00:43:29,959 --> 00:43:32,017
Don't tell me that.
772
00:43:32,017 --> 00:43:34,507
You Christians are just too strict.
773
00:43:34,507 --> 00:43:36,747
You people of Grace Community Church.
774
00:43:36,747 --> 00:43:38,716
You people.
775
00:43:38,716 --> 00:43:40,486
There's kind of a separation.
776
00:43:40,486 --> 00:43:41,850
I don't like those people.
777
00:43:41,850 --> 00:43:44,710
Because when they come around
they ask me those questions
778
00:43:44,710 --> 00:43:46,413
and I don't like those questions.
779
00:43:46,413 --> 00:43:48,148
Let me live my life.
780
00:43:48,148 --> 00:43:49,360
I'm a Christian too.
781
00:43:49,360 --> 00:43:52,289
And they get upset with that.
782
00:43:52,289 --> 00:43:58,478
Their eternal soul is at stake.
783
00:43:58,478 --> 00:44:00,008
They won't examine themselves.
784
00:44:00,008 --> 00:44:02,514
They do not prove their own selves.
785
00:44:02,514 --> 00:44:04,724
God's word says examine your own self
786
00:44:04,724 --> 00:44:06,142
whether you are in the faith.
787
00:44:06,142 --> 00:44:07,530
But they don't want to do it.
788
00:44:07,530 --> 00:44:09,630
And they hear messages
that cut to the heart
789
00:44:09,630 --> 00:44:12,241
but they just say: No, it's
not me. Nope, it's not me.
790
00:44:12,241 --> 00:44:15,000
Yeah, that makes me feel
uncomfortable, but that's not me.
791
00:44:15,000 --> 00:44:16,476
Why is it not you?
792
00:44:16,476 --> 00:44:20,282
Well because I made a decision and
I claim to be a believer in Jesus Christ.
793
00:44:20,282 --> 00:44:23,692
Yeah, you're right there
along with the other virgins.
794
00:44:23,701 --> 00:44:25,602
Whatever the oil is I'll tell you this:
795
00:44:25,602 --> 00:44:29,243
It's what you have to have to enter in.
796
00:44:29,243 --> 00:44:30,214
And you know what?
797
00:44:30,214 --> 00:44:33,253
This book from one end to the other
798
00:44:33,253 --> 00:44:37,713
describes to us what God's
true people look like.
799
00:44:37,713 --> 00:44:39,521
You know what they wouldn't do?
800
00:44:39,521 --> 00:44:44,035
They wouldn't come and look
in the mirror of this book
801
00:44:44,035 --> 00:44:47,035
and see if all is well.
802
00:44:47,035 --> 00:44:48,894
They didn't want to go there.
803
00:44:48,894 --> 00:44:52,805
Why? Because men
love to believe a lie.
804
00:44:52,805 --> 00:44:55,616
What's one of the chief lies
they love to believe?
805
00:44:55,616 --> 00:44:58,686
They have a form of godliness
but they deny the power thereof.
806
00:44:58,686 --> 00:45:01,406
You see, they love to
have a form of godliness
807
00:45:01,406 --> 00:45:04,176
that convinces them deceptively so
808
00:45:04,176 --> 00:45:05,776
that they're going to heaven,
809
00:45:05,776 --> 00:45:07,196
but they have no power of it,
810
00:45:07,196 --> 00:45:10,310
which means that they
live in the powerlessness
811
00:45:10,310 --> 00:45:11,910
of the rest of the world.
812
00:45:11,910 --> 00:45:13,570
They're controlled by their lust.
813
00:45:13,570 --> 00:45:16,054
They are slaves to sin,
they just go along.
814
00:45:16,054 --> 00:45:18,299
But they have religion.
815
00:45:18,299 --> 00:45:20,499
You see, they have
a religious appearance,
816
00:45:20,499 --> 00:45:22,038
these five foolish virgins.
817
00:45:22,038 --> 00:45:25,187
O, well, I go to church,
I do this, I do that...
818
00:45:25,187 --> 00:45:27,680
Now, I'm not out there
with the carousing hordes.
819
00:45:27,680 --> 00:45:29,610
I'm not a Muslim. I'm not a Hindu.
820
00:45:29,610 --> 00:45:31,810
I don't do those things.
821
00:45:31,810 --> 00:45:34,361
You see, that's what they
were saying in Matthew 7.
822
00:45:34,361 --> 00:45:36,823
Lord, Lord, we did this, we did that.
823
00:45:36,823 --> 00:45:41,011
And that's typically how
the five foolish virgins
824
00:45:41,011 --> 00:45:43,311
just go on being so foolish.
825
00:45:43,311 --> 00:45:46,492
That's just a checklist of some things
what they do or don't do.
826
00:45:46,492 --> 00:45:48,571
But the reality's in the heart.
827
00:45:48,571 --> 00:45:53,862
When you go look at Scripture,
you see fellowship.
828
00:45:53,862 --> 00:45:58,212
You see Christ manifesting
Himself to His people.
829
00:45:58,212 --> 00:46:01,198
You see that there is a
sweetness in the relationship.
830
00:46:01,198 --> 00:46:06,485
You see people who are made
into praying men and women.
831
00:46:06,485 --> 00:46:11,222
Men and women who become
controlled by the Spirit of God.
832
00:46:11,222 --> 00:46:13,974
And they begin to love in ways
they never loved before.
833
00:46:13,974 --> 00:46:15,615
From the heart.
834
00:46:15,615 --> 00:46:17,805
They become these true Jews.
835
00:46:17,805 --> 00:46:19,012
Something changes.
836
00:46:19,012 --> 00:46:21,773
The life of God is in their soul.
837
00:46:21,773 --> 00:46:24,314
Suddenly they're not like
those gentiles anymore.
838
00:46:24,314 --> 00:46:26,734
They're new men, they're new creations.
839
00:46:26,734 --> 00:46:28,416
Old things pass away.
840
00:46:28,416 --> 00:46:32,164
Suddenly their eyes behold
the beauty in Christ, and they know it.
841
00:46:32,164 --> 00:46:34,845
They can hear His voice in ways
they couldn't before.
842
00:46:34,845 --> 00:46:35,805
And they know it.
843
00:46:35,805 --> 00:46:36,715
And you know what?
844
00:46:36,715 --> 00:46:40,756
The five foolish virgins get
around people that talk that way,
845
00:46:40,756 --> 00:46:43,756
and they don't want to hear.
846
00:46:43,756 --> 00:46:45,756
Holier-than-thou, that's what they are.
847
00:46:45,756 --> 00:46:48,879
They're self-righteous.
848
00:46:48,879 --> 00:46:51,407
I don't like people like that.
849
00:46:51,407 --> 00:46:55,757
Why are they always talking
to me about my sin?
850
00:46:55,757 --> 00:47:05,148
It seems like they look at
me just a certain way.
851
00:47:05,159 --> 00:47:08,269
God gives us a love for the
brethren and I'll tell you this:
852
00:47:08,269 --> 00:47:11,849
When you fall in love with Christ and
you haven't been in love with Christ,
853
00:47:11,849 --> 00:47:15,399
and then, suddenly, you get around
other people that are in love with Him,
854
00:47:15,399 --> 00:47:18,180
you tend to be able to pick up on that.
855
00:47:18,180 --> 00:47:21,730
When you get around
people that are worldly...
856
00:47:21,730 --> 00:47:26,524
Yeah, they're virgins,
they're sitting there in the church.
857
00:47:26,524 --> 00:47:32,144
But you know you just...
858
00:47:32,144 --> 00:47:36,653
You can sense there's no oil.
859
00:47:36,653 --> 00:47:40,182
But they're heedless, they're thoughtless,
they don't examine themselves...
860
00:47:40,182 --> 00:47:43,134
Someone might say to them:
Are you sure you're ready?
861
00:47:43,134 --> 00:47:45,263
You're sure you have oil?
Examine yourself!
862
00:47:45,263 --> 00:47:47,012
Be sure!
Everything is at stake!
863
00:47:47,012 --> 00:47:48,433
What happens?
864
00:47:48,433 --> 00:47:51,454
Foolish virgins, they resent it.
865
00:47:51,463 --> 00:47:53,023
They resent that.
866
00:47:53,023 --> 00:47:55,482
They are uncomfortable.
867
00:47:55,482 --> 00:47:57,863
I don't like to go where those people are.
868
00:47:57,863 --> 00:48:02,324
They make me uncomfortable.
869
00:48:02,324 --> 00:48:03,684
I'm afraid...
870
00:48:03,684 --> 00:48:06,537
I mean, if you are in a place
where you are afraid
871
00:48:06,537 --> 00:48:10,297
to be around the godliest people
872
00:48:10,297 --> 00:48:12,435
that ought to tell you something.
873
00:48:12,435 --> 00:48:15,054
And listen...
874
00:48:15,054 --> 00:48:20,144
Jesus, at the end of this, says:
Watch!
875
00:48:20,144 --> 00:48:23,676
Because you don't know when He's coming,
876
00:48:23,676 --> 00:48:26,046
watch therefore!
877
00:48:26,046 --> 00:48:28,070
This isn't a picture.
878
00:48:28,070 --> 00:48:30,451
You don't get the feeling
from this parable
879
00:48:30,451 --> 00:48:32,751
that this is a picture of a man,
880
00:48:32,751 --> 00:48:35,381
who goes up on his rooftop,
881
00:48:35,381 --> 00:48:38,581
and day and night stands
looking at the horizon
882
00:48:38,581 --> 00:48:43,401
for when the sky is gonna break open.
883
00:48:43,401 --> 00:48:48,468
You know what you're to watch?
884
00:48:48,468 --> 00:48:55,070
The whole idea in watching
885
00:48:55,070 --> 00:49:00,380
is that you need to be ready.
886
00:49:00,380 --> 00:49:05,658
You need to watch your walk,
887
00:49:05,658 --> 00:49:10,188
watch your relationship,
888
00:49:10,188 --> 00:49:13,328
watch the Scriptures.
889
00:49:13,328 --> 00:49:15,118
Where are you at?
890
00:49:15,118 --> 00:49:18,792
Watch that you be not deceived.
891
00:49:18,792 --> 00:49:21,152
Watch!
892
00:49:21,152 --> 00:49:25,850
If you show up at that wedding feast
893
00:49:25,850 --> 00:49:28,180
and the door is shut,
894
00:49:28,180 --> 00:49:30,604
do you recognize it is all over?
895
00:49:30,604 --> 00:49:35,244
It is eternal loss.
You have lost everything.
896
00:49:35,244 --> 00:49:39,410
My brothers and sisters,
897
00:49:39,410 --> 00:49:44,070
this eschatology that's out there
that wants to teach you
898
00:49:44,070 --> 00:49:47,950
that there is going to be a rapture first,
and then you can get things right,
899
00:49:47,950 --> 00:49:50,463
then there is going to be
a seven year tribulation,
900
00:49:50,463 --> 00:49:51,973
and you can get things right,
901
00:49:51,973 --> 00:49:55,503
and then Jesus Christ is going to return
and set up His 1000 year kingdom,
902
00:49:55,503 --> 00:49:59,273
and then you can get things right...
That is a lie.
903
00:49:59,273 --> 00:50:02,616
This tells you in no uncertain terms:
904
00:50:02,616 --> 00:50:06,595
When Jesus Christ comes it's over.
905
00:50:06,595 --> 00:50:10,240
That door is shut and if you
are on the wrong side of it
906
00:50:10,240 --> 00:50:14,657
there is no seven year
tribulation to get it right.
907
00:50:14,657 --> 00:50:17,137
You're undone.
908
00:50:17,137 --> 00:50:21,928
You are undone forever.
909
00:50:21,928 --> 00:50:29,068
Brethren, regeneration is real.
910
00:50:29,068 --> 00:50:34,199
It is real.
911
00:50:34,199 --> 00:50:39,724
Listen, they had to buy the oil,
912
00:50:39,724 --> 00:50:50,934
and Jesus says: you buy
from Me without price.
913
00:50:50,934 --> 00:50:58,970
There is a time in
every true virgin's life
914
00:50:58,970 --> 00:51:04,430
where bankrupt they come to Christ.
915
00:51:04,430 --> 00:51:06,873
They must do business with Him,
916
00:51:06,873 --> 00:51:11,563
but they have nothing in their hand.
917
00:51:11,563 --> 00:51:15,382
Lord, I don't have anything but my sin.
918
00:51:15,382 --> 00:51:25,843
Lord, I've botched this thing
from the beginning.
919
00:51:25,845 --> 00:51:28,024
I can't do this.
920
00:51:28,024 --> 00:51:32,308
I don't have the power.
921
00:51:32,308 --> 00:51:37,208
Lord, my sin is going to sink me
922
00:51:37,208 --> 00:51:39,098
into the depths of hell.
923
00:51:39,098 --> 00:51:41,518
I can't do a thing about it.
924
00:51:41,526 --> 00:51:44,414
If I run to Sinai, it condemns me.
925
00:51:44,414 --> 00:51:47,989
If I try I find my best
works are just filth.
926
00:51:47,989 --> 00:51:52,209
I can't do it.
927
00:51:52,209 --> 00:51:54,378
Lord, help me!
928
00:51:54,378 --> 00:51:56,609
Lord, save me!
929
00:51:56,609 --> 00:51:59,513
And you know what Scripture says?
930
00:51:59,513 --> 00:52:06,111
That justifying faith
is always accompanied
931
00:52:06,111 --> 00:52:13,841
by a change of life, new creation.
932
00:52:13,841 --> 00:52:20,968
The old things pass away.
933
00:52:20,968 --> 00:52:24,691
Brethren, those are the indicators
934
00:52:24,691 --> 00:52:28,551
that we possess that oil.
935
00:52:28,551 --> 00:52:30,682
All those things that the men
936
00:52:30,682 --> 00:52:32,912
historically have thought it means,
937
00:52:32,912 --> 00:52:35,762
all those things are real
938
00:52:35,762 --> 00:52:37,222
if you're a true virgin.
939
00:52:37,222 --> 00:52:38,693
You have the Spirit,
940
00:52:38,693 --> 00:52:41,074
you have the presence of God,
941
00:52:41,074 --> 00:52:42,892
you have an anointing,
942
00:52:42,892 --> 00:52:45,085
you have an understanding,
943
00:52:45,085 --> 00:52:48,493
you have a wisdom,
944
00:52:48,493 --> 00:52:50,802
your eyes are made open,
945
00:52:50,802 --> 00:52:53,633
you have grace.
946
00:52:53,633 --> 00:52:56,374
All of those things are true.
947
00:52:56,374 --> 00:53:01,525
Brethren, this book
describes true Christianity.
948
00:53:01,525 --> 00:53:05,875
If you look and there are questions,
949
00:53:05,875 --> 00:53:10,025
look, there is one place to go:
950
00:53:10,025 --> 00:53:15,225
Always and only: To Christ.
951
00:53:15,225 --> 00:53:16,872
If there's questions,
952
00:53:16,872 --> 00:53:18,969
if there's doubts,
953
00:53:18,969 --> 00:53:20,726
if you need help,
954
00:53:20,726 --> 00:53:23,386
if you are uncertain:
955
00:53:23,386 --> 00:53:25,448
It's to Christ.
956
00:53:25,448 --> 00:53:28,983
You flee to Christ.
957
00:53:28,990 --> 00:53:32,998
I was just hearing yesterday Spurgeon.
958
00:53:32,998 --> 00:53:35,528
You might think: Oh, I wish I could have
959
00:53:35,528 --> 00:53:39,008
the kind of assurance such a one as him.
960
00:53:39,008 --> 00:53:40,749
In the middle of his ministry
961
00:53:40,749 --> 00:53:43,749
being used tremendously
he got so discouraged
962
00:53:43,749 --> 00:53:45,679
and began to doubt where he was,
963
00:53:45,679 --> 00:53:47,120
even if he was saved,
964
00:53:47,120 --> 00:53:48,820
if he was called to the ministry.
965
00:53:48,820 --> 00:53:50,189
He couldn't go on.
966
00:53:50,189 --> 00:53:52,079
He couldn't preach.
967
00:53:52,079 --> 00:53:53,210
He just left.
968
00:53:53,210 --> 00:53:55,971
Somebody else had to fill the pulpit.
969
00:53:55,974 --> 00:53:58,689
He left to go out to the
country and to the fresh air.
970
00:53:58,689 --> 00:54:03,482
He went to Essex to where he was from.
971
00:54:03,482 --> 00:54:06,932
He's quietly crept in,
little baptist church,
972
00:54:06,932 --> 00:54:08,962
sat in the back row.
973
00:54:08,962 --> 00:54:11,644
Nobody knew he was there.
974
00:54:11,652 --> 00:54:13,531
You know what he heard?
975
00:54:13,531 --> 00:54:16,994
He heard this little country preacher
976
00:54:16,994 --> 00:54:23,534
preach one of his sermons.
977
00:54:23,534 --> 00:54:29,685
As he heard his own sermon being preached,
978
00:54:29,685 --> 00:54:32,553
it was just... It was Christ.
979
00:54:32,553 --> 00:54:35,943
It was Christ.
980
00:54:35,943 --> 00:54:37,936
His hope was there.
981
00:54:37,936 --> 00:54:41,505
He came up to that preacher afterwards.
982
00:54:41,505 --> 00:54:43,832
The man saw him, you know,
983
00:54:43,832 --> 00:54:47,376
he was embarrassed.
984
00:54:47,376 --> 00:54:49,216
Just hung his head.
985
00:54:49,216 --> 00:54:52,686
Just plagiarized his sermon.
986
00:54:52,696 --> 00:54:54,906
Spurgeon didn't care.
987
00:54:54,906 --> 00:54:56,855
He just rejoiced.
988
00:54:56,855 --> 00:55:00,106
He rejoiced.
989
00:55:00,106 --> 00:55:02,393
He said as he sat there just hearing -
990
00:55:02,393 --> 00:55:04,253
I don't know if he even recognized
991
00:55:04,253 --> 00:55:07,503
it was his own sermon
till the guy said it,
992
00:55:07,503 --> 00:55:14,158
but, I'd hardly know one of
mine from the past.
993
00:55:14,158 --> 00:55:16,228
But it was Christ.
994
00:55:16,228 --> 00:55:18,109
It was all Christ.
995
00:55:18,109 --> 00:55:22,334
He saw it: My only hope is there.
996
00:55:22,334 --> 00:55:26,820
He saw it in the simple man's words,
in his own message.
997
00:55:26,820 --> 00:55:32,150
Brethren, that's it!
998
00:55:32,150 --> 00:55:35,010
I'll tell you, whatever the oil is:
999
00:55:35,010 --> 00:55:36,822
If you're clinging to Christ
1000
00:55:36,822 --> 00:55:40,242
and your hope is there, you have it.
1001
00:55:40,242 --> 00:55:48,306
Your only hope there.
1002
00:55:48,306 --> 00:55:50,882
There is finality coming.
1003
00:55:50,882 --> 00:55:55,692
The door is going to be shut,
1004
00:55:55,692 --> 00:56:01,803
and if you're on the wrong side,
1005
00:56:01,803 --> 00:56:06,643
that's not the time to get
concerned you have no oil.
1006
00:56:06,643 --> 00:56:09,305
It's too late.
1007
00:56:09,305 --> 00:56:11,073
It's too late.
1008
00:56:11,073 --> 00:56:17,115
Today Jesus Christ says: It's free.
1009
00:56:17,124 --> 00:56:18,558
Come, get it.
1010
00:56:18,558 --> 00:56:26,035
Come to Me and you can have it.
1011
00:56:26,035 --> 00:56:34,179
I think regularly about sinners in hell.
1012
00:56:34,179 --> 00:56:42,000
They just walked everyday past that door,
1013
00:56:42,000 --> 00:56:47,490
and it was wide open.
1014
00:56:47,490 --> 00:56:51,926
It is open.
1015
00:56:51,926 --> 00:56:55,948
Can you imagine men's and
women's souls are at stake
1016
00:56:55,948 --> 00:57:00,318
and they count that
door so light a matter?
1017
00:57:00,318 --> 00:57:04,608
But when it shuts...
1018
00:57:04,608 --> 00:57:09,901
So what if they give all
their attention to it then?
1019
00:57:09,901 --> 00:57:12,260
It's too late.
1020
00:57:12,260 --> 00:57:17,936
It's too late.
1021
00:57:17,936 --> 00:57:21,546
Father, I pray:
1022
00:57:21,546 --> 00:57:33,352
Awake, awaken the fools!
1023
00:57:33,352 --> 00:57:37,366
Awaken them, Lord!
1024
00:57:37,366 --> 00:57:43,414
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
1025
00:57:43,414 --> 00:57:44,664
Amen.