RPG Adults
PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS – THE FOOLISH VIRGINS
LORD’S DAY, MAY 10
Matthew 25:1-13
Memory verse: Matthew 25:9
“And the foolish said unto the wise,
Give us of your oil…”
PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS – THE FOOLISH VIRGINS
The word for foolish is where we get the English word “moron.” It means someone who is stupid. He is not stupid because of his IQ, for the Bible is not about the intelligence of the mind. This is a lack of spiritual intelligence. God describes the five foolish virgins as stupid because their action demonstrates they believed in the definite coming of the bridegroom. Otherwise, why were they waiting throughout the night with the other five wise virgins? They understood the custom of the Jewish wedding. They knew the bridegroom could come any time, day or night. They knew from prior Jewish weddings what was required of them in their preparation for the coming of the bridegroom. They knew they could not ask for extra oil from others, for they would be rejected. It was their personal responsibility to be completely prepared for every eventuality. The moment the call of the bridegroom’s coming came, if they were late and the door was shut, they would never be allowed in. The last-minute purchase of extra oil would probably mean they would be shut out. All the many hours of waiting would be for nothing if they were not allowed in. Why did they not prepare themselves, having known all these possible scenarios of being rejected? Is this not foolish?
To have the door shut means not being allowed entrance into heaven. The foolish virgins are the professing believers who attend church regularly. They study the Bible. They listen to God’s Word every Lord’s Day. They sing hymns about God and Christ. They are baptised and partake in the Lord’s Supper regularly. They may even have theological degrees and preach and teach God’s Word passionately. They share the Gospel fervently. They may even have led some sinners to Christ. They could have been ordained as elders or pastors, and warned others of the coming of Christ to judge the quick and the dead. Having done all to help others enter heaven and then to find themselves cast out of heaven, does it not make them fools? They are so close to entering heaven, knowing the way, but they do not walk in the way that they have been telling many to. What a tragedy of tragedies! The result is to be cast into hell forever!
THOUGHT: Am I a fool?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to be true to my own soul and not live in self-delusion, but make sure of my salvation, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.