Preparing the Bride...The Ten Virgins:

Finding
Absolute Assurance
of
Eternal Life

Matthew 25:1

 Then shall
the kingdom of heaven

be likened
unto ten virgins,

which took
their lamps, 
and
went forth

to meet
the bridegroom.

The parable of the Ten Virgins compares: 

entering 

...the Kingdom of Heaven...

-to- 

...the Bride...

preparing to meet

...the Bridegroom... 

... for one of the greatest events of End Times:

The Marriage Supper of Christ and His Bride ... also called ... "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb." (Rev. 19:9).  

[Take note:  The Kingdom the Bride is entering is the Heavenly Kingdom (in Heaven)

... NOT a Kingdom on Earth or an earthly kingdom.

It is a picture of the Bride meeting Jesus in the air ... at His "appearing"... at the time of the rapture ... departure of the "Bride"... the faithful ... gathered Church of Jesus Christ (collected from every nation of the world).]

Contrary to what many churches now teach ... not everyone who thinks or "believes" they are going to enter the Kingdom of Heaven ... will actually enter therein.

Being convinced in our mind that something is going to happen ... will not make it happen.

This is not what Jesus taught regarding genuine "belief"
... or the type of "faith" required to inherit the Kingdom.   

Unfortunately "belief" and "faith"... like so many other words found in the Scriptures ... have been redefined over the years ... being transformed by modern ... unbiblical definitions.

The type of faith and "belief" required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven involves much more than mental convincing ... fuzzy feelings ... or even a thorough head-knowledge of the Scriptures.

It requires a unique relationship based on the Word of God that testifies to what is actually happening in one's heart ... and there will be tangible evidence of this relationship ... if it is genuine.

This is the reason Jesus uses marriage as the basic theme of this parable.

When a man and a woman love and trust one another ... and desire to have an exclusive family relationship

... they enter into a morally ... and legally binding ... interactive ... marriage relationship

... where they are able to function in the world morally and legally ... as one ... unified body/physical structure.

From a distance ... Jane Jones can think and "believe" that she is going to become the wife of John Johnson all she wants to

... but until they are actually introduced ... develop a friendship ... and pledge themselves to one another in marriage

... Jane Jones will never be Jane Johnson.

When this principle is applied to our relationship as the Bride (believers) to Christ (the Bridegroom) ... it becomes clear

... that it is not wishful thinking called "belief"

... or a giant leap into the dark called "faith"

... that brings about this exclusive relationship ... between Christ and His Bride.

Neither are we all automatically "the children of God"... simply because He has created us.

As a result of the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden ... we are all actually headed for hell.

We cannot blame Adam or Eve or anyone else for our sin. 

Blaming others is not going to change our situation.  

Humans make choices every day and ... it is a fact ... that we choose to sin.

However ... instead of sinning our way down the broad road to hell ... we have been given a way out of our dilemma.

God has provided that Way through Christ alone.

With the help of God ... we can choose to make Christ and His Word preeminent in our life. 

Neither baptism ... nor membership in a church ... nor any other religious ... humanitarian organization can bring about ... this exclusive ... relationship with God.

Only by the grace of God ... can we be given ... an understanding of His Word ... and the amazing value it has. 

Out of an heart of gratitude ... by submitting to that precious Word ... and the preeminence of Christ ... alone as Lord

... and in response to the value of all He has suffered on our behalf ... to keep us from the fires of hell ... we can therefore ... repent of our sin ... and be sealed ... in this relationship ... by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

When this happens ... we are purchased ... betrothed ... bound to Christ.

His concerns ... become our concerns ... and we begin to align our will ... with His

... joining other genuine believers ... carrying the message of salvation through the shed blood of Christ ... throughout the entire world ... to those who are waiting to hear what Christ has done for them

... so they may also enter into His family ... until the day He returns and the wedding actually takes place.

The virgins went forth...

Jesus tells us in this first verse of Matthew 25 ... that when the virgins (i.e. unmarried women) "went forth" to meet the Bridegroom ... they took their lamps.

So we understand that these virgins are going somewhere to meet the Bridegroom ... and this journey is going to require the use of lamps.

As we consider this ... let us take care not to jump over the steps Jesus establishes ... to get us from point "A" to point "B"... and thereby miss the importance of the details regarding this journey.

The main focus of the story is not about meeting Christ for the first time.

These virgins already know who Christ is and they are waiting to join Him at the Great Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

This parable is about what must happen after they are called ... but before they can enter into the Marriage Feast.

The harsh reality is that ... unless we actually take the steps required to arrive safely to this event ... we will not be found among the wise virgins who actually do ... one day ... enter into the Marriage Feast.  

This is the real message Jesus wants us to receive.

He is warning us not to be deceived ... we must remember to take something very important with us ... if we want to safely arrive at our desired destination.

The virgins knew that they would need lamps ... so this is what they took when they went forth.  

What do the lamps symbolize ... and ... why did they need them?

"Through thy precepts 
I get understanding:  

Therefore I hate 
every false way.  

Thy word is a lamp 
unto my feet, 

and
a light
unto my path"  

-Psalm 119: 104-105

"Thy ... (God's) WORD ... is a LAMP ... and ... a LIGHT ..." 

WORD = LAMP 
WORD = LIGHT 
WORD = HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus verified that His Word/Lamp ... is ALSO ... His Word/Holy Spirit
... in John 6:63 :  

"It is the spirit
that quickeneth;
the flesh
profiteth nothing:
the words
that I speak unto you,
they are spirit
and
they are life."

The lamps ... represent the Word of God ... and the Word is vital because it contains the light (Holy Spirit) ... that will show them "the Way."

In other words ... it is the Spirit of God ... that will illuminate the path they are to take

... because the Spirit of God resides in the Word of God ... and Jesus Christ ... is the "Word" and the "Way."

"And the Word
was made flesh,
and dwelt among us,
(and we beheld
his glory, the glory
as of the only begotten
of the Father,)
full of grace and truth"
-John 1:14

"Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way,
the truth,
and
the life:
no man cometh
unto the Father,
but by me." 
-John 14:6

  These virgins know the value of Christ and His Word.

They know that He is also ..."the Way" to the Father ... and ... the Kingdom of Heaven.

But let us not forget the importance of all Christ is.

He also is "the Truth"... as much as ... He is the Way

... for we are only "going forth"... if we are following Truth.

And without the Truth ... we would never be able to recognize the Way ... or find the Life ... God intended us to have now ... and for eternity. 

Today we have a "word-fad" that is reminiscent of this idea of "going forth."

A "word-fad" is some word or phrase that is unnecessary ... yet repetitiously used to fill in sentences.

One such word a few years ago was the word ..."basic" and "basically."  

However ... the word-fad phrase right now is: "going forward."

While it is good to "go forward"... instead of backward in life ... some repeatedly use this phrase just to sound trendy and fill in a blank spot in their sentence. 

But then there are others ... intentionally using it ... to change our minds about what "going forward"... really means.

By hearing this phrase over and over again ... they would have us believe ... that our objective in life is to "go forward"

... regardless of the cost ... or without considering ... where "going forward"... is ultimately going to take us.

Certainly the devil ... himself ... is committed to going forward ... trampling anything that gets in the way of his agenda. 

However ... just moving forward does not guarantee progress or growth.

If we do not see the Way clearly ... and are not committed to the reality of the Truth ... then instead of arriving at the imagined destination of our choosing

... we may very likely lose our Life ... by falling off a cliff ... or into the pit.

The Only Way...

There is only one path ... or "Way"... that will lead the virgins to the Bridegroom and the Kingdom of Heaven
... where the marriage supper will take place. 

Why will the virgins need their lamps to see the path?

This is a most important journey.

The virgins have been called ... and are now attempting to go forth ... through a very dark ... fallen world ... full of spiritual ... as well as ... physical dangers and pitfalls

... to meet the Bridegroom ... Jesus ... at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

"And he saith unto me, Write,
Blessed are they
which are called unto
the marriage supper
of the Lamb.
And he saith unto me,
These are
the true sayings
of God." 
-Rev.19:9 

But there is a huge difference between being "called"... being "chosen"... and being"... faithful." 

Click here for further info regarding 
"The Called, and Chosen, and Faithful."

 "And
five of them
were wise, 
and
five were
foolish."
v.2

Unfortunately these ten unmarried women are not all the same.  

Five of the virgins are wise ... but five of them are foolish.

"They that were foolish
took their lamps,

and
took no oil
with them:"
v.3

The foolish virgins make a crucial mistake.

They fail to take any oil with them for their lamps.

What good is a lamp ... if you don't have any fuel to light the lamp

... if a lamp does not have the specific type of fuel required to function as a lamp?

... these virgins will not be able ... to follow the Way to the Marriage Feast ... and will be left in a very dangerous situation

... stumbling around in the dark.

... And what good is the Word of God (Lamp) ... if it cannot serve its intended purpose

... if it is a rewritten perversion ... of the Word

... or ... if the real Word ... just sits on the shelf gathering dust?

.... Or how can one benefit from the Word ... if it is read as just another text book

... instead of being given preeminence ... and welcomed into the heart of a person ... as the actual Word/Voice ... of the Living God?

Considering this fact ... we see how it becomes possible to memorize the Scriptures

... to thoroughly know what the Word says ... without ever really ... allowing

... the Word of God to penetrate our heart ... and engage our life ... or result in a genuine relationship with Christ. 

In other words ... mere head knowledge is not enough ... to bring about a true conversion to Christ.

There must be a deep response to that Word
... involving complete repentance

... acknowledging Jesus as preeminent Lord.   

If Jesus is not given His rightful position as Lord ... and ... self remains on the throne

... no conversion has taken place.

Belonging to Jesus Christ ... just remains a lovely thought in our memory bank ... located next to the last Disney movie we saw.

To experience a genuine conversion to Christ ... the power of the Word of God ... must be successfully transfered

... from the mind to the heart.

When a true conversion to Christ actually takes place ... one becomes a wise virgin

... able to understand the value of the oil ... and will seek it out ... because she realizes that

... her faith to be saved ... initially came from the Word ... and the Word will ... therefore

... continue to be her Source of faith.

Faith is not something we can conjure up ourselves ... only God's Word and Spirit ... can supply the faith ... to faithfully ... complete the journey God has set before us.

"But
the wise took oil 
in
their vessels 
with
their lamps."
v.4

There are also five wise virgins.

Since wisdom comes from the Word of God (Prov.ch.1) ... we know that these virgins are wise

... because they long to hear ... the sound ... of the Voice ... of the One they love.

So they keep recalling everything He has ever done ... and ever said ... meditating on His every Word ... and action

... in order to find the strength and guidance they need ... to follow the Way ... He has set before them.

When the Word of God is preeminent and valued ... the Holy Spirit ... which resides in the Word ... will illuminate the Word

... providing the correct interpretation ... so the true Bride of Christ ... will be prepared to see the path ... she must follow ... to meet Him at the Marriage Supper.

The preeminent functions of God's Spirit are:
... to teach
... interpret the Word
... provide discernment
... and ...
... bring the Word of God to
    our remembrance

... in addition to being our Comforter. 

One characteristic of wisdom ... is found in the ability to understand ... that life is filled with times of famine ... as well as ... times of feasting

... and that it is ... therefore ... wise to prepare.

"Boast not thyself
of tomorrow;
for thou knowest not
what a day
may bring forth." 
-Proverbs 27:1

The wise virgins know that carrying lamps ... will do them no good ... unless they remember ... that their Lamp (Word of God)

... also requires oil/the Spirit of God ... to light their way

... therefore ... they faithfully pay attention to the details

... and bring oil ... for their lamps.

"While 
the bridegroom tarried

they all
slumbered and slept."
v.5

Jesus Christ will seem to tarry.

He will give us as much time as possible ... and every opportunity ... to receive His Word

... so one day we can be blessed by living forever ... in the new home ... He is presently preparing ... for those who really love Him.  (John 14:2)

While Christ's arrival seems to be delayed ... we find all of the virgins sleeping.

There is nothing wrong with resting while they wait ... but some of them are not ready ... and should ... no doubt ... have been preparing ... instead of sleeping. 

"And at midnight 
there was a cry made,

Behold,
the bridegroom
cometh; 
go ye out
to meet him."
v.6

Nevertheless ... His coming will not be delayed forever.

One day ... very soon ... we will hear a cry announcing His return ... and will be called ... to go forth to meet Him.

Perhaps some of us ... have already heard initial promptings ... in our spirit ... and are already preparing ... to enter into the Marriage Feast.

Trimming the Lamps...

"Then
all those virgins
arose, 
and
trimmed
their lamps."
v.7

When all of the virgins heard the cry ... they arose and "trimmed"... [Greek 2889] ... their lamps

... meaning that they prepared their lamps ... made their lamps ready ... for that spiritual journey ... as the final events of this fallen world began to unfold

... eagerly pressing toward that moment ... when they would finally see the face ... of the One they love ... with all their heart.

True love is a very splendid thing ... when it is mutual.  

Marriage without love is a disaster. 

Jesus died so His Bride could have eternal life.

He is not going to enter into a loveless ... disastrous ... marriage.

Since the Holy Spirit is God ... and "God is love" (1 John 4:8)

... we can conclude that these five wise virgins ... are actually igniting the love God has placed in their heart ... as they have eagerly received His Spirit ... which resides in His Word. 

This is not just a story about personal choices.

This is a story that ... describes genuine faith ... and love.

Neither genuine faith ... nor real love can be faked.

Either you have it ... or you don't.

Real faith comes by ... hearing the Word of God.
(Romans 10:17).

It is impossible for anyone to conjure up real faith.

Jesus is the sole "Author and Finisher of our faith"  (Hebrews 12:2).

He is the One who gives us the faith ... to be faithful.

For this reason ... the parable of the Ten Virgins is a "So Be It" story.

Some will arrive and some will not.  So be it.

God already knows who the five foolish virgins are ... and who the five wise virgins are.  

Nothing surprises Him.

However ... it is also a "Wake Up" call ... for those who really love Him ... but have become distracted by the things of this world.

Now is the time to focus on the most important thing in life ... the preeminence ... of Jesus Christ ... and ... His
Word.

When we really love Jesus ... He and His Word ... will be preeminent in our life.

As time was running out ... some of the foolish virgins ... began to stir from their slumber:

And
the foolish said
unto the wise,

Give us of your oil;

for our lamps
are gone out.
v.8

The foolish became anxious ... because they realized ... that they were really not prepared ... to meet the Bridegroom.

Now they wanted the wise virgins to give them their oil ... because their own lamps ... had gone out.

"But
the wise answered, 
saying,
Not so; 

lest there be
not enough 
for us and you:

but
go ye rather
to them that sell 
and
buy for yourselves."
v.9

The wise virgins would not be wise ... if they were selfish.

Therefore ... there has to be another reason why the wise virgins would not give the foolish virgins any of their oil.

Perhaps this type of "oil" is not something one person can give to another

... but is something each virgin must acquire herself.

Because of this ... each wise virgin only had ... just enough oil ... for her own personal journey.

So they told the foolish virgins ... to go purchase oil for themselves.

But it was too late.

How to Buy Oil...

The foolish virgins were told to go BUY oil ... but in Acts Ch. 8 ... Peter sternly rebukes Simon ... the former sorcerer ... for trying to buy the power of the Holy Spirit ... when he says in verse 20:

"...Thy money perish
with thee,
because thou
hast thought
that the gift of God
may be purchased
with money."

This is another example where the Scripture appears to contradict itself ... which is a clue that we need to take a closer look at what God is revealing

... because the Word of God never contradicts itself.

If we look carefully ... we can determine that this issue ... at its foundation ... is about using money to buy the Holy Spirit

... so we must conclude that somehow oil/Holy Spirit must be BOUGHT/purchased

... acquired with something other than money.

So what is equal ... in a sense ... to money ... and yet ... not money?

It also must be something everyone has ... even if they are confined to their bed and unable to work.

Isn't time often equated to money?

Haven't we heard it said:
..."Time is money?"

... and so it is.

So how can we invest our time to get the Holy Spirit?

... and why can't the foolish virgins get back in time with the oil?

If the Holy Spirit/oil resides in the Word of God ... the oil can be acquired ... through diligent study/extraction ... of the oil

... from the Word ... by investing our time/life in that process ... because we understand

... just how valuable it is. 

Money then ... 
                        ... becomes time
                        ... and time 
                        ... becomes life.

But the foolish virgins ... did not see the value ... in listening to the Voice of God

... so they did not ... invest the time required ... to acquire the oil

... and ran out of time.  

It became impossible ... to recapture the time they wasted

... so when the Bridegroom arrives ... they are not prepared

... and are left behind.

***Note***

     The Parable of the 10 Virgins is followed by the Parable of the Talents ... in this same chapter ... which serves as a second witness to the fact

... that God is verifying ... that entering the Kingdom of Heaven will require

... making some type of "investment." 

Talents = Greek #5007   
               = Money
               = In Hebrew money
               = gold and silver
Again:
Time invested=Life invested

Some servants multiplied the valuable thing they had been given

... the "talents" symbolizing the TIME ... they had been given ... to extract the Spirit ...  from the Word of God ... bringing the benefits into their life.  

However ... one lazy servant ... did not care enough ... to use any method available ... to invest any amount of time ... in any way ... in this endeavor.

Therefore ... even what little money/time he had been given ... was taken away from him

... and he was cast into outer darkness ... where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

"For unto whomsoever
much is given,
of him shall much
be required:
and
to whom men
have committed much,
of him
they will ask the more."
-Luke 12:47-48

Here we see a principle established in the Word of God ... whereby we all are expected to invest into our spiritual life ... and the spiritual lives of others

... according to the amount God has given to us.

         (Proverbs Chapter 1)

Only the Wise (Virgins)
... are Led
     ...by the Light:

"But the Comforter,
which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send
in my name,
he shall teach you
all things,
and
bring all things
to your remembrance, whatsoever
I have said unto you."
-Jn.14:26

"Then spake Jesus again
unto them, saying,
I am the light
of the world; he that
followeth me
shall not
walk in darkness,
but shall have
the light of life."
-Jn. 8:12

~Holy Spirit~
= Sent IN Jesus' Name
= Jesus Name = Word of God
= Holy Spirit = IN HIS WORD
= WORD = Light
= Light = Jesus
= Jesus = Light of the world 
= Light = Holy Spirit
= Holy Spirit
   = Light leading Wise Virgins

"For as many as are led
by the Spirit [Light] of God
[=Wise Virgins],
they are the sons
[Wise Virgins]
of God."
-Romans 8:14 

"Then spake Jesus again
unto them, saying,
I am the light
of the world:
he that followeth
[Wise Virgins]
me
[Jesus/Holy Spirit/Light]
shall not walk
in darkness,
but shall have
the light of life."
-Jn. 8:12

BUT ... it is too late ... 

 "And while they went
to buy, 
the bridegroom came;

and 
they that were ready 
went in with him

to the marriage: 
and 
the door was shut."
v.10

While the foolish virgins went ... to try to acquire oil ... at the last minute

... the Bridegroom came in the meantime ... and the wise virgins ... those who had been prepared and ready

... went in with Him to the marriage.

And the door was shut.

"Afterward came also 
the other virgins, 
saying,

Lord, Lord, open to us."
v.11

Later the foolish virgins ... who had failed to follow His Word ... and prepare ... came and begged the Lord ... to open the door ... and let them in.

"But he answered 
and said,

Verily I say unto you, 
I know you not."
v.12

When He heard them knocking ... He told them that He did not even know them.

They were not the Bride ... that had developed a deep relationship with Him ... through His Word.

They were not among those ... who loved the sound of His Voice ... and were prepared ... watching ... and waiting for Him.

They were ... in fact ... strangers to Him.

"Watch therefore, 
for ye know neither 
the day nor the hour 
wherein 
the Son of man cometh."
..(end)..Matthew 25:1-13

Here is the lesson of Christ:

"Watch."

You do not know the exact moment He is coming back ...  for those who really love Him.

Be ready ... Be prepared

Be listening to His Word ... and following His will ... taking the specific path ... He has laid out for you

... so you can find your way through this dark ... fallen world

... to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

"And to her was granted 

that she should be arrayed

in fine linen,
clean and white:

for the fine linen 

is
the righteousness
of saints.

And he saith unto me,

Write,

Blessed are they 

which are called 

unto the marriage supper 

of the Lamb.

And he saith unto me,

These are
the true sayings
of God.

And I fell at his feet 

to worship him.  

And he said unto me, 

See thou do it not:

I am thy fellowservant, 

and of thy brethren

that have
the testimony of Jesus:

worship God:

for
the testimony of Jesus

is
the spirit of prophecy."

-Rev. 19:8-10

God is identifying the Bride
... with this mark of purity
... specifically telling John
    to describe it in the BOOK
    ... the Holy Bible. 

God ... Himself ... is going to grant the genuine Bride of Christ real

... tangible ... obvious ... purity ... that comes by the Grace of God ... through the Word of God ... and the power of the Holy Spirit

... via His payment for her sin ... through His shed blood.  

Holy Spirit-led Works...

When the end comes ... and the books are opened ... the works that the Holy Spirit ... has actually ... called believers to do ... will be rewarded.

However the crowns believers receive ... will be cast at the feet of our Lord ... because they rightfully belong to Him

...because it is His Word ... and His Spirit ... that actually brought about these works.

Anything done ... through self-motivation and our own power ... are worthless rags to Him.

Only works accomplished ... through the specific Word of God ... the leading of His Spirit ... and empowered by His Holy Spirit will qualify

... and even in this case ... these works are still only regarded as our "reasonable"... expected service ... in light of all He has done for us.

While the genuine Bride's purity is not something she can accomplish herself

... because of her genuine relationship with Christ ... He will give her the ability and motivation ... [the Lamp and the Oil ... the Word and His Spirit] ... to help her prepare so she will be ... pure ... ready ... and waiting ... for His return:

"That He might 

sanctify and cleanse it 

[His genuine Church/Bride] 

with the washing of water 

by the Word.  

That He might 

present it to Himself 

a glorious church, 

not having spot or wrinkle, 

or any such thing; 

but
that it should be holy 

and
without blemish."

-Ephesians 5:26-27

How will the true Bride know prophecy?

How will she be able to discern the signs of the times ... and understand what lies ahead?

The true Bride is indwelt by the Spirit of God ... residing
... in the Word of God.

It is the Spirit of God who will lead her ... because Jesus Christ is the Word. 

Because of her relationship with Jesus Christ ... through the Word of God ... and His Spirit

... the Bride knows ... without a doubt in her heart ... who the real Jesus is ... what He has said ... what He has done

... and what He is likely to do in the future ... because of the unbreakable promises He has made in His Holy Word.

           **Important Note**  
                      Luke 8:18:

"Take heed therefore
  how ye hear: 
  for whosoever hath,
  to him shall be given;
  and
  whosoever hath not,
  from him
  shall be taken 
  even that which 
  he seemeth to have."   

After the faithful Bride departs ... Tribulation/Wrath of God
... Judgment will begin.

Those who only knew about Christ ... but never had a real relationship with Him ... therefore ... were not faithful to Him

... had not made Him ... preeminent ... exclusive ... love of their life

... but loved the world and things of the world ... can still repent and be converted to Christ

... BUT ... then

... may likely suffer extreme persecution ... even death for their testimony in Christ.

1 John. 2:
v.15
"Love not the world,
neither the things
that are in the world.
If any man
love the world,
the love of the Father
is not in him.
v.16
For all that is
in the world,
the lust of the flesh,
and
the lust of the eyes,
and
the pride of life,
is not of the Father,
but is of the world.
v.17
And
the world passeth away,
and
the lust thereof:
but
he that doeth
the will of God
abideth for ever."

*****
Also many may die suddenly after the rapture/departure ... in the chaos that is likely to follow.

So there may not even be time to repent and be saved.

Therefore. . .

It would be eternally wise

... to have assurance of salvation NOW.

   

To find 
absolute assurance
of salvation 
right now,
scroll to the top
of this page

and

click on the gift 
wrapped in gold 
on the left side
of the page.

Be prepared
to be
eternally blessed. 
♡♡♡