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At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

-Matthew 25:1-12

  

We desire, pursue, revel in love and relationship more than anything else.

  

Throughout Scripture the marriage relationship is used as a metaphor of the type of relationship God desires with his people. Not friendship. Not platonic. But Marriage!

Our culture is so abusive of sex that these analogies lose some of their meaning and our minds go in the wrong direction.

  

First: The Betrothal.

The terms of the relationship were sealed with ceremonial sharing of a glass of wine before the two parted ways and entered a time of anticipation and preparation leading up to the final wedding feast.

  

Second: The Insula.

  

Third: The Return.

  

Anticipation, Expectation, Preparation. 

  

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

-Matthew 25:5-6

Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

-Matthew 25:7-9

  

Which Means:

  

1. The Price has been paid.

….as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

-Isaiah 62:5

So that He might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things, that she might be holy and without blemish.

-Ephesians 5:27

You were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.

-1 Corinthians 6:20

  

2. Jesus is preparing a place in His Father’s Insula.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

-John 14:1-3

  

3. The Return and the Wedding Feast.

  

4. The bride of Christ, the church, eagerly awaits the Return and makes herself ready.

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.

-Revelation 19:11-14

  

Anticipation, Expectation, Preparation.

  

Anticipation:

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

-John 14:3

  

Expectation:

Apo—Kara—Dokia: “To gaze into the future with hope.”

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

-Hebrews 11:1

And He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised.

-2 Corinthians 1:22 NLT

  

Preparation:

We have each been given talents, spiritual gifts, and a place in God’s kingdom, His church.

Well, done good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.

-Matthew 25:23

 

  

  

  

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