Look Closer, Part 12: The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

In Matthew 24 Jesus talks about the end times, and we focus on:

• False messiahs
• Wars and rumors of wars
• Nation against nation
• Famines
• Earthquakes
• Persecution
• Increase of wickedness
• Distress
• Deception
• Desolation             

If we look closer, we see:

“…but see to it that you are not alarmed.” vs. 6b

“…but he who stand firm to the end will be saved…” vs. 13a

“And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” vs. 31

“No one knows about the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” vs. 36

“Therefore, keep watch….” vs. 42

The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Bridesmaids) MATTHEW 25:1-13

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
       ⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
       ⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.
       ⁹ “‘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.’
       ¹⁰ “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.
       ¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
       ¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
       ¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

You had one job!

for the bridegroom

(Leave the bride; go out and escort the groom to bride;
escort both of them back to the groom’s house for the wedding banquet)

Look Closer

Recognize the : this parable is directed at

All slept and all had the same invitation but only five were ready to join the procession

Recognize the but don’t fixate on the

Recognize that there is a point

The key element to the story is the or the .

You can’t enter heaven based on the salvation others have received. Each one is accountable for their own choices.

with light – keep your lampas ready

Common excuses for not being prepared:

I’m

I have plenty of

Surely there’s more than just to be included by the groom

Small Group Questions

1. Have you ever run out of gas? What happened?
2. Read Matthew 24 out loud. What do you learn about the end times that you didn’t already know? What does Jesus say to believers about being prepared?
3. What differences and similarities do you see between the foolish and the wise bridesmaids? What does this teach you about the point of the parable?
4. What choices can you make today to prepare for the coming of Jesus?
5. We covered the three parables of Matthew 25 in random order. Read them in order and look closer. What is God teaching you about the Kingdom?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?