Mathew 25 Lesson

THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

Every word of Mathew Chapter 25 is spoken directly by Jesus.

The chapter begins with what is referred to as the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Mathew 25:1-13). This parable tells the story of ten virgins:

• Five who were foolish,
• And five who were prudent.

It is this parable that will be the focus of today’s lesson:

• “Then the kingdom of Heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” - Mathew 25:1-13.

This parable was spoken by Jesus as a warning to make sure that we are prepared for His return.

THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS

Nobody knows when Jesus is going to return, except God (Mathew 24:36).

Because of this, we must do everything that we can, with a sense of urgency, to be prepared!

Consider these words spoken by Jesus:

• “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” – Mathew 24:36-44.

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT BEING PREPARED

The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of being prepared.

For today’s lesson, we have highlighted the following five verses:

1. “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.” - 1 Peter 3:15,
2. “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith.” - 1 Corinthians 16:13,
3. “Go to the ant, you lazy one. Observe its ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer, or ruler, prepares its food in the summer and gathers its provision in the harvest.” -Proverbs 6:6-8,
4. “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” -Hebrews 11:7,
5. “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.” -Mathew 25:13.

CONCLUSION

The Parable of the Ten Virgins tells the story of five virgins who were foolish, and five who were prudent, or prepared.

What Jesus is talking about in this parable is His Second Coming.

And since nobody knows when that will be except God, the time to get prepared is now.

Listed below are five matters of salvation. If any of these are lacking in your life, the time to act is now, as none of us are promised another day.

1. Believe in Jesus.  “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” –  Acts 16:31, 
2. Confess our belief in Him.  “For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” –  Romans 10:10, 
3. Repent (turn away from) of our sins.  “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” –  Luke 13:3, 
4. Be baptized.  “ Baptism  now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ .” –  1 Peter 3:21  and “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” –  Mark 16:16, 
5. Obey God’s commandments.  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”  –  Mathew 7:21. 

We will end today’s lesson with the following scripture:

• “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” James 4:13-14.