Coming Events and Present Duties — J. C. Ryle
“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, 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. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour!” Matthew 25:1-13
The passage of Scripture before our eyes, is one that deserves the close attention of all professing Christians. We ought to read it again and again, until we are thoroughly familiar with every sentence that it contains. It is a passage that concerns us all, whether ministers or people, rich or poor, learned or unlearned, old or young. It is a passage that can never be known too well.
These thirteen verses make up one of the most solemn parables that our Lord Christ ever spoke; partly because of the time at which it was spoken, partly because of the matter which it contains.
As to the time — it was but a few days before our Lord’s crucifixion. It was spoken within view of Gethsemane and Calvary, of the cross and the grave.
As to the matter — it stands as a beacon to the Church of Christ in all ages. It is a witness against carelessness and slothfulness — against apathy and indifference about religion — and a witness of no uncertain sound. It cries to thoughtless sinners, “Awake!” It cries to true servants of Christ, ” Watch!”
There are many trains of thought which this parable opens up, that I must of necessity leave alone. It would be foreign to my purpose to follow them out. I do not sit down to compose a learned commentary — but to write a simple practical address. I shall only clear my way by explaining two things, which otherwise might not be understood. And when I have done that, I shall keep to those main truths which it is most useful for us to know.
The marriage customs of the country where the parable was spoken, call for a few words of explanation. Marriages there generally took place in the evening. The bridegroom and his friends came in procession to the bride’s house after nightfall. The young women who were the bride’s friends were all assembled there, waiting for him. As soon as the lamps and torches, carried by the bridegroom’s party, were seen coming in the distance — these young women lighted their lamps, and went forth to meet him. Then, having formed one united party, they all returned together to the bride’s home. As soon as they arrived there, they entered in, the doors were shut, the marriage ceremony went forward, and no one else was admitted. All these were familiar things to those who heard the Lord Jesus speak; and it is right and proper that you should have them in your mind’s eye while you read this parable.
The figures and emblems used in the parable also call for some explanation. I will give you my own view of their meaning. I may be wrong. I freely admit that they are not always interpreted exactly in the same way. But you have a right to have my opinion, and I will give it you shortly and decidedly.
I believe the parable to be a prophecy all the way through.
I believe the time spoken of in the parable, is the time when Christ shall return in person to this world, and a time yet to come. The very first word, the word “then,” compared with the end of the twenty-fourth chapter, appears to me to settle that question.
I believe the ten virgins carrying lamps represent the whole body of professing Christians — the visible Church of Christ.
I believe the Bridegroom represents our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
I take the wise virgins to be the true believers, the real disciples of Christ, the converted part of the visible Church.
I take the foolish virgins to be the mere nominal Christians, the unconverted, the whole company of those who have no vital godliness.