The Parables

The wise and foolish virgins, Pt13.

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13.

We have come to our last study of this parable and it is my last School Assembly of this year.
That is what you call good timing.

I said at the close of our last study that the church will again be taken up with a watching and waiting for the coming of Christ.

1. It is as a result of that stirring that the five foolish virgins, or those who make a profession of being Christians but who are not truly saved, discover that they have no oil!
This is an evangelical move by the Lord. How careless they had been! Is not ‘oil’ the most vital thing for someone with a lamp!
Please children hear the Saviour’s words: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” John 3:3. The new birth is what is symbolised by the oil. Oil brings life to the lamp and the new birth brings life to our dead souls!

2. See how they still would profess that Christ is their Lord! “Lord, Lord, open to us,” verse 11.

Many today sit amongst the people of God and consider themselves to be truly saved. In His great mercy, the Lord will yet cause many to examine themselves, 2 Corinthians 13:5. But still there will be those who refuse to accept that they are not truly saved.

3. The sad end of those not ready. “But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not,” verse 12.
Entrance to heaven depends upon us “knowing” the Lord. Meaning of the word.
Matt 2:2 – ‘seen’. 2. Matt 2:11 – ‘saw’. 3. Matt 6:8, 32 – ‘knoweth’. 4. Matt 9:2 – ‘saw their faith’. Note that God can see whether or not you believe in the Lord Jesus!

Please read John 9:35-38.

The wise and foolish virgins, Pt12.

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13.

Stream or download The Parables #135

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We ended our last study with me remarking that the Church today is asleep regarding the coming again of the Saviour.
That was not always the case, verse 1. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” 1 Thess 5:1-8,
That early watchfulness did not last. 1 Cor 15:33-34, note Paul’s call to wakefulness. Matt 24:48-49 depicts the unconverted that at the end have taken power in the church.

I. THE CRY FROM HEAVEN THAT IS SOUNDED

“And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,” verse 6.

1. It is close to the return of the Saviour. “The bridegroom cometh.” The midnight hour, the hour of judgment, Ex 11:4, 12:29.

2. It is the voice of the Bridegroom’s attendants. Christ will arouse His church in preparation for His coming and all that entails through the ministry of His servants. That prospect will again grip the mind and hearts of His people – the Exodus  spirit, Ex 12:11.
We are those that “look for Him.” That is how it used to be – Php 3:20; Heb 9:28; 2Pe 3:13-14.

3. The church will again be taken up with preparations for the imminent coming of Christ. That will impact upon our walk. “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things (events that follow Christ’s coming), be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless,” 2 Peter 3:14.

This is first century Christianity.

* Note the concern about oil, verse 8. The reality of what is needed will dawn upon many but error persists and time is gone, it is too late.

The wise and foolish virgins, Pt11.

Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13.

Stream or download The Parables #134

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We have, in the will of the Lord, only three more assemblies in which I will be concluding our studies for this school year.
Note:

A. The end-time church will profess holiness. It is likened unto “virgins” which speaks of purity. But it is in most cases an empty profession. See 2 Tim 3:1-5.

B. The church will be small. The number ten is small, Genesis 18:32. The bare necessity for a congregation amongst the Jews.

C. They carry lamps. A profession, testimony. But the lamps are neglected. No oil, untrimmed even where there was oil.

1. TODAY, THE CHURCH IS RIDDLED WITH FALSE PROFESSIONS.
Half were “foolish,” no substance to their profession of faith in Christ. They took no oil – saw no need. The word “foolish” means, “impious, ungodly”. See 2 Timothy 3:1-5. “Having a form of godliness.”

2. THE CHURCH IS ASLEEP.
“Slumbered and slept”.
Both the true believer and the mere professor of Christianity, given over to sleep.
The watching for Christ did not last long. It is something very mjuch neglected today, even amongst the best of believers!