Issue 03 > Mon, 29 October 2001
This Week's Question : What was Jesus teaching about the kingdom of heaven in the parable of the ten virgins? (Matt 25:1-13)

In this parable, Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom. (Matt 25:1) Five of the virgins were foolish and five of them were wise. The foolish virgins did not take oil for their lamps (V3) while the wise virgins did. (V4). All the virgins subsequently went to sleep while waiting for the bridegroom (V5).
When the bridegroom arrived they all began to trim their lamps, but the foolish virgins did not have any oil. (Matt 25:6-8). While the foolish virgins were away buying oil, the door to the wedding feast was shut after the wise virgins had entered. When the foolish virgins returned, they begged to get into the feast but were told that they were not known.
The main point of the parable seems to be that only those who are watchful for the kingdom of God and alert for the coming of the Son of Man (that is, believers) will be able to enter it. (Matt 25:13). Contextually, this refers to true believers who are living during the future tribulation period, prior to the second coming of Christ. His coming will be sudden, when it is not expected. Believers are those who anticipate Jesus' coming and seek to be prepared for it, living their lives accordingly. Jesus' return will terminate the opportunity for people to "prepare themselves" (trust in Jesus) to enter His kingdom. Only those who are previously prepared (saved, by trusting in Christ) will be permitted to enter. No unprepared (unsaved) person will be permitted to enter.

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."
(Matt 25:13) NKJV

 

What To Do When You Feel Angry...

 Weddings

8 "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret - it only causes harm"
(Psalms 37:8) NKJV

19 "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
20 For the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
(James 1:19-20) NKJV

An important element of weddings was the procession at the end of the day. The bridegroom set out from his home to fetch his bride from her parents' home. At this point the bride was wearing a veil. At some point, the veil was removed and laid on the shoulder of the bridegroom, and the declaration was made, "The governement shall be upon his shoulder." A procession then set out from the bride's home to the couple's new home, and the dark roadway would be lit with oil lamps held by wedding guests. In the above story, the bride and groom were later than expected so the oil in the lamps began to run low. Only those who had brought a reserve flask of oil were able to refill their lamps and welcome the bride and groom.
All references taken from RBC, Pat Robertson, Ron Rhodes, Kenneth/Gloria Copeland, Charles Slagle, Smith Wigglesworth, Selwyn Hughes, Charles Spurgeon, Manners and Customs of Bible Times, The Complete Bible Handbook, The Spirit Filled Bible(NKJV), The NIV Bible, God's Promises for your every Need.