Ten Virgins and theTalents
Good Morning Brothers and Sisters, young people, and friends. While we await our Lord's return, there are certain things we are to do. We have specific responsibilities that we must perform during his absence. We will be looking at a couple of parables in Matthew chapter 25 to help remind us of some of these responsibilities. Let us first start by reading the parable of the "Ten Virgins" in Matthew 25, verses 1-13. 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom come; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Let us look at this a little closer. The very first word, then, has two very distinct characteristics. First, it is a link binding the last chapter and this one together. The word then, also is the key to the interpretation. When will the Kingdom of Heaven be like ten virgins? When he comes at the consummation of the age. We also see the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven". We have all heard the phrase "Kingdom of Heaven, haven't we? Most of the people in the world misinterpret this to mean a Kingdom in Heaven, don't they? We know that this is not going to be a kingdom in heaven. But, that it is called the Kingdom of Heaven in contrast with the kingdoms of men. It is also called the Kingdom of God, in contrast to the rule of man. Maybe this parable has a double meaning. I think we all come up with the same conclusion on the first meaning, "to be watchful and ready with our responsibilities and our lives in order". It may also be speaking of a future time for Israel. There are a few places in the bible where Israel is mentioned as a virgin. Let us look at one place that mentions that. Isaiah 23: 12; 12 And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest. I did a lot of reading on the topic of these virgins. People gave mant different opinions on what they thought about these virgins. Personally, I think that they are the Jews, and us, adopted Jews. The ten virgins went to meet the bridegroom, this would be Christ. The number ten is the number of completeness. Could these ten virgins be representative of the church, or Christ's bride? There were five wise virgins and five foolish virgins. The virgins were all alike, in that, they all responded to the call of the Bridegroom. They were all alike in the their knowledge of, and regard of the Bridegroom. They all had lamps. They were all aroused at the cry, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh". But it was at this point, when the difference between the virgins was revealed. The five wise virgins had oil, the five foolish virgins did not. The wise, were wise because they had made every preparation for their future needs. The foolish, were foolish because they failed to fully prepare for the future. Doesn't this seem like it may fit our lives too? Are we preparing for the future? Are we responsible? Are we fulfilling our responsibilities given to us by God and Christ? Are we doing everything possible to keep us in the way of righteousness? No one else can do it for us, Brothers and Sisters. We control our own actions. As the five foolish virgins went away to buy oil, the five wise virgins entered into the hall, and "he door was shut". What a horrible moment for the foolish virgins. They knocked at the door, only to hear the reply from the bridegroom, "I know you not". Will we be ready Brothers and Sisters, when the Bridegroom returns? Let's not be on the other side of that locked door. Let us keep our lamps burning while we await our Saviours return. Let's continue on with the second parable in Matthew 25, starting with verse 14 and reading through to verse 30; 14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one: to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents come and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents come and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The parable of the virgins taught us the need to be watchful and ready, this parable teaches us necessity, or duty, of work. As we 'await' Christ's return, we must "labor" on. As we had the virgins waiting for their Lord, we now have the servants working for him. In verse 14, the "man", referred to, is the Lord Jesus Christ. And the "traveling into a far country", refers to his departure into Heaven. The servants were the twelve disciples he addressed at that time, and in a broader sense, all born-again believers. The trading that the servants were to do during their Lords absence, indicates the faithful use the Lord's people should make of spiritual gifts and opportunities for service. The reward each servant will receive from his master, is the same thing that might be expected at the Judgment Seat of Christ when our services are reviewed. The judgment unpon the one servant who failed in his trust, is a warning to us about non-use or misuse of Heaven's gifts. The master in the parable knew the trading capabilities of his servants, and distributed his talents accordingly. The unequal distribution of these talents teaches us many things. The ones who receive the most talents might be preachers or evangelists. They have a deep knowledge of spiritual truths. They carry a great responsibility and more is expected of them than others less gifted of the Lord. Those with two talents are not clever, their capacity is somewhat timited. But the servant with the one talent describes the vast majority of us. We are among the majority who follow the Lord. Yet those of us who have the least are still bound to serve the Lord with what we have, and if we serve him faithfully, we will be rewarded at his return. The servant with the five talents given to him, doubled them. The servant who was given the two talents also doubled his. We should use our God given strengths and abilities continually, and maybe they too will increase. Let's look at verse 21 where it says "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord". This brought joy to the Lord. Faithful service brings him joy. Brothers and Sisters, let's remember these parables as we continue our daily walk toward the Kingdom. Let's remember that Christ's return could be any second. We need to be thorough and diligent in our spiritual walk. We need to use our God given abilities, whatever they may be, to glorify our Heavenly Father. We need to use these abilities so that we might become more Christ-like. Let's accept the responsibilities left us, continue to be faithful, labor in the Lord, and be prepared with lamps burning when he returns.
An Exhortation given by: Bro Greg Morgan 07/15/2001 Westville Christadelphian Ecclesia
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