Jesus taught over 30 clear Parables during His earthly Ministry. Today, we will look at just one of them: The Parable of the Ten Virgins which most of you have heard many times, and which has been interpreted in many different lights. But, have you ever Scripturally, contextually looked closely? Because all of Jesus’ parables are powerful and relevant, but this one speaks directly to those living at His Return. And when we discern the times in which we are living, we should pay extra careful attention to this warning. I understand that a number of sincere, saved Christians believe differently about when Jesus will come to take His own home. Some believing it will be at different points of the Great Time of Tribulation on earth, before His final return; some believing He will not come to take us home at all before His final return.

But I sincerely believe Scriptures are very clear in showing two distinct appearances of Our King in the End of Times with a distinctly separate mission for each. Listen to these two passages closely: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. This appearing of Jesus is in the clouds. He is never seen as even touching down on this earth. This appearance of Jesus involves no one, but His elect saints. This appearance immediately takes us up to where He is. This appearance involves no judgment, no destruction—but a loving rescue of His beloved. Now, listen to this passage: Jude 1:14-15. This passage clearly speaks of a time when Jesus returns to the earth physically, with a different agenda: to bring judgment and conviction. Judgment to unfaithful, unsaved people left on earth, and this verse is careful to say, “all” left on earth. How, at His return can He Judge all on earth? Because His Bride are with Him at this coming. If He does not take them home before this event, how is this event even possible as described? Listen to other passages describing the same scene in the end: Revelation 17:13-14; Revelation 19:11-14. It is as clear as possible in these passages that He will be coming soon to receive His Bride into His Kingdom, unexpectedly. Shown again, even in this parable we are about to study: Matthew 25:10-11. After the True Bride of Jesus was safely returned home at the marriage feast and the doors were shut, others remained behind still searching to buy oil, only to come to His doors later knowing all that Scriptures say of events preceding His return, and knowing that Jesus said we can recognize the season that we are to look for Signs of His coming: be watching. He tells us in this Parable that many will still be caught unprepared. Let’s delve deeply into the reality of this Parable as it applies right now to all of us. Here is the setting of this Parable as understood in light of the Jewish culture. A man would be betrothed to his bride in this culture, then leave for a period of up to a year to prepare a place for her before consummating the marriage. As the Bride would stay ready and waiting, lighting a lamp to show that she was looking for his return. Then, when His Father says it is time, He returns for her to take her to be where He is to remove her from the rest of the world and He usually came blowing trumpets in a procession, often at night, where she came out (up) to meet Him and they left everyone else, together. The Bride would be anxiously watching for His return, and would go out to meet him with her lamp lit. The Bridegroom would take her back to their new home for a week-long celebration, leading to the wedding with this cultural mindset. Let’s read the Parable: Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus starts this Parable by saying the Kingdom of Heaven will be like this, describing the event and describing the True Bride. To clearly understand the Parable, the key is to understand what each aspect of the Parable represents. Obviously, Jesus is the Bridegroom returning from Heaven after sealing a Covenant of betrothal with His Bride; after going to prepare a place for Her; after the Father has said, “Go and get your Bride.” The Ten Virgins must represent those who have professed to be waiting for their Groom; those proclaiming Jesus Christ; those who have accepted Him publicly, in Betrothal. But here, some are obviously portrayed as divided at heart or uncommitted Brides; those who proclaim Him in Name only and do not live with a true desire and hope for their Groom. The Lamps, or Lanterns, or Torches represent their faith and devotion to Him as they burn bright in anticipation and declaration of their Beloved. And the Bride must carry this flame until they see Him again, or they will not be in the Wedding Procession. The Oil is controversial in meaning to many. Some say it represents the Spirit which lives in every believer. But in the ending of this Parable, Jesus Himself says, “He never knew them.” Therefore, in this instance, some might say the oil would not represent the Spirit of God. If He did not know us, did not dwell in us. Here, it seems obvious the Oil represents their level of true love in Him. Scriptures are clear that many start out with powerful faith in Who He is, but not in Him intimately. They may have a desire to follow that “belief” in Him, but still have conflicting motives and false commitment: Matthew 13:5-7.
With all of the pieces in place, let’s ponder the meaning. The fact that Jesus Himself, said His faithful believers would be at a time of slumber as He tarried tells us that He knew His return would not be for some time from that point because He had caused quite a stir and many anticipated His Kingdom immediately. Jesus is warning the many untrue followers who are mixed with true believers; those that know Who He truly is and profess to love Him. Yet, in their hearts they love self, more, and eventually they begin to love the world more, and in their time of watching and waiting for Him because they are not truly longing for Hiim, wanting Him. Their Oil, their faith and commitment runs out (they wither), and although they outwardly still proclaim His Name, their thoughts and lives have begun to show the truth—their lamp has run out. And when the realization of His return occurs, they are in a panic suddenly realizing they are not burning for Him anymore and they begin to “trim their wicks,”—begin to try and make their light look bright again, and they look to those around them who are still burning to help them be acceptable to the Groom. This is a very accurate description of many, many professing Christians today, looking and feeling like they are Betrothed Virgins to Our Lord, even deceiving themselves. But in reality, their hearts are empty for Christ and as time goes by, as trials come, as temptations call their light for Him grows ever dimmer, even though they sit with the other Brides in waiting; they do not Know Him, have no root to keep them, and they continue in their happy stupor of comfort until that day when they realize they are about to meet Him. They realize no one else can save them; no one else can give them oil for their lamp; no sermon can save them; no church attendance or good works can save them; no lies to others about how they love Him; growing up in a Christian home can’t save them; accepting that He exists or that He is even Coming Again can’t save them. Only a sincere heart that wants His Love, trusts His ways, and is willing to live for Him, long for Hiim to the end—has been bought by the Bridegroom with His Blood. Only those with lamps still burning bright will be able to join the Wedding Procession. Listen to these Passages describing exactly what Jesus is portraying here: Revelation 2:3-5; Revelation 3:1-3; Revelation 3:15-20. If this were not such a real and persistent issue in Jesus’ Church, would Jesus have devoted a Parable specifically to this? Would He have addressed it repeatedly to the churches in His Final Book of Scriptures? Would He have given such dire and fearful warnings to His own people? Our fruits do not save us. Only a real, true, lasting love for Him that wants to be covered under His Blood! that wants to belong to Him completely at the cost of anything else in their lives. Only they will be carried away by the Bridegroom. But Jesus clearly warns every professor of His Name that a healthy tree bears signs of good fruits. Otherwise, it means the tree is sick and diseased. The lamp is running out of oil, it has no root. Although it may look like all the others for a time; although their lamps may be burning for a while, at harvest time they will have no fruits; at the time for the Wedding, their lamps will be out.
In our final passage, listen to this serious warning given to churches just like us who have many sitting smug and secure in false security among other brides, yet having lives that are not truly given to Him: Matthew 7:16-23. If it was not possible to repent and turn from this fake faith; if it was not possible that the Spirit could help us see Truth and turn to Him in sincerity, why would Jesus give so many warnings? Why would He literally call us to repentance and restoration? Why would He show such heartbreak and passion?
Drop your pride; drop your own self-deceit; stop being a foolish virgin. Ask yourself, do you really love Him? Are you really living to please Him? Longing to be with Him? Or, are you living your own life playing the fool with false security, simply because you have claimed to be His Bride and you don’t even know Him, aren’t longing for Him, aren’t living for Him? You have to know that ignorance is not bliss but destruction. Don’t just trim your wicks (and look better), fill your flask with oil.

In my personal time with God He has revealed to me something that I needed to work on that is much bigger than I realized. And I decided to be transparent about it because it is obvious that we all struggle with this to some degree. Sometimes our biggest sins as Christians come in very innocent looking packages that don’t seem overtly sinful. But are strongly condemned in His Word when we stop to examine Scriptures honestly, because as natural or innocent as some things may seem, God knows they are very hurtful to our spirit and intimacy with Him. Let’s read a Passage from Paul to the Church of Corinth which was concerning the Israelites when Moses led them out of their slavery in Egypt.

Paul reflects on this time with a message to Christians about things the Israelites did after their deliverance, which he warns they should be careful not to repeat because these things caused God such displeasure in them that they were all either punished immediately or ultimately, kept from the Promised Land: 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 (grumble). Numbers 11:1-3. Why would God put something as simple as complaining in a list with Idolatry, adultery, and rebellion? Today we will reveal this clearly!. Please do not think this message is saying we should just “suck it up, buttercup” and never have a complaint again. We all have legitimate things that make us feel dissatisfied; that give us reason to complain in this world. Almost every business and advertisement in existence actually tries to create dissatisfaction and complaining in our minds so we will turn to them for our relief. Almost all politicians will try to show reasons for complaining so they may become our answer as well. But because of these purposeful influences from many directions, and our tendency to focus on ourselves, it has become all-to-common for us to make complaining a constant reaction of thought and response even in the not-so-bad areas of life, even in the normal events of life, until it becomes a natural and regular response—it becomes a way of life.
Psychologists agree that complaining stems from a need to control things which we cannot control. So, complaining gives us a false sense of doing something about it. Or, fear to act when we actually can do something so we choose to complain as our response to guilty feelings. Or especially a need to validate ourselves and our tough situation so that we may get attention above others. “They tend to be focused on themselves and their own—presumably negative—experience. By showing their anger, frustration, or disappointment, they are soliciting attention from their confidantes. They can feel validated by receiving attention and sympathy. Venters are particularly likely to discount advice and proposed solutions to their problems. They aren’t looking to solve anything; they simply want validation.”
This has become a serious issue for many because much study of compulsive complaining has revealed that it can rewire the brain—so that this path of thinking becomes ingrained in our constant thought process. It becomes a part of how we constantly view life. This causes us to lose perspective of all of the good around us; causes us to miss so much happiness we could enjoy; causes us to miss many opportunities that may be present. All because we are too focused on the negatives to see and enjoy (Proverbs 15:15). Secondly, even though it may feel satisfying in the moment, to complain, God’s Word (and secular psychologists) emphatically say after complaining, the speaker and the listener usually feel worse—proving it is a fruitless and hurtful endeavor (Proverbs 16:24; Proverbs 18:14). Those who use complaining as a means to draw people to themselves actually end up making themselves and others more miserable—and in the process drive others away instead. Compulsive complaining is absolutely contagious. It sets the mood and expectation for all around you. It greatly reduces determination, hope, drive and actions, and it discourages others to feel and act the same. Have you ever been assigned to, or worked with, compulsive complainers? Usually the whole group echoes the same attitude. We as Christians are called to be Light, Salt, Hope, Faith (Proverbs 12:25; Isaiah 50:4; Ephesians 4:29
(sapros). Instead of doing this, we often become the ones to blow out the candle first!; to bring spoilage rather than preserving; to show the least faith and hope in our complaints; to show there is no joy in following Jesus Christ. Which brings us to our biggest issue with compulsive complaining and shows us just why God is so against it. Do you believe that God is completely Sovereign? That He is in control of our live and the world? Hopefully your answer would be, “Yes!” If so, you can understand this Passage of Scripture about the complaints of the Israelites: Exodus 16:8. Complaining about our circumstances all of the time flippantly and pitifully says to God: “I don’t accept what you are doing in my life and I want it done another way.” “I refuse to do what you want because I don’t like it!” (Psalms 106:24-25). It shows that we are not surrendered to God’s Will; that we are not trusting His Heart and Character; that we don’t really think He has a plan and purpose behind all He allows; that we feel He is out of control in our lives. It shows that we are not willing to walk through hard times in faith and courage for Him.
If you find yourself complaining often in life and you want to do something about it: 1) Realize that it is a sin against God (a big sin), and stop thinking it is trivial, natural or overlooked by Him. But, realize that it instead grieves His Heart as much as adultery and idolatry. Listen to these Passages of Scripture: Zechariah 13:9; Job 23:10. When gold and silver are refined or purified. They are placed under extreme heat (by fire in Biblical day), and the impurities become visible, floating to the top. And when they reach their purest state, they become very soft and moldable. When you and I are given to quick and constant complaining, God has turned up the heat enough to make all of the hidden impurities float to visibility for us. He has revealed the dross (worthless part) that even we did not see. That we really don’t trust how He is working in our lives or in the world; that we really aren’t willing to walk where He leads; we really aren’t moldable in the hands of Our Father. We should do this when we see the feel the urge to complain coming to surface. 2) Realize we have begun to trust our own way more than we trust God’s ways of working in our lives, and we are showing by our attitude that we want to depart from God’s Leading for our own (John 6:66-67). [A few years ago, I was forced to mid-shift due to injury at work and couldn’t counsel or teach Wednesday nights. I wanted to be anywhere but there, and questioned God nightly. [Randy helped me see the light)]]. 3) Know that you are hurting God and hurting His Name before others when you complain. [I did not show genuine love for others in my bitterness for a time, or faith that God was in control of my life. I was complaining to every manager and person I saw. (Matthew 5:14-16).] 4) Decide this: once and for all I truly know that God is in control and that He is working in all things. Therefore, I will surrender to His will and trust His heart over my own wisdom and wants. Let it be a time of real given worship, trust and intimacy rather than a fight and a rejection (Isaiah 55:8-9). [I truly determined that God had a plan on mid-shift, and I surrendered to finding His will and making the most of the situation. My attitude changed, and my love for others returned. My joy in everyday experiences came back; my desire to witness and help others returned (Colossians 4:5-6). I ended up being so blessed that I didn’t want to leave. God worked through me to help heal a life and lead back to Christ. I made a life-long bond that has grown to many over years. And then I was moved from there to QC, first shift (unheard of at work). I received a real and awesome peace after accepting God’s way of working (Colossians 3:14-15). 5) Be willing to endure whatever comes even if it does not change (Philippians 4:11-13; Job 13:15; Daniel 3:16-18; Philippians 1:29). Know this: if you have to endure for His sake, sometimes it’s as much a part of God’s Plan to go through the fire to the end as supernatural deliverance would be, because He gets even more Glory sometimes in the rock-solid faith shown by His beloved. 6) Talk it over with Him. Having reasons to complain will come, so rather than complain about Him, complain to Him. Openly, sincerely, intimately tell Him how you feel. Surrender to Him, telling Him it is even in your lack of understanding. Let Him be your comforter because He truly knows the pain you are carrying and He cares deeply (Psalms 142:1-3). He will give you strength and refreshing, and maybe even reveal some of His Reasons: 1 Peter 5:10. 7) Stop and realize all that you do have to be thankful for, to continue fighting for, to live for. Nick Vujicic, a faithful follower of Christ with no arms or legs said this: “I have the choice to be angry at God for what I don't have, or be thankful for what I do have.”) Philippians 4:6-8.) 8) In light of all we have just learned and considered, hold your tongue from sinning against God: Philippians 2:14-18. Will you join with me in recognizing, admitting and repenting of sinning against our God in our complaints? And working to show our faith and surrender to Him from this point forward?

Let’s open today simply by reading a couple of Passages of Scripture: Luke 18:9-14. This is one of the most well-known little Parables of the Bible. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most quickly disregarded parables of Scripture. Disregarded because to us the Pharisees, represent those people—the Bible-thumping, hard-nosed legalists. The mean, narcissistic fuddy-duddies who have long sleeves, proper hair, and no fun; those who preach fire and brimstone and judge everyone else by their standards. Most Christians today live their spiritual lives with a self-centered approach as the very basis for their faith, constantly driven by guilt, fear and performance to act better, do more, avoid the ways of the world—which are all good things in themselves but it is still obsessed with self over the desire for a real relationship with Christ.