1. This text is eschatological
   • 1. First, there will be suffering
     2. He would not come immediately
     3. No one knows the time or hour, but he can see the season (Matthew 24:42-44)
        1. Parable of the Fig tree
     4. He will come unexpectedly and suddenly
     5. We must keep watch and Be prepared (Matthew 24:45-51)
2. This text is about the Kingdom
   1. What sign signals the Lord’s coming? (Matthew 24:3-31)
3. Jesus is a Great Teacher
   • 1. He was so good….after seeing Jesus resurrected, Mary doesn’t say “my Savior,” she says, “Rabboni” i.e. “My teacher” – John 20:1-18
     2. He was so good….people had to rip roofs off of homes to make room for him on account of the crowds – Mark 2:4
     3. He was so good…he created a humanitarian crisis – Matthew 14:13-21

• Weddings in those days were:
  • The decisive event of someone’s life
  • A communal event
    • Jews, by law, were required to participate in a precession if they saw it
  • The Honor of the marriage was associated to the honor of the wedding

*The moment the groom arrives is the culmination of his hard labor and cost. To dishonor any portion of the wedding ceremonies dishonors and disrespects the sacrifice and hard work of the groom

The Bridesmaids

• Both shared the same Job
• Both were virgins
• Both were excited and probably anxious
• Both did not know WHEN the groom was coming but knew he WAS coming
• Both fell asleep
• Both had the same time
• Both carried lamps
• Both had the same opportunity
• Both had the same Potential
• Both expected to attend the banquet
• Both called the groom Lord

*The only difference is the foolish one’s did not bring oil – One group was prepared, the other was not

Wrong – (Vs. 3)

• The Foolish Bridesmaids expected
  • Groom would come in the day
  • Groom would not care or notice they did not take the job seriously
  • They carried an empty lamp was enough “effort”
  • They fully expected to attend the banquet

Mismanaged (Vs. 5)

• Order of teaching
  • Parable of the Bags of Gold (Matthew 25:14-30) – God cares how you manage resources
  • Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) – God cares how you treat people
  • Parable of Ten Virgins – God cares HOW YOU MANAGE TIME
• Both groups had the same time, opportunity, and potential

*The only way to love people the way God wants you to is to give them time. The only way to apply resources to God’s kingdom is to give him time.

• The groom was “long-time in coming” meaning the bridesmaids had a “long-time to prepare”
• Procrastinating getting prepared shows Jesus’ honor is not the in our life
• Procrastinating getting prepared shows a and lack of for the blood of Jesus (Dowry paid), Resurrection (power and authority), and His current labors in the world (Building the house)

False – (Vs. 8-10)

• The fools try to coast on the “oil” of the wise who are prepared
  • Fools coast on the witness of those more prepared
  • Fools coast on the biblical literacy of those more prepared
  • Fools coast on the prayer life of those more prepared

Irreversible – (Vs. 11-13)

• Both call Jesus “Lord” and expect to the attend the banquet
• No bigger Regret than taking SOMETHING seriously to late

Hebraic Thought on Wisdom

*Jesus defined the Parousia (His second coming) as one separated by those who are wise and foolish

• Immediately, this parable introduces a Hebraic allusion to wisdom in the number “Ten”
  • The “word” for “ten” is ashir: Ayin (To see, perceive), Shin (consume, destroy), Resh (humility, bowing man)
    • The word ten means to be consumed by humility in order to discern (wisdom)
  • The numerical symbol for “10” is the yod, which depicts God’s working hand (Ten annotates to humbly see how God is working)
  • Ten always annotated a wisdom narrative/point/instruction
    • Example: The Ten commandments summarize the law…and the law is referred as the “Wisdom of God” (, , )
  • Book of Ecclesiastes states the “Fear of God” is the beginning of all wisdom
    • Here then, the wise bridesmaids demonstrate:
      • Humility
      • Ability to discern/see what God is doing
      • Fear/awe of God