In Matthew 25, Jesus shared the parable of the ten virgins to emphasize the importance of being prepared for his return. He first establishes the context that the kingdom of Heaven can only be entered through regeneration by faith and obedience to the Word of God. It is an unshakeable kingdom as compared to all others that will perish. The kingdom is inhabited by those whose lives have been transformed by the Holy Spirit and can only be accessed through hearing and living by the divinely revealed truth in Scripture.
The tale explains that five virgins were wise in taking oil for their lamps, while five were foolish in not being ready and neglecting to do so. When the bridegroom was delayed in coming, signifying His return would not be as expected, they all grew tired and drifted to sleep. But the wise knew they had to stay prepared. At midnight, the cry rang out suddenly, and the bridegroom was coming at long last. The foolish then realized too late that they lacked sufficient oil to light their lamps for the procession to the wedding feast. Though they implored the wise for help in their unreadiness, they were told it was too late to prepare properly.
Jesus highlights that true preparation involves ongoing vigilance and discipline in seven key areas – our mind being renewed by Scripture, our heart focused on Christ, our character conformed to His likeness, our actions bearing righteous fruit, our lifestyle set apart for Him, our spirit continually watchful in prayer, and our priorities reordered by Heaven’s standards above all else. May the Lord grant us ongoing wisdom and grace to heed this lesson and to always be prepared for His coming through regeneration by faith and persevering in holiness to avoid the danger of not being ready.
