Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. (Matthew 25)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. There will be a day of reckoning. The Last Day. Judgment Day. Are you prepared for Jesus’ return? When He will come to judge the living and the dead? Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. (Matthew 24)
Of the Ten Virgins in the parable five are foolish. In the Greek they are “moronic”. They are foolish because they have no oil in their lamps. The Foolish have no faith. Unbelievers. The foolish see no need to repent. They look at themselves and say they are doing fine. No sin to repent of for the fool. The Lord is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar. (2 Peter 3)
Fools will hear dreadful words on the Last Day. ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7) Outside of Jesus there is only hell. Weeping and gnashing of teeth in the eternal fire.
Jesus teaches His Bride the Church how to be ready for His return. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1)
Time to be Wise. Time to hear the Word of the Lord. Repent of your sin. Believe in Jesus. Time to have the Holy Spirit fill you up with the oil of faith by the Word of God. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 6)
Jesus comes to take the wrath of God due you. Jesus is crushed by our sin on the Cross of Calvary. From Jesus’ side flows His blood and water. Forgiveness coming from Jesus. Oil for your lamps – that burn bright by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1)
Wise Virgins gather around Jesus’ Word that fills you up with forgiveness. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10) Wise Virgins gladly hear God's Word and hold it sacred. The Wise Virgins look forward to being with the Bridegroom (Jesus). The Wise anticipate the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Wise Virgins live in and from your Baptism. Jesus washed you clean in His living waters at the Fount. Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5)
Wise Virgins. Jesus teaches you how to live by faith in Him all your days. Watch and pray. Have your lamps filled up with Jesus. Filled with Christ’s Word. Come to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. Dining on Christ’s Body and Blood for you. Lamps burn bright in Christ. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying LSB 516:2
Zion hears the watchmen singing, And all her heart with joy is springing;
She wakes, she rises from her gloom.
For her Lord comes down all-glorious, The strong in grace, in truth victorious;
Her star is ris’n, her light is come.
Now come, Thou Blessèd One, Lord Jesus, God’s own Son,
Hail! Hosanna! We enter all The wedding hall
To eat the Supper at Thy call.