Matthew 25:1-131Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But 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. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1‑13)
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But 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. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open up to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.
What a difference it would make in the professing church, if this, and similar portions of God’s Word, were really believed. Yet the ignorance and sleepy carelessness of the great mass of professors but proves the divine inspiration of this parable.
Let it be remembered that this parable was spoken before the present state of things had any existence; and yet, no person could now write a more striking description of the present state of that which bears the name of God on earth. True, it was spoken to the Jews; but its instruction to us is no less solemn.
Now, to come to the point at once, what would be the case with the multitudes who profess the name of Christ, if He should come at this moment? What would mere profession be worth — the lamp without the oil?
It is written, the “foolish ... took no oil with them” (Matthew 25:33They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: (Matthew 25:3)). Yet they took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. How common this is in our day! Many think it is quite enough to belong to some religious society — a name to live, but dead. Perhaps, a beautiful lamp, but no oil, and no light. Is this my reader’s condition? Then there is not a moment to be lost — no, not a moment; for it is Jesus who says, “Surely I come quickly” (Revelation 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)). Rest not a day, nor a night, until you know with certainty, that you have oil in your vessel.
These are the words of truth, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh” (Matthew 24:4444Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44)). And again, “The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3). Yes, (is it not the Lord Himself who assures us?) this awful event will take the world with as great surprise as did the flood in the days of Noah, and the overthrow of Sodom in the days of Lot. Now, to say the least, does not this subject demand a most serious consideration? However men may explain away the Scriptures, the fact is the same: we are evidently approaching this great event — the coming of the Lord.
The very world seems conscious that some great event is at hand. If you have not got oil in your vessel, then what a terrible day is at hand! What a test this is! Look at it fully. Test your condition by this great event. Suppose the trumpet sounds, to call the dead and living saints to meet the Lord in the air, in one hour from the time you read these word (and who can say it will not?), now are you ready to meet Christ? Does the thought give you joy? Are you sure you are His — that your sins are pardoned — that He is your Saviour, your righteousness, your sanctification, your all? Does your heart long to see Him who has loved you and given Himself for you? Oh, what joy then, to know that in one hour you may see Him, and be like Him! Before God, is this your blessed hope? Or, are you afraid to think of the possibility of this taking place in one hour?
I must speak out, from close observation, and careful comparison of this parable with the actual state of things in this day, It is evident we have arrived at the time when the alarm must be sounded. The Lord grant that the timely warning may be heard.
Is it not fearful to contemplate how few know with certainty, or even wish to know, that they have oil in the vessel? In our day, it seems quite enough to be a member somewhere, and then fall fast asleep. If any one questions the truth of these statements, let him faithfully and affectionately put the question to all the members of any church or society, in almost any town; and the answer from at least five out of ten will be, “I hope I have oil in the vessel, but cannot say with certainty whether it is so or not.” So let me press home the madness of leaving this solemn question in uncertainty.
The moment is fast approaching when, the door being shut, it will be utterly in vain to cry, “Lord, Lord, open to us” (Matthew 25:1111Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. (Matthew 25:11)). How fearful the sound of those words, “I know you not” (Matthew 25:1212But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matthew 25:12)). Who can conceive the everlasting anguish of heart to reflect on a life of self-delusion — and for a lost soul to say, “I was a professor, a teacher, or a preacher! I have often read the parable of the ten virgins. Oh, fool that I was! little did I think my own case was described in that parable.”
My readers, let me ask you, point-blank, Are you saved? Have you the blessed assurance, that God has for Christ’s sake forgiven your sins? Have you received Christ? Let me once more remind you — it does not matter a straw what profession you make — if you have not got Christ, your profession will only aggravate your misery. These are the words of Him whose name your bear, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him” (Matthew 25:66And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (Matthew 25:6)). Oh dead, sleeping professor, Behold He cometh. What would you think, if you saw a child trying to stop a railway train? Just as soon will human reason and unbelief hinder the coming of the Son of God. “Every eye shall see Him” (Revelation 1:77Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)). The moment is fixed. What a moment for this world! What a moment for the five wise, and what a moment for the five foolish! What a moment to you and me! Glorified in the presence of Christ, or cast into outer darkness. Momentous question. Oh sleepy world, awake, awake!
And blessed be the God of all grace, what an awakening there has been, and still is in so many different parts of the world. Among all classes, the mighty power of the Spirit of God has been felt.
Cold professors, empty lamps, have been awakened from the sleep of death. The drunkard, the harlot, the most careless and hardened, have been suddenly awakened to the awful sense and burden of sin. No words can describe the agony of soul through which they have passed. Thousands, and tens of thousands, have been brought to enjoy the blessed certainty of God’s pardoning love and righteousness, the Holy Spirit assuring their hearts that the blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin.
God has been pleased to use the humblest means in accomplishing this mighty work. I have seen one after another brought to hear the Word by a servant girl. She continued in prayer for them, and, in answer to prayer, they were immediately brought to God, and found peace. Little boys have gone into the street, and brought in careless sinners, who have gone out justified from all things. In one place a blind infidel, in another, a cursing old sailor were utterly broken down with the sense of sin, and then filled with the joy of Christ. Old men from seventy to eighty, and little children of six, have been alike brought to know the certainty of salvation through the blood of the Lamb. Whole families converted! Yes, and though fifty miles, or even hundreds of miles apart, were converted at the same time.
Oh! do not all these things say, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him” (Matthew 11:66And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (Matthew 11:6))?
One word more as to the lamp. A man must have oil in his lamp, or he cannot have a steady light. Oil first, and then the light. He may light the wick without oil. There may be a great blaze for a moment, but it cannot endure. How soon it goes out!
In like manner a man must have Christ first, then the light; he must have the Holy Spirit first and then a holy walk will follow. A sinner trying to get salvation by a holy walk is like a man trying to get oil by burning the cotton.
If this is your case, my reader, if you have been seeking salvation by good works or a holy life, if you have ever made a great effort to be a better person, yes, and for a time have made a flaming profession that you were a better person, then let me ask you to take an empty lamp, and polish well the outside; put in your wick, but put no oil with it; place it on your table at night, light the wick, and sit down and watch it. Ah! what a flame for a moment; but I think I hear you say, as it goes out, “Ah! that is I; I have done my best to burn, but my lamp is gone out.” Man’s utmost effort ends in darkness. Oh, how many who once appeared flaming lights are now in the darkness of despair! They never had Christ, and therefore could not endure. We cannot alter God’s order. There must be the cause before the effect. The flame would as soon produce oil as good works produce salvation. The five foolish virgins found, to their cost, that the one thing they needed was oil. “Give us of your oil” (Matthew 11:88But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. (Matthew 11:8)), they said, when it was too late.
What a wail of despair will arise in that day from multitudes who have had the formal lamp of profession, but have never had Christ in their hearts. There is a solemn danger in the present day to the children of Christians who grow up attached to the sect that their parents belong to. These, with an empty lamp, slumber in false security, or sincerely striving for a time (without oil) to imitate the light of their parents, become discouraged by repeated failure. Satan whispers, “It is all a sham”; and they are but too ready to be snuffed out, in infidel darkness.
Anxious, awakened soul, do you say, “Tell me how I may get oil for my empty lamp — salvation for my perishing soul. How can I be ready to go in and be with Christ, before the door is shut on all without?” Ah! is this the cry of your wounded heart? Then I have good news for you. All is done; God has fulfilled His promise, in that He has raised up Jesus from the dead. Precious, bleeding Sacrifice, Thou hast finished the work which Thy Father gave Thee to do. Lamb, once slain, alive again! And, oh, awakened, sinner, however deep the crimson dye of your sins, through this dead and risen Christ is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things (Acts 13:38-3938Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38‑39)).
Better news God could not send you, more sure news God could not make it. If God were to appear to you this moment, and speak to you face to face, He could say no more. It could not be more sure; it is the Word of God to you — forgiveness of sins to you, my reader. Is not this what your burdened heart wants — to be justified by God Himself from all things? I think I hear my reader ask, “How can I know with certainty that I am justified from all things?”
Tell me two things, and I will tell you a third.
1. Do you believe with certainty that Jesus, the Son of God, died on the cross, the sacrifice for sins?
“Oh, yes, I believe that in my very heart.” How do you know this? God says it in His Word; that is how you know, is it not? “It is.”
2. Do you believe with certainty that God has raised up that same Jesus from the dead?
“Yes, with certainty, I believe that in my very heart.”
How do you know this? “By the same bare testimony of God’s Word.” Then I will tell you a third thing. That same sure Word of God says, “All that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:3939And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39)). Now if I am certain of the first and second, why not of the third?
I know Jesus died for sins; God’s Word says so. I believe God. I know, then, that I am justified from all things; God’s Word says so. Yes, God says plainly, “all that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:3939And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39)). Oh awakened soul, ponder these words of life. It does not say, He that feeleth, or he that does; feeling and doing will come after; it says, “All that believe are justified from all things” (Acts 13:3939And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:39)).
Do you believe that Jesus died, that Jesus rose again? Then why not believe what God says to you, and to every sinner that believes? He says you are justified. Oh, what deep, unspeakable joy this gives to every soul that believes what God says! Do you, I ask, believe God? Then you can no more doubt the certainty that Christ died, than doubt the certainty that you are justified. Your feelings and doings have no more to do with one than the other. Christ has died the sacrifice for sins. God has accepted the atonement, for He has raised Jesus from the dead. You believe this in your heart, and God declares you are justified. Blessed unchangeable truth! Have you thus heard the voice of Jesus — the call of God? Jesus says to you, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth in Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
Ah! all here is positive, real, everlasting. Away with doubts and fears; away with a negative, dark, uncertain, false Christianity. To the soul that believes these words of Jesus, all is positive, clear, certain; yes, everlasting truth. Oh reader! do you hear the words of Jesus? do you believe on God who sent Him? Then He who cannot lie says, You have everlasting life. Could Jesus speak more plainly? “Hath everlasting life.” Oh, how many souls have been gladdened with these words of late; and why not your heart? why should you any longer be in doubt, since Jesus speaks so plainly to your anxious soul? God in His Word, and by His Holy Spirit, thus witnesses to you; you need no greater witness than God. Faith is the gift of God. Do you believe God? then surely you have heard His Word, for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Yes, for your comfort will I read you a verse of God’s soul-sustaining truth, wherein you may see how completely salvation, from first to last, is wholly of God, and, therefore, cannot fail: “Whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified” (Romans 8:3030Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Romans 8:30)). Solid rock, this, my reader; all, all of God; from beginning to end — all of God. Rest, Oh my soul, in God. Have you been called of God? Have you believed God? Then your justification is as certain as your call; and everlasting glory as certain as both. Arise, poor drooping sleeper, and awake to the certainties of (God; predestinated, called, justified, glorified. Enough, my God, enough. Glory, everlasting glory be to Thee, my God; Thou art my Justifier through the blood of the Lamb.
Once more. Have you, my reader, received the record of God? “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life” (1 John 5:11-1211He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 12Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? (John 5:11‑12)). Yes, if you have believed the record of God you have received Christ; you are saved; you have oil in your vessel; now for the light; now for a holy life. Stop, don’t mistake; it is no use trying for a holy life if you are not sure first that you have oil in the vessel. The objecting unbeliever will say, “Oh, this man means to say, if we only believe we may go on in sin, it is no matter; good works and a holy life are of no use at all.” I answer plainly, Good works and a holy life are of no more use for salvation, than the burning of the wick is for oil. But I should be foolish indeed to say the oil was of no use for giving and sustaining light. No, without the oil the wick will not give light; and equally true is it, that without Christ first — without salvation first — there cannot be good works and a holy life. It is thus Paul and every true servant of Christ, since his time to the present moment, have had to battle against the false, absurd doctrine of works for salvation. The sons of darkness cannot see this, and hence the hue and cry of slander. (See Romans 3:88And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. (Romans 3:8).) We fully confess “that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law” (Romans 3:2828Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)). “Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:99Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)). “Being justified by His grace” (Titus 3:77That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7)). Then, says the Apostle, “I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:88This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8)).
This is the simple, clear truth of Holy Scripture — oil first, and then the lamp burns. Salvation first — God’s free gift — then a holy life. Oil for light, not light for oil. Christ for a holy life, not a holy life for Christ. This is the immense difference between the truth of Scripture and the lie of darkness; the one sets forth Christ first, the salvation of every believer, and the power of the Spirit for a holy walk. This gives peace, joy, the certainty of salvation, and also power for holy works.
The other sets forth works first, with the vain hope that if they can be performed the soul may then be saved; and, sad to say, this is pretended to be the gospel of Christ. Alas! the soul, under such blind teaching, is left, like the lamp without oil — in helpless darkness; sometimes a little flickering of hope and then the sinkings of despair.
Has God now delivered you, my reader, from this awful darkness? Are you now certain that you have oil in the vessel? Christ in your heart? that His words are true? you have eternal life? Oh, has God thus shone in everlasting mercy upon you? Then “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” (Read Romans 12.)
It is only to the children of God who are saved that the precious precepts of God’s Word are addressed. Then, my fellow-believers, we who are saved with an everlasting salvation at such a cost, let us arise and trim our lamps. Have we not burnt too dimly? We are called to show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Oh, how we have failed! What conformity to this world! what worldliness! what carnality! what self-will! How little subjection of heart to God! What disgraceful sectarianism! How little real love to all God’s redeemed children! How little seeking to win souls to Christ! How little real secret communion with God, without which the outside is mere sham!
Come, let us return in confession to our loving Father. Let each one, with lowliness of heart, spread out his whole case before Him who is faithful and just to forgive, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The Lord is at hand. Behold, the Bridegroom cometh. The lamp must be trimmed. Now may the Lord take off the charred crust, and so fill us with the Holy Ghost, that the little while before we see our Lord may be spent in the full light of His presence.
O my fellow-believer, the Lamb is worthy of your whole heart! Yield all to Him, body, soul, and spirit. Yes, all — time, property, thoughts — all, all to Christ. Keep not back part He kept nothing back. He gave all — Himself for you. Was ever love like His? Oh happy, saved, pardoned, justified child of God, hear the cry — the midnight cry — Awake! awake! and brightly shine. Christ is your light, your life, your all. By His agony and death; by His tears and groans; by the blood, and by the water that came from His pierced side; by His pierced hands, and pierced feet; by the bowing of His head, and giving up of the ghost; by His resurrection and glory; by His appearing in the air, to call you to Himself; by His smile and by His welcome; oh, awake! awake! shake off your worldly slumber; prepare to meet your Lord. Behold, He cometh; go ye forth to meet Him. Oh God! grant that the henceforth of our little while may be spent to Thee. May not only our words and actions, but the very motives of our hearts, bear the light of Thy countenance. Keep us, oh, keep us, by Thy mighty power.
Rejecters of Christ — cold, empty professors — a few more words and tears for you. Think of those words, “And the door was shut,” “I know you not.” Satan’s world is now your choice; what will it afford you in that coming hour? what will property be worth then? what pleasure will sin afford then? what will the applause of men and Satan be worth then? Look that day in the face, and tell me, What is there worth having when compared with Christ? How fearful the choice of the human heart. Have you chosen Satan’s world for your portion here? Then hell will be your doom forever; and time is so short. May God awaken you from your fatal sleep.
The form of godliness without the power will be of no avail at the coming of the Lord; only those who had oil in their vessels went in. Yes, all who have not the Spirit of Christ will be left out; and then, oh, think of the fierce day of the wrath of Almighty God! We know not the moment when the blood-bought church of God shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Many things have doubtless to be fulfilled before the Lord of glory shall come to this earth in judgment on the living nations. But I do not know a single prophecy which has to be fulfilled before Christ may come to take up His saints to meet Him. Let us then, my fellow-believers, be watching and waiting to meet our Lord. Oh, what will it be to see that face, that smile — the warmth and depth of whose love no pen can write, no tongue can tell! Ah, sorrowing, suffering child of God, wait a little while, and you shall enter the joy of your Lord; you shall be tempted no more. And you shall see those that have gone before — it was hard to part, what will it be to meet — to meet to part no more! What is this world to us, who look for joys so lasting, so divine?
“I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness” (Psalm 17:1515As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psalm 17:15)). Oh think, you poor world-despised children of God, of the glory that awaits you, forever with, and like, the Lord!