The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
There is a reason why I say this is not a game. Only those who are ready will be allowed to go in to the banquet. To the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Only those whose names are found in the Book of Life. Only those who carry the oil of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Look at the finality beloved. The door was shut. The world sells this notion that all doors lead to heaven but do not fall for it. The church can sell the notion that you can be saved without the oil but do not fall for it. The path that leads to destruction is broad for a reason - there are a lot of people on it. That's a lot of people who thought they were on the right road. That's a lot of people who sat in pews every week. That's a lot of people who were taught that they only needed to have a lamp. Without the oil however, the lamp is empty and meaningless.
"Late the others also came. "Lord, Lord,' they said, "open the door for us!' "But he replied, "Truly I tell you, I don't know you.'
Herein lies the bottom line. Why it is that we who are charged with preaching the Gospel need to take that solemn privilege so seriously? Because the eternal destination of men hang in the balance. This life is but a vapor beloved. It seems long but that is an illusion. Eternity is a long time. Too long to be thinking we should have packed some oil for the trip. That we should have not listened to those who wanted to feed our flesh. We often talk about wanting to hear those words from Jesus as we stand before Him - "Well done my good and faithful servant." This comes from the Parable of the Talents, which not coincidentally is the next story following the Ten Virgins. We need to realize however that there is something else Jesus could say when we stand before Him and that is, "I do not know you." Can you imagine the disappointment and shock? Earlier in the Gospel of Matthew Jesus explains that some people who even cast demons out and performed miracles will not be known. The issue is not how good a show we can put on. Is there any substance behind the flash? Is there any oil in that nice shiny lamp? This is not about shaking our confidence in our own salvation because those who are born again, know that they know that they know. They know they are a new creation in Christ and the old person is gone. Not as vague theological concepts but way down on the inside. For those who may not be sure however:
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? - 2Corinthians 13: 5 (NIV)
The verse no one likes to preach from. But here is the real truth for us today beloved. Failing the test today still provides us with the opportunity to accept the free gift of salvation and be truly found in Christ. Failing the test when the Bridegroom arrives means we will be on the wrong side of the shut door. Here is a portion of the summary from Matthew Henry on the Parable of the Ten Virgins:
As Christians we profess to attend upon Christ, to honour him, also to be waiting for his coming. Sincere Christians are the wise virgins, and hypocrites the foolish ones. Those are the truly wise or foolish that are so in the affairs of their souls. Many have a lamp of profession in their hands, but have not, in their hearts, sound knowledge and settled resolution, which are needed to carry them through the services and trials of the present state.
Look at what we are supposed to be as Christians! We are supposed to attend upon Christ. That means we are supposed to wait upon Him as a servant! We are supposed to honor Him with our lives. Do we live lives worthy of the calling we have received? Lastly, we are to be found waiting for His return. It is OK if we get tired along the way - even the wise virgins got drowsy here. The key point tough was that they were nonetheless prepared for His coming. We are not merely to "profess" these things. We are to embody them. This is who we are supposed to be. Because sincerity indicates wisdom and hypocrisy indicates foolishness. Forget the outside! Forget the appearance! We do not need whitewashed tombs for Christians! Our wisdom or foolishness resides on the inside of who we really are. Deep in the affairs of the soul. Without the oil we merely have the lamp of profession in our hands and that will not gain us entry into eternal life. It simply will not.
