Study of Matthew

Matthew Chapter 25

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

First of all we see that the Lord is using this parable of a Jewish wedding which in ancient times usually took place at night according to some sources. In Matthew 24 we read of the great tribulation. At the beginning of Matthew 25 we start out the chapter with the word, "Then" indicating chapter 25 is a continuation of the words of Jesus from the chapters before it. There were no chapter and verse divisions in the original text.

The Post tribulation believers use these chapters to prove that the rapture doesn't take place until this time after the tribulation. However, if this parable is not a warning to the church but Israel, we can see a different picture. This parable is concerning 10 virgins not the bride. If as some believe the church is the bride of Christ, then where is she? I'm guessing the virgins are the bridesmaids and they are awaiting for the bridegroom to come and take them to the wedding.

Some of us believe in the Pre-tribulation rapture of the church. There are others that hold the mid-trib or pre-wrath view. To those of us who believe in the pre-trib rapture, it would have taken place seven years before the coming of the bridegroom for the virgins, if in fact the virgins refer to the nation of Israel. If that is the case the bride would have been snatched away 7 years previous to this time but now the Lord returns with His future bride to pick up those that are invited to the wedding. Many believe the oil represents the Holy Spirit.

Some bible prophecy teachers teach that the marriage of the lamb occurs in heaven immediately following the rapture of the church which they believe to be the bride of Christ. There are others that teach that the marriage supper of the lamb occurs on the earth after the second coming. This is when they go by to pick up the virgins. Those of Israel that receive Christ during the tribulation and receive the Holy Spirit are ready while the others tarry and are lazy are not ready when he comes. According to this teaching the virgins are the nation of Israel.

I tend to agree with this in part, the only drawback to that is verse 10 which states that they went into the marriage then the door was shut. I do believe though that this is the end of the tribulation period, and since I believe in the pre-trib rapture, I don't see how the virgins could represent the church at least in my thinking. Remember though, never take my understanding of things as scripture. I encourage all readers to pray, study and always think for yourselves asking for understand from the Holy Spirit.

Another view that I lean toward is that we are not to use this parable by trying to interpret every detail to represent one group or another but understand the overall picture of being ready at all times and not abide in spiritual slumber. The parable is to warn all believers to be ready and watchful for the days of His coming kingdom.

Since Jesus told His disciples to watch and pray that they might be accounted worthy to escape all these things (the tribulation described in Matthew 24), and stand before the Son of Man then, we do see a way of escaping the great tribulation in the future. However, no one should ever teach that any believer or the church as a whole will escape all persecution or tribulation, just the days Jesus mentions here.

The true church would have already been snatched away by this time before the great tribulation of Matthew 24. I heard someone say once previously to this writing, that the rapture of the church is not our salvation from sin but our reward for being faithful at the time the Lord returns for His church. That also would make Jesus' words to His disciples clearer when He tells them to pray that they might escape all the things spoken of in Matthew 24. Again these things are exciting to study but we don't take anyone's opinion as equal to the scripture itself. We might get a few things wrong when it comes to bible prophecy but it is exciting to study and try to put the pieces together as we would a puzzle.

We will make mistakes and miss a few things but never be discouraged and keep seeking. Never and I mean never fall out with and argue with anyone on this topic. None of us have it all figured out and we must give other believers some slack if their views do not match the view we may hold to. Never resort to name calling and demonize a brother and sister in Christ that see things a little differently that we may see them.

Notice that the virgins are not the bride. The bridegroom comes but perhaps his bride is with him. That would mean that the virgins may represent Israel. Instead of trying to figure out all that at this time, I would prefer to emphasize readiness at any time. Being watchful and spiritually ready. We can study the letters written to the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 to see what is required to be ready for believers already existing now. We know for sure Revelation 2 and 3 are for the church.

Some who believe more in assurance of salvation or eternal security, believe that once you are sealed with the Holy Spirit and are abiding in Christ, when the rapture comes, all believers will go to meet the Lord in the air. So they may conclude that the parable of the virgins is not about the church.

My only draw back to that view is why then does the Lord ask his disciples to pray that they might be counted worthy to escape the great tribulation and why did he warn the church at Thyatira that they were in danger of being cast into great tribulation. Other than that I tend to agree that we will go in the rapture according to grace not by our own merit unless the rapture is more of a reward for faithfulness rather than an escape for all who are believers. That should make us wake up for sure. These are interesting things to study and discuss if one can search for answers and not just desire to prove themselves right and others wrong.

Whether or not the virgins represent Israel or the church, we do need to be ready for the coming of the Lord.

First of all to be ready is to be "in Christ" at His coming whether by rapture or when He sets up His kingdom. If the oil represents the Holy Spirit as some believe, we need to be filled with the Spirit at all times. Paul wrote to walk in the spirit and we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. If we are daily walking with the Lord and walking in the spirit of God, we will not be slothful, spiritually asleep or reverting back to our sinful nature that could be described as walking in the flesh.

There is a place where Christ warns some to depart from Him, He never knew them, so there are some that believe the foolish virgins are merely those that profess to know Christ and were never "born again" or saved in the first place. Jesus did say, He that believes in me shall never perish. So it would seem that to be ready simply means to believe.

To believe however, does not just mean to believe someone exists. The devil also believes Jesus exists. To believe in something is to receive and partake of that something. We receive. Our good works do not earn us this. When we believe in Christ, we are trusting in Him for forgive us of sin, remove our sin and cover us with His righteousness. Our good works or deeds can never be good enough to save us. The works of Christ saves us. We trust in His works not our own. To be in Christ is to believe and partake of His holiness and His righteousness. If we are doing that, we will be ready at His coming whether by way of the rapture or when He comes to set up His kingdom.

Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments," and then He and the Father comes to make their abode within us. That is done by way of the Holy Spirit. Keeping His word is part of being filled with the Spirit.

Those that claim to know Christ but want nothing to do with keeping His word, do not know Him.
Jesus said also, "Why call me Lord Lord and do not the words that I say?"

Being in Christ is life, not being dead spiritually trusting in past decisions we made for Christ in a moment of an emotional response to an altar call. That is only the beginning. In a marriage, one does not get married and then ignore their spouse, doing their own thing for years. That would not truly be a marriage. Instead they are to become one and live together, do things together and have continual fellowship. It is the same thing in our walk with Christ. It is active, not passive.

Right now, in the morning of October 6,2025, the Lord has not yet come. He is tarrying. We are awaiting His coming similar to the 10 virgins. All of them were virgins but only 5 were ready for the coming of the bridegroom. As we study further in this chapter, we can easily see what makes the difference between a wise and foolish virgin.

Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

They once had the light or oil in their lamps but they had been careless and allowed it to run dry like a well that has no water. This shows that they were either believers once or else they merely professed to believe but whichever the case, they were not ready at the time of His coming. Again a deep study of the churches in Revelation may help our understanding if this parable does happen to represent the church which I kind of doubt myself but I'm open to other explanations.

One teaching I've heard about this is that the seven wise virgins are the church that is on fire for God and make the rapture and the seven foolish are Christians that are asleep and have to go through the tribulation period. This is what I've been taught in the Church of God I grew up in. Whether or not this is true though, we must consider being ready in any case by walking and abiding in Christ at all times simply because we love Him. If we love Him, we will want to abide in Him at all time. I don't want to sin against Him and most true believers also do not really want to break fellowship with the Lord and return to sin.

If this is the end of the tribulation period though, the whole teaching may only refer to believers that were saved during the time of the tribulation, mostly Jews. The foolish virgins could be the ones that rejected Christ at that time but more likely it would be those that did nothing with what they received and heard. Perhaps hiding what they knew to avoid persecution. We can speculate and worry over the exact meaning if we want but I would prefer to just simply use this parable to encourage all of us to not just have a one time experience of accepting Christ but continue to abide in Christ and live for Him as we receive more and more light. Continue to learn of Him and desire to walk with Him as Adam did in the garden before the fall of man.

In the 3rd chapter of Revelation the church of Philadelphia was commended by the Lord. He said that before them was an open door (some believe this is meant they were ready for the rapture). Why were they given an open door? Jesus told them that they kept His word and did not deny His name. They lived in this fallen wicked world but still kept the word of God and did not deny Jesus' name. They did not fear those around them that didn't believe in Christ or some didn't even believe in God. They chose to live for Jesus no matter what anyone did to oppose them.

I believe not denying His name means not denying His authority and power to save the lost and grant them eternal life. It is a dangerous thing to say we believe in Jesus and then claim there are other ways to get to God other than Christ. The bible clearly states that there is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved. We know that the name of Jesus doesn't save in itself but what that name represents. In Hebrew, the name is Yeshua, in other languages it is something else but it is His authority and power that is meant here. We believe in the Son of the everlasting God to save us and none other. To deny His name is to deny that He is the one that saves from sins and to deny that God sent Him to die for sin, raise from the dead and send the Holy Spirit to those that believe.

Some believe Jesus was just a good person or a prophet. No He is the Son of God sent to save us from sin and the only way of salvation. To deny this is to deny His name. To make the rapture, one must simply be in Christ or watchful by keeping His word and not denying His name or His authority to save. He is the only way to salvation.

Another church in Revelation was not ready, for Jesus warned them they they would be cast into tribulation if they did not repent. They had dangerous doctrines that showed their departure from the truth. It would seem to me that they once knew the Lord or else they would not have been called a church which simply means "called out ones". It doesn't say that the church in Thyatira was eternally lost but that they would be cast into great tribulation.

Matthew 25:9 But 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.

We cannot give away our own light or our own spiritual walk to someone else. They must go to the source and receive for themselves. We can't repent of sin or receive the Holy Spirit on behalf of another person. We can pray for them, pray with them, and teach them the word but we can't accept Christ or receive the Holy Spirit for them. They must do this themselves.

Matthew 25:10 And 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.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Notice that in verse 12, the Lord says He didn't know them. Wow. That would seem to make us see that these were those that claimed to be in Christ but were not for real. So I really can see the way many have different views on this subject.

Here are some other hints as to how we can know that we are ready:

2Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

When we love His appearing, that is one sign of readiness. If we fear His coming, we may be lacking in faith or not walking as we should. The remedy is to change our minds, turn around and start following Him again. Talk to Him, study His word and find out where we went wrong and lost our faith.

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

When we are mindful of His coming, alert spiritually and ready, it shows that our lamps are full.

2Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

We are to be covered with the righteousness of Christ and stay that way. Without spot or blemish means that the blood of Jesus has covered our sins but we have not allowed ourselves to return to the sin we were saved from without repentance. Those things can creep back in if we do not abide in Christ. Jesus said to watch and pray that we do not enter into temptation. If it were not possible to lose out after one was saved, why are their some many warnings against it?

Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This parable is very severe and scary but it is a warning. Although it is speaking of money and a worldly type of service to an employer, it speaks volumes in the spiritual realm. If we come to Christ repenting of sin and making a commitment to live for Him and then ignore what we have received, hide it from the world around us, never attempting to live in a godly manner, never desiring to be around other believers, never desiring to learn more of Him, either being lukewarm or just not interested, never bearing any fruits of the spirit that we claim to be filled with, then we are in danger of losing what we claim to have.

Some say that the person who does this was not saved to begin with but we see from this story that the man was given one talent or measure of money to invest. So it is probably not referring to one that has never been saved. Then again perhaps it was like a person who doesn't want to go to hell so he or she accepts Christ thinking to escape hell but has no intention of living for Him. That person is not really saved.

Talents here do not refer to the natural talents some of us are born with. If that was the case those that have a talent to wheel and deal, cheat and lie would think they can use it for the glory of God. It is not referring to natural talent but the talent here is money given to them to invest and increase for their employer. It is not speaking to us about money or natural talents but what we do with our lives after we come to Christ. As we study the chapter further we can see more of what it is speaking of. I would venture to think it means to live for the Lord in the light that we have received. To live in obedience to the word that we know and desire to study to learn more of the Lord so that we can produce fruit. A little child for instance can't hold a great crusade or go out to far countries spreading the gospel but he or she can live for God in whatever they are capable of doing as they learn and grow in the Lord.

Fruits of the spirit, the love of God, being good to those that we live among, sharing the gospel and
exercising the spiritual gifts that God gives to us through the Holy Spirit is more likely what is referred to here. To most of us, it means to simply believe and trust in Christ for our salvation and then allowing the works produced by that faith to abide within us and bring forth fruit. We still have the power to choose or yield to evil or to good after we are saved by the grace and mercy of God. We still have to make choices. God never removes our free will to choose to live for Him or go back to our old ways.

Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

This passage can apply to anyone or any group of people that the Holy Spirit directs it to. We see first a message to nations. If a nation will feed and clothe believers in Christ or the natural seed of Abraham (Jews), they will be blessed by God. This is a promise given to Abraham, "I will bless those that bless thee and curse those that curse thee." Gentile believers in Christ inherit the blessing of Abraham by faith in Christ. The nation of Israel is still in God's plan. Individuals who die without Christ in Israel will be lost but as a nation they are still in God's plan. The gospel of Jesus is returning to that nation. How we treat that nation will determine whether or not we survive as a nation. We will be cursed if we curse Israel. We will be cursed if we curse a born again believer in Christ also.

As individuals this can apply also. If we bring the gospel to the least little child, or anyone else, if we feed the hungry both spiritually and physically, if we clothe the naked, and we help the needy, it is the same as doing it to Christ.

Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

The way we treat people, especially believers in Christ, is how we will be treated. Do unto others as you want others to do unto you. To be kind to a neighbor is to be kind to Jesus Christ. This includes our own family members. I've seen Christian couples go through divorces and two people who use to love one another begin to defraud, cheat, become suspicious, war, fight and do all manner of evil to one another. Don't we realize that if we treat our spouses wrongly and they happen to be believers in Jesus Christ that it is the same as doing it to Christ.

During the holocaust a whole nation cast out Jews, who are the natural brethren of the Lord. In as much as they did it to them, they were doing it to Christ. DC

Matthew 26