Hello, and welcome to Episode 19 in our series, “In the heart of God.” We are continuing with our theme, “Women Who Got What They Wanted.” We will be looking at the five wise virgins in Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 1 through 13, along with Apostle Charles Wright, we will discuss who these five wise virgins were, what they wanted, and how they got what they wanted. We will also see how this parable applies to our lives. Thank you for joining us today. Now let's go, “Into the Heart of God.” In Matthew, Chapter 25, verses 1 through 13, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to 10 virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. The virgins who were foolish took their lamps, but they didn't take any oil with them. The wise virgins took oil in their vessels with their lamps. The bridegroom took a while to arrive, and the virgins went to sleep while they were waiting for him to arrive. At midnight, there was a shout and the bridegroom had arrived. So, they went out to meet him. All 10 of the virgins arose and got their lamps ready. But the foolish virgins said to the wise ones, “Give us some of your oil for our lamps are gone out.” But the wise virgins answered saying, “No because there might not be enough for us. Go and buy some oil for yourselves.” But, while the five foolish virgins were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom arrived and the ones who were ready, went in with the bridegroom to the marriage and the door was shut. Then the virgins who were foolish and went to get oil came and said, “Lord Lord, open to us.” But he answered and said, “Certainly I told you, I don't know you. Watch therefore for you do not know the day, nor the hour when the Son of Man comes.”
In biblical times, the father of the son paid money to the father of the bride. Symbolically. If Jesus is the bridegroom, which He is in this particular parable, his father is God.
The price God, the Father paid for His son was the Son's life. After the bride and bridegroom were engaged or betrothed, the bridegroom would prepare a place for his bride to live. This place was an addition to his father's house.
Symbolically, Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you that where I am, you may be also. John 14:3. When the place for his bride was finished, the bridegroom would go get his bride. She did not know exactly when he would arrive, but I imagine she had an idea, but you know how it is when someone is building a home or building an addition to a home. You think you will finish at a certain time but there is always some last-minute thing to do. In the parable, the wise virgins, whom I believe hoped to one day, be a bride, do not know when the bridegroom will arrive. Again, symbolically we do not know when Jesus will return, but we know he will come like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 and 2 Peter 3:10. So, we have to be ready by having our lamps ready and filled with oil.
Symbolically a lamp represents the vessel from which light is projected. The lamp has different meanings. It can be our spirit, our soul, our inner being. It can also represent the work that we do. But in either case, the oil represents the Holy Spirit that fills that lamp.
After some lively discussion with Apostle Charles, I am convinced that the virgins are bridesmaids and symbolically servants in the church. But, as alluded to earlier, I also believe they are virgins hopeful of one day being the bride. They represent the hope of promotion. It is in the heart of God for all of us to be promoted in natural life and in our spiritual life. No one should want to remain stagnant. These virgins want to be in the wedding party and go to the marriage ceremony because they hoped one day to be promoted. So, they served and they served well as members of the wedding party or symbolically as members of the church. Their promotion did come one day to that of the bride. You've heard the expression, “Always the bridesmaid never the bride. Well not so in the kingdom of God. We are always the bride. We are each viewed individually as the bride and in the corporate church, as the Bride of Christ. This shows the close relationship we have to the Lord, a closer relationship than that of a husband and wife. Like the five wise virgins, we have our lamps filled with oil and we are ready to work under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. So, therefore, work while it is day, for the night comes when no one can work. So, be also ready for you do not know when the Lord will come. Matthew 24:42‑44 and John 9:4.
Now, let’s go to Apostle Charles as he shares some insights into this parable of the ten virgins.
Well, Stephanie, one remark that I heard in your presentation was that the five wise virgins no doubt had desires for themselves to be a bride. It is plausible that those who want to be a bride and who could be attached to a bride groom like Jesus would always have their lamps prepared with a light and carry extra oil in their vessels. Virtuous maids and servants also want to be associated with the Father like the bride-groom’s Father in their hearts. This observation resonates with me because of the element of God’s Church Kingdom multiplicity.
In Apostle John’s revelation, he saw a number no man could number standing before the throne of God, our Father. They were in white robes and palm branches in their hands. No doubt they had crowns on their heads because they were wise.
Indeed, it is in the heart of God to give every wise bride who Hopes for Jesus to come will get what they want. I believe such a Father of a betrothed groom, like Jesus, wants to allow every wise virgin maid and servant to be at the heavenly wedding celebration. Therefore, we must come purified by the blood of Jesus and enter the wedding feast. Especially the wedding feast that’s taking place in heaven where the table is “spread” and prepared for wise women and men who want what is in the heart of God.
So, let’s wise up and stay ready because we know not the day nor the hour that the son of man comes to take us to that prepared place.
Thank you Apostle Charles for those inspirational insights.
So, we learned today that this parable is subject to many interpretations. But we considered the following: 1) the five wise virgins symbolized bridesmaids in a wedding party or servants in the church; 2) they wanted promotion to bride or promotion in the kingdom of God; 3) they achieved this promotion by being ready and willing to work and having their lamps filled with oil; 4) we learned that we, like the virgins, must be ready to work and be led by the Holy Spirit; and 5) we do not know when Jesus will return for us, His bride, and take us to that prepared place to live with him in eternity.
So, this is our prayer. That you realize you are always the bride and God wants you to be promoted naturally and spiritually; that he will give you the work to do and the Holy Spirit will be your guide in that work. Our prayer, most of all is that you know, He is returning one day just for you to take you to the place he has prepared and this is a forever place. Finally, remember again, you are always his bride because it is, “In the Heart of God.”
Thank you for joining us today. Now let's go to Apostle Charles Wright who will close with contact information.