November 24, 2025
The End - Part 1
Matthew 25:1-4
11/24/2025
1 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten
virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the
bridegroom.
2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took
no oil with them,
4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
(ESV)
Yesterday was the last Sunday of the Church Year. For
twelve months we have looked at the life of Jesus, how His birth,
death and resurrection are our hope, and at the response of the
Church. We are at the end, the place where we ask how this
affects each person as an individual.
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. For when the
foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
Unlike the Sheep and the Goats which we discussed last week,
this parable concerns only those people who claim to be part of
the Church. Those outside the Church have received that which
they desired, being removed from God's sight. Jesus warned His
listeners, ``Not everyone who says to me `Lord, Lord' will enter
into the kingdom of heaven.''[1]
The bridegroom is Christ, the virgins are the members of the
church on earth. We can look at the lamps as being good works,
and the oil as faith.
Every member of the church desires to do good works, to live
a Christian life. Is that life done out of a fear of punishment,
coerced by God's wrath, or is that life the result of God's love
being reflected by one who trusts in Christ Jesus above all
things? Each of the virgins looked and acted like they had faith
in Christ, but some trusted only in their good works.
May our Lord grant us faith which reflects His love, grace,
and mercy. Amen.
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1. Matthew 7:21a (ESV)