Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples about an “evil servant” who thought his master delayed his coming and lived licentiously , and Jesus declared, “The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of. And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”. In chapter twenty-five and verse one of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said, “then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins” where we read:
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins,
which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
The verse reads, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins,” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “then” which means “at that time in consecution”, “shall the kingdom” which means “will the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule” “of heaven” which refers to “the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “be likened unto” or “be compared to and resemble” “ten virgins” which refers to “ten unmarried maidens who have never had sexual intercourse”. Matthew shared how Jesus began to compare “Heaven's Kingdom” to “ten maidens who were eligible for marriage”.
The verse continues, “which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” Matthew added Jesus' words, “which took their lamps” or “who carried and brought forth their flames which were fed with oil”, “and went forth” which means “and arose and proceeded” “to meet” or “to encounter” “the bridegroom” which means “the groom who was to be married”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “ten virgins” carried their “lamps with oil” to encounter the “groom” who was to be married.
When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we can imagine this seen of “ten virgins” who have their “lamps” in their hands and are going forth to meet the “bridegroom”. In those days, the person of greatest honor was the “bridegroom” rather than the “bride”. No one knew when the “bridegroom” would arrive, so those who were expecting Him were to be prepared at all times for him to come. Jesus employs this illustration to show His disciples about the “Kingdom of Heaven” and the “coming” of the “bridegroom” who is Jesus Christ. God desires all people to be a part of His “church”, “the bride of Christ” (See 2 Corinthians 11:2), and when a person submits their life to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they are not only “saved” but also are to live in expectation of the “bridegroom's return”. Let all who read these words become a part of the “bride of Christ” and be looking for Him to arrive at any time.
Next time Matthew writes how Jesus says, “five of them were wise, and five were foolish”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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