Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go you out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 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”, and in chapter twenty-five and verse eleven of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said, “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us” where we read:
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
The verse reads, “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying,” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “afterward” which means “nevertheless, moreover and after the time when the bridegroom came and the five wise virgins entered into the marriage festivities” “came also” or “appeared and came forth” “the other virgins” which refers to “the five virgins who did not bring oil with them and went to buy some from the marketplace” “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”. Matthew shared how Jesus referred to the way the “five foolish virgins” arrived after the door to the wedding celebration was shut.
The verse continues, “Lord, Lord, open to us.” Matthew added Jesus' words, “Lord, Lord” which was repeated twice for emphasis and means “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah”, “open to us” or “open up the door to we five foolish virgins”. Matthew wrote how Jesus shared how the “five foolish virgins” called out to the “Lord” to open the door for them.
When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we learn of the tragic desperation of the “five foolish virgins”. We can imagine what they thought and felt like when they came back to the wedding feast only to find the door closed. This is much the way it will be for those who are unprepared for heaven. Unless a person receives Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they will have no “fuel” (the Holy Spirit) in their lives and will not be allowed to enter. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die for the sins of every person, and when they turn from their sins, ask God's forgiveness and begin to live according to His word, they shall be saved and be prepared for His return. May all who read these words be warned.
Next time Matthew writes how Jesus shares how the bridegroom, “answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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