Parable of 10 Virgins

Preparation

INTRODUCTION of the message
example of flight:

When we are going for an international travel by a flight ,  we prepare very well. Before traveling we pack our bags and check our bags weight. we make sure we have our passports and tickets ready, and we reach the airport at least 2 hours before.

So when we prepare well , then we will be at rest during our travel.

But if the proper preparation is not there, then we will be having trouble throughout the journey, there wont be peace,  sometimes people even miss the flights if they fail to reach on time.

Sometimes if people forget the passports , they wont be allowed to travel.

Everybody should have their own passport. You cannot travel on your family member passport or a friends passport. You have to take your own passport and enter the flight.

In all this, Preparation is the KEY for being at REST and PEACE.

Core Message

Today we are going to look at the famous scripture portion of parable of Ten Virgins.

Where 5 Virgins had a perfect preparation and 5 Virgins lacked the preparation.

Similarities between wise virgins and foolish virgins

1) Both took their lamps
2) Both went out to meet the bridegroom
3) Both  slumbered and slept

4) Both  heard the cry.

5) Both arose and trimmed their lamps. 

6) Both wise and foolish virgins were together.

Similarities explanation

Both wise and foolish virgins were together to meet the Lord. 

Both knew they need lamp to go, and they know how to trim. 

Even though the coming was delayed, the foolish did not leave.

But just like the wise, the foolish were also waiting for that cry that the bridegroom is coming. 

Both have the desire to meet the Lord.

They knew how important it is to meet the Lord.

They don't want to be left behind.

**when they heard the voice of the Lord Wise women met the Lord with Rest. 

And they also  have Rest before meeting the Lord.

** But foolish women were struggling how to get the oil, they were in unrest.

Fellowship:

We see that all these 10 virgins are going together to meet the Lord.

Kingdom of heaven is about many virgins going together. Not individually but together in Fellowship.

Especially in these times many are lonely. We need the Fellowship to talk, to encourage and to build  one another.

Suppose if anyone is looking for a job or a life partner, the rest of us pray for her , give advice for her.

Suppose if someone is pregnant, many people will give suggestions about eating or taking care. Even after the baby is born, many of us give suggestions on how to take care of the baby.

This is all good for building each other for everyday life.

But  when it comes to the  matters of the kingdom of heaven, many times we miss this kind of fellowship to talk, encourage and build each other.

Differences between wise virgins and foolish virgins

1)  Wise virgins took extra oil in the vessels and foolish did not take the extra oil with them.

If we carefully observe, all the similarities that we saw earlier are something that are outward.

(Taking the lamps, going out to meet, waking up to the cry, trimming the lamps etc)

But the main difference was Inside, it is the Extra Oil - that is a person's walk with the Lord under the leading of the Holy Spirit.

HOLY SPIRIT

Having Extra Oil brings  Rest in a believers life.

This personal walk with the Lord is something that people do not see outside, only God can see, and this personal walk brings rest in our lives.

Many times, we try to find rest by Doing things. But Rest never comes by doing things, but by walking with the Lord in the leading of the Holy Spirit.

2) Another difference is the Wise got ready to meet the Lord at any time , even if the coming is delayed. But the foolish came with just for immediate meeting.

Examples of Wise Woman who built their house:

The Bible says

Proverbs 14:1 NKJV  The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Noah's Wife:

If we look at Noah's Wife - there was nothing mentioned about her works in the bible.

But we know how important a Wife support is for any man to do his work.

We know how much work a Woman does , to support the whole family.

When Noah heard from God, he would have told this news to his wife.

When she heard the news from Noah,  she  truly understood Gods  Plan and purpose in building the ark and she respected Noah's calling.

The building of ark is not an ordinary task,  it might have taken nearly 100 years.

Imagine everyday cooking the food, sending husband and sons to build the ark for almost 100 years is not an easy task and especially when there is no other family around the neighborhood who was doing such kind of work.

She was able to save her household from the flood and also became source of  new generation upon the earth.

As the bible says, 

Matthew 7:24

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 

Noah's wife built her house upon the Rock

Conclusion:

Even though you walk together you should have your own lamp. And you should have vessel of extra oil.

The delay became a surprise for foolish Women, but the wise women were not surprised because they were ready even for the delay.

So let us be like the Wise Woman who has the preparation to meet the Lord and have Rest in our lives.