14 • The Beacon April 3, 2025

By John F. Williams For The Beacon

In Mathew 25, Jesus is revealing to us an anguishing truth that seems to bring tears to our eyes, tears of remorse for those who have missed a most wonderful and important event.

It is a parable of the 10 virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Five of them were eagerly ready and waiting with oil in their lamps and a reserve supply. Five were not ready, not prepared.

The interesting thing about all 10 of these virgins is they were all kingdom people, and all being virgins indicates purity. But why were five of them turned away with Jesus’ very solemn words,“ I do

not know you.” As the midnight cry rang out,“ Here comes the bridegroom,” and they all trimmed their lamps, five of them realized their lamps were running out of oil. When they returned, the door was shut, and they were turned away.

With this parable God is really trying to get our attention. Many believe oil to be a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and I believe that to be true. But I also believe there is something else to be considered. Perhaps these five were lazy, complacent or indifferent with a noncaring attitude. Perhaps they lacked“ works,” which I believe is very important. I’ m sure they had faith, for they were virgins, and running out of oil displayed lack of planning and preparedness, which makes“ works”

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In Mathew 25, Jesus is revealing an anguishing truth that seems to bring tears to our eyes, tears of remorse for those who have missed a most wonderful and important event.

extremely important.

In God’ s word, James 2:17 and 26 says,“ Faith without works is dead.” Perhaps their faith was dead because of no works to prove their faith.

Being a prophecy Sunday school teacher and a believer in the rapture of the church, I am one of those who are longing for our blessed Lord to step out on the balcony of heaven with a shout to call his own to rise to meet him in the twinkling of an eye. But sadly, some who

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merely gave lip service to following Jesus will be like the five foolish virgins. And when the time comes, they will be unprepared and excluded from the joy of the rapture of the church.

When the five virgins returned, they said in verse 11,“ Sir, sir, open the door for us.” In verse 12, Jesus replied,“ I tell you the truth, I don’ t know you.” And then in verse 13, Jesus gave to us a command,“ Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

I really believe this last verse is a direct warning to the church to be ready for the church to be raptured. I have had this conversation with two pastors regarding this parable, and they both indicated this parable could be given as a serious message to the churches in the end

Cash & Carry Only time that one half of their congregation will be turned away at the sound of the trumpet, which parallels to the parable Jesus gave.

This brings great concern to my heart. Perhaps there are individuals who attend an hour in a church service on Sunday morning and then return home to begin another week in the same routine as the week before. They don’ t read the Bible. They don’ t pray or attend a prayer meeting or Bible study during the week, perhaps never think to witness the love of God or encourage a friend with a broken heart.

The week flies by, and they give God another hour the following Sunday, and oh so important, they need to be reminded the command from our

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