THE OLIVET DISCOURSE IS A WARNING OF GREAT DARKNESS AND TRIBULATION TO THE JEWS WHO REJECTED CHRIST

1. Laws of Scripture study are essential- Law of Context, Oriental customs, dispensations, types
2. The 10 Virgins speak of the personal state- and Talents speak of personal works - of Jews!
3. The Church does not appear in this Parable- She is a Bride! Not a Bridesmaid! And we have to note the time is "The Kingdom of Heaven", and Jesus is called-"Son of Man"-Jewish

I.- THEN SHALL THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BE... Matt 25:1

You cannot force a Parable to make it prove detailed Church Doctrine- but watch beautiful picture

A.- THE WORD "THEN" SHOWS GOD HAS AN UNFOLDING PLAN THAT FITS IN WITH OTHER SCRIPTURE, SO STUDY

1. The Olivet Discourse is about the Great Tribulation, the Anti-Christ, Christ comes in Glory
2. The 10 Virgins tests Profession & Possession; Talents test Service; Sheep/Goats-the Nations
3. The 5 wise Virgins enter the Kingdom- not as Brides, but as Bridesmaids, Name not changed!

B.- THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS SHOW A PALESTINIAN WEDDING CUSTOM, AND IS BEAUTIFUL TO SEE

1. The 10 Virgins were waiting the arrival of the Bridegroom-& Bride-Wycliffe, Syriac, Coptic, Vulgate
2. The custom was to climax a 7 day festival with a final feast at the Bridegroom's new home-
3. The wedding is over, the Virgins wait to join procession to help light the new home-10 lamps

C.- THE BRIDEGROOM IS JESUS, AND THE BRIDE HAS TO BE THE CHURCH EVEN THOUGH HERE SHE IS UNSEEN

1. The Church is now being gathered, betrothed, and Promised- purified - II Cor 11:2,3 -we try
2. The Rapture will change every Saint- we will be presented to Him Spotless!- Eph 5:26-27
3. And the Seven Year Wedding Feast - Rev. 19:7-9 Only the Redeemed are called as the Bride

But then the Lord & His Bride personally return to Earth to set up Kingdom of Heaven-

II. THEN THE TARRYING LORD CAME! v.6

No one knows when He comes in the Rapture- anyone smart could figure 7 years -but it is dark times

A.- THE BRIDEGROOM TARRIED, AND THEY ALL SLEPT, AND THERE WAS NO BAWLING OUT FOR SLEEPING!

1. The Church is called "Children of Day" I Thess 5:5,6 and warned not to sleep, but be awake
2. Though they all sleep- time so dark- the real problem - 5 Virgins NEVER had any oil at all!
3. They expected someone else to supply it- message not perseverance -but personal preparation!

B.- WITH THE MIDNIGHT CALL CAME A DISTRESSING DISCOVERY BY THOSE WHO EXPECTED OTHERS TO HELP THEM

1. The Wedding feast had the unrobed guest- and he was sent out to Hell- Matt 22:13 -outer darkness
2. The 5 Foolish virgins were shut out!  And the Lord said "I know you not" So no kingdom!
3. The unprofitable servant- v.30 is cast into outer darkness - terrible description of Hell

C.- WHY IS THIS SIMPLE FAILURE SO FATAL? IS THE LORD UNJUST, OR IS SALVATION BY WORKS???

1. They all 10 had lamps- but only 5 brought oil (Holy Spirit symbol) -not personally prepared
2. In Israel there are many Jews- but only a part of them are orthodox- really believe in God!
3. During Tribulation- some will follow the Light they have- & God will preserve only these!

You should thank God for Salvation by Free Grace when Lord comes- not one Saint will miss Heaven

III.- THE APPLICATION FOR TODAY'S WORLD

The message is not about perseverance (not enough oil) but personal possession (no oil at all)

A.- THE PRACTICAL MESSAGE FOR ALL AGES IS VERY APPARENT, AND MUST NOT BE MISSED IN CHURCH AGE

1. The unexpected return of the Lord- If you are not ready ahead of time- too late!- Door shuts!
2. The need for personal preparation- you either Know Him, or you do not!  Now is time!
3. We don't come to church to GET oil while we wait!- We bring our own!- Holy Spirit in Temples

B.- THANK GOD FOR THE CHURCH TRUTH BEING TAUGHT BY THE APOSTLES VERY PLAINLY!- DON'T MISS IT

1. Not everyone who comes into a Gospel Hall claiming to Be Christ will partake of feast!-
2. If you do not accept the Robe of His Righteousness- you don't have any Oil- YOU AREN'T SAVED!
3. You can play act- have lamp, wick, but if you are not Born Again of the Spirit- YOU ARE LOST

C.- WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE READY WHEN HE COMES, IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN YOU WILL GO WITH HIM!

1. Thank God- We ALL must appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ- II Cor 5:10 -Comfort-in Jesus
2. It is the Lord who loves the church- and will make us ready- Eph 5:25-7 -by His power & Word
3. The Lord knows His sheep- John 10:14 and gives them eternal life- v.28- and none lost!

Be warned by foolish virgins- do not have a false hope of being a Bride if you aren't engaged

YOU CAN KNOW YOU ARE ENGAGED, DON'T PLAY ACT ABOUT IT OR YOU WON'T KNOW IT WHEN LORD ASKS YOU!

1. When the Lord calls you- will you answer, and receive Him as your own Personal Savior?
2. If you do then wear the sign- you belong to Him- Be Baptized! Let everyone know
3. If you really love Him- drop around to His house regularly!- Might even Join up