LIVINGSTONE HOUSE OF PRAYER – GREG BURNETT

ENCOUNTERING GOD SERVICE – APRIL 30, 2011

Forerunner calling: the parable of the 10 virgins

1 “THEN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN SHALL BE LIKENED TO TEN VIRGINS WHO
TOOK THEIR LAMPS AND WENT OUT TO MEET THE BRIDEGROOM. 2 NOW FIVE OF
THEM WERE WISE, AND FIVE WERE FOOLISH. 3 THOSE WHO WERE FOOLISH TOOK
THEIR LAMPS AND TOOK NO OIL WITH THEM, 4 BUT THE WISE TOOK OIL IN THEIR
VESSELS WITH THEIR LAMPS. 5 BUT WHILE THE BRIDEGROOM WAS DELAYED,
THEY ALL SLUMBERED AND SLEPT.

6 “AND AT MIDNIGHT A CRY WAS HEARD: ‘BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING;

GO OUT TO MEET HIM!’ 7 THEN ALL THOSE VIRGINS AROSE AND TRIMMED THEIR
LAMPS. 8 AND THE FOOLISH SAID TO THE WISE, ‘GIVE US SOME OF YOUR OIL, FOR
OUR LAMPS ARE GOING OUT.’ 9 BUT THE WISE ANSWERED, SAYING, ‘NO, LEST
THERE SHOULD NOT BE ENOUGH FOR US AND YOU; BUT GO RATHER TO THOSE
WHO SELL, AND BUY FOR YOURSELVES.’ 10 AND WHILE THEY WENT TO BUY, THE
BRIDEGROOM CAME, AND THOSE WHO WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM TO THE
WEDDING; AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT.

11 “AFTERWARD THE OTHER VIRGINS CAME ALSO, SAYING, ‘LORD, LORD, OPEN TO
US!’ 12 BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID, ‘ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, I DO NOT KNOW
YOU.’ 13 “WATCH THEREFORE, FOR YOU KNOW NEITHER THE DAY NOR THE HOUR
IN WHICH THE SON OF MAN IS COMING. (MATTHEW CHAPTER 25)

I. BACKGROUND: A SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITY TO GET READY (VERSES 1-5)

A. This parable is Jesus’ teaching about spiritual preparation in the world, when there comes an
awakened sense of powerful Divine activity and unfolding purpose. Before His crucifixion,
Jesus was speaking extensively about His kingdom, giving the disciples understanding in order
to ready us through them for the pressures and difficulties that are part of the life of faith, (Acts
14:22)… particularly at the end of the age.

Jesus had aimed to give them understanding of the “mystery of the kingdom”, (Mark. 4:11),
which was this: the kingdom of God had come before its final, triumphant manifestation.
Fulfillment was here, but its consummation was not. The kingdom would arrive in two stages.
In the first stage the Messiah would come and suffer, and in the second stage the Messiah would
come in glory, (Luke 24:46; Mark 14:62).

The expectation for the Messiah during Jesus’ life was a political leader who would overthrow
Roman rule and lead Israel into global prominence. This anticipation was so prevalent that even
John the baptizer wondered if he misunderstood who Jesus was, (Matthew 11:1-6).
Paradoxically, the Body of Christ is now disoriented in the inverse way: we celebrate His death
and resurrection (as we should) yet we have little to no anticipation (or understanding) of His
return to rule the nations. Jesus is so uniquely able to sit enthroned as both God and man in
Lordship over everything He created – with man’s given dominion over the earth not usurped
(Gen. 1:26, Psalm 115:16) even as God’s place of Creator and Judge is honored and He receives
glory for His flawless wisdom and beauty, (Psa. 72, Isa. 11:9, Hab. 2:14).

LHOP – Newport News, VA

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TEACHING – GREG BURNETT
Forerunner calling: the parable of the 10 virgins
Page 2

B. The first 5 verses of this parable show that, to Jesus, life must include getting the oil of which He
is speaking. Jesus is making a profound statement that simply having awareness/information of
His return is not sufficient to participate with Him in the deepest way possible: which is the joy
and celebration of His wedding feast. Of the ten virgins, half of them had oil even though they
all slumbered when the time of His return was so drawn out. I believe the virgins to be all
ministries that are sincerely intent upon being effective to minister in Jesus’ name.

II. ACQUIRE OIL (VERSES 6-13), THE LOVE OF MANY WILL GROW COLD

A. At midnight, a cry is heard. The implications of this truth are both thrilling and sobering.
Sobering because the implication is that the voice of the forerunners (John 3:29) is breaking out
from the wilderness at a time of inconvenience and spiritual darkness. As an image midnight
conveys both of these as well as a natural time of sleep. Even so, the slumber and darkness in
the human condition are not obstacles to God who is able to raise the deadness in any heart to
vibrant joy through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous
act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one
man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be
made righteous. 20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin
increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might
reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans chapter 5)

B. The trimming of lamps is indication that previous ministry that has occurred before this
awakening time is not sufficient for the work at hand. The old is past and new things are at hand.
Even with this, the “wick” needs “oil” to not burn out. If one substitutes the phrase “love for
God” for oil, it fits perfectly with the reality of what must be present in us to truly give light. It
also fits according to Jesus’ response to the virgins “without oil” in verse 12.

C. (Tortured for Christ, Wurmbrand, pp. 17-18)

D. Concerning this interpretation, it also fits that love for the Savior cannot be transferred. It must
be “bought” in the means available to each us: a life of worship, waiting on Jesus in
active/conscious ways, meditating on His words and works. Truly, eternal life is knowing Jesus
in a personal, experiential way, (John 17:3).

E. Those with “oil” will wisely keep their priority as cultivating passion for Jesus above meeting
the needs of men. The place of prayer and worship is prioritized and not surrendered, an active
watching and praying just as Jesus Himself emphasized for His followers.
1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold,
the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people;But the LORD will arise over you,
and His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the
brightness of your rising. (Isa. 60)

LHOP – Newport News, VA

www.LHOPVA.com