The Story of the Five Virgins Left Behind

By Joyce Webb 2024

Matthew 25 Vs. 1-13

Five virgins (young unmarried women) left behind.

Why? They fell asleep. They were not ready.

They were waiting for the bridegroom to come —-so the wedding could begin.

There were 10 virgins (young unmarried women) gathered together.

A wedding was to happen. They were all waiting for the bridegroom to come.

In their country, it was a custom —-for the bridegroom to come for his bride—-and take her to his father’s house.

At the father’s house —the bridegroom prepared a place— for the bride and bridegroom to live.

The bride did not know exactly when the bridegroom would come for her.

The bridegroom did not know exactly when he would come either.

The bridegroom’s father—-decided—-when the bridegroom would come.

A place was being prepared—-and when the Father thought it was ready—and when he thought it was time—he told the bridegroom—okay—it is time to go get your bride.

Sometimes that would be very late at night—-like midnight.

It could be at any time of day or night. It all depended on when the Father thought that all was ready and it was time.

The bride waited at her house. Her lady friends waited with her until the bridegroom came.

It was an exciting time. The wedding would be beautiful. There would be a big feast. Many people would come.

They may have had some idea of about when the bridegroom would come.

But they did not know the exact day—or the hour that he would come.

When they thought it was about time for the bridegroom to come—the lady friends gathered together at the bride’s house to wait.

They might wait days— or hours.

Some of the lady friends knew that it could be a long time and they were prepared to wait.

They all had lamps with them. The lamps used oil and a wick. The wick was lit, and a small flame burned to make a light.

They needed the lamps if the bridegroom came at night. They would need the light to see as they walked with the bride and bridegroom and other people to go to the place of the wedding.

Five of the friends brought extra oil. They did not know how long they would have to wait—so they had extra oil in case it was a long wait.

Five of the friends had not brought extra oil with them.

It was a long wait. The friends became tired and fell asleep.

Finally, at midnight–they heard the call–”The bridegroom comes !”

They woke up. Five of them– put more oil in their lamps for the trip to the bridegrooms place.

Five of the friends did not have extra oil to put in their lamps.

They could see that the oil was not enough—it was almost gone. For some—their lamps had gone out.

They asked the other friends for some of their oil. But the friends said, “No, if we give it to you—we will not have enough for ourselves. You will have to go to those who sell— to buy more for yourself.”

Five of the friends went off to get more oil.

The other five went with the wedding group to the wedding.

Much later, the other five women came to the wedding. But they could not get in. The doors were closed. The wedding had started.  They were not allowed in.

They had not been ready. They had been careless—-they had not prepared themselves.

When the bridegroom came—they were not ready to go. They were left behind.

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The wedding was beautiful ! There was happy dancing, music, and food ! It was wonderful !

After the wedding—the bride and bridegroom would go into a place by themselves for 7 days.

The people waited for them to complete their 7 day time together.

While the people waited—they ate and visited.

After 7 days—when the bride and bridegroom came out of their private place—they joined the group of people.

There was more feasting, dancing, and music. It was a happy time.
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Jesus told this parable. A parable is an earthly story—with a heavenly meaning.

This story told of a Jewish wedding of that time.

The “truth” or “lesson” that Jesus was teaching—-was for people to be ready when Jesus comes again in the clouds.

In the Old Testament, and in the New Testament, God calls those who believe in Him and who obey him—-”his bride”.

God says that his relationship with people who believe in Him is like a marriage.

Jesus is the bridegroom. God is the Father. The believers are the bride.

God the Father is in his “house” in heaven. After Jesus died, and came to life again. He was on earth for 40 days, then one day as he was talking to a group of people —–he began to rise up in the air.
His body went higher and higher—until they could not see him any more.

The people stood there staring up at the sky. Two angels stood near and said to the people—”This same Jesus, that you have seen —go up into heaven—will come again—in the same way he went up.” Acts 1:11

Jesus told his disciples (John 14:2-3)—that he would go to his Father. His Father’s house has many mansions.

He would prepare a place for “you”—meaning those who believed in him and followed him and obeyed him.

Jesus said that he would come again—and receive or take to himself—-those who believed.
He said–”Where I am, you will be, also.”

Like the bridegroom in the story—-Jesus went to his Father’s house to prepare a place for his bride (the believers).

In Matthew 25:36 Jesus said that No one knows the day or hour that he will come back again. He said, that only the Father knows when that will be.

When the Father says, “It is time.” Then Jesus will come in the clouds and catch up—all believers—- into the clouds with him. I Thessalonians 4:14-17

In several places, Jesus warned the disciples and the people—”Watch—-for you know not what hour your Lord does come.” Matthew 24:42
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It has been about 2000 years since Jesus went back into heaven.

He will come again.

Believers have waited a long time.

Many people in the world would say that the idea that Jesus will come in the clouds to take up believers with him is a fairy tale.

Some of the people —who at one time believed in Jesus— and started to follow Him and obey Him—-have turned away from following Jesus.

They have “fallen asleep”. They no longer actively obey and trust Jesus. They gave up faith.
They are like the 5 young women who did not have extra oil.

The bridegroom came—and they were not ready.

People who are not ready—people who have being ignoring Jesus and going their own way—-will be left behind.
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The Bible teaches what the world will be like after Jesus comes in the clouds.

At that time—the Holy Spirit will no longer be on earth to talk to people about their sin.
The Holy Spirit will not show people their guilt and sin.

People will not feel guilty. People will keep sinning—and not feel bad about it. They will not come to Jesus to pray and ask for forgiveness.

Some people will repent and be forgiven—but it will not be as easy as it was with the Holy Spirit to speak to them.

People on earth will be very evil and wicked. The most awful things will be happening.

Awful things will happen because of people’s sin —and awful things will happen in nature—-storms, earthquakes, tidal waves, stars falling, famines, etc.

There will be people—like the 5 women who were left behind—people who knew the truth about salvation—but then ignored God.

Those people—will realize that they have been left behind.

Those people—if they know the Bible—will know what they will have to live through —-all the awful things that will begin to happen.

Those people—may decide to call on Jesus to forgive them.

But things will be so bad on earth—-that people and governments will hate those who believe in Jesus. They will do bad things to them. Most likely, they will kill them.

Of course, those people who believe and have repented will go to heaven when they die. That would be better than living on earth during all the bad things happening.
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How much better it would be to go up in the clouds with Jesus the bridegroom when he comes.

To do that—we have to stay ready. We have to keep obeying Jesus.

We have to keep believing and trusting in Jesus.

We have to keep sin out of our hearts and minds.
We have to keep the faith.

Jesus warned us—”Watch !” You know not what hour he will come !
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Those who know what the Bible says —- will happen in the end of times—–they are watching the news carefully.

We see things happening that show us we are getting nearer to the time of the end. We are getting nearer to when Jesus comes in the clouds.

Israel will be in some big bad wars.

When we see Israel fighting other nations—-Christians give attention !

We know what the Bible says will happen in the last days.
Some very bad wars happen.

Then—A one world leader takes over to rule the world. He will rule for 7 years.
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Remember in the story of the wedding—after the wedding the bride and bridegroom went off by themselves for 7 days.

The crowd of people waited.

After, 7 days —-the bride and bridegroom came out to join the crowd of people.

This represents the believers caught up into heaven with Jesus.

The believers in heaven will be having a feast. The Bible calls it the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
It will be a time of rejoicing for the believers.
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One earth —for those 7 years—-terrible things will be happening. It is called “The Tribulation”.

The one world leader will rule the world for 7 years.

For the first 3 ½ years—the leader will not be so bad. He will seem to have all the answers to peace.

But after 3 ½ years—he begins to show what he really is inside.

It will be an awful time. He will demand that everyone worship him. He will kill any one who will not do it.

People will not be able to buy or sell anything unless they have his mark on them.
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After 7 years, there will be a very big battle. The Jewish people will fight against other nations. The other nations will begin to win over the Jewish army. But before the battle is over—-Jesus comes to help the Jewish army.

The other armies will be killed.

Jesus will stay on earth for 1,000 years. He will rule as king over all the earth.

After the 1,000 years is done. There is another battle. That is the last one. Satan is thrown into hell forever.

Then God makes a new heaven and a new earth. Jesus will be king forever. We will be with Jesus forever.
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You do not want to go through the time on earth called “The Tribulation”

You do not want to be here on earth when the one world leader takes over.

You will want to go up in the clouds—when Jesus comes in the clouds—to catch up the believers.

So—-stay ready !!