Matthew 25:1-13
The chapter we have now begun is a continuation of our Lord’s prophetic discourse on the Mount of Olives. The time to which it refers is plain and unmistakable: from first to last, there is a continual reference to the second advent of Christ and the end of the world. The whole chapter contains three great divisions. In the first, our Lord uses His own second coming as an argument for watchfulness and heart-religion: this He does by the parable of the ten virgins. In the second, He uses his own second coming as an argument for diligence and faithfulness: this He does by the parable of the talents. In the third, he winds up all by a description of the great day of judgment: a passage which for majesty and beauty stands unequalled in the New Testament.
The parable of the ten virgins which we have now read contains lessons peculiarly solemn and awakening. Let us see what they are.
We see for one thing that the second coming of Christ will find His church a mixed body, containing evil as well as good.