DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS
1. While the Bridegroom Tarried, 1–5
To what time in the world’s history does this parable refer? Upon what oriental custom is it founded? What is the central lesson that Jesus aimed to teach (v. 13)? Whom does the bridegroom represent? (28-John.3.29" class="scriptRef">John 3:28, 29; Eph. 5:25; 2 Cor. 11:2; Matt. 9:15; Rev. 21:9.) Who is represented as the bridegroom in the Old Testament? (Is. 54:5; 62:4, 5.) Is there any significance about that? Who is the bride? (Eph. 5:25.) What thought about Christ is set forth under this figure of a bridegroom? (Eph. 5:25, 28, 30, 31.) Is the story of this bridegroom a romantic one? Who rejoices over the marriage? (Rev. 19:6, 7.) Is the bride as faithful as the bridegroom? Whom do the virgins represent? What was the attitude of the virgins toward the bridegroom’s coming? What ought to be our attitude? (Titus 2:13; 2 Tim. 4:8; 2 Peter 3:12, 13 R. V.) What do the lamps represent? (c. 5:16; Luke 12:35; 2 Tim. 3:5.)
Were all these virgins saved? What lesson is there in that? Into what two classes were the virgins divided? In what respect did the wise differ from the foolish? Could any one see the difference? Of what is oil a symbol? (Acts 10:38; 1 John 2:20, 27; Ps. 45:7.) Had the five foolish virgins no oil at all (vv. 3, 4 and v. 8, R. V.)? What is the lesson? Does this parable teach that one can have really been born again and yet after all be shut out and Christ say unto them, “I know you not”? (1 John 2:19; John 10:28; 2 Tim. 1:12; 4:18.) Can one have had some measure of the Holy Spirit and be lost? (Heb. 6:4–6.) What is it said in v. 5 that the bridegroom did? Of what did Jesus mean to give a hint? Why did the servant in c. 24:48 fail? Why did the virgins here fail? Why does the bridegroom tarry? Does Jesus wish us to believe that He will come soon or that He will not come soon? (Mark 13:35.) While the bridegroom tarried what did the virgins do? Was it wise for the foolish virgins to go to sleep? Was it for the others? Did they fall fast asleep at once?
2. “Behold the Bridegroom Cometh,” vv. 6–13
How were they awakened? How will the sleeping church be aroused? (John 5:28, 29; 1 Thess. 4:16.) Why does the parable represent the cry being made at midnight? (24:44.) Will it be literally in the night? (Mark 13:35.) What other call in the Bible does this “Go ye out to meet Him” suggest? (Amos 4:12.) When does God say that? What did the virgins do then? What does that symbolize? In what predicament did the foolish find themselves? Why? What lesson does that teach? Were the wise in any way to blame? What did the foolish do in their trouble? What does that represent? Did they find any help from the wise? Why not? Can the wisdom of one make up for the folly of another? (Ro. 14:12; Ps. 49:7–9; Jer. 15:1; Ezek. 14:14–16, 20; 1 Peter 4:18.) What did the wise tell them to do? Where is the oil to be bought? (Rev. 3:17, 18.) How much does it cost? (Is. 55:1.) Where was the difficulty with their going to buy? Did they follow the advice? Did it help them any? Why not? Where is the folly in putting off the preparation too long?
Who went into the marriage feast? How can we be made ready? (Col. 1:12.) How shall we be ready? (1 John 2:28; Rev. 19:7, 8; Heb. 12:14.) Was that marriage worth going to? (Rev. 19:9.) Of how earnest preparation is the marriage feast worthy? What happened when they had entered? Why was the door shut? What other instances have we of shut doors in the Bible? (Gen. 7:16; Num. 14:28–34; Heb. 12:16, 17.) Who is the door? (John 10:7.) To whom is it now open? (John 10:9.) Will it always be open? Can anyone get in after it is once shut? (Luke 13:25–28.) What is the next scene in the parable? Did those virgins really wish to get in? Why did not they then? What answer did they get? Whom does God know? (John 10:27; 1 Cor. 8:3; 2 Tim. 2:19.) What is Christ’s practical summing up of the teaching of the parable? Watch what or for what? Does this admonition apply to Christians? Did the wise and foolish virgins appear alike outwardly? Will hypocrites ever awaken to the difference between themselves and true professors? When?
CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS
1. Jesus Christ
His divinity:
Occupies the same place in New Testament thought that God occupies in Old Testament thought, 1; compare Is. 54:5; 62:4, 5.
The Bridegroom:
His wondrous, tender love for the church, 1; compare Eph. 5:25; His intimate union with the church, 1; compare Eph. 5:28–32.
He tarries:
Does not come as soon as expected, 5, but He is surely coming: At midnight, 6; suddenly, 6; unexpectedly, 6; while even those who went out to meet Him nodded and slept, 6; takes those who are ready at His coming with Him into the marriage supper, 10; shuts the door on those not ready, 10; will not open to the most urgent cry of those who come too late, 12.
2. The Wise Virgins
Took their lamps, 1; went forth to meet the bridegroom, 1; took oil in their vessels with their lamps, 4; nodded and slept while the bridegroom tarried, 5; suddenly awakened by the midnight cry, 6; called forth to meet the bridegroom, 6; arose and trimmed their lamps, 7; had only oil enough for themselves, 9; advised the foolish to go to them that sold to buy for themselves, 9; were ready, 10; went in with the bridegroom to the marriage, 10; were shut in, 10.
3. The Foolish Virgins
Took their lamps, 1; went forth to meet the bridegroom, 1; took no oil in their vessels with their lamps, 3; nodded and slept while the bridegroom tarried, 5; suddenly awakened by the midnight cry, 6; called forth to meet the bridegroom, 6; arose and trimmed their lamps, 7; expected to enter with the bridegroom unto the feast, 7; found their lamps were going out, 8 R. V.; asked the wise to supply them with needed oil, 8; unable to get oil from the wise virgins, 9; went to buy for themselves after the coming of the bridegroom was announced, 10; bridegroom came while they were getting oil, 10; were shut out, 10.
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R.A. Torrey (1856 - 1928)
An American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Called by D. L. Moody to head Bible institute in Chicago (now Moody Bible Institute). Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles. Pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles. Worldwide evangelistic meetings with Charlie Alexander. Founded Montrose Bible Conference, PA. Wrote more than forty books.Torrey held his last evangelistic meeting in Florida in 1927, additional meetings being canceled because of his failing health. He died at home in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 26, 1928, having preached throughout the world and written more than 40 books. Torrey-Gray Auditorium, the main auditorium at Moody, was named for Torrey and his successor, James M. Gray. At Biola, the Torrey Honors Institute honors him, as does the university's annual Bible conference.
Reuben Archer Torrey was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. Held evangelistic meetings around the world with song leader Charlie Alexander. Called by D.L. Moody to head the Bible Institute of the Chicago Evangelization Society (now Moody Bible Institute); Dean of Bible Institute of Los Angeles; pastorates included Chicago Avenue Church (now Moody Memorial Church) and Church of the Open Door, Los Angeles.
Besides his obvious gifts in all these areas, he was also a man of prayer, a student of the Bible, and an outstanding personal soul-winner. It is said that he daily read the Bible in four languages, having a good working knowledge of Greek and Hebrew. Some students of church history feel he did more to promote personal evangelism than any other one man since the days of the apostles. His prayer life has seldom been equaled in the annals of Christendom.
Reuben A. Torrey wrote some forty books and his practical writings on the Holy Spirit, prayer, salvation, soul-winning, and evangelism are still favorites of many Christians.