1. Ready or not, here He comes!
Parables of Jesus
Matthew 25

2. Matthew 25:1-5
"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The

3. Matthew 25:1-5
bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 

4. From Jewish History… The Betrothal Ceremony The Preparation Phase
The return of the groom to take his bride to their new home
Wedding ceremony upon their arrival
Week long event

5. John 14:1-6
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place

6. John 14:1-6
where I am going."5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me

7. 5 of the brides were wise & 5 were foolish
They all took their lamps
The foolish didn’t take any oil with them
The wise brought their oil for their lamps
The bridegroom was a long time in coming
They all became drowsy and fell asleep

8. So what can we learn? Christ is going to return!
much of His church isn’t going to be ready.

9. Matthew 25:6-10
"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' 7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9 " 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for

10. Matthew 25:6-10
yourselves.' 10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 

11. Matthew 25:11-13
"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

12. So what can we do? Make sure our lights are shining.
Make sure we have oil.
Make sure we are ready.