In the name of Christ Jesus, dear fellow redeemed people of God,

Last week, Pastor Koehler mentioned that, with his new glasses, he can tell whether you are sleeping or not. Someone asked me if my glasses were that good. My answer is that it depends on where you are sitting... I can usually see most of you, but even with my glasses on, I cannot look into your heart to see if there is faith there or not. None of us can look into the heart of another. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Sam 16:7). I have to go by your confession of faith, by your words and actions. But the Lord knows your heart. It is possible that somebody could be a church member and an unbeliever at the same time. It is possible that a few of our own members might not be ready when Christ returns. I hope not, but it's possible. That's what we learn from Christ's parable of the ten virgins.

{1} "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Jewish wedding customs were far different from our own. There was really no marriage ceremony. Often the parents would arrange a betrothal for a man and a woman. But they did not live together as husband and wife until the groom came to escort his bride to his home. This would be quite a procession with the groom accompanied by his groomsmen, and the bride accompanied by her bride's maids. Then the celebration could last a week. Jesus is describing the bringing home of the bride. Jesus is the Bridegroom. The ten virgins are described next...

{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.

Notice that all of the ten virgins wanted to meet the bridegroom. These are people who want to be associated with Jesus, who want to be known as his followers. So, I would say that the ten virgins are church members. They want to be known as Christians. The five wise ones took along extra oil for their lamps. The five foolish ones did not. They all needed lighted lamps when the bridegroom returned. They all needed enough oil to serve as fuel for the flame. We need saving faith when Christ returns on Judgment Day. The lighted lamp stands for saving faith. You don't want that light to go out, so you need enough fuel. The fuel for faith is the Holy Spirit working through the gospel. The five foolish virgins did not receive enough of the gospel in Word and Sacrament for their faith to stay alive so their faith went out as when the light of a lamp is extinguished. They neglected the gospel. They skipped out on worship and Bible study opportunities. Though they had faith at one time, their faith died out. The five wise virgins received the means of grace sufficiently so that their faith was still alive when it mattered most.

{5} The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

The groom was delayed. It was a long time. They all fell asleep. They did not all fall from faith, but perhaps this means that they failed to perfectly keep watch. They were not as watchful as they should have been. It is possible to have saving faith, but to temporarily lapse in remembering Christ's return. We are not always perfectly watchful, are we? Did you wake up today and think, "Christ could return today!"? In another place, Jesus said, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). That is not the picture of a thriving church. It seems that as the last day draws closer, the visible church becomes a little less watchful. But our Lord could return at any time. Jesus will return at a time when we do not expect him.

{6} "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

This was a stunning surprise! They knew he was coming, but they did not expect him now! It was midnight! But, the cry rang out, "The bridegroom is here!" They were all awakened from their slumber. But, who is ready? Who has a burning lamp, a bright light of faith? Who will have faith when Christ returns?

{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 yourselves.'

Immediately, the virgins tried to make their lamps burn as brightly as possible. But the foolish ones did not have enough oil. At this crucial time, their lamps were going out. Though they had been thoughtless and sleeping, now they sense the need. Now, they want help, but it is too late. And, when Christ returns, many a church member who skipped worship and Bible study without a second thought will suddenly want help. They will suddenly sense the need. Others, who daydreamed through the sermon every week and ignored what was said will suddenly want help. They will have the sense of urgency that they always lacked. Those who merely went through the outward motions of being church members and treated church membership like membership in some country club will suddenly be afraid for their souls. Their faith died. Can they repent and get God's Word in time? No, it will be too late.

{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.

The wise virgins "were ready"! Praise God, they were ready. These are the genuine believers. These are the church members who will have saving faith when Christ returns. This is what we mean by saying: Some church members will be ready when Christ returns! They fed their faith regularly with God's Word. They had plenty of oil in their lamp. They are found ready by faith when Christ returns. Be sure to put fuel in your lamp! Hear the good news often. [+] Jesus lived a perfect life for you. Jesus died on the cross and paid for all of your sins. He rose from death and you are forgiven through Christ. That is what the Holy Spirit uses to work faith in hearts. May we be found ready. May we have saving faith when Christ returns. Then, it says, "The door was shut!" May we be there, for these believers are safe and secure in heaven forever.

{11} "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.'

The foolish virgins were not ready and did not get in. Some church members will not be ready when Christ returns! Before you begin to think of others, apply this to yourself! Have you been going through the motions lately? How strong is your faith? If a person lacks saving faith, nothing else will do. It won't do a bit of good to say, "I'm a member of St. Stephen" or "Pastor so and so confirmed me." It won't do a bit of good to say, "I was too busy." He will accept no excuses! May we never hear these words, "I don't know you,... you aren't one of my believers. You don't have saving faith." But do take warning now, and do get serious about God's Word now, because tomorrow could be too late. Now is the day of grace. Now it the day of salvation! Jesus already knows your heart right now. On the last day, his judgment will be final. There will be no appeal or second chances.

Now, think of others. We don't want Jesus to say these words to others either. How awful it will be for those who fell from faith to hear Jesus say, "you avoided my Word. You wanted to be without me, now be without me forever!" Ooh. How awful! This seems to come as a surprise to the foolish virgins. Perhaps, these words will be a surprise in the end to many church members who thought that they were in for sure. Could it be that in this very church, there are some members who think that they are ready, but they aren't? Maybe they are spiritually sleeping. How awful it will be for people to realize that they lacked saving faith, and to hear Jesus say, "Depart from me."

{13} "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

This is our Savior's main lesson for us. "Therefore, keep watch..." He could return at any time. Are you ready right now? Even with my glasses on, I cannot tell if you have faith in your heart or not. The outward signs are good. You are listening to God's Word. You have confessed your faith. Be sure to fill your lamp with oil! Be sure to fill your heart with God's Word and Sacrament. Whoever believes in Jesus as Savior from sin is ready right now. May we be ready when Jesus returns. Hear the gospel again. Jesus saved you with his perfect life and all atoning death. He rose from death and you are forgiven. Dear believers in Jesus, you have nothing to fear. Stay close to Jesus, and in the end he will say, "Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom." Amen.