MATTHEW 25:1-13
3. The foolish will be rejected. The reason is simple: the Bridegroom does not know them. They were not ready when
He arrived nor were they in the processional; therefore, He does not recognize them. He has to say, “I know you not.” He can
say nothing else, for...
• they had not prepared themselves: they were not ready when He came.
• they had not participated in His journey to the marriage feast: He did not recognize them; He did not know
them.

Christ taught time and again that the day is coming when the door will be shut (cp. Jn.10:9).

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he
that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in they name have cast out devils? and in thy name done
many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity” (Mt.7:21-23).
“When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand
without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say un-
to you, I know you not whence ye are: then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy
presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye
are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity” (Lk.13:25-27).

Note the words, “I know you not.” The importance of Christ’s knowing us is also stressed time and again in Scripture. Of
course, the way Christ gets to know us is by our participating in His journey, simply walking with Him day by day.

“I never knew you: depart from me” (Mt.7:23).
“I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep” (Jn.10:14).
“But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God” (Gal.4:9).
“I know Him” (Gen.18:19. God said this of Abraham.)
“I know thee by name” (Ex.33:12. God said this of Moses.)
“I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name: thou art mine” (Is.43:1).

Thought 1. The idea of the shut door is twofold.
1) To secure the wise (believer). The wise person is brought and welcomed into the great marriage feast of the
Lord, and he participates in all the joy of the festive occasion. Whatever goes on within the great
banqueting hall is his to enjoy. Other Scriptures point out that love, joy, and peace will be perfected and
will be the unbroken experience of the believer. He will never again have to go out into an unjoyful,
unhappy, corruptible, or painful world.

“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar...of my God, and he shall go no more out”
(Rev.3:12).

2) To exclude the foolish (who profess only). There has been plenty of time and plenty of signs and warnings to
prepare, but the foolish have refused to prepare for the Lord’s return (see Ro.1:18-23; 2:11-15).

Thought 2. The foolish believer is a person who fails at two points.
1) Preparation: he does not provide any oil (righteousness) for his lamp except what oil is already there. He
sees no need for additional oil or righteousness. Therefore, he does not prepare.
2) Participation: he is unable to join the Bridegroom on His journey to the great marriage feast. He has no
additional oil (righteousness), so his lamp (life) is no good to the bridegroom. His lamp (life) is not able to
provide light for the bridegroom.

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(25:

13) Watch—Jesus Christ, Return: the point is that we must watch and expect the Lord’s return at any moment.
1. The exhortation is strong: “Watch therefore.” The believer must prepare and participate in the journey to the great
marriage feast. He must walk with the Lord, the bridegroom. (See note, Watch—Mt.24:42.)
2. The reason for watching is strong: “Ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh.” Unbroken
preparation is essential, for He can come at any moment.

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh”
(Mt.25:13).
“Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say un-
to you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve
them” (Lk.12:37).
“Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of
darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (1 Th.5:5-6).
“Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev.3:11).
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk
naked, and they see his shame” (Rev.16:15).
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