Saved or Sleeping? The Urgent Question of Matthew 25

Recent studies reveal an alarming reality: 68 percent of professing Christians in America believe that having some type of religious faith is more important than which faith a person aligns with.¹ They are essentially calling Jesus a liar—for He clearly claimed, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Does this shock you? It should. One of the signs that Jesus gave regarding the nearness of His return is the great falling away of believers. It is clear the church in America is in a tragic state. It breaks my heart—and makes me wonder if we are near the end of time.

That’s why it is crucial to ask yourself, “Am I truly eternally saved, or am I going through the motions of being a Christian? Am I living for Christ, or am I faking it?” We must not shy away from examining our hearts, for not only our souls hang in the balance. Our witness matters. I believe a Third Great Awakening will not sweep across our land until the bride of Christ, the body of believers, is in a state of revival. Therefore, we must come clean with God. We must seek total obedience to His Word.

Are You Ready for His Return?

In His parable of the ten virgins, Jesus illustrates the difference between those who are truly awake and ready for His return and those who are not. This story in Matthew 25 is a litmus test for your spiritual life. This test will reveal whether you are ready for Jesus’ second coming or you have gone to sleep. It will determine if you are poised to meet Jesus as your Redeemer or as your Judge. This parable is so realistic in its details, so poignant in its application, so profound in its teaching that I pray the Lord would imprint it on our minds and hearts.

What the Wedding Reveals

In the parable, ten young women were part of a wedding party. Now, to really understand what is going on, we must put the text in its first-century Middle Eastern context. At that time, weddings had three stages. First, the two sets of parents would agree on the match while their children were young. Then, when the children had come of age, they would be betrothed. The groom would bring a sacrificial gift to the bride’s father. It was a serious matter. In the same way, Jesus offered the greatest sacrifice—Himself—to secure us as His beloved, saving us from sin and death.

After this, the groom would return to his father’s house to prepare a home for his bride. He would be hard at work until the addition was complete. Similarly, Jesus went to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house (see John 14:2-3).

Finally, the groom would return to the bride in a procession through the streets to bring his bride to the wedding celebration. Everybody in the town would join the groom, playing music and dancing in celebration, announcing, “The groom is coming!” The throng would increase in jubilation on the journey to the bride to bring her to her new home with her groom. One day, too, Jesus will do the same with His Bride, the Church (see Ephesians 5:27, Revelation 21:2-3).

Not Everyone Who Looks Ready Is Ready

It is at this stage of the wedding that Jesus begins His parable of the ten virgins. The ten have much in common—the five wise and five foolish young women. Both groups were invited. Both initially responded to the invitation. All were waiting. Both groups were intended to be part of the wedding. Both groups had affection for the bridegroom. Both believed that the groom would return and had lamps ready. Both groups had physically fallen asleep. But the similarities end once the groom arrives.

The five wise virgins showed wisdom in how they lived their lives and were prepared for the groom’s return. They had oil in their lamps, which is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. He works in believers’ hearts to compel them to live for Christ rather than self. The foolish ones, on the other hand, were totally unprepared. They had become distracted by other things in life, neglecting what was most important. They had no oil for their lamps; they did not have the Holy Spirit. That’s why the wise young women couldn’t share their oil. They had just enough for themselves because salvation is a personal experience. You cannot inherit it, buy it, earn it, or give it to another. The five foolish ones had religion but not salvation, tradition but not the Holy Spirit, church membership but not a transformed life.

Add to this the important detail that the groom had come at midnight. That means the shops were closed. The doors were shut. It was too late. They tried to call on the bridegroom later, but he replied, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you” (Matthew 25:12). Five were prepared and five were not. Which group describes you?

There Is Such a Thing as Too Late

In His parable, Jesus paints a picture of the tragedy of those who confess one thing with their lips but live their lives another way—the tragedy of those who confuse church membership with living for Christ and longing for His return.

Like so many today, the foolish young women thought they could wait to the end and then ask forgiveness. But, my friend, there is such a thing as too late. Noah preached righteousness, but the people ignored him (see 2 Peter 2:5, Matthew 24:37-39). And God shut the door (see Genesis 7:16). You may wonder, “How can a loving God do this?” Let me tell you about our loving God: He sent His perfect Son, who eternally coexisted with Him in heaven, to die a sinner’s death on a cross to redeem you. And He’s been inviting you, “Come before it is too late.”

Will You Take the Test?

Whether you consider yourself a Christian or not, the question we all must ask ourselves is Am I truly longing and looking for the return of Christ? That’s the test. Will you take it?

The wise are not those who admire Jesus from a distance—they are those who trust Him completely. They know that only Christ can forgive sin, that His death on the cross paid their debt in full, and that His resurrection secured their eternal future. Have you received His gift of grace for yourself? Have you trusted Him as your only hope? Like the wise women, be prepared to meet the Bridegroom. Keep watch for your Lord. And eagerly await that day when He will return to take you home.