Wedding Lanterns

Jesus just finished, in Matthew 24, speaking about the signs of the end of the age and his second coming. Then he goes directly into a parable – the NIV puts it this way “At that time the Kingdom of Heaven will be like…” and then he tells this story in Matthew 25:1-13 of ten bridesmaids, five of whom were wise and prepared and were welcomed into the wedding feast. Five were foolish, unprepared, and excluded from the wedding celebration.  What is Jesus seeking to communicate in this parable? We will look together at three warnings from this story, about being properly prepared to meet Jesus when he returns, and then we will consider a great encouragement about the wedding feast and the welcome given to those who are properly prepared.