Watch...

We will try to find the meaning of this word in the parable of the wise and the foolish virgins. No doubt you know that in a parable one main thought always stands out. Sometimes this thought is found at the beginning of the parable, and sometimes at the end, as is the case in this parable. To watch is the main thought of this parable, and I would like to ask your attention for this very important word. This is a message for all of us, old and young.

Let me first make this remark, that to study God’s Word does not imply that we express our opinion about it. Practical Christianity is in the first place to listen to, and to bow under, God’s Word. When searching God’s Word, it is imperative that our own thoughts and opinions be set aside. The Bible is God’s Word; it is God speaking. Our own opinions may never overrule Scripture.

Therefore our first question is: What does God’s Word say about being watchful? “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Mt. 26:41). “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch” (Mk. 13:37). “Watch and pray always” (Lk. 21:36). “Watch and remember” (Acts 20:31). “Watch, stand in the faith” (1 Cor. 16:13). “Watch with all perseverance” (Eph. 6:18). “Watch with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2). “Let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thes. 5:6). “Be ye sober and watch unto prayer” (1 Pet. 4:7). These are some of the many texts that speak of watching.

This is a message for each one of us, personally. It is a warning from God for old and young.

We can watch for many different reasons: we “watch” with a gravely ill or dying person. We “watch” for our possessions; we install locks on our doors. We “watch” for our safety; think, for instance, of the police. But I will go no further, because I believe we all are active enough to watch over our outward possessions.

have in mind another kind of watchfulness; namely, a being prepared.

We read in Matthew 25 of the opposite of watching—a slumbering, a falling asleep. While the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and fell asleep.

What happens when we sleep? Well, then we know nothing. Then we do not even know that we are alive: we do not know what is going on. When we are asleep, we have lost touch with reality. While we have the most beautiful dream, we may in reality be in the greatest danger. God’s Word speaks to us of a sleeping in the top of a mast.

Let us look at the parable a little closer. This particular type of watchfulness refers to the coming again of Christ. What is reality? What do they who are awake see and believe? They see and believe that Christ’s kingdom is at hand. They who watch expect the last step of Christ’s exaltation — His coming again upon the clouds.

The difference is not seen until the bridegroom comes.

But those that do not watch, those that sleep, do not see this reality. They live in a world of illusion.

Jesus’ word watch is as the sounding of an alarm — “Wake up...!”

The early Christian church was a watching church. They would often greet each other with the words: Jesus is coming. They expected that day with joy. They looked forward to it. They yearned for it. The Spirit and the bride say: “Come, even so, come Lord Jesus.”

It is, of course, essential that we apply these thoughts to our own life, to our times. Is expecting the coming of Jesus a part of our practical Christianity? We do not talk of someone else. Jesus says: “I say unto you all: Watch...!” Clearly there is a need for this warning and command.

Let us follow the parable. The Lord Jesus is such an excellent Teacher. The kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. That is to say, that at the time of Christ’s coming again it shall be the same as with these bridesmaids.

Christ says: Five of them were wise and five were foolish. What is wisdom, what is foolishness? This: they that were foolish took no oil with them. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. The difference then is that one group takes the future in consideration, and the other does not.

At first glance there is no difference. All are bridesmaids. All are dressed alike; all have burning lamps. All expect the bridegroom. All intend to go to the marriage feast. And while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

The difference is not seen until the bridegroom comes.

In these wise and foolish virgins, the Lord Jesus shows us the visible church as it shall be at the time of His coming again. The foolish are they who have the name that they live. They are religious; they are orthodox. They have a burning lamp. They were baptized. They made confession of faith. They partake of the Lord’s Supper. They live a decent life, and they intend to go to heaven. But they have no oil in their vessels. The Holy Spirit does not dwell in their heart. They do not consider the future. The question does not arise in their heart whether they have an ample supply of oil until the bridegroom comes. They do not search their heart. They do not watch. They can always believe, always pray, always give thanks. They know of no strife.

But those who were wise take oil in their vessels. They have not only a burning lamp, but also a vessel of oil. They have more than a burning lamp. The Holy Spirit lives and works in their heart. Their religion is a matter of the heart. They take the future into consideration. A burning lamp is not enough for them. They ask themselves: What if it should take longer than expected? Then will we have enough? In their heart, the question arises: Is it true within? Have I begun, or the Lord? Their hearts long for the righteousness of Christ. Their outward confession falls short. They know that they are on the way to the judgment seat of Christ, and they ask themselves: Will I then have enough?

In the visible church, there are wise and foolish virgins. There is appearance and truth, death and life. It is so necessary to search ourselves. Do we take the future into consideration? For we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, and shall we then have enough? Enough — not just according to our calculations — but according to the measure of God’s justice?

Until now we have seen the visible church at its best—with burning lamps, waiting for the bridegroom. But the Lord Jesus also shows us the church at its worst. He does not do this for us as an example to follow but as a warning. While the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept. They all. The wise and the foolish. The Lord Jesus says, “It did not happen suddenly.” No, they fell asleep gradually. At first they became a little drowsy. This illustration is perhaps known to us from church services. At first there seems to be difficulties in keeping the eyes open, then the head begins to nod, and finally, one is sound asleep. A sleeping church....

Yes, also the wise ones are asleep. They no longer watch. They have lost sight of the future. Their head is no longer lifted up: it is hanging down. They are busy with themselves. They do not hear the footsteps of the coming Christ.

What does this mean for our life and time? It means that their most important question is no longer who Christ is and how glorious His kingdom shall be; rather, it is: How shall / spend my life? They are more concerned about their experiences than about the glory of their King. The things of daily life get the upperhand. What shall we eat, what shall we drink, wherewithal shall we be clothed? The body and the world get far more attention than the soul. We are busy with all kinds of matters. And this does not happen suddenly, but gradually. Slowly on we become engrossed in the things of time and sense. The thought that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world becomes less and less real to us. We get excited about controversial questions regarding religion. And in the meantime, the years pass by... And while we are sleeping so soundly, we do not realize that Jesus is coming.

Dear friends, do we recognize these matters in our personal life, in our families, in our church life? I fear that the church is asleep. Who sees and hears the signs of the coming Jesus? Does not Paul’s word apply to us: “Awake thou that sleepest?” In natural life, sleep is a blessing. But in the church, it may not happen. The church may not sleep. The church may not take pleasure in the things of this world. The question of how shall I spend my life, may not have the upperhand. Why not? Because the bridegroom is coming. He is near. We hear His footsteps. We see the signs pointed out by Him. The love of many has waxed cold. A sleeping church is also a sign of His coming. There is great apostasy, wars and rumors of wars, and diseases in several places.

Their most important question is no longer who Christ is and how glorious His kingdom shall be; rather, it is: How shall I spend my life?...

And are we sleeping? At times we awake frightened, but we soon turn over and sleep again. But our sleeping will not keep back the bridegroom. He is at hand. He shall go forth in great power. We read in God’s Word: “And at midnight there was a cry made, behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet Him.” At midnight...when everyone is asleep: when it is the very darkest. Darkness...the light of God’s common grace is withheld. Darkness... the dark age of man’s wisdom, strength and knowledge. Darkness...man can do it all himself: he doesn’t need God. Darkness...there is strife in the church: “I am of Paul, I am of Cephas.” Darkness ... many people complai n about the dark times in which we live. But they do not recognize that this darkness is a sign that Jesus is near. At midnight...in such a dark time...when no one is watching... then the bridegroom is coming.

Then there is not only the cry that He is coming, but also the summons: “Go ye out to meet Him.” We cannot escape Jesus, the heavenly Bridegroom. Then is that all important point in time, for we can only meet Him with a burning lamp.

And what happened? Five lamps went out. The oil was used up. At the crucial moment, there was not enough. They had always thought to have an ample supply. And now a shortage. What an experience this must have been! Our lamps are gone out.

And how shall it be with us? Shall we have enough when Jesus comes? The answer of the wise virgins does not imply that there then will yet be another opportunity to buy oil. The Lord Jesus teaches us to be watchful and that we must have enough when He comes. And we must expect Him every moment. Do you believe it?

Enough—that is to say, the house of our hope must be built on the Rock, Jesus Christ. Watching, we reject our own works and possessions, and seek to be found in Christ. They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage... and the door was shut.

The wise were there to stay. They will always be with the Lord. The door was shut. This also means: No more admissions.

think it would be useful for us to often reflect on that one word: Watch...! Let us not close our eyes to reality. We are all closer to death now then we ever were before. Do you have enough? One day we will lose the battle to sustain life. Eternity is so close — only one step away. It is high time to know in what direction we are traveling.

Dear friends, do you know what practical Christianity is? It is this: Watch!

Rev. H. Hofman is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

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