Following His previous message to be prepared for His second coming, Jesus then spoke of two parables to illustrate how we are to do that. The first, the parable of the ten virgins, warns of the importance of being prepared to meet Christ when He returns to earth.
继主的前一个信息，就是要为祂的再来做好预备，耶稣又陈述了两个比喻说明我们当如何行。首先，十童女的比喻警告我们：当基督再来时，我们一定要做好预备见祂。
- The ten virgins 十童女 (25:1-5)
The ten virgins represent professed disciples of Christ who claim to love His appearing and who demonstrate outward readiness for entrance into His kingdom. Though alike in appearance, not all were prepared – the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps, while the foolish did not.
十童女代表了口称是基督徒，宣称盼望主再来，也好似做了预备进天国的人。虽然各个外表都相似，但不是所有人都做好了预备；聪明的拿着灯时，又预备油在器皿里，但愚拙的却没有。
- The bridegroom 新郎 (25:6-12)
Most people are deep asleep at midnight, which again underscores the unexpectedness of Christ’s return. It is here when the foolish realized their folly – they had no oil. The wise had sufficient only for their own and were unable to help. While trying to make last minute purchases, the bridegroom came and only those ready entered with Him. The door was shut thereafter.
半夜时分，多数人都深睡了；这显示他们意想不到基督会在这个时候回来。这时，愚拙的才发觉他们的愚昧——他们没带油。聪明的只为自己带足够的油，因此无法帮助别人。当愚拙的赶去购买油时，新郎来了，而唯有做好预备的人能同他进去。之后，门就关了。
- The warning 警告 (25:13)
Jesus closed with a stern warning – watch therefore, for you know neither the day not the hour of His coming. Be prepared before all is lost.
耶稣以一个严厉的警告做总结：所以，你们要警醒，因为那日子、那时辰，你们不知道。要做好预备，以免失去一切。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- The virgins were properly adorned, but not all were with proper lamps. Furthermore, no reason was given for the negligence of the foolish virgins, for all are irrelevant. Are we self-deceived, thinking that mere association with people of Christ and His church will make us true member of God’s family? Pray that take heed, lest we fall (1 Cor. 10:12).
童女们全装扮合适，但不是每一个都预备好灯。再者，愚拙童女给予的任何借口都不成立。我们是否欺骗自己，以为与基督和祂的教会有关联，就必然是神家庭里真实的成员呢？祈求自己以为站得稳的须要谨慎，免得跌倒（林前10:12）。
- It was necessary that each had her own oil. Salvation is non-transferable; intercessions of saints for sinners at the judgment throne of God will render to none. Is your salvation secured in its only source – Christ? Pray that we are assured of our salvation.
每一个童女必须有自己的油。同样的，救赎是无可转让的；在神的审判宝座前，圣徒为罪人的一切代祷都是徒然的。你的救赎是否稳固于唯一的源头上——基督？祈求我们能证实自己真的得救了。
- “I never knew you” (7:23); “I do not know you” (25:12) – Are these words we want to hear at God’s throne? Do you fear God and take His judgment seriously?
“我从来不认识你们”（7:23）；“我不认识你们”（25:12）——这是否是你想在神的宝座前听到的话？你是否敬畏神，并严厉看待祂的审判呢？
