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Author: Stephen Weller
640 words, 3 minutes read time

I Do Not Know You

Scripture: Matthew 25:12-13

At the end of the previous lesson we left the unwise virgins outside the closed door to the marriage feast crying out to the Lord to let them in. In this lesson we will find out what happens to them.

^{Mt 25:12} But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

The concept of God knowing those he has chosen is found in the Old Testament is such places as in Jeremiah 1:5 ESV: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”; in Hosea 13:5 ESV: “It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought”; and in Amos 3:2 ESV: “You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

This same concept continues in the New Testament where the knowing describes a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ. For example, in Galatians 4:8 – 9 ESV: ⁸ “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. ⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?”; and in 2 Timothy 2:19 ESV: “But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.””

There are two other verses that should be mentioned because it involves those who think they are saved but are not. This is found in Matthew 7:22 – 23 ESV: ²² “On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ²³ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

¹³ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

The five virgins who had no oil were not prepared to follow the bridegroom to the marriage feast and by the time they got their oil and arrived at the bridegroom’s house it was too late, and they were not allowed to enter. The “Watch therefore” is a warning to us as his disciples to be properly prepared and ready to accompany the Son of Man when he returns.

We have been given signs of the time when Jesus will return and like a woman in labor is showing signs of a baby coming, the exact time is not known. Anyone who thinks they know the day of his return is only guessing because “concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36 ESV).

Conclusion

I think of different people who I have shared the gospel with who said they were not ready or they outright rejected the invitation. I think of people I have talked with who say they are Christians but when asked to share how and when they became a believer, their answer relates to their works and being good enough and not based on grace through faith as a gift. In either case, when Jesus returns there will be those who waited too long and like the five foolish virgins without oil, they will be denied entrance into the kingdom of God. Do you have your oil (the Holy Spirit) or are you still putting off coming to Jesus in saving faith?