Why Did All the Virgins Fall Asleep?

In the parable of the ten virgins, it is said: "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept" Matthew 25:5.

The wise and the foolish allowed drowsiness to put them into a stupor, and all fell into some strange sleep. They did not have beds prepared for this, and they were not dressed in nightgowns. They were waiting for the Bridegroom's arrival. But the Bridegroom was delayed. Have you ever heard of a bridegroom being late for a wedding? This is something unusual. The bridegroom always comes on time. The bride can allow herself a delay. She needs to be perfectly prepared. But we are being described an incorrect scenario of events. And if this scenario is connected with God's actions, one even wants to hurry Him with His Coming. How long can one look at this sin and endure this lawlessness?

But God knows what He's doing. And if we superimpose the story of this parable on the narrative about the 144,000, it turns out that these are those who prepared for the meeting with Jesus, but for some unforeseen circumstances, dozed off and fell asleep. Why did they do this? What kind of sleep is this?

Drowsiness is a borderline state of mind between wakefulness and sleep, when a person can still partially perceive the surrounding world, but the body's urge to sleep persistently makes itself known and puts the person's will into a state of stupor. On the eve of this state, yawning appears, then a partial decrease in consciousness activity, relaxation of the body, slowing down of vital organs.

Sleep is a cyclical physiological state of a person when their brain completely turns off consciousness and moves to restore body functions, reboot energy sources, refresh the processes of the body's work. Night is the usual time for sleep.

But the ten virgins were not going to sleep. They came to the celebration.

I remember a case when I was returning home from military service, and my plane was supposed to fly early in the morning. And since I didn't have an alarm clock, I had to stay awake all night and walk around the airport so as not to oversleep registration and boarding. But when I sat on the plane, my body immediately disconnected from the world, and I woke up already in my hometown. When important events are waiting for us, we have no time for sleep.

But I think this strange sleep is part of God's plans. And it even seems to me that this is exactly what is happening to us now. Although we are in our right mind and understand everything that is happening around, although we are in watchfulness and prayer, we have all dozed off and fallen asleep from the perspective of God's view of our time.

I'll try to explain this phenomenon. Now the whole world is experiencing an unusual state called a "pandemic". The authorities of all countries are doing everything possible to somehow preserve the life and health of their citizens. We are given daily reports on what is happening around in all media. But all people have a lot of questions that no one can or wants to answer. Some strange laws and restrictions are being introduced everywhere. People are very easily and quickly deprived of freedom of movement and behavior, and logically many resolutions cannot be explained in any way.

But as law-abiding citizens, we are obliged to observe the laws and rules of the country where we live. And no one can really explain the essence of what is happening, and God does not give any comments or prophecies about this. How to live further? What to do? How to act correctly? Will we survive in all this chaos? And in response: "Only believe."

Does Satan use this situation to carry out his plans? Is the enemy of the soul now confused by what is happening? Maybe this is his plan, which is now successfully promoted by dishonest people? It's difficult to give a clear answer, but one has to guess and believe that it will get better, and everything will pass, and we will again return to our usual affairs when everything is over.

And this ignorance and lack of understanding of what is happening puts us into some strange stupor. We cannot do anything because we do not have clear divine revelations about these events, but we can, guessing about something, express our assumptions and opinions. And, as I understand it, this puts many to sleep. In the end, we will all fall fast asleep, so that the Scriptures may be fulfilled.

And the forces of darkness at this time are trying on shackles to the world and us, deciding which of them will suit best so as not to cause general unrest and make wearing them a desired goal for everyone.

But God is not inactive either. We are actively offered oil for the lamp. God wants us to shift our gaze from what is collapsing before our eyes to what will stand unshakable and endure any trials. It is written that the dragon will receive special power in the last time to destroy and impose his rules and his way of thinking on all living, forcing everyone to accept the mark of the beast. And we will very soon meet this reality and understand that the Bible was not mistaken, accurately describing these events.

The Lord offers His protection and strength for this time. He Himself comes to each son and daughter of God to personally prepare us for the last time. He does not reveal Satan's plans in detail to us, although He knows them thoroughly, but offers the best means for victory - Himself and the power of His love. And to those who accept this weapon, the power of the Holy Spirit will also be given, where God Himself in us will win victories. This preparation requires time, strength, and my full dedication. And instead of trying to understand and unravel the plans of the evil one, I think it's better to delve into God's plans, better to take and study everything that is offered to us.

It so happened that we are all tied to the economy of our world and depend on the means by which we must pay for our existence and residence in our countries. Someone partially managed to break out of this dependence and settle in rural areas on self-sufficiency, but many have to work a lot to somehow survive, and all free time is spent on this. And someone wants to earn more to secure themselves. And the main thing necessary for salvation remains unclaimed, and God remains unknown. Laodicean goods are gathering dust waiting for buyers, and few are interested in them.

But my readiness to meet the Bridegroom is conditioned not by knowledge of Satan's plans, but by studying God's plans and decisive actions in accordance with God's will. I comprehend this science, experience the joy of spiritual growth, understand the closeness of the Second Coming. But the Lord is not in a hurry. And for some reason, I'm getting sleepy. I resist with all my might, but the body is tired of constant struggle, and the abundance of information has overflowed my stomach, the brain no longer perceives anything. I want to rest a little. But I don't give up, I fight, read, pray, learn, and have learned so much. But in fact, I'm asleep. And the Lord restores the work of all my organs, renews my strength, so that, awakening me at the right time, to give me His Spirit for a complete and final victory over the temptations of this world, affirming God's principles in my mind forever.

And how useful will be that golden oil, which is now offered in such abundance to everyone who desires and seeks. Trials and fire are ahead, which need to be passed through. But I'm ready and know that this flame will not scorch me.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Matthew 25:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10; Genesis 2:21; 15:12; Job 33:14-17; Psalm 78:65-66; 132:3-5; Proverbs 3:21-26; Isaiah 29:5-16; Jeremiah 31:25-26; Zechariah 4:1-6,11-14; Ephesians 5:11-21 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Do you think the parable of the ten virgins talks about ordinary sleep, or is it a consequence of something, or is it sleep from the Lord?

4. Is it possible to be vigilant during the sleep described in Matthew 25:5?

5. How do you imagine the meaning of the sleepy state of wise virgins in the last time?

6. Is it in God's plans to come to our Earth at the darkest time in history?

7. Will everyone fall asleep? And what does this mean?

8. Do you think the enemy of the soul will sleep when the wise fall into drowsiness?

9. Why is it so important to make preparations for the last events right now?

10. What to do to avoid the fatal consequences of one's ignorance of Christ's advice?

11. What about those who do not understand the meaning of the symbols from Matthew 25:1-12 and Revelation 3:18-20?

12. Will oil for the lamp be given by chance to those who are just good people?

13. What was the difference between wise virgins and foolish ones? Explain this comparison with examples from our life.

14. Is the sleep referred to in the parable bad?

15. Can wise virgins also be called wise builders? If so, what did they build and on what?