NOTES for Mat 25:10-13
The watchfulness to which Christ calls His disciples consists in constant readiness to meet the One who comes in the name of the Lord. The "wise virgins" whom the Lord sets as an example prepared themselves for a long wait and could therefore wait in the appointed place as long as the Bridegroom pleased. Precisely because of this they are ready for this meeting at any moment, even if the Bridegroom "delayed." The "foolish" virgins, however, at the hour when the Bridegroom's coming overtook them, were occupied not with waiting to meet Him, but with preparation. Thus the Lord says that we have no opportunity to be occupied with ourselves and our own affairs and problems. The coming of the Kingdom is possible at any moment. From the very beginning this thought inspired Christ's disciples to live in righteousness "already today," not postponing the cleansing of the heart until "later." It is curious at the same time that, speaking about waiting for the coming of the Kingdom, the Lord still hints to us that the Bridegroom "delayed," and by this warns us against excessive fascination with eschatology.