By Dr. Stephen Phinney   

Jesus, the Bridegroom  

Jesus said to His disciples, "'Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom'"(Matthew 25:1). The coming of Christ to receive His people to Himself (the Rapture) is often represented by the likeness of a marriage, with the Church representing His spouse or bride. The marriage relationship is the most tender, firm, and endearing of any known on earth; and on this account, it rightfully represents the union of believers to Christ (Matt. 9:15; John 3:29; Eph. 5:25-32; Rev. 19:7; 21:9).

Ten virgins --These virgins, without question, represent the Church. Virgin is the name given because it is pure and holy (2 Cor. 11:2; Lam. 1:15; 2:13). These virgins took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. The lamps used on such occasions were actually torches. They were made by winding rags around pieces of iron or pottery, sometimes hollowed to contain oil, and fastened to handles of wood. These torches were dipped in oil and gave out a lot of light. Marriage ceremonies in the East were conducted with great ritual and seriousness. Friends attended for both the bride and bridegroom. The betrothed were escorted in a seat carried on poles by four or more persons. After the marriage ceremony, there was a feast for seven days, celebrated in the father of the bride's house. At the end of that time, the bridegroom escorted the bride with great pageantry and splendor to the home he had prepared for her during the engagement.

The Bridegroom Comes for His Bride 

As mentioned earlier, the bridegroom came for his bride at the most unexpected time of day, usually late at night (Jer. 7:34; 25:10; 33:11). The primary reason was as soon as the bridegroom finished the addition onto his father's house, he came for his bride. In modern times, we would call this rude and selfish. In the days and times of God, it was by law that when the work was finished, the groom would come for his bride immediately.

Critical Note: All their gear was ready - from the day the bride's father gave his daughter in betrothal to the day the groom came to get her - because they didn't know when the groom would be finished with the preparations of the household. It is noteworthy to mention that the groom did not associate with the bride during the time of engagement. Both parties spent this time preparing for the marriage. Compare this to our relationship with Christ: After He "proposed" to us, He left, we mourn and fast, and then He returns: "And Jesus said to them, 'The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast'" (Matt. 9:15).  

Many friends and relatives attended them. In addition to those who went with the couple from the house of the bride, another company came out from the house of the bridegroom to meet and welcome them. These were probably female friends and relatives of the bridegroom. These were known as the virgins...  Read More Here