Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus spoke the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1–13). For many, it is a nice little Bible story about lamps, oil and getting ready for a wedding; yet the parable is actually a warning about conditions that will exist at the end of the age. The target audience is the generation that will see the return of Jesus Christ! The parable is linked with prophecies about the last days that are coming to pass today (see Matthew 24; 25).
But just how does the parable relate to us? It is often assumed that Christ spoke in parables to clarify the meaning of His teachings, yet Scripture reveals just the opposite (see Matthew 13:10–17). The Bible indicates that God has hidden the true understanding of Scripture from the world, but He reveals that vital information through His Spirit to those He is calling (1 Corinthians 2:7–16). Those willing to be led by the Spirit of God will search out and understand the real meaning of Scripture. What can we learn from the parable of the ten virgins? What vital lessons, relevant to us today, can we draw from this parable?
The Ten Virgins
We first need to consider: who are the ten virgins? The parable pictures ten virgins who go out to meet the bridegroom (Jesus Christ). The ten virgins have been described as “the expectant Christian community” (see The Expositor’s Bible Commentary). Many who call themselves Christian today expect the Messiah to return, but the parable—like numerous other scriptures—indicates that many professing Christians who are looking for Christ’s return will not receive the reward they are anticipating (Matthew 7:21–23), because they have not learned vital lessons contained in this parable. They will be shocked and surprised, but that is what the Bible clearly states.
We are told that five of the virgins were wise and five were foolish. Just what does it mean to be wise, or foolish? How does the Bible define these terms? Into which category do you fall? Jesus explains that the wise are those who not only listen to His teachings, but actually follow those teachings (Matthew 7:24–29). Jesus defines a foolish person as one who hears but does not follow the word of God! Fools concoct reasons and excuses why the commandments and instructions of Scripture no longer apply to us today.
The book of Proverbs provides additional definitions. A wise person fears to disobey God’s word and seeks knowledge, wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 4:4–9; 9:10), but “fools despise wisdom and instruction” (1:7)—they are not willing to put forth the effort required to obtain these important needs. A wise person will seek advice and listen to correction (Proverbs 10:8), but fools ignore advice and resent correction (Proverbs 11:14). A fool reacts to situations with immediate anger, yet a wise person ignores insults and exercises self-control (Proverbs 12:16). Fools are always right in their own eyes and are fully convinced about their own opinions, yet a wise person is willing to listen to counsel (Proverbs 12:15; 28:26). A wise person looks ahead and anticipates where decisions and actions will lead, and strives to avoid making mistakes, but fools do not anticipate the consequences of their actions and thus repeatedly wind up in trouble (Proverbs 22:3). Our choice of friends also influences what we become, as “he who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20).
The lesson from this part of the parable is to be alert to the category in which our actions place us! Are we seeking to be led by God’s Spirit and to follow His revealed instructions, or are we continually seeking a way around Scripture so we can do our own thing? The parable indicates that upwards of 50 percent of those who consider themselves members of God’s Church could be making foolish decisions! That should be a warning to us as we approach the end of the age.
Oil or No Oil?
The parable indicates that the foolish virgins took no oil for their lamps, but that the wise took an extra supply as they waited for the bridegroom to come. Commentaries offer various ideas about what the oil symbolizes (e.g. grace or good deeds), yet the Bible indicates that oil is symbolic of God’s Spirit. When Saul and David were chosen as kings of Israel, Samuel anointed them with oil and “the Spirit of the Lord” came upon them (1 Samuel 10:1–6; 16:13). The Bible states clearly that if we want to be in the kingdom of God, we must bring forth fruits (Matthew 3:8; John 15:1–8). Galatians 5:22–26 lists the fruits of the Spirit, which God wants us to display. These include love [an outgoing concern for others], joy, peace, patience, faithfulness and self-control. God’s Spirit is reasonable and easily entreated (James 3:17). Other prominent fruits of God’s Spirit include strength of conviction and a sound, discerning mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Those who lack these fruits become impatient, will not listen to input, will focus on themselves, will let go of their faith, will compromise their convictions and will fail to discern truth from error. They allow their supply of oil [God’s Spirit] to run low and become exhausted.
God’s Spirit is a dynamic quality—it ebbs and flows in our lives—depending on how we take care of it and use it. This is why Paul admonished Timothy to “stir up the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6). We are also warned: “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). We stir up God’s Spirit through regular prayer, Bible study, fasting and striving to exercise the fruits of that Spirit—acting in a loving and patient manner, even when our normal tendency would be to fly off the handle! This is what it means to be “led by the Spirit of God” (Romans 8:14). If we are led by the Holy Spirit, we are children of God and heirs with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:14–17). God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). Without God’s Spirit, we are not really Christians (Romans 8:9). If we let our oil supply run low, the fruits of God’s Spirit will not be evident in our lives and we will not be ready to meet Christ when He returns. We will have foolishly wasted our opportunity to be in the first resurrection as firstfruits! This is another vital lesson we can learn from the parable of the ten virgins. When was the last time you checked your oil?
A Revealing Delay
One of the most crucial aspects of the parable is what happened when the bridegroom delayed his coming. Down through the ages, many have tried to predict when Christ would return. The disciples initially thought that He would return in their time (Luke 19:11), however, the Bible indicates that there would be a long delay (Matthew 24:48; 25:5, 14, 19). What we do during that delay reveals much about our conviction and depth of conversion. Most people are flushed with enthusiasm when they first learn the truth, yet that often fades. Jesus warned that some would begin to ignore, and break, the commandments, and would slip back into self-indulgent worldly ways (Matthew 24:45–51). He also warned that some would stumble and give up the faith as a result of trials and persecution, and that others would veer off course in the pursuit of wealth and temporary worldly pleasures (Matthew 13:18–23). It is sobering to notice, in the parable of the ten virgins, that they all went to sleep while they waited for Christ’s return!
The recent history of the Church of God is also instructive. Church writings and teachings caused many to conclude that Christ might return in the 1970s. When this did not happen, some began to branch out into their own religious endeavors. Mr. Armstrong felt that Christ might come in his lifetime. When he died and Christ had not returned, some began to question whether Mr. Armstrong might have been wrong on many other issues. The ensuing doctrinal discussions and changes led to splits and more fragmentation. Today, many have rejected clear commandments and instructions of the Bible, and now believe that all that is necessary is to “love the Lord and believe in Jesus.” Much of this has happened because Jesus Christ did not return when many expected He would. Our challenge, and another lesson of the parable, is to hold on to the truth and to our convictions—and to continue doing the work that Jesus commanded—until He returns! The Bible states that once we have made a commitment, if we begin to look back and think about what might have been, or what we have missed, we are not fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62). Are we awake and focused on the goal of the kingdom? Or have we gone to sleep? Are we wallowing in nostalgia for what we gave up? This parable should be a wake-up call!
The Midnight Cry
The parable implies that the slumbering virgins were all taken by surprise, encountering the bridegroom in the middle of the night. How does this relate to you and your situation? Do you recognize the significance of the times in which we are living? Are you aware of specific prophecies being fulfilled, almost daily, right in front of your eyes? Or have you been lulled to sleep by those who are saying that all prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus, and that Old Testament prophecies are not relevant to the beliefs of New Testament Christians?
Do you recognize where the work of God is being done today? Who is really teaching according to Scripture (Isaiah 8:20), and who is watering down the truth and changing doctrines? Who is preaching the true gospel that Jesus and the Apostles preached (Mark 1:14–15), and who is preaching a different gospel (Galatians 1:6–9)? Who is warning the world of the prophetic significance of today’s news events as Christ did (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21), and who is preaching in Christ’s name (Matthew 24:5) about another Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:1–4)? Can you identify those who are wolves out to divide and devour the flock of God? Can you discern those infected with a Laodicean attitude? We need to be able to recognize the “midnight cry” when we hear it, because God’s servants will be actively involved in delivering this warning (see Isaiah 58:1; Ezekiel 2; 3; 33). However, Satan will also have false and deceived ministers active at the end of the age—and they will deceive many who have begun to slumber, just like the ten virgins! We cannot afford to go to sleep at this crucial time in history (see 1 Thessalonians 5:1–6)!
The Lamps
The lamps of the ten virgins illustrate another important lesson. The lamps of the wise virgins who brought oil were burning brightly. Filled with oil, these lamps were able to be a light to the world, fulfilling Christ’s expectations for his chosen disciples (Matthew 5:13–16). If we are nourishing God’s Spirit, others will see in our lives the fruits of love, obedience, faith and good works. Regrettably, the lamps of the foolish virgins were going out because they were running out of oil. If we begin to compromise the truth of God, and begin to ignore or disobey His laws and instructions, we begin to lose the Spirit of God. The fruits of God’s Spirit will begin to disappear, and will be replaced by self-centered thoughts and actions that are often vain and ugly (Galatians 5:19–21). Sexual sins, arguments, heresies and divisions will thrive, and unity will evaporate in churches and families (1 Corinthians 1:10–17). Individuals who let their lamps get into this condition will not attend the wedding banquet, and will not fulfill their calling to become firstfruits in God’s kingdom. This is a serious warning! What is the condition of your lamp? Is it burning brightly, or is it going out? If you are not sure, ask others what they see. Ask God to show you the condition of your lamp, and be ready to listen for His answer.
Cannot Borrow—Must Buy!
A particularly sobering lesson of the parable is that whatever amount of faith, courage, character, conviction, preparedness, good works or degree of conversion you have achieved, it cannot be loaned, shared, given to or borrowed by someone else! These are very personal qualities that are part of the spiritual house that we are each building in cooperation with God (1 Corinthians 3:5–17). However, Scripture also reveals that whatever we build will be thoroughly tested. If it stands the test, we will be rewarded, but if it fails the test we will lose the reward. So how we build—and the materials with which we build—are very important. We must build carefully and choose our beliefs wisely!
In this regard, we each need to ask some very personal questions. Have I found the Truth, and has my mind been opened to understand that truth? This is a special opportunity that few are being given today (Matthew 13:10–17; John 6:44, 65). Have you invested heavily—of your heart, mind and energies—in this “pearl of great price” that you have been offered (Matthew 13:44–46), or do you have “itching ears” that would rather listen to “new truths” and fables (2 Timothy 4:3–4)? Have you carefully proven what you believe, or do you follow your feelings and listen to the latest doctrine or self-appointed prophet or teacher who comes along (1 Thessalonians 5:21)? Are you seeking first the kingdom, or do you make other priorities more important in your life (Matthew 6:33)? Are you striving to grow close to God while He can be found, or are you putting off the most important decisions in life until later (Isaiah 55:6–9)? Are you eagerly anticipating and actively preparing for Christ’s return, or are you hoping for more time to enjoy the transient pleasures of this world? Jesus said that our treasure—our investment of money, time and energy—will be where our heart is (Matthew 6:19–21). We may fool others, but we do not fool God. The parable of the ten virgins makes it clear that we cannot make it into God’s kingdom on another Christian’s effort. We must make the investment and effort ourselves!
Ready or Not?
The final lesson of the parable has to do with our state of readiness when Jesus returns. Those who are ready will be invited to take part in the wedding. Those who are not ready will miss out, even though they hoped to be included in the activities! How do we prepare for Christ’s return? Scripture states that the bride, preparing for the wedding supper, “made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7–9). She grew in her understanding of the truth, learned to live by every word of God, built strong and solid Christian character, overcame trials, remained faithful and endured to the end. She was ready when the bridegroom came. Those who follow this example will be invited into the wedding banquet, and then the door will be shut.
Others who look forward to the return of Christ, and desire to attend the wedding—but are caught unprepared—are not necessarily evil people. They may simply be doing what they think is right, including “good works” (Matthew 7:21–23), but not doing what Jesus Christ instructed them to do! God commands us, for example, to “remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Jesus and the Apostles kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2), and it will be kept in the kingdom (Isaiah 66:23). However, people today are being told that God will accept our keeping any day as a worship day—but that is not what God tells us in His word, and it is not the example Jesus set for us! To those who insist on doing things their own way, Jesus said “I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23). They will not be invited to attend the wedding banquet, because they will not be ready when the bridegroom arrives. The door to the banquet will be shut, and they will be left standing outside, pleading to be let in! The question we each need to ask is: where will we be when the door is shut? Will we be seated inside with Jesus Christ, or will we be outside—disillusioned and disappointed (Matthew 24:51)?
The parable of the ten virgins contains vital lessons that are extremely relevant for, and specifically targeted to, those living at the end of the age. God inspired these warnings for our benefit, because He loves us and wants us to be among His firstfruits in the coming kingdom of God. We need to heed the warnings and learn the lessons of this important parable, so we do not miss out on an incredible reward!