Have You Ever Wondered about The Five Foolish Virgins?

How many would agree that this interpretation of this parable is correct? I've often wondered.

Published by Jerry Baysinger on 01 Aug 2014 at 11:31 am

THE TEN VIRGINS

The Lord Jesus spoke a parable about the kingdom of heaven and ten virgins. How does this parable relate to this particular time we are in? Let’s read what He said in Matthew 25:1-12:Mat 25:1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.Mat 25:2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.Mat 25:3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:Mat 25:4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.Mat 25:5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

First thing we notice is that all ten were virgins; that is pure and undefiled, who were going forth to meet the bridegroom, that is symbolically Christ Jesus.  They took their lights, as the wedding was to take place at night.  It says five were wise and took oil for their lights, and five were foolish and took no extra oil, thinking they would not be waiting long for the bridegroom.  Many in the church think Christ Jesus is coming quickly, even before the tribulation, so they won’t be waiting long, nor having to endure anything.  Those represent the foolish virgins.  Keep in mind, these foolish virgins are pure and undefiled, just like the five wise virgins.  They are all beloved to the bridegroom, else they wouldn’t have been invited to the wedding.

Now, the five wise virgins took extra oil, knowing their wait may be long, and the oil their lamps held might not be enough.  In other words, they planned to wait and endure as long as necessary.  They waited quite a while until they all went to sleep.  But their lamps were still burning.  And at midnight a cry was made that the bridegroom was coming, and to go meet him.  And we see all ten awoke from their sleep and trimmed their lamps and the five foolish virgins realized it was later than they thought and their lamps had gone out.  Why?  They ran out of oil.

Having not prepared for the long wait, the five foolish virgins went to the five wise virgins and asked them to share their oil.  The oil represents the Holy Spirit and the anointing of God.  But don’t you know, if you haven’t prayed, if you haven’t studied, if you haven’t spent quality time with the LORD, and developed your relationship with Christ Jesus RIGHT NOW while you still have time, when He comes, you won’t have time then to “catch up”.  And you’ll be shut out of the Kingdom of God. And that’s exactly what happened to the five foolish virgins.  The wise ones refused to give up any of what they had carefully prepared and told them to go to them that sell and buy for themselves, that meaning, “we can no longer share our provision with you, if you neglected to prepare then, too bad, so sad.  You knew to prepare and didn’t, because you figured you could look to someone else to prepare for you, but it doesn’t work like that.”

You can’t get in the Kingdom of Heaven on someone else’s anointing or their relationship with Christ Jesus. Just because Grandpa or Grandma knew Jesus and loved Him and went to heaven doesn’t mean YOU will. What happened?  The five foolish virgins left to go get oil, or “anointing and the Holy Spirit”.  Well, they got it alright, for they were pure and undefiled, as you remember.  But they acted TOO LATE! They put off seeking God with all their heart for “another time when they had more time”.  You know how it is with everything in our lives that we need to do.  We always need to prioritize our time to make sure we get the necessary things done, right?  Well, the most important thing ANY of us have on our plate is our relationship with God: that is if you’re WISE.  But if not?  Well then God gets shoved down to the bottom of your priority list, and if there’s any time left that you don’t have something more important to do, like watching your favorite TV show, then you’ll spend time with God, maybe. You’re busy, right?

Well, by the time they got back, the five wise virgins had already gone in to the wedding, and the door was SHUT.  Still keeping in mind, all TEN virgins were invited to the wedding.  It was the bridegroom’s perfect will that all TEN be there, and He made provision for all ten to celebrate with Him.  But only FIVE were there at the appointed time of the BRIDEGROOM’S choosing.  The rest were off doing something else, and not where they should have been, when they should have been there. I liken it to being at the airport when your ship comes in.  Sooooo,  they banged on the door to gain entrance.  LORD, LORD, we’re ready now, open the door for us and let us in!  But the bridegroom answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Is that what YOU want to hear?  There’s only one way to avoid that, and that is to seek the LORD NOW with all your heart so you are prepared, no matter how long you have to wait.  If you are wise, you will prepare yourself to endure the tribulation if necessary, and be determined you will be found in Christ Jesus, no matter how severe the world’s circumstances get or how long Jesus delays His coming.  Then, if it turns out He comes sooner and takes us out before the tribulation, fine. It’s better to prepare and not have to use it than to not prepare and do without.   But those who think they may not have to endure and have not spiritually and mentally prepared themselves to endure hardness, will not endure the hard times if Jesus delays His coming, and they will become disappointed and give up, thinking, “Why did God not deliver us from hardship?”, and be left standing outside the Kingdom of Heaven.

Keep in mind, they were all called, but they were not all chosen. God’s salvation is for “whosoever will”, and He made preparation so that ALL can be saved, but not all choose to prepare themselves for His coming.  I can’t prepare for you.  All I can do is WARN you, for that is my job. What you do with that warning is entirely YOUR responsibility.  If I don’t warn you, then if you are shut out of the Kingdom of God, your blood is on my hands and I will have to give account, for God has called me to be a watchman.  But I’m on the job, I’m warning you, so you can’t say, NOBODY TOLD ME TO PREPARE FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST JESUS.

Jesus loves you so very much and He wants you to be there at the wedding feast.  You’re invited.  He will open the door when it’s time.  When is that?  I don’t know, but I’m already at the door waiting.  I’m not taking any chances.  Your job is to be there when He opens that door.  He will only open it once.   I hope to see you there.  Take a lesson from the ten virgins.  Be wise, be prepared. Be one who gets in.