THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST: The Parable of the Ten Virgins

...also known as the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

It is up to each of us to determine whether we will be wise or foolish; whether we will externally display our belief and obedience in Christ while inwardly and privately failing to comply; whether we will be able to enter into the Lord’s rest, or whether He will shut the door and say “I know you not”.

Hundreds of thousands of us today are in this position. Confidence has been dulled and patience worn thin. It is so hard to wait and be prepared always. But we should not permit ourselves to slumber. The Lord has given us this parable as a distinctive word of warning.

I read a commentary on The Ten Virgins_also called The Wise and Foolish Virgins that went thusly: “spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant . . . the kind of oil that is needed to illuminate the way and light up the darkness is not shareable. . . . Our lives must be the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living.”

In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Jesus tells a story about a party of virgins (perhaps bridesmaids or torchbearers for a procession given the honor of attending a wedding. Each of the ten virgins is carrying a lamp (or torch) as they await the coming of the bridegroom, which they expect at some time during the night. Five of the virgins are wise and have brought sufficient oil for their lamps. Five are foolish and have not.

"Those that were foolish took with them their lighted lamps, but had no more oil than that which was in their lamps; but each of the wise young women carried also a bottle of oil. It was night, and while they were waiting for the bridal party they all fell asleep. At midnight they were all awaked by the sudden cry, 'The bridegroom is coming! Go out to meet him!'

And the foolish ones said, 'Let us have some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the other young women said, 'Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you too; go to those who sell, and buy oil for yourselves.'

"The young women who had no oil went away to buy; and while they were away the bridegroom came, and those that were ready went in with them to the feast; and then the door was shut. And afterward the other young women came, knocking on the door, and calling out, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'

Narrative

Relationship to the Kingdom

Keep your lamp trimmed and burning.

The question of salvation or entrance into the kingdom is the subject of this parable. Preparedness is the response of faith which will enable one to enter the kingdom at the time of the Bridegroom’s unexpected arrival. The lack of proper preparation is the demonstration of unbelief which will disqualify one from the entrance and enjoyment in the kingdom.

In some of my studies, I’ve taken note that scholars stress the suggestion of “alertness,” but take notice of the fact that ‘all’ the ladies were asleep.

My personal belief is this: First, it is important to note: The focus is not really on whether or not they had known a man, it is just that these are young unmarried girls. Secondly, that the ten virgins were all “members of the Church”. Having all received invitations to the marriage celebration, they each fully expected that they would be allowed into the wedding. Each presented herself at the door, readily waiting for the bridegroom so that they might enter in with Him.

Keep your lamp trimmed and burning is a gospel-blues song based on the parable. It has been recorded by such artists as Blind Willie Johnson, Rev. Pearly Brown, and Rev. Gary Davis (aka Blind Gary Davis). It goes thusly:

Our lamps are trimmed and burning,
Our robes are white and clean;
We’ve tarried for the Bridegroom,
Oh, may we enter in?

Finally, I will say this: in this particular parable the fact that the oil was a physical object of needed goods. This necessitated the purchase of the oil in preparation for the bridegroom’s arrival. Likewise, we have been commanded time and time again to store a year’s supply of food, water, clothing, and fuel to withstand and survive the great perils that will precede the bridegroom’s literal arrival.

Have we been listening and responding to the move of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Often I still find myself chastising my adult children about these famous words “I was going to do it.” We cannot say when we arise to trim our lamps, that we were not warned. We cannot say that we had insufficient time, nor funds, nor opportunity. We have all been warned of the bridegroom’s arrival, and have been adequately and repeatedly instructed as to what type of oil we must store in preparation for the event(s). Let’s get ready.