Jesus shared a powerful parable about ten virgins, teaching a lesson on spiritual preparedness that prompts introspection. Christ’s second coming is compared to a wedding ceremony, where Jesus, the bridegroom, returns to receive His bride, the church. This parable is a call to vigilance and a warning to prepare for the return of Christ.
Ten virgins, each carrying lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom. Five of these virgins are described as wise, while the other five are labeled foolish. The primary difference between the two groups was in their preparation: the wise virgins brought extra oil for their lamps, while the foolish ones did not. As they waited for the delayed bridegroom, the ten virgins grew tired and fell asleep. At midnight, a sudden cry rang out: “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”
Awakened, the virgins trimmed their lamps to ensure they would burn brightly. The foolish virgins realized their lamps had gone out due to a lack of oil. Panicked, they asked the wise virgins to share their oil. The wise virgins had only enough for themselves and advised the foolish to go and buy their own.
While the foolish virgins went to purchase oil, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were prepared—the wise virgins—entered the wedding feast with him, and the door was shut. When the foolish virgins returned, they pleaded for entry, saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us.” The bridegroom responded, “Verily I say unto you,
I know you not.”
Jesus concluded the parable with a somber warning: “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” This caution emphasizes the necessity of living in constant readiness for the return of Christ.
To correctly interpret the essence of this parable, it is essential to recognize that not every detail is meant to convey doctrinal truth. Parables are stories that communicate a central lesson, with certain details included to enhance understanding but not necessarily to symbolize specific truths. In this case, the ten virgins do not represent unbelievers but individuals who claim to be morally pure, unspotted from the world, and followers of God.
The division between the wise and foolish virgins is not meant to suggest that only fifty percent of professing Christians will be saved; rather, it serves as a wake-up call for all Christians to evaluate their spiritual condition. While the virgins were waiting, only the wise were prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom.
As the bridegroom delayed, the virgins grew tired and fell asleep. This is similar to the spiritual fatigue and complacency that often sets in as Christians await Christ’s return. The world is filled with cares, distractions, and temptations. The delay of Christ’s coming can lead to carelessness in maintaining spiritual readiness. The foolish virgins, expecting the bridegroom to arrive sooner, did not adequately prepare and neglected to bring sufficient oil for their lamps. The oil symbolizes the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.
The wise virgins were prepared and carried sufficient oil to keep their lights burning. They had an active and genuine relationship with God, maintained through the Holy Spirit. Their faith was not merely outward with deeds of piety but was deeply rooted in the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit, which enabled them to shine in a dark world.
When the bridegroom arrived, the wise virgins were ready and were welcomed into the wedding feast. The marriage feast symbolizes the final union between Christ and His church at the end of time. Once the door was shut, there was no more opportunity for the foolish to enter. This represents the finality of judgment at Christ’s return. When Jesus returns, there will be no time to pray, seek revival, be cleansed, or be empowered by the Spirit. There will be no second chances.
One of the most sobering aspects of the parable is the bridegroom’s response to the foolish virgins: “I know you not.” This reveals the danger of relying on outward appearances of faith without true spiritual substance. Though the foolish virgins seemed to be waiting for the bridegroom, they were not prepared and lacked the inward reality of a true relationship with God. They had a form of godliness but lacked the true fire of the Spirit of God.
Every believer should examine their spiritual readiness. Are you among the wise or the foolish? Do you have the oil of the Holy Spirit in your life, or are you relying on external religious practices? Oh, careless soul, awake from spiritual slumber and prepare for the return of the Lord.
The message is clear: watch and be ready, for no one knows when Christ will return. Now is the time to prepare. If you are not filled with the burning fire of the Holy Spirit in your life, do not delay. The door of opportunity is open today, but it will not remain open forever. When the final call comes, the door will be shut.
Are you ready to meet the bridegroom? Now is the time! ■
