*[[Mat 25:1-13]] KJV* (1) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

These are ten Christians who have never yet strayed from Jesus. The virgin represents someone who hasn’t turned to another god, as adultery in the Bible represents idolatry, and marriage represents our relationship with Jesus.

(2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

All ten of these Christians are believers and would not choose to stray on purpose. The number 10 represents law and responsibility as it is our responsibility, as Christians, to spend time with Jesus, the Word, and understand His gospel so that we can share the Truth with others and let our light shine. The number 5 represents grace, and though five of them are foolish, they still have grace on their side.

(3) They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

In the Bible, the oil always represents the Holy Spirit. The foolish virgins were believers, yet they had not received the Holy Spirit. Their spiritual eyes were darkened and they had no spiritual understanding of God’s truth. They could have received it if they had diligently sought Jesus through His Word.

For you deeper students, notice the difference between these 5 wise virgins and the 7000 predestinated elect. The 7000 are the wife of God and never slumber, while these wise virgins, like the foolish virgins, do sleep at some point.

(4) But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

The wise virgins are those who had the oil, the Holy Spirit, and their lamps burned bright and shone for all to see. They spread the truth, which is represented by the light of their lamps, everywhere they could.

These wise virgins are Christians who earned their sealing in their lives in the flesh, though they had strayed at least some during satan’s rebellion. These wise virgins will never bow to antichrist.

( *[[Rev 7:3-4]] KJV* (3) Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. (4) And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.)

( *[[Rev 14:1-4]] KJV* (1) And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (2) And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: (3) And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (4) These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.)

(5) While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

All ten of these virgins slept while Jesus was away, meaning they had the spirit of slumber, though the 5 wise virgins come out of this slumber, and are given the Truth by the Holy Spirit.

(*[[Rom 11:7-8]] KJV* (7) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (8) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber [stupor], eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.)

(6) And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

The 7th trump, which announces the return of Jesus, was sounding. The return of Christ was approaching.

This is taking place at night, which represents the tribulation. Darkness always represents the deception and lies of satan, as the light represents the truth of God. The tribulation is the period of the strongest deception the earth has ever seen. There will be a flood of lies.

(7) Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

To trim your lamp is to trim the wick and make it shine brighter. They were sharpening their understanding and shining the truth as bright as they could to others.

( *[[Mat 5:14-16]] KJV* (14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.)

(8) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

The foolish virgins had not prepared for this darkness and were scrambling to get ready. They were too late as they had missed the sealing of the servants of God. Their lamps had gone out because, though they were believers and lived Jesus, they did not love Him enough to study the Word of God, and that Word of God is Jesus. He is the Living Word.

(*[[2Th 2:10-12]] KJV* (10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: (12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.)

( *[[Hos 4:6]] KJV* My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.)

(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.

The wise virgins did not give their oil to the foolish virgins for two reasons: it wasn’t theirs to give (as it is a gift from God), and there are only so many who are sealed with His truth. They sent the foolish virgins away into the world to get some oil from the people who do not have the understanding of God. There is no Holy Spirit there, but there is an unholy spirit: that of satan and his fallen angels.

(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.

The wise virgins remained faithfully waiting for Jesus’ return on the Lord’s Day. When He finally arrives, they are allowed to partake in the wedding and feast with Jesus.

(11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

The foolish virgins realize they have missed the boat, and ask to be allowed to be part of the celebration.

(12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

While they were out carrying on they were buying the lies of those who did not serve God. And like those people of the world, they also bought the lie that antichrist sold them, that he was Jesus Christ. In worshipping him, they received the mark of the beast and would not be allowed to the wedding of Jesus to His people at His return. They were shut out.

( *[[Rev 14:9-10]] KJV* (9) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, (10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:)

Those who receive the mark of the beast will receive some wrath at Jesus’ return, but many will have a chance to be corrected in the Millennium. Pray that those you know who aren’t prepared, will receive that chance.

Those who have strayed because they were deceived, yet are found worthy because they love God, will have a chance to be corrected in the Millennium kingdom that follows the return of Jesus, because of grace through Jesus Christ. But those who partake in the wedding will belong to Jesus and have eternal life from that point.

(13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

We are given the signs of the times to know when the Bridegroom approaches, and we are given the tools to figure all but the exact day and hour, though we can get pretty close. And closer it gets we will know for sure, such as when the two witnesses are slain by satan.

( *[[1Th 5:1-8]] KJV* (1) But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (4) But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. (5) Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.)

( *[[Rev 3:3]] KJV* Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.)

As we are told, Jesus only comes as a thief if we do not know and watch for the signs of the times. Only the children of darkness (lies) will be surprised at His coming. The children of the light (truth) will expect Him and be prepared–they will not be startled at His arrival.

( *[[Mar 13:23]] KJV* But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.)

He has given us all the tools we need to be prepared and not stray and to know the timing of what is about to come.

Fill your lamp with oil before it’s too late. The sealing is very close to complete.