The Parable of the Ten Virgins in a Nutshell

 

The Parable of the Ten Virgins…

 
Matthew chapter twenty five verses one to thirteen. “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise and five were foolish.  Those who were foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them. But the wise took jars of oil with their lamps.  While the bridegroom delayed, they all rested and slept.

“But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.  But the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps have gone out.’

 “The wise answered, ‘No, lest there not be enough for us and you. Go rather to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.’

 “But while they went to buy some, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

 “Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open the door for us.’

 “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’

 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2025&version=MEV>

So what is this passage about? Five virgins were wise and took extra oil in flasks with their lamps. Five were foolish and took their lamps but not extra oil. At midnight the Groom came and the virgins trimmed their lamps. The wise virgins had extra oil and had no problem but the foolish virgins lamps were going out. So they asked the wise virgins to share their oil. They said no, because there wouldn't be enough oil for all of them and told the foolish virgins to go and buy more oil. Thus, the foolish virgins left to get more oil but while they were gone the Groom came and the wise virgins went into the wedding feast with Him. Later the foolish virgins came also but were not allowed to enter in to the wedding feast.

 

The oil represents the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the strength of the faith of the wise virgins. It is the evidence of the Holy Spirit sanctifying their hearts and minds. It is the action of repentance and their testimony before others.  The visibility of their walk with Jesus Christ to those around them. It is the good works and the dedication to their Savior and the measure to which the wise virgins have surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives. Christians have plenty of oil in their lamps when they are walking in obedience to God and when it can be said that they are walking in the Spirit.

 

The foolish virgins could be said to be those among us who have some belief in a higher power or those who are brought up in Christian families but who never really commit to believing on Jesus Christ and surrendering their lives to the guidance and sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. Maybe, they adhere to a form of godliness by deny the power (2Timothy 3:5). However, when they come into the presence of Jesus Christ they find themselves sadly lacking in the things that please God and are turned away. Be sure that this is not you.

 

Jesus warns us in this scripture to take stock of our lives and to make sure we have the oil in our lamps so that we shine and radiate the righteousness of Jesus Christ. That we stand on a hilltop shining brightly and broadcasting the truth of salvation in Christ Jesus to all of the World. Our faith is to be based on action and as the apostle James says "Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%202&version=MEV>

Finally, you may know that you have the wisdom of the wise virgins when you love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your soul, with all of your mind and with all of your strength. Also, when you love your neighbor as you love yourself (Mark 12:29-31). This what Jesus said and you can be sure if you base your life around this scripture then you will be a pleasing aroma before Yahweh Elohim.