The parable of the ten virgins is one of the parables of Jesus Christ. He uses this story to teach the Church the importance of remaining faithful until His second coming. In the previous chapter, Jesus teaches extensively about the Last Days. Here, he warns His followers to be wary of the enemy and his gang of deceivers. He also tells them that the world would experience famines, earthquakes, and wars, and the church will experience unprecedented persecution. Jesus never said the day or the hour He would return, but He promised that everyone who remains faithful to the end would be rewarded with a place with Him in heaven (John 14:3).
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.”
– Matthew 25:1-4 (NIV)
James 1:12
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
The parable of the ten virgins expands on Christ’s teaching on the Last Days and begins with Him introducing the ten virgins. The virgins are awaiting the coming of the bridegroom. Five of them remembered to take oil in vessels for their lamps, and Jesus calls them wise. The other five, however, did not take oil for their lamps and Jesus calls them foolish. They’re foolish because by the time the bridegroom finally arrives, their lamps have already run out of oil!
“The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and
buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:8-13).
The ten virgins represent Christians, while the bridegroom represents Jesus. The oil represents faith, hope, and perseverance. The banquet refers to the afterlife and the closed door refers to the last judgment. The wise virgins are the true Christians; the ones who not only have strong, enduring faith but also back up their faith with good works in their everyday lives (James 2:14-25). The foolish virgins are those who only profess Christianity but have little to no faith.
We’re already in the last days that Jesus warned about. The whole world is in turmoil with wars, natural disasters, and pandemics around every corner. Christian persecution is at a record high, and it seems there’s no end in sight. But for Christians who remain faithful, this is also a time of
joy because it means the Lord’s coming is closer than ever. God wants us to be like the wise virgins. He wants our light to shine even in the midst of the storm (Matthew 5:16).
Keep your lamp burning
Don’t give in to the devil’s deceit or focus on the chaos all around you. Instead, keep your gaze on the Lord Jesus. Keep your lamp burning by maintaining a relationship with Him. Constantly commune with Him in prayer and never stop studying and meditating on His Word.
Many refer to the last days as the darkest hour. But to the true Christians–the wise virgins–it is the greatest hour. The wise Christians are prepared. They have oil in their lamps and extra oil in their vessels. The devil cannot touch them because they are grounded in the Lord. In the end, they will receive their reward. Are you ready for Jesus’ return?
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”- James 1:12
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