Jesus when speaking to the multitudes always spoke in parables or riddles to make it impossible for those listening to understand what he meant. This was explained in detail in chapter 2 of “Do You Believe Jesus”. He most definitely wanted all to hear his message, but only those his father had called to understand. To those he later explained the meaning of his riddles.

The 25^th chapter of Matthew begins with one of these parables and it has the entire mainstream of professing Christianity confused about its meaning. This becomes obvious through the differing interpretations spouted by the various religious denominations. I probably changed my mind about its meaning a dozen times over the course of my life until I was enlightened by someone else. The explanation he gave made so much sense. I careful study of the points he made convinced me that he was correct about its meaning. In my own words I will share with those who wish to read what I believe to be the truth. Below is the entire parable from the King James Version of the Bible. I have bolded and underlined several words which are key to understanding what Jesus meant.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 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. 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. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1-13 KJV)

 We begin with virgins, which of course represents those who intend to meet Jesus upon his return. Jesus once described his followers or Church as a “little flock”.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)

We can know from this statement alone that the true Church is not a large one. Further examination of scripture reveals the word “virgin” symbolizes God’s true Church as we see those of the first resurrection are represented by that term.

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. (Revelation 14:4)

 It should be noted that the statement “defiled with women” means not defiled by false religion. The word “woman” in scripture is often used to symbolize a Church. Paul lends further credence to this representation in his second letter to the Corinthians.

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2)

Now these ten virgins are depicted as carrying their lamps with them. Lamps in scripture symbolize God’s laws as we see in the following passages.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)  

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: (Proverbs 6:23)

Moses had instructed Israel to learn, keep, and practice the laws of God, this would ultimately bind them in their hands and minds so as never to forget them and to always do them.

And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. (Deuteronomy 5:1)

 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. (Deuteronomy 6:8)

The oil for the lamps represents the holy spirit of God. Oil was used to anoint and hallow (make holy) individuals all through the Old Testament.

And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him. (Exodus 29:21)

Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance… And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. (1 Samuel 10:1, 6)

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:13)

Jesus explained that five of the virgins were wise and five of them were foolish. The wise brought with them oil in their vessels along with their lamps while the foolish brought no oil for their lamps. A vessel is a representation of each chosen person’s physical body. It contains the oil or holy spirit of God.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (Acts 9:15)

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)

 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. (2 Timothy 2:20)

As Paul was explaining in his letter to the Romans that not all of Abrahams seed are children of the promise he reminds them that it was God who made both the vessels of honor and the vessels of dishonor.

Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? (Romans 9:21)

The foolish virgins then were obviously lacking the oil or holy spirit of God in their vessels (bodies). The wise virgins gave them advice to buy some oil which meant for them to seriously repent and pray for the spirit to come upon them. That spirit or oil must reside in us before it can be added to the lamp to give off light or do the work of God.

Now all of the ten were virgins which means they were all part of God’s Church, but half of them were lacking something and were not truly chosen. They had been called but not chosen because they were deficient in some area of God’s law and were not truly repentant. That is they had accepted the teachings of God’s true Church but did not yet obey and practice all of God’s laws. James described it in the following manner:

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:10)

The five foolish virgins had never been in possession of the holy spirit because it is impossible to regain it if you ever lose it. So while you may be a spiritual member of God’s congregation accepting his true teachings you may not necessarily be yet chosen for your lack of practicing God’s laws. It is not good enough to just believe it, you must practice it in order to receive God’s blessings. You are a virgin because you are not defiled with false religion, but you must be obedient and submit to God’s law in order to be a “chosen vessel”.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6)

We see then the virgins falling asleep as they await the arrival of the groom for the upcoming to the Church. The wise kept their vessels full of God’s spirit. And while the foolish may have oil in their lamp, they lacked the oil (holy spirit) in their vessel (body); they are being shut out. But shut out from what?

Prior to the return of Jesus a select group of God’s Church is led to a place of safety to avoid the horrors of the coming tribulation. This is described as the Philadelphia Church.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name…Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:7-8, 10)

While the foolish virgins were out buying more oil (making an effort to repent for real), they missed their chance to be let in.

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. (Matthew 25:10)

Many if not most of God’s Church of this generation will have endure the horror of the coming 3 ½ year tribulation preceding the return of Jesus. Only a select few will escape the carnage because they had their vessels full. The time is now to truly repent and submit to God’s laws.