The parable of the Ten Virgins

This parable comes in the middle of a discourse by Christ himself regarding the end times, usually called The Olivet Discourse

D. The Discipleship of the Messiah – Call to Faithfulness

In this discourse Christ answers the questions that the Disciples put to Christ. They ask three questions…

1. Tell us, when shall these things be?
2. and what shall be the sign of thy coming,
3. and (the sign) of the end of the world?

Christ answers all three questions but in the reverse order.

24 v1-2 The Destruction of the Temple
24 v3-14 The time of the end 3rd Q The sign of the END
24 v15-26 The end comes
24 v27-31 Signs in the heaven 2nd Q The Sign of the Coming
24 v32-35 The fig tree lesson
24 v36-44 The time unknown 1st Q WHEN shall these things be
24 v45-51 Watchfulness at his coming
25 v1-13 The Ten Virgins
25 v14-30 The Talents
25 v31-46 The Judgement of the living nations

The Parable of the Ten virgins and the Parable of the Talents occur while Christ is explaining the answer to the first question - WHEN shall these things be?

(In this case the use of a parable is not to obscure the meaning of Christ’s teaching but to illustrate it for those who want to learn)

25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. :7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. :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. 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. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

The first thing we notice is that this parable is something to do with the Kingdom of Heaven v1 (The Messianic Kingdom promised in the OT and which will follow the Tribulation described in Ch 24)

In v 13 Christ gives us the main point and interpretation of the parable. He is saying that those who are Gods faithful people at the end of the Tribulation and who are waiting for the coming of Christ to the Marriage Feast, are to watch - because they will not know the day or the hour in which the Son of Man cometh.

(The oil signifies spirituality in scripture.) Those who are watching remain faithful to the LORD and remain in a state of readiness spiritually at the time of the bridegroom and the brides coming. The virgins are the Israelites who are waiting for the return of Christ and his Bride the Church - (the church has already been married to Christ in heaven but now the Bridal party are returning to earth for the Wedding Feast.)

It is important to note that this parable is about the Feast not the Marriage. Those who are not ready spiritually at Christ’s coming are not shut out of heaven! nor shut out of the Kingdom, but they are shut out of the Wedding Feast of the Bridegroom and his Bride. On that day All Israel will learn of the mystical union of Christ and the Church.

Steve