The Ten Virgins
Do you have oil in your lamp?
Before we start, there are certain things we cannot prove. Bible prophecy is one of them. We can read the verses, and have beliefs and faith, but until it happens we cannot state it as fact.
Ministries have been ruined, friendships destroyed, reputations crushed, simply because of a different interpretation of Bible prophecy.
That is not what God desires.
We do not know exactly how God is going to fulfill the prophecies in His Word. The Pharisees thought they knew and were wrong. They demanded that “out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. ” (John 7:50-53) And they missed Jesus at His first coming.
It sounds just like many prophecy Bible studies I have been to. Where folks demand that what they believe be accepted and preached.
Second, I do not believe in a Pre-tribulation rapture. My view reflects this. I will no longer argue about such things.
I think that believers will be here until Christ returns and we will be raptured when He comes. The Bible teaches that the Saints are not going to face God’s Wrath. We will not. He will protect us just like He protected the Israelites in Goshen through the plagues of Egypt in the Exodus. That is a picture of the last days.
But, to be more clear. Hell and the Lake of Fire is God’s Wrath. Not physical death. Jesus said, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”—Matt. 10:28
The Bible teaches plainly that “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” —(Psa. 116:15)
God’s Wrath is Hell and the Lake of Fire. Not physical death.
Believers die every day from disease, disasters and persecution. Why would the destruction of the last days be any different?
So the “tribulation period” as they call it, is not God’s Wrath, especially when it comes to believers. He will protect us and glorify us and bring us to Paradise with Him. How is that wrath? Even if it is wrath to the non-believer, it is not wrath to His Saints.
But, to avoid conflict, let’s just say that we are going to face lots of trouble before He comes.
Many Christians are saved and know the Lord. They have a relationship with Him. But, the scriptures teach of false brethren, people who were never really saved.
The reasons for this can be many. But, there are many verses that show people who thought they knew the Lord, only to find that they really did not, and it was too late.
The parable of the Ten Virgins is one of those verses. It can be found in Matthew Chapter 25, verses 1-13.
Basically, the Lord returns and the Virgins who are supposed to be prepared for their bridegroom to come, go out to meet Him.
Jesus is the Bridegroom, and the Church is viewed as the Bride. We are made white, by being washed in His Blood. We are chaste virgins by being cleansed of all sin through Him.
Paul speaks of this in 2 Corinthians 11: 1-3. We can find other references in scripture (Rev. 19:1-9)
The Christians see the signs and hear the trump and come out to meet Him. We do not know exactly what this is referring to. But, Christians know at the time this happens. Notice I say “Christians” not “Saints”. Because all of these people have claimed Christ, but not all know Him. They had head knowledge, and relied on their works, instead of surrendering to the Lord.
We see this because they all come out, and all are called virgins. (Which is a title given to a bride. It is not proof of her virginity, only her alleged position. The proof comes later when consummation occurs. Which in this case, never occurs with the lost.)
All the virgins have lamps, but they do not all have oil.
The five wise virgins with oil, tell the foolish virgins to go buy oil.
Some people believe that the oil is the Holy Spirit, but it plainly shows in Acts 8:8-24 that the Holy Spirit cannot be purchased. Also, Jesus says the Holy Spirit is given to those who ask. It’s not bought. (Luke 11:13)
The oil, is faith.
Now, you must take this in context. First, all people are given a measure of faith so they can be saved. (Romans 12:3)
It is believed by some, that people do not have faith until they get it from God, or hear the Word…”Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) This verse is referring to faith in Jesus Christ. You cannot believe in Christ until you have been told of Him. Our faith is also strengthened by hearing and believing God’s Word.
All humans have faith. When you sit down in a chair you have faith it will support you. That is faith. “It is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
All humans have faith, but faith does not save you. You must put your faith in the right place. Which is Jesus Christ.
He calls you. This is Grace. This is hearing the Word. Jesus is the Word. (Romans 10:17, John 1) Then, you turn to Him (Repent) and give yourself to Him. Confessing Jesus is The Lord. (Romans 10:9-10)
This is salvation. This must be understood to understand the parable of the 10 virgins.
First understand that 5 virgins are wise and 5 are fools. Fools are always people who do not believe in God. The 5 foolish virgins have no faith in God. They have not put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. They have a measure of faith, but not in Christ. They have learned things at church, but never really knew Him.
All the virgins slept while the bridegroom tarried. That is our current situation, We are waiting for Him.
When He comes, the fools are told to go purchase oil. How do you purchase faith? You give yourself to Jesus Christ. You are bought with a price. You buy a pearl of great price. You purchase your salvation by giving yourself to the Lord. Then, as you grow in Christ your faith grows as well. So, as time goes on you have more oil in your lamp.
So, understand that these foolish virgins are in the Church. But, they were never saved. They are there for business or politics, or tradition, or any number of reasons, but they never gave themselves to Christ and are not saved. Their faith never grew from basic human faith. They never were born again. They never became spiritually alive and set free from Sin and Satan in Christ.
So, as the day of Christ’s return draws near, the times of trouble will get worse and worse. Persecution and tribulations will arise and these foolish virgins will not have the faith to endure, because they never knew Him. They are like the seed among the thorns. They are as tares among the wheat. They are like the man wearing soiled clothes at the wedding. They are like the man who has his talents in a napkin. Thieves and robbers who tried to climb up to heaven another way, instead of through Christ.
They will fall away and form the Apostate Church. They will think they are saved, and will think they do God’s service when they kill the real believers.
We can see the beginnings of this today as political opinions sway churches on both sides.
Then, when Christ returns, they will learn that they never had oil. They were never saved, They never knew Him.
And He will confess that he never knew them, “Depart…” He will say. “But, Lord did we not do wonderful WORKS?” He will say “I never knew you” (Matt 7:20-25)
Don’t be a foolish virgin who thinks they are saved by works. Give yourself to Christ alone, and know Him as Lord. Let your walk with Him grow your faith, and fill your lamp with oil, so you will shine His light for all to see.
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois.
Cover photo by pexels. Edited by the writer.
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