Introduction
The parable of the ten virgins is perhaps one of the most mysterious parables in the New Testament told by Jesus and is only included in Matthew’s Gospel.1 It is clearly situated in the narrative concerning the end times, the last seven years of tribulation, because it is a continuation of the ‘Olivet Discourse.’ The parable starts with the phrase, “At that time,” indicating that this parable does not have the entire church age in mind but is for the church at the very end. In other words it’s for us! So, we need to examine the lessons for us in this parable.
To start with, the ten virgins are split into two groups: the wise and the foolish. They are divided into 50% each. Obviously one hopes that we are in the ‘wise’ category because the wise virgins are the only ones who make it into the wedding.
The torches
In verse 1, all ten virgins go out to meet the bridegroom (Jesus) obviously because they have heard that he is on his way. All ten virgins are believers of the day in the end times–i.e. Christians. Virginity is used in the Bible to describe God’s people. So, when does everyone know that Jesus is close? At the start of the 70th week, the last seven years, because the countdown is then on and the clock ticking until the Day of the Lord.
In trying to find a suitable picture for this blog, I found it extremely difficult because virtually all illustrations of the ten virgins picture the wrong kind of oil lamp. They picture the small oil clay lamps (Gk: luchnos) whereas the Greek says that they are torches (Gk: lampas) meaning sticks wrapped with rags soaked in oil. The more important question though is what do the torches represent. Some say the oil represents the Holy Spirit, some say testimony, some say knowledge and understanding, some others again say the most important thing is to watch and make preparations, like the wise virgins preparing enough oil. The fact is that it is hard to be dogmatic about what the oil represents but in a way it is all of those things. If oil represents the Holy Spirit, then we will be listening, we will be in the Word being taught by the Holy Spirit and we will be moved to watch and pray for the Lord as the day approaches. In other words we will be ready and prepared as best as we can to move when we need to move and enter the wedding chamber.
Wedding chamber at the half-way mark
The five foolish virgins are those foolish Christians who are not prepared to meet the Lord. They don’t have any extra oil and their torches burn out. In a way they can’t see which means they can’t make their way to the secret place described in Psa. 91:1 NKJV. This is the wilderness described in Rev. 12:6 where the woman will be protected for time, times, and half a time. Dan. 11:41 describes this place as southern Jordan (including Petra and Bosrah) but first we are to make our way to Judea as the stepping stone.2 Once situated in Judea then the last step is to flee to the mountains.3
Suddenly they realise at the ‘midnight scream’ which is at the half-way mark of the seven years that this is really happening. All virgins had been asleep at the wheel but fortunately the wise virgins can find their way because they have extra oil for their torches and they flee when they see the Abomination of Desolation standing in the Holy Place in newly rebuilt Jewish temple.4 The fact that it is half of the virgins suggests to me that half of all Christians won’t make it into the wedding chamber which corresponds to the ‘Great Falling Away’ mentioned in 2 Thess. 2:3 and Matthew’s statement that the love of most will grow cold.5
"Now the bridegroom was taking a long time to arrive and so they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At the midpoint of the night there was a loud scream. The bridegroom is coming—you should go out and meet up with him.
What is the midnight scream? At the midpoint of the 70th week a loud scream is heard that wakes up all the virgins (Christians) and shocks them making them realise that Jesus is actually coming back soon. The scream is the beast arising from the abyss at the darkest hour–midnight, which is also the midpoint. An evil dictator resurrected from a one of the seven historical mountains (Gentile kingdoms) comes back from the dead.6
The door is shut
‘The door is shut’ reminds one of the day that the door to Noah’s Ark was shut by God. One day the door to the wedding chamber will also be shut and no one outside will be able to get in. God Himself will shut the door–it will be bolted shut and the Bride of Christ, those who were faithful to study God’s Word, become ready, watch and pray and had the faith and obedience to flee when the time came will be under the wings of the Almighty sitting in His protection.7
Those outside will have to fend for themselves and take their chances. They will be left behind and they will need to resist the devil and the Antichrist and his mark. Many will die but some will also make it (the hard way).
I preached this message (of finding one’s way to Judea and then Jordan) one Sunday night and after the message I heard that a couple of men said that they will take their chances and stay with their wives because they don’t think it would be possible for them to get there. Granted it won’t be easy but just like for Lot, his wife and his daughters, angels will help. That is part of the purpose of angels.8 Also the 144,000 will encourage Christians to get there too. See the post “The secret message of the 144,000.”
The key takeaway is to be ready, have extra oil for your torches now so you can find your way to the safe place in the wilderness, study God’s Word, pray to the Lord that you want to be wise and go when it is time to leave. Most of all pray for the physical, mental and spiritual strength to flee when the time comes.9
One Response
Thanks Steve