The Seed Blog: Ignorance Is Bliss: The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Jesus taught over 30 clear Parables during His earthly Ministry. Today, we will look at just one of them: The Parable of the Ten Virgins which most of you have heard many times, and which has been interpreted in many different lights. But, have you ever Scripturally, contextually looked closely? Because all of Jesus’ parables are powerful and relevant, but this one speaks directly to those living at His Return. And when we discern the times in which we are living, we should pay extra careful attention to this warning. I understand that a number of sincere, saved Christians believe differently about when Jesus will come to take His own home. Some believing it will be at different points of the Great Time of Tribulation on earth, before His final return; some believing He will not come to take us home at all before His final return.

But I sincerely believe Scriptures are very clear in showing two distinct appearances of Our King in the End of Times with a distinctly separate mission for each. Listen to these two passages closely: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. This appearing of Jesus is in the clouds. He is never seen as even touching down on this earth. This appearance of Jesus involves no one, but His elect saints. This appearance immediately takes us up to where He is. This appearance involves no judgment, no destruction—but a loving rescue of His beloved. Now, listen to this passage: Jude 1:14-15. This passage clearly speaks of a time when Jesus returns to the earth physically, with a different agenda: to bring judgment and conviction. Judgment to unfaithful, unsaved people left on earth, and this verse is careful to say, “all” left on earth. How, at His return can He Judge all on earth? Because His Bride are with Him at this coming. If He does not take them home before this event, how is this event even possible as described? Listen to other passages describing the same scene in the end: Revelation 17:13-14; Revelation 19:11-14. It is as clear as possible in these passages that He will be coming soon to receive His Bride into His Kingdom, unexpectedly. Shown again, even in this parable we are about to study: Matthew 25:10-11. After the True Bride of Jesus was safely returned home at the marriage feast and the doors were shut, others remained behind still searching to buy oil, only to come to His doors later knowing all that Scriptures say of events preceding His return, and knowing that Jesus said we can recognize the season that we are to look for Signs of His coming: be watching. He tells us in this Parable that many will still be caught unprepared. Let’s delve deeply into the reality of this Parable as it applies right now to all of us. Here is the setting of this Parable as understood in light of the Jewish culture. A man would be betrothed to his bride in this culture, then leave for a period of up to a year to prepare a place for her before consummating the marriage. As the Bride would stay ready and waiting, lighting a lamp to show that she was looking for his return. Then, when His Father says it is time, He returns for her to take her to be where He is to remove her from the rest of the world and He usually came blowing trumpets in a procession, often at night, where she came out (up) to meet Him and they left everyone else, together. The Bride would be anxiously watching for His return, and would go out to meet him with her lamp lit. The Bridegroom would take her back to their new home for a week-long celebration, leading to the wedding with this cultural mindset. Let’s read the Parable: Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus starts this Parable by saying the Kingdom of Heaven will be like this, describing the event and describing the True Bride. To clearly understand the Parable, the key is to understand what each aspect of the Parable represents. Obviously, Jesus is the Bridegroom returning from Heaven after sealing a Covenant of betrothal with His Bride; after going to prepare a place for Her; after the Father has said, “Go and get your Bride.” The Ten Virgins must represent those who have professed to be waiting for their Groom; those proclaiming Jesus Christ; those who have accepted Him publicly, in Betrothal. But here, some are obviously portrayed as divided at heart or uncommitted Brides; those who proclaim Him in Name only and do not live with a true desire and hope for their Groom. The Lamps, or Lanterns, or Torches represent their faith and devotion to Him as they burn bright in anticipation and declaration of their Beloved. And the Bride must carry this flame until they see Him again, or they will not be in the Wedding Procession. The Oil is controversial in meaning to many. Some say it represents the Spirit which lives in every believer. But in the ending of this Parable, Jesus Himself says, “He never knew them.” Therefore, in this instance, some might say the oil would not represent the Spirit of God. If He did not know us, did not dwell in us. Here, it seems obvious the Oil represents their level of true love in Him. Scriptures are clear that many start out with powerful faith in Who He is, but not in Him intimately. They may have a desire to follow that “belief” in Him, but still have conflicting motives and false commitment: Matthew 13:5-7.
With all of the pieces in place, let’s ponder the meaning. The fact that Jesus Himself, said His faithful believers would be at a time of slumber as He tarried tells us that He knew His return would not be for some time from that point because He had caused quite a stir and many anticipated His Kingdom immediately. Jesus is warning the many untrue followers who are mixed with true believers; those that know Who He truly is and profess to love Him. Yet, in their hearts they love self, more, and eventually they begin to love the world more, and in their time of watching and waiting for Him because they are not truly longing for Hiim, wanting Him. Their Oil, their faith and commitment runs out (they wither), and although they outwardly still proclaim His Name, their thoughts and lives have begun to show the truth—their lamp has run out. And when the realization of His return occurs, they are in a panic suddenly realizing they are not burning for Him anymore and they begin to “trim their wicks,”—begin to try and make their light look bright again, and they look to those around them who are still burning to help them be acceptable to the Groom. This is a very accurate description of many, many professing Christians today, looking and feeling like they are Betrothed Virgins to Our Lord, even deceiving themselves. But in reality, their hearts are empty for Christ and as time goes by, as trials come, as temptations call their light for Him grows ever dimmer, even though they sit with the other Brides in waiting; they do not Know Him, have no root to keep them, and they continue in their happy stupor of comfort until that day when they realize they are about to meet Him. They realize no one else can save them; no one else can give them oil for their lamp; no sermon can save them; no church attendance or good works can save them; no lies to others about how they love Him; growing up in a Christian home can’t save them; accepting that He exists or that He is even Coming Again can’t save them. Only a sincere heart that wants His Love, trusts His ways, and is willing to live for Him, long for Hiim to the end—has been bought by the Bridegroom with His Blood. Only those with lamps still burning bright will be able to join the Wedding Procession. Listen to these Passages describing exactly what Jesus is portraying here: Revelation 2:3-5; Revelation 3:1-3; Revelation 3:15-20. If this were not such a real and persistent issue in Jesus’ Church, would Jesus have devoted a Parable specifically to this? Would He have addressed it repeatedly to the churches in His Final Book of Scriptures? Would He have given such dire and fearful warnings to His own people? Our fruits do not save us. Only a real, true, lasting love for Him that wants to be covered under His Blood! that wants to belong to Him completely at the cost of anything else in their lives. Only they will be carried away by the Bridegroom. But Jesus clearly warns every professor of His Name that a healthy tree bears signs of good fruits. Otherwise, it means the tree is sick and diseased. The lamp is running out of oil, it has no root. Although it may look like all the others for a time; although their lamps may be burning for a while, at harvest time they will have no fruits; at the time for the Wedding, their lamps will be out.
In our final passage, listen to this serious warning given to churches just like us who have many sitting smug and secure in false security among other brides, yet having lives that are not truly given to Him: Matthew 7:16-23. If it was not possible to repent and turn from this fake faith; if it was not possible that the Spirit could help us see Truth and turn to Him in sincerity, why would Jesus give so many warnings? Why would He literally call us to repentance and restoration? Why would He show such heartbreak and passion?
Drop your pride; drop your own self-deceit; stop being a foolish virgin. Ask yourself, do you really love Him? Are you really living to please Him? Longing to be with Him? Or, are you living your own life playing the fool with false security, simply because you have claimed to be His Bride and you don’t even know Him, aren’t longing for Him, aren’t living for Him? You have to know that ignorance is not bliss but destruction. Don’t just trim your wicks (and look better), fill your flask with oil.