The 10 Virgins Parable

In the parable of the 10 virgins, isn't the door closed at Jesus' coming (Matthew 25:10, compare Luke 13:24-28), which Jesus had just finished saying would be "immediately after the tribulation" (Matthew 24:29-31)? Does the Bible teach a 3rd coming?

Won't Christians either be ready for Jesus' 2nd coming or be lost, as the 5 foolish virgins are lost (Matthew 25:10-12; compare Luke 13:23-28)?

"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" (Matthew 25:10-12); "Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them. Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out" (Luke 13:23-28).

Note that Luke 13:23-28 uses the same phrase "I know you not" as does Matthew 25:10-12, and in the context of salvation and the 2nd coming.

How do you understand this verse: "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept" (Matthew 25:5)?

The cry announcing the coming of the bridegroom goes out at midnight (Matthew 25:6), which I believe will be the abomination of desolation, for at that time I believe we will know the day of Christ's coming (Daniel 12:11-12). But then it will be too late for the disobedient servant (Matthew 7:26-27).

When it appears to us that he is tarrying, will we quit serving him to survive physically or to have a good time, or will we continue to serve him daily, day after day, year in and year out, until he comes (Matthew 24:45-51)?

I personally believe that even Spirit-filled Christians may be lost (Hebrews 6:4-6), if they refuse to repent from their sins (Hebrews 10:26-30) and serve Christ daily (Luke 9:23; Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:26-30). The parable of the wise and the evil servant (Matthew 24:45-51), followed by the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), followed by the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), all teach the same lesson. Three times in a row we are told, I believe, that some will lose their salvation because of unrepentant wickedness and utter laziness.

And this is only at the 2nd coming. I believe some wicked and lazy believers will fall into deception long before the 2nd coming. They will form the apostasy that must come before Christ comes (2 Thessalonians 2:3). They will have the "deceivableness of unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Some will throw away Christ and eternal life in order to survive physically (Luke 9:24).

This is why Jesus said if we are not repentant now, if we are not serving him daily now, our faith will fall like a house of cards during the coming tribulation (Matthew 7:24-27).

I include myself in all of this, for how can I honestly claim to know now whether or not my faith will fail then? "Thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear" (Romans 11:20). "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

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What is the Oil?

In the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), the oil must represent something which all believers start out with some of, but which the wise believer will have much more of, and which the foolish believer will ultimately have none of. The foolish virgins "brought no oil" beyond what was in their lamps, while the wise "took oil in their vessels with their lamps." The lamps of the foolish virgins "are gone out" by the time the coming of the bridegroom is announced, so their lamps were lit and had some oil in them at one time, but in the end the foolish virgins have no oil at all.

If the wise virgins with oil represented all Spirit-filled Christians, why don't they just lay hands on their brethren to receive the Spirit in their greatest time of need? Note that when the foolish virgins plead with the wise virgins: "Give us of your oil" (Matthew 25:8), the wise virgins don't say: "Sorry, no time, gotta run"; they say: "Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you" (Matthew 25:9); they can't spare any quantity of their oil. When have Spirit-filled Christians ever refused to lay hands on non-Spirit-filled Christians to receive the Holy Spirit "lest there be not enough for us and you" (Matthew 25:9)?

And to whom would the wise virgins be sending the foolish virgins off to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit from, when they say "go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves" (Matthew 25:9)? When have Spirit-filled Christians ever sent non-Spirit-filled Christians off to non-Christians to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

But if the oil represents good works, this would make sense in that we can't share our good works with someone else; each of us must "go and buy for ourselves" our own good works: "Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden" (Galatians 6:4-5); "Every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour" (1 Corinthians 3:8).

Some say that neither the Holy Spirit nor works can be "bought" or "given," so that must be a part of the parable that symbolizes nothing. But I believe this is the most crucial part of the entire parable, and not a part to be overlooked; none of the scripture is to be ignored: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Indeed I believe the parable is to warn us to be thoroughly furnished unto all good works, and not to think we can come before God with the works of others, saying to him, "Well... while it's true that I myself didn't really do anything... my dad was a preacher; oh, and my brother was a missionary; oh, yeah, and our church had a great outreach ministry." Nobody else can give some of their works to us; we have to go and obtain ("buy") them for ourselves: and how could we buy anything without working for the money to buy it with? "If any would not work, neither should he eat" (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

I think it's no coincidence that immediately before and after the parable of the "wise" virgins and the foolish virgins, we don't find discourses regarding the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but rather we find the parable of the "wise" servant and the evil servant (Matthew 24:45-51), and the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), both of which distinguish believers according to their works.

Some say that while the good servants and wise virgins represent believers, the bad servants and foolish virgins can't. But note that both the virgin and servant parables refer to the "kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 25:1, 25:14). The bad servants are called "servants" no less than the good servants, just as the foolish virgins are called "virgins" no less than the wise virgins; and even the evil servants are members of their Lord's household and call him "Lord," just as even the foolish virgins go forth to meet the bridegroom and call him "Lord." But something happens in their waiting for him. The evil servants "begin to" do evil works, or fail to do good works (bury their talent), and so they are rejected at the return of their Lord, just as are the foolish virgins.

Why should we think the rejected virgins are rejected for any different reason than the wicked, lazy servants immediately before and after them, or that the wise virgins are wise in any different way than the wise servants immediately before and after them?

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24).

"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).

While the foolish virgins end up with no oil, I don't believe it says they never had any, just as while the wicked, lazy servant ends up with no talents, he did start out having one (Matthew 25:28).

I believe the foolish virgins had faith at one time, but it died as their works died: "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead" (James 2:17).

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Virgins Not Christians?

Some argue that the parable of the virgins can�t refer to Christians because Christians aren�t virgins, but the bride of Christ: "For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:30-32). But we can still be referred to as virgins: "For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2).

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Servants Not Christians?

Some say that while the virgins represent Christians, the servants don't. But note that both the virgin and servant parables refer to the "kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 25:1, 25:14).

Some argue that the servant parables can�t possibly refer to Christians because Christians aren�t servants: "Henceforth I call you not servants" (John 15:15). But, while we are not merely the servants of Christ, but are now also his friends, even as his friends we must still do whatever he commands us: "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends" (John 15:14-15). So though we are now his friends, we are still his servants: "For ye serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:24), "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be" (John 12:26), "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:1); and we will serve him forever: "And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done" (Revelation 22:3-6).

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Different Damnations?

Some say the damnation differs between the three parables. But I personally don't believe damnation can differ, but that you are either damned or you aren't.

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Virgins Not The Bride?

Note that no scripture says that there can be anyone saved outside of the body of Christ, for "there is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith" (Ephesians 4:4-5); "ye are called in one body" (Colossians 3:15); "he is the saviour of the body" (Ephesians 5:23); "by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles" (1 Corinthians 12:13); "we, being many, are one body in Christ" (Romans 12:5); "now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular" (1 Corinthians 12:27); "the cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

Note that everyone in the body of Christ is part of the bride of Christ, "for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:30-32). Note that Christ doesn't marry part of his body, but his entire body, the church. Note that no verse in the Bible distinguishes between the body of Christ and the bride of Christ, or says that the bride of Christ is only part of the body of Christ.

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Even The Wise Virgins Miss The Marriage?

Note that the wise virgins do not miss the marriage (Matthew 25:10). The same Greek word used in Matthew 25:10 to refer to the marriage is used in Hebrews 13:4 to refer to marriage.

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All Fall Asleep

Some believe because it says "they all fell asleep" that Christ comes as thief to all. But the call goes out before he comes, so those with oil still in their lamps can wake up and get ready:

"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" (Matthew 25:6-10).

The fact that the parable of the 10 virgins says that all 10 virgins will fall asleep during the night while the bridegroom tarries (Matthew 25:5) in no way promotes the idea that we in the church "should" fall asleep spiritually while we wait for Jesus' second coming, just as the fact that Jesus' telling Peter that he would deny him three times during the night (Matthew 26:34) in no way promoted the idea that Peter "should" deny Jesus three times.

We cannot think that we can purposely go to sleep spiritually without fear because we will be awakened before Jesus comes because we could die in our spiritual sleep long before he comes, indeed, we could die even tonight (Luke 12:20). Instead, we must strive mightily to stay spiritually awake every day and work diligently every day for the Lord until we die or until he comes, for we know we will all be judged by our works (Matthew 25:26, 30; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 1 Peter 1:17; Revelation 2:23; Luke 12:47-48).