Wise and Foolish Virgins

The disciples had asked Jesus when the end of the world would be and what signs they should be looking for.  Jesus made it very clear that most of the signs people focused on had nothing to do with when the Lord would return.  It is not God’s plan for anyone to know the date of Christ’s return.  Instead, we are to focus on serving and being ready when he comes.  In Matthew 25:1-13, he used a parable to reinforce the point. 

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  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: 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.  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

In the parable, all the virgins were planning on attending the wedding.  All of them had their lamps and wedding garments and all appeared to be ready, until the time when the groom actually appeared.  When he did, it suddenly came out that some had not taken the ttrouble to make sure there was oil in the lamps.  They had to go looking for some source of oil and as a result ended up missing out on the feast.  This parable illustrates again what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23.  “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.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  

Sadly, many people have spent a great deal of effort doing religious and philanthropic activities or following some moral code, but have never developed a true spiritual relationship with God.  They appear just as dedicated and holy as anyone else until Christ comes, but when he does, it will quickly become apparent that the appearance is only an illusion, because there is no source of spiritual power.   Everything is about the appearance, but there is no reality there.  Unfortunately, like the foolish virgins they simply assume that when the time comes it won’t matter and that someone else will make up the difference for them.  As Jesus pointed out in the parable, they will have to address the spiritual lack personally.  Nobody else can do it for you.