What is the Parable of the 10 Virgins?
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (Matthew 25: 1) (KJV)
The bridegroom is Jesus Christ.
The virgins are people who know the Lord and are faithful to Him. They have not committed spiritual adultery with other gods.
The lamps produce light and hold oil (a reference to the Holy Spirit).
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (Matthew 25: 2-4) (KJV)
Half of the believers in Jesus Christ were wise and half were foolish. The wise believers brought extra oil for their lamps. The foolish did not bring any extra oil for their lamps. The wise made sure that they had plenty of oil (the Holy Spirit).
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (Matthew 25: 5) (KJV)
When the bridegroom (Jesus Christ) did not arrive as soon as He was expected, all of the virgins (faithful believers) fell asleep.
We have all fallen asleep (spiritually). The enemy (the prince of this world) has lulled the body of Christ to sleep. We didn’t even realize that we fell asleep.
In what way have we been asleep?
Jesus is said that believers will do everything that He did and even greater things because He was returning to the Father (John 14: 12-14). Believers have not been walking in the power of Jesus’ name like His first disciples did.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (Matthew 25: 6) (KJV)
The Bridegroom (Jesus Christ) will return soon and we need to be ready to meet Him. Therefore, God is waking us up.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. (Matthew 25: 7) (KJV)
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 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. (Matthew 25: 8-9) (KJV)
The foolish virgins had not prepared for the possibility that the bridegroom might not arrive as soon as they had expected. The foolish virgins ran out of oil while waiting for the bridegroom.
But the lamps of the wise virgins had not gone out because they had brought extra oil. They were prepared for the possibility that the bridegroom might not arrive as early as hoped and expected.
The wise believers are those who prepare for the possibility that Jesus Christ might not arrive before the time of Great Tribulation. They make sure that they have enough of God’s Holy Spirit with them to see them through until the Bridegroom arrives. Even though they had also fallen asleep, they remained in relationship with Him.
The foolish believers did not prepare for the possibility that Jesus Christ might not arrive before the time of Great Tribulation. They are not spiritually prepared for the challenges that might lie ahead.
When Jesus does not arrive when they think He will, the foolish believers become discouraged and run out of oil (Holy Spirit). They fall out of relationship with Jesus because they did not have enough of God’s Holy Spirit in their lives.
10 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. (Matthew 25: 10) (KJV)
When Jesus Christ arrives, the believers who are ready and have stayed in relationship with Him are invited to the marriage and the door will then be shut. This refers to the rapture, when Jesus gathers His elect (aka the first resurrection).
The bride has made herself ready (Revelation 19: 7-9). Those who participate in the first resurrection will not be subject to judgment, and they will live and reign with Christ for a thousand years (Revelation 20: 5-6).
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matthew 25: 11-12) (KJV)
The foolish virgins were not prepared for when Jesus Christ returns to gather His bride. They had run out of oil (Holy Spirit) before He arrived and were no longer in relationship with Him. When they realized that Jesus Christ was about to finally arrive, they went out into the world to buy more oil and while they were gone, the door was shut. They missed the gathering of His bride (the rapture).
So, they call out to Jesus Christ and ask Him to let them into the marriage supper. He responds by telling them that He does not know them. He did not say that He “never” knew them. He was telling them that they had become strangers because they had not remained in a relationship with Him.
Believers who do not remain in relationship with Jesus Christ will not be invited into the marriage supper. Even if we don’t commit spiritual adultery by running after false gods, we need to maintain our relationship with the Lord.
Believers need to be spiritually prepared for the trials ahead. Like the seed that fell on stony places (Matthew 13: 20-21), believers who do not remain in a close relationship with Jesus Christ are likely to lose their faith when tribulation comes.
Immediately after the time of tribulation, Jesus will gather His elect (Matthew 24: 29-31).
The foolish believers’ names might still be written in the Lamb’s book of life, but it appears that they will face final judgment (Revelation 20: 12-15).
Anyone who was not raptured will be judged according to their words (Matthew 12: 36) and works (Revelation 20: 12).
Even though the Holy Spirit seals us for eternity with the Lord (Ephesians 1: 13-14) (Ephesians 4: 30), Jesus also mentions that it is possible for names to be blotted out from the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 3: 5-6).
Anyone whose name is not in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20: 15) (John 15).
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25: 1-13) (KJV)
What about a Pre-Tribulation Rapture?
The people who teach a pre-tribulation rapture might not be intentionally teaching a false doctrine, but they are still guilty of teaching a false doctrine.
And they are doing great harm by not telling the followers of Jesus Christ that believers need to be spiritually prepared for the possibility that the bridegroom might not arrive as soon as expected.
What about being worthy to escape?
They teach that being “accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass” (Luke 21: 35-36) means that the church will definitely be raptured before the Great Tribulation.
God can protect whomever He chooses in whatever way He chooses. We must not assume it means the rapture happens before the Great Tribulation.
And how “worthy” are we if we are unwilling to consider the possibility that we might be persecuted and suffer for being a follower of Jesus Christ?
To be found worthy, we are to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16: 24-25) (Mark 8: 34-35) (Luke 9: 23-24) (Matthew 10: 37-38).
What about the church of Philadelphia?
They teach that because the church of Philadelphia will be kept from the time of tribulation (Revelation 2: 7-13), it definitely means that they will be raptured before the Great Tribulation. But again, God can protect whomever He chooses in whatever way He chooses.
Those teachers ignore the fact that the other 6 churches (Revelation 1-3) will not be kept from the time of Great Tribulation. The Scripture doesn’t say exactly how the church of Philadelphia will be kept from that trial (we must not assume that it means the rapture).
Jesus said that church of Philadelphia had little strength but had been enduring patiently. Does that accurately describe the believers in privileged nations?
Is the Rapture separate from the Return of Jesus Christ?
They teach that the gathering of the bride of Jesus Christ is a separate event from the return of Jesus Christ, and that it could take place years before the world sees Jesus return in power and great glory.
But the Scriptures indicate that the gathering of Jesus Christ’s bride takes place just before the great winepress of God’s wrath is implemented (Revelation 14: 14-20) (Revelation 19: 7-21).
Would Jesus allow His bride to suffer?
They teach that Jesus Christ would not allow His bride to suffer. This teaching is only popular within the privileged nations because believers in less privileged nations (believers who meet in underground churches and experience persecution on a daily basis) would find that teaching to be absolutely ridiculous.
Jesus suffered and He said that anyone who follows Him will suffer (John 15: 18-21) (2 Timothy 3: 12) (Acts 5: 41) (Acts 9: 16) (Romans 8: 17-18) (Philippians 1: 29) (2 Thessalonians 1: 4-5) (Matthew 5: 10-12) (Matthew 25: 12-17) (Romans 12: 14) (Revelation 12: 17).
Jesus was severely persecuted and martyred. Jesus’ disciples were severely persecuted and martyred. Throughout history, Christians have been severely persecuted and martyred. Even today, Christians are still the most persecuted people in the world.
But because Christians in privileged nations don’t experience that type of persecution, they have come to believe the lie that the bride of Christ isn’t supposed to suffer. Therefore, they are not preparing for the possibility that they might have to face the time of Great Tribulation.
Do you have itching ears?
Many people are listening to preachers who will tell them what they want to hear instead of listening to sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4: 2-8).
Like the foolish virgins, they will not be prepared (Matthew 25: 1-13).
They are also at risk for falling away (2 Thessalonians 2: 1-4).
The pre-tribulation rapture teachers are doing great harm by telling believers that they do not need to spiritually prepare for the time of trial that will come upon the entire earth.
The Great Tribulation
God is waking us up and letting us know that the final 7 years is about to begin (Daniel 9: 24-27).
Halfway through the final 7 years the Antichrist will be revealed and the abomination that causes desolation will be set up (Daniel 9: 27) (Daniel 11: 31-32).
Then the time of Great Tribulation begins (Matthew 24: 15-22) and Satan will severely persecute faithful Jews and Christians (Revelation 12: 12-17) – more than at any other time in history (Matthew 24: 21-22).
Only the Father knows the Exact Day and Hour of Jesus’ return
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Matthew 24: 36) (KJV)
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.(Matthew 25: 13) (KJV)
32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. (Mark 13: 32-33) (KJV)
We will not know the exact day/hour that Jesus will return to gather His bride (Matthew 24: 36) (Matthew 25: 13) (Mark 13: 32-33).
Jesus’ return also marks the time when He will begin to implement God’s wrath upon the wickedness of this world (Revelation 6: 16) (Revelation 19: 11-21).
Yet we are able to calculate the day in which the Antichrist will be revealed and the Great Tribulation will begin. And we are able to calculate the day in which the Great Tribulation will end and when God’s wrath begins.
- The Great Tribulation begins halfway through the final 7 years (Daniel 9: 24-27).
- God’s wrath begins at the end of the 7-year treaty (Daniel 9: 27)
- The Great Tribulation will last for 3-1/2 years (Daniel 12: 7) (Revelation 12: 14) aka 1260 days (Revelation 12: 6).
- God’s wrath begins 3-1/2 days after His 2 Witnesses complete their 1260 days of prophesying (Revelation 11).
- God’s 2 Witnesses bear witness to the wickedness during the Great Tribulation prior to God judging and implementing a death penalty (Deuteronomy 17: 6) (Deuteronomy 19: 15).
Is there a Day that we are not able to calculate?
We are not able to calculate the Day of the Lord even though that day is described throughout the Holy Bible (Zechariah 14) (Joel 2) (Zephaniah 1) (Malachi 4) (Acts 2: 20-21) (2 Peter 3) (Revelation 14: 14-20) (Revelation 19: 11-21).
The Day of the Lord is also the 7th bowl of God’s wrath (Revelation 16: 17-21).
The Day of the Lord is also the 6th Seal (Revelation 6: 12-17).
Each of the first 4 Seals were opened exactly 7 years apart on the last day of consecutive Shemitah cycles (1994, 2001, 2008, 2015). There is a strong possibility that the 5th Seal (the final 7 years beginning with a 7-year peace treaty) will be opened September 25-26, 2022. (For more information, please see our article about the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse).
We need to be prepared for the possibility that Jesus comes for His bride just before the Day of God’s wrath (the battle of Armageddon). Although we can know when God’s wrath begins, He has not told us exactly when each of the various bowls of His wrath will be poured out.
We can know that Jesus will gather His bride after the time of Great Tribulation (Matthew 24: 29-31) and before the Day of the Lord.
The Day of the Lord
When I prayed for understanding about the timing of Jesus’s return for His bride, the Lord told me: “Prepare to stay until the Day of My wrath.”
Notice that God didn’t say the “time” of His wrath – He said the “day” of His wrath.
The time of God’s wrath begins when the Great Tribulation ends – and He has made it possible for us to calculate that exact day.
The great Day of God’s wrath includes the battle of Armageddon. That battle is part of the 7th bowl of God’s wrath (Revelation 16). And God has NOT provided a way to calculate that exact day – only a sequence of events and signs of the times.
Jesus returns for His bride just before the battle of Armageddon, which is a short time after the Great Tribulation.
We need to be spiritually prepared for what is ahead. Trust and obey the Lord. Do not fear. Be sure you have plenty of oil (God’s Holy Spirit). And stay in a close relationship with Jesus Christ.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 19-20) (KJV/ESV)
Leave a Reply