The Bible contains many truths in the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins that preachers prefer to ignore. It is because of this that many Foolish Christians will be left-behind after the Rapture.
This article looks at what each of the symbols represent in this parable. This is to allow Christians to appreciate how significant this message from Jesus is. It represents a warning that highlights what events will take place leading up to the (Pre-Trib) Rapture.
Are “FEW” or MANY “Virgins” saved at the Rapture?
"Then said one unto him, Lord, ARE THERE FEW [Christians] THAT BE SAVED? (Luke 13:23)
"And he [Jesus] said unto them, 24 STRIVE TO ENTER IN AT THE STRAIT GATE: for MANY [Christians], I SAY UNTO YOU, WILL SEEK TO ENTER IN, AND SHALL NOT BE ABLE....26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence [at the Communion table], and thou hast taught in our streets [in Home Groups]. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I KNOW YOU NOT WHENCE YE ARE [on about]; DEPART FROM ME, ALL YE WORKERS OF INIQUITY. " (Luke 13:24-27)
Similarly, Jesus said:
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with SURFEITING [excessive eating], and DRUNKENESS [1 Thes 5:6], and [the] CARES OF THIS LIFE [Luke 8:14], and so THAT DAY [of the Rapture that precedes Antichrist] COME UPON YOU UNAWARES. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 WATCH...AND PRAY ALWAYS, THAT YE MAY BE ACCOUNTED WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS THAT SHALL COME TO PASS, AND TO STAND BEFORE THE SON OF MAN." (Luke 21:34-36)
The spiritual lessons of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
Christ’s “wise virgins” throughout the past 2,000-years have taken heed to these warnings, and have prepared themselves with the required quantity of “oil” that is vital to “…ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass”.
It is the ‘oil’ and the additional supplies that the born-again Christians (John 3:8) carry with them that defines the differences between the two groups of God’s people, as stated in the passage below:
"Then ALL THOSE VIRGINS [both Wise and Foolish] AROSE, and trimmed their lamps. {8} And THE FOOLISH SAID UNTO THE WISE, GIVE US OF YOUR OIL; and they [the Wise Virgins] that were ready went in with him [Jesus] to the marriage [supper - Rev. 19:9]: and THE DOOR [to Heaven] was shut." (Matt 25:7-10)
What is the “oil” the Virgins need?
What then represents the “oil” that both the Wise and the Foolish Virgins had, but the Foolish had an insufficient quantity of?
To appreciate the symbolism of what the “oil” represents, the parable must first be understood.
- “Virgin” refers to anyone who professes to be a Christian.
- “Lamp” refers to the ‘light’ emanating from the virgin’s mouths that speak Bible-based truth. No “light” (or Bible-based truth) means darkness – representing a religious viewpoint that contains little or no truth.
- “…them that sell” refers to life’s experiences encountered in the pursuit of spreading the Gospel while defending truth from error.
- “The bridegroom” refers to Jesus appearing in the clouds at the Rapture (1 Thes. 4:15-18).
- “The marriage” refers to the marriage supper of the Lamb – in Heaven (Rev 19:7-9).
- “Oil” refers to Bible-based spiritual truths contained in “sound doctrine’ (2 Timothy 4:2)
- A “Wise Virgin” is a truly “born-again” (male or female; Messianic Jew or Gentile – John 3:3-8) who studies to become “approved unto God” (2 Tim 2:15) and ultimately become a “son of God” (1 John 3:1-2) so as to do God’s will on Earth (Matt 12:50).
- A “Foolish Virgin” is any professing “Christian” (male or female; Messianic Jew or Gentile) who associates more with a particular brand of religion (or group of theologians) rather than believing and speaking what the Bible plainly states.
On the contrary, a ‘Christian’ prostitute (or a whore) in the church is symbolized by the Roman Catholic Church, which spiritually fornicates with all other religions in the world.
Image of
Pope John Paul II kissing the Koran
Further explanation
In this, the “oil” represents Bible truths that have obtained through “studying” the scriptures (2 Tim 2:15). The accumulated “oil” is further obtained through life’s bitter experiences that come through applying what was learned in scripture to sharing it with others.
"Blessed are ye, when [religious] men shall HATE YOU, and when they shall SEPARATE YOU FROM THEIR COMPANY, and shall REPROACH YOU, and CAST OUT YOUR NAME AS EVIL, for the Son of man's sake." (Luke 6:22)
Therefore, the Bible truths learned (John 6:45) are symbolized as “oil”, because “oil” (when lit) enables “light” to shine forth from the “lamp“.
Below are two verses that portray the Rapture as a ‘secret’ event – meaning, it could happen at any time:
"Let your loins be girded about, and YOUR LIGHTS burning; 36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he [Jesus] cometh and knocketh [on the door of every wise virgin's heart - Rev 3:20], they may open unto him immediately." (Luke 12:35-36)
Other sources of “oil”
‘Oil‘ is also obtained through personal instruction from God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, as stated below:
1. God the Father
"It is written in the prophets, And they [meaning, every truly born-again Christian - John 3:3-8] shall be ALL TAUGHT [personally] of God [the Father]. Every man therefore that hath HEARD, and hath LEARNED OF THE FATHER, cometh unto me [Jesus, in the Rapture]." (John 6:45)
2. God the Son – Jesus Christ
"My sheep HEAR MY VOICE, and I KNOW THEM, and THEY FOLLOW ME: {28} And I give unto them ETERNAL LIFE; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." – Jesus speaking." (John 10:27-28)
3. God the Holy Spirit
"...when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH…." (John 16:13)Each virgin’s “oil” is symbolized by the Biblical truths (or errors) they have accepted and believed.
In this, most traditional Christians recognize that Jesus Christ was “begotten in eternity” prior to His immaculate conception. They believe in His death, His burial and His resurrection — that when presented appropriately, represents the minimal quantity of spiritual “oil” needed to light each virgin’s lamp.
Sadly, many of today’s Foolish Virgins have failed to obtain any in-depth Biblical knowledge related to the many doctrines found in scripture that are essential for them to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3). Such a situation therefore opens them up to Satan’s attacks (Hosea 4:6).Similarly, such a lack of knowledge about the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3) means they will NOT have a sufficient quantity of “oil” needed in their “vessels” prior to the Lord coming at the time of the Rapture.
More can be read about becoming a “Wise Virgin” in the Apostle Paul’s Gospel of Salvation, click here.
If you have any questions relating to this article, please add a comment below.
Thank You.
Be Blessed.
Wonderful post! Super explanation of the parable (wise and foolish virgins!) God bless you!