In Matthew 25 Jesus elaborates the watching period just before His return. He tells several parables to illustrate what He will be expecting His followers to be doing when He returns.

Today we discussed the parable of the ten virgins. Rather than retelling the story, I will discuss what each symbol in the parable means.

The bridegroom: Jesus. Jesus is to be married to His church. (2 Corinthians 11:2.)

The ten virgins: These were all Christians. They were all waiting for Jesus to come and receive His bride.

The lamps: There are several possible applications here. The lamp is the Bible. (Psalms 119:105.) The light is also Jesus. (John 8:12.) The Christian’s life is also to be a light to the world. (Matthew 5:14-16.) So the light represents having a knowledge of the Scriptures and Jesus, and applying that knowledge practically in how you live your life.

The oil: The oil represents the Holy Spirit. (Zechariah 4:1-6) As the olive tree supplies olive oil that powers the lamps, so the Holy Spirit supplies the power to apply the Bible to our lives. Our lives are changed to conform to the Bible teachings through the work of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16.)

Running out of oil: The foolish virgins had no reserve of oil. They allow the Holy Spirit to work in their lives to a certain extant, but do not allow complete victory over all sin. Therefore, their lights will go out before Jesus returns. The wise virgins have a reserve of oil. They have allowed the Holy Spirit to thoroughly sanctify their lives. They have a complete and practical knowledge of the Scriptures. They are ready to act in a Godly manner in any crisis.

The refusal to lend oil: On the surface it may seem mean of the wise virgins not to give any oil to their friends who ran out. But the wise virgins know that if they gave up any of their oil in this time of crisis, it would only delay the crisis. All ten would run out of oil in the middle of the wedding party. The only solution was for someone to go buy more oil. Naturally, the ones who did not bring extra oil should be the ones to go buy more. Likewise, we can teach each other and pray for each other, but in the end each of us has to individually allow God to change our lives. You cannot get to heaven on the coattails of anybody but Jesus Christ. If you have not made it your business to have a close relationship with God, you will not be ready for Jesus to return.

I do not know you: You get to know Jesus by studying the Bible, praying, and unselfish service to others. The power behind all of this is the Holy Spirit. Those who wait until the last minute to have a vital connection with God will find that they have waited too long. They will find themselves left outside the kingdom of heaven.

The point for me today: The same as last time—I should be busy studying the Bible, praying, and helping others. I need to live by the Holy Spirit so that my life will be completely reformed. Then, I will be ready when Jesus returns.