The Wise and Foolish Virgins
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”
Matthew 25:1-2 NKJV
Waiting for someone’s arrival requires patience. Centuries ago, a bride would wait at home for her bridegroom to arrive. Then he would whisk her away to his house for the wedding nuptials. Since the bride could not know the exact time, she remained dressed and ready to leave when he appeared.
The Midnight Cry
‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps (Matthew 25:6b-7 NKJV).
The foolish realized they were running out of oil (representing the Holy Spirit) and begged the wise to share. Instead, the wise virgins, who knew they wouldn’t have enough for themselves, advised the others to buy some from the merchants.
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you’ (Matthew 25:10-11 NKJV).
The Parable’s Lesson
The door of salvation is only open to those who abide in Christ and are filled with His Holy Spirit. The wedding represents the future Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Many may think they are ready to meet Jesus, but when He arrives for His bride—the church—only true believers will enter.
Then he said to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” ‘ And he said to me, ‘These are the true sayings of God‘ (Revelation 19:9 NKJV).
This parable also teaches that the oil of the Holy Spirit dwells in each believer who accepts Christ by faith. We cannot share our anointing oil with others or be their covering. Since we are personally responsible for our salvation, Christ fills us individually with His Holy Spirit. And now, like the virgins, we are patiently preparing and waiting for Christ’s return.
But this isn’t the only example of God’s door of salvation.
When Noah lived on the earth, God instructed him and his sons to build an ark. Genesis 6:13-22 outlines His instructions HERE. So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in (Genesis 7:16 NKJV).
As the flood waters rose, those who had never seen rain must have become desperate. But, no matter how much the wicked may have beaten on the door, it never opened. God kept the righteous sealed inside until the rain and flood waters subsided.
Then God spoke to Noah, saying, ‘Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.’ (Genesis 8:15-17 NKJV).
What do these doors represent?
The door of the parable and the door on Noah’s ark represent salvation. If we believe in Christ as Savior and are filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit, we will be admitted into God’s kingdom. I believe that a day is soon coming when Christians will be raptured away, preceding the seven-year Tribulation.
‘Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming’ (Matthew 25:13 NKJV).
Can we still be saved during the Tribulation?
Yes, salvation is still available during those seven years, but at the price of great suffering and ultimate beheading, according to Revelation 20:4:
Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands (NKJV).
Accept Christ today. Listen! He is knocking at the door.
‘Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne‘ (Revelation 3:19b-21 NKJV).
Dear Father God, thank You for the door of Your holy kingdom, open to believers like the wise virgins but closed to the foolish ones. May unbelievers open the door of their hearts and invite You in, for the days are short and the return of our Bridegroom is imminent. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The Wise and Foolish Virgins by Karen Jurgens copyright ©2025 All rights reserved.
