The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom." Sounds pretty good so far- ALL these virgins were making there way to the bridegroom.

"Now five of them were wise and five were foolish (Jesus instructs us to prepare, gird ourselves and serve Him). Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish (unprepared) said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out'. But the wise answered, saying, 'no lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy (now trying to GET prepared), 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.' Watch, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."

It seems to me this parable is about our current state of readiness which is a function of our desire for intimacy with Him. In the end, it made little difference to the bridegroom that the unwise (unprepared) virgins knew of him; or that they moved in his direction when they heard of his coming; or that they tried to get ready to come to him after they found themselves unprepared. No, the bridegroom in the parable was interested in the virgins who had BEEN ready for him to come. Apparently the wise virgins had done everything they understood to do so, when the bridegroom came, they were ready to go to him!

Review the scripture and ask the Lord to reveal to you your state of readiness. When He comes for His Church, you will be glad you asked and that He will be pleased to have you.