b Foolish took no oil.

a Prudent took oil.

C1  5.  Where they were alike. They all slumbered and

A2  6.  The ten virgins bidden to `go forth' to meet the Bridegroom

(exerchomai).

C2  7.  Where they were alike. They all arose and trimmed.

a The foolish ask for oil.

B2  8,9.  Where they differed.

b The prudent refuse.

A3  10. The five unready ones `went away' to buy (aperchomai).

The Bridegroom `came' (erchomai).

B3  10.

C3  10. The door was shut.

A4  10. The five ready ones `went in' to the marriage (eiserchomai).

The others `came' (erchomai).

B4  11.

C4  11. Open to us.

The parable opens with a note of time - then. The loose way in which this word is used in English has prevented

many from seeing this parable in its true place. It does not say that all through the history of the Christian Church

this has been the state of affairs, but it says, `Then, at that time, the kingdom of the heavens will become like ten

virgins'. It is important to remember that the Lord is still answering the question of the disciples raised in 24:3.

They asked, `When?' and `What?' `When shall these things be?' and `What shall be the sign of Thy coming, and

(what shall be the sign) of the suntelia (that period which is the gathering point of all things just before the end,

telos) of the age?'. Matthew 24 and 25 supply the answers to these questions.

The `When' is answered in verses 5-14 by `Then shall the end come', and in verse 21, `Then shall be great

tribulation'. The `What' as to the sign of the Lord's coming is answered in verse 27 by, `As the lightning cometh

out of the east, and shineth even unto the west', and in verses 27-31 fuller details of the effect in the heavens are

given. These answer the question concerning the sign of His coming. The `What' as to the ending of the age is

answered in the parable of the Fig Tree and the type of Noah. The Lord expands this section in the parable we are

considering, and so The Ten Virgins commences, `Then will the kingdom of the heavens be likened unto ten

virgins'. Then at that time, in the days when the fig tree has put forth its leaves, and the days of Noah are being

re-enacted, then the kingdom of the heavens will be comparable to ten virgins who took their lamps, and went out to

meet the bridegroom. Notice the statements: they took their lamps; they went out with the express object of meeting

the bridegroom. There is no suggestion that the five foolish virgins were not as earnest as the wise. There is no

suggestion that they were hypocrites or unbelievers. The whole point is that they were unready, unprepared - a

warning not to sinners, but rather to saints.

The change from servants to virgins is also suggestive. Revelation 14:4 shows that in the Scriptures the title

virgin may be applied to either sex, and indicates chastity and purity. Further, as immorality will have reached a

fearful depth and will constitute once more a part of the religion of the end time, a very real separation is evidenced

by the word. Yet further, the word is in some measure equivalent to the Old Testament reference to Noah, who was

`perfect in his pedigree'. The virgins of Revelation 14 have the Father's name written in their foreheads, in strong

contrast to the idolatrous worshippers of the beast who have the number of the beast in their right hand, or forehead

(Rev. 13:16). The reference to the teaching of Balaam (Rev. 2:14), and Jezebel (Rev. 2:20), beside the fearful things

said of the woman, Babylon, all point to the same end. The kingdom of the heavens at that time will be found only

among a separate people who are `virgins'. The point of the parable is not questioning their virginity, nor their

intentions, but their failure, their failure to watch.

Not every one who is a subject of the kingdom of the heavens will enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb.

They that are ready go in. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 we have the hope of the believers of that period set out, and it

includes a `meeting' of the Lord in the air. Chapter 5 immediately develops along the line of Matthew 24 and 25.

There we read of the `coming as a thief in the night'; there, as in the days of Noah, when they say peace and safety,

sudden destruction is at hand and escape is impossible. Watchfulness is urged in contrast to sleeping and drinking,

just as in Matthew 24. Further, life together with the Lord is in no wise connected with watchfulness or sleepiness,

just as readiness or unreadiness in no wise alters the virginity of those who went out to meet the Lord. This