The "oil" is something external that had to be secured, which I would suggest, in a context that includes all relevant New Testament passages, is a reference to the Holy Spirit.
The parable applies to Kingdom (millennial) entrance, rather than having a Rapture context. The one demand for entrance is that one is born again, not that they are born again and meeting a specific quota of good works.
God bless.[/QUOTE
Good day P1lgrim1,
"The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ "
"The virgins
who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet (Rev.19:7-8). And the door was shut."
"Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!" But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you"
"Therefore
keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour"
Therefore, by looking at the entire parable, the "Oil" represents watchful, readiness. An example of those five virgins without oil would be those believers who would have gone back into the world, living according to the sinful nature and were no longer watching for nor anticipating the Lord's return, but were caught up in the cares of this life.
The parable applies to Kingdom (millennial) entrance, rather than having a Rapture context.
There is really nothing in the parable that would specifically be referring to it as the millennial period, but it fits perfectly with what will happen to those who will have received Christ and will not be ready when the Bridegroom comes to take his Bride to the Father's house. After sealing the covenant with the Church (his Bride), Jesus (the Bridegroom) ascended to His Father’s home to prepare a dwelling place. Just prior to His death, Jesus told His disciples, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:1-3).
According to Jewish marriage law, when the time came for
nisuin, the groom would return for his bride, accompanied by male escorts. The exact time of his arrival was not usually known in advance (see Matt.25:1-15). The groom’s arrival was announced with a shout. The Church’s Bridegroom has been separated from His Bride now for nearly 2,000 years, and one day He will come for her and snatch her from the earth to meet Him in the air (1 Thes.4:17). We don’t know when exactly this will happen;
we must be ready and remain faithful (Luke 21:34-36). Jesus will be accompanied by an angelic escort, preceded by a shout, when He returns for the Church (1 Thes.4:16).
After being whisked from her home, the Jewish bride remained hidden at the groom’s father’s house for seven days. Similarly, the Church will remain “hidden” for a period of seven years, during the prophesied Tribulation period. After the seven days, the Jewish bride left the bridal chamber unveiled; likewise, after seven years the Church will return to earth with Christ, in full view of all (Col.3:4).
In conclusion, the parable of the ten virgins is a perfect fit for the event of the resurrection and catching away, where Jesus as the Bridegroom comes for his Bride, the Church, to take her back to his Father's house.