Slow down on the pride accusation lest you be guilty of pride of ignorance. 
There is not a debate about this. The Jewish custom of the friends of the young female unmarried friends of the Bridegroom waiting in a location to join the procession with lamps lit is a known custom and all young unmarried females were called virgins. It was what they were called. We must look it in the culture of the times. People are making too much of the word virgin not realizing that all unmarried young women were assumed to be virgins in ancient near east Jewish culture.
People in this thread that keep assuming that the 10 virgins are 10 brides about to be married by one man are making a mistake based on lack of reading on the subject of Jewish wedding customs. This custom has been written about for thousands of years and I don't understand why they are so confused about it, or can't find the resources necessary to educate themselves.
It is a good example of how easy strange teachings get started based on lack of background information and a good reason people should read commentaries and other Bible helps that fill in background information that the writers of the bible assumed their audience would know since these customs were familiar to the hearers.
The Bride did not wait for the Groom with the need to come out with a lamp lit. That was not part of the custom. That custom was for those entering into the procession. The Bride was not required to have a lit lamp. But anyone can read commentaries and books and learn this. Don't go making up allegorical meanings based on erroneous reasonings and say that the Spirit showed it to you or you will have to confess that you were wrong when you find out about the known custom of the young unmarried female friends of the Bridegroom who waiting in one location together were never with the actual Bride who was in another location.
There is not a debate about this. The Jewish custom of the friends of the young female unmarried friends of the Bridegroom waiting in a location to join the procession with lamps lit is a known custom and all young unmarried females were called virgins. It was what they were called. We must look it in the culture of the times. People are making too much of the word virgin not realizing that all unmarried young women were assumed to be virgins in ancient near east Jewish culture.People in this thread that keep assuming that the 10 virgins are 10 brides about to be married by one man are making a mistake based on lack of reading on the subject of Jewish wedding customs. This custom has been written about for thousands of years and I don't understand why they are so confused about it, or can't find the resources necessary to educate themselves.
It is a good example of how easy strange teachings get started based on lack of background information and a good reason people should read commentaries and other Bible helps that fill in background information that the writers of the bible assumed their audience would know since these customs were familiar to the hearers.
The Bride did not wait for the Groom with the need to come out with a lamp lit. That was not part of the custom. That custom was for those entering into the procession. The Bride was not required to have a lit lamp. But anyone can read commentaries and books and learn this. Don't go making up allegorical meanings based on erroneous reasonings and say that the Spirit showed it to you or you will have to confess that you were wrong when you find out about the known custom of the young unmarried female friends of the Bridegroom who waiting in one location together were never with the actual Bride who was in another location.
I agree that it is important to understand the "earthly" cultures and times surrounding the parables that Jesus taught but, remember He would speak in parables to hide spiritual truths from the proud and reveal them to babes because understanding of God's Word is only given by the Holy Spirit.
The MAIN point of the parable of the 10 virgins is to be ready at the Lord's return and the only way to be ready is to have oil in our lamp which is the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 25:1-13 King James Version (KJV)
25 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
You and I may continue to disagree but, I also know you and I are also mature and walk in love towards each other. I do NOT consider you prideful, I just want to encourage you to rely more on the Holy Spirit.
Look at all the studying and application that Paul did as Saul, yet his encounter with Jesus Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit.......changed everything he had learned as a Pharisee.
