The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five
were foolish.
3They that
were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9But 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.
10And 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.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
The oil is forgiveness from God. The worthy sinner gives forgiveness to others, but people cannot give to others forgiveness from God. The Five Foolish Virgins (
FFV) lost their oil (forgiveness) because they fell asleep (sinned) and wanted mercy from the Five Wise Virgins (
FWV), but FWV could not give them mercy because only God gives mercy for sin.
The FWV said to the FFV, "go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves" which was a test. The FFV failed the test, rather than asking the Bridegroom (
BG) for more oil and standing watch for His arrival, they left and went asking others for help. The test was to see their faith in the BG because the FFV were supposed to ask God for forgiveness from Heaven and not humans for forgiveness.
The reason the FWV were let into the marriage was because they did not fall asleep (sin) and they were waiting for the BG. The FFV should have waited for the BG to come to ask for more oil (forgiveness), but instead they went looking for forgiveness elsewhere. Mercy is a blessing from God and God will have mercy on repentant people.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins, in summary, is that Jesus will recognize forgiveness and sin. If you fall asleep then ask God for more oil. Don't go looking elsewhere for oil. Have faith in Jesus and keep watching for Him and ask forgiveness if you sin. Under no circumstances is someone supposed to stop watching for the BG or not confess their sin(s) to God.