ARTICLE: The Ten Virgins - 5 in Readiness and 5 unprepared
(Which set of virgins do you currently stand with in these last days?)

May Father's people have ears to hear and feet that will not hesitate when the Holy Spirit of God gives divine instruction and be obedient and direction when Father says "Move".

Question: "What is the meaning of the Parable of the Ten Virgins?"

Answer: As we take a good look at the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), we must acknowledge up front that there has been much debate as to the meaning of these words of our Savior. At least one aspect of this parable can be known with absolute certainty. The bridegroom is Jesus Christ, and this parable describes His return. Both the Old Testament (Isaiah 54:4-6; 62:4-5; Hosea 2:19) and the New Testament (John 3:27-30; Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19-20) represent the Messiah as a bridegroom. Both God’s people Israel and the Church are described in Scripture as the bride (Ephesians 5:25-32) for the Messiah.

The historical setting can also be known with a fair amount of certainty. In describing a first-century Jewish wedding, D.A. Carson in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary describes the setting this way: “Normally the bridegroom with some close friends left his home to go to the bride’s home, where there were various ceremonies, followed by a procession through the streets – after nightfall – to his home. The ten virgins may be bridesmaids who have been assisting the bride; and they expect to meet the groom as he comes from the bride’s house…Everyone in the procession was expected to carry his or her own torch. Those without a torch would be assumed to be party crashers or even brigands. The festivities, which might last several days, would formally get under way at the groom’s house.” The torch was either a lamp with a small oil tank and wick or a stick with a rag soaked in oil on the end of it which would require occasional re-soaking to maintain the flame.

Of interpretive significance is which return of Christ is this? Is it His return for the rapture of the Church, or is it His return to set up the Millennial Kingdom at the end of the Tribulation? Dispensational scholars divide over this issue, and no attempt will be made to answer that question here. Regardless of which return it is, the lessons to be learned are relevant to both.

The overall and easily seen thrust of the parable is that Christ will return at an unknown hour and that His people must be ready. Being ready means preparing for whatever contingency arises in our lives and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus at all times while we eagerly await His coming. As seen in the fact that all the virgins were sleeping when the call came indicates that it doesn’t matter what we are doing when Christ returns. We may be working, eating, sleeping, or pursuing leisure activities. Whatever it is, we must be doing it in such a way that we don’t have to “make things right” (get more oil) when He comes. This would apply to either the coming of Christ for His Church or for the Tribulation saints as they await His second coming.

Being ready for Christ’s return ultimately involves one major thing which manifests itself in several areas of our lives. If we would be ready for Christ’s return, we must be born again through saving faith in Jesus Christ…His death, burial and literal resurrection from the dead (John 3:16; 14:6; Romans 10:9 and 10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:1-10). Saving faith in Jesus Christ will manifest itself in every aspect of our lives. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) will begin to show. A desire for greater holiness and less sin will be apparent. And a consistent looking for His coming will mark our lives. One of the best passages articulating what saving grace and faith look like in a believer’s life is Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

The five virgins who have the extra oil represent the truly born again who are looking with eagerness to the coming of Christ. They have saving faith and have determined that, whatever occurs, be it lengthy time or adverse circumstances, when Jesus returns, they will be looking with eagerness. The five virgins without the oil represent false believers who enjoy the benefits of the Christian community without true love for Christ. They are more concerned about the party than about longing to see the bridegroom. Their hope is that their association with true believers (“give us some of your oil” of verse 8) will bring them into the kingdom at the end. This, of course, is never the case. One person’s faith in Jesus cannot save another. The “Lord, lord” and “I do not know you” of verses 11 and 12 fit very well with Jesus’ condemnation of the false believers of Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

May we not be found “going away to make the purchase” (v. 10) when Christ returns. Take the time now to fill your lamp with oil and take extra along. Keep waiting and watching with joy and anticipation.

Father is strongly encouraging His Children to be ready with the "oil" (The anointing and signifying your divine invitation)- this also signifies our need to be in a state of readiness for Jesus Christ (The Bridegroom) who is coming back VERY SOON I have recently been privy to parents who, when telling their young children that "Jesus is coming back", they hear their young children (ages 3 and 4 years old) telling their parents that "Jesus is already standing at the door mommy and daddy"...there are MANY true believers and followers in Christ who are saying the same thing. It is great to declare MARANATHA - Jesus come quickly! We all desire to see the Second Coming of Christ and even the rapture, which will also occur on Father's timing, however, there still is a great harvest of lost souls who have yet come into the Kingdom of Father because the harvest is great but the workers are few. We can not sit around staring at the sky and allow lost sous around us to just wander aimlessly because we are too busy "being so heavenly minded that we are no longer earthly good". May we ALL be found in harvesting the field(s) Father has assigned to us in the Call He has placed in our lives-- when Jesus Christ comes back. What a glorious thing to happen if we are leading a lost soul in the Sinner's Prayer and Jesus returns and finds faith in His people upon His return. Hallelujah! Here's a nugget - a thought - what if your obedience in sharing Jesus Christ with a lost soul and their accepting Christ and they just happen to be that one last person God has been waiting to come to Him - and THEN in seeing this, He says, "Son, Go and get my People!!" Our obedience could truly lead to the Angel who is assigned to sound that final Trumpet, to usher in the Second Coming of The King of Kings and Lord of Lords!! Now this is an awesome thought to contemplate - is it not?

In conclusion, I pose the question that is the very title of this article: The Ten Virgins - 5 in Readiness and 5 Unprepared:
(Which set of virgins do you currently stand with in these last days?) And I add this as a coattail thought: Are you even awake and do you discern that you and I are truly living in these last days and Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom is coming for His Bride? The concern Father expresses in the five virgins who were not found with adequate oil in their lamps--we find a great similarity when Jesus asked His disciples to stay awake and pray while He was off alone in the presence of His Father. Each time He came back to these disciples He found them asleep and He questioned them, "Could you not stay awake in prayer during this hour of My need? (paraphrased). Just as Jesus found His disciples, those hand-picked men who had walked and worked side by side with Jesus in His earth ministry, were found struggling with staying awake and in prayer--we also see the five virgins who were found "asleep" in a sense with unreadiness (with insufficient oil for their lamps)-- in both scenarios, these were individuals who loved Jesus Christ with all of their lives-- they knew what Jesus was requiring of them, and yet, they were found unprepared and not in the position of readiness. My beloved brothers and sisters, may we all be found awake and possessing adequate provisions because we are hearing, with great clarity, the divine instructions and the leading of the Holy Spirit of God. It is not time to be sleeping and slacking off in gathering the "oil" God is clearly pouring out adequate "Oil" in the lives of His Children. It is our responsibility "to trim the wicks" and maintain proper care of our "lamps" (Oil is the anointing and the Lamp is the Word of God). Are we properly maintaining proper care and safeguard the "anointing" and "The Word" of God in our lives. Only those who are in position and are in a stance of readiness -- being in tune to ALL Father is speaking through His servants in these last days-- through His end-time Prophets and Prophetess' and through those who testify to the divine dreams and visions they have been given. There is a common "voice" and "trumpet call" that is echoing from the Heart of Father, throughout the Valley of Dry Bones and lost souls. Father says in Acts 2:17 "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."

For those who have ears to hear, please hear what the Spirit of Father is speaking "for such a time as this". Be strong, bold and courageous and GOD WILL GO WITH YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO! In addition, my beloved, add truth and divine wisdom to your obedience to the Holy Spirit's instruction and leading. Love, blessings and prayers always my family and friends. I love you very much and look forward to standing with you in all that Father has for us to accomplish in these last days. A Great Revival is coming and will arise up out the rubble and debris - (The Holy Spirit - October 2015).

I humbly come before your throne Father, in Jesus' name-- Father I pray that I and my brothers and sister in Christ are found ready with adequate oil in our lamps, awake, alert and in prayer, that YOUR WILL be done "on earth as it is in heaven"-- everything bel done in accordance with ALL that you have predestined and declared in these last days-- orchestrated by your hand and in your commands Father. In the same fashion in which you spoke everything into existence, even before the beginning of time, in this same power, let it be as You declare!. Please Father, keep your Children in divine safety, supernatural provision, and may You continue to be faithful in all that You have predetermined in accordance with The Book of Daniel and Revelation and all other Holy Scriptures in Your Word. May WE, your Children, find great refuge, safety and blessed assurance as we cling to you as Children who find great comfort and love in the Arms our heavenly Father. We love you Abba Daddy. Amen & Selah!

On behalf of all of your children,

11-5-15 J.