Let’s read that portion.  Matthew 25:1-13 says, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (NKJV)

This parable of the Ten Virgins is very instructive for us.  As we read in verse 2, “And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”  We understand this to mean while all ten of the virgins seemingly ‘went forth to meet the bridegroom,’ five of them were ‘wise unto salvation’ (2 Timothy 3:15), while five of them were not.  We learn in this parable that not all who profess to be saved are truly saved.  When it came time to go out to meet the bridegroom, the five foolish virgins found that their lamps were burning out for they had no oil.

In type, the oil represents the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer on the Lord Jesus Christ.  We read in Ephesians 1:13, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, HAVING BELIEVED, YOU WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE.”  When it came time to meet the bridegroom (the Lord Jesus) the five foolish, or unsaved ones, had no oil.  They did not have the Holy Spirit for they were not truly born again.  They tried to buy oil (the Holy Spirit).  This shows they had no idea of how to receive the Holy Spirit, thus indicating their ignorance of true salvation. 

This is a wonderful lesson about the danger of simply professing, or claiming, to be saved when you are not.  We read of a dreadful incident that will occur when the Lord returns.  Matthew 7:21-23 tells us, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”  Many will claim to be saved because of the works they have performed.  Even as they stand before the Lord, they will insist upon their right to enter heaven because of their works.  Titus 3:5 makes it very clear that we cannot earn our salvation based upon our works.  That says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”  For those who merely profess faith in the Lord Jesus, they will one day hear those dreadful words from the lips of the Lord Jesus, “I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.” 

The parable of the ten virgins also contain some excellent dispensational lessons for us, but I will limit my thoughts to the importance of truly knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, and not merely claiming to be saved because of the works you have done.  Isaiah 64:6 tells us that, “all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags.”  We cannot be saved based upon our own efforts.

In our parable, we notice that the five foolish virgins were left behind when the bridegroom came.  They had waited too late.  How about you, my friend, are you still waiting to be saved?  2 Corinthians 6:2 pleads with you, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”  Do not delay.  Put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ today…before it is eternally too late.  (423.6)