I will only be answering numbers 1 and 3, for nothing is said in the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 about “darkness.”

Are 5 of the ten virgins unbelievers? Yes, they are. Let’s read verses 1-4, “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.” If we read the rest of the passage we know that this parable represents “those who profess to know the Lord and are waiting for Him to come.” The “lamps” speak of a testimony for the Lord, for Jesus told believers in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they LIGHT A LAMP and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The “oil” for the lamps speaks of the “Holy Spirit” who empowers the believer to be a good testimony for Christ. I would encourage you to read the following verses which teach this truth: John 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1;13; 1^st John 2:20 & 27; and 2^nd Corinthians 1:21-22. As we saw, the “5 foolish virgins took no oil” which means they were “mere PROFESSORS” while the “5 wise virgins took oil in their vessels” which means they were “true BELIEVERS.”

Is this parable speaking of the time of the Rapture? I believe it is, though many respected Bible teachers believe it is referring to the time of the Revelation of Jesus Christ when He will return at the “end of the Jewish age” to establish His kingdom on earth. Before I give my reasons for believing the Rapture is in view, I will point out why some believe it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ that is before us in the parable. Their main reason hinges on the first word of the parable, for they believe the word “Then” takes us back to Matthew chapter 24 where the Lord was indeed speaking of the “end of the Jewish age” (see verse 3) and “His coming in power and glory to establish His kingdom” (see verses 15-44).

They also look at some Bible translations (i.e. the Syriac and Vulgate versions) that end the first verse by saying, “went forth to meet the bridegroom AND THE BRIDE.” This, they say, is conclusive, for” the Church is waiting for the Bridegroom to take them home to heaven where they will be married to the Lamb” (see Revelation 19:7-9), so the wise virgins must speak of the Jewish Remnant who will “meet the Bridegroom and the Bride when Christ comes to reign.” They also look at some translations where verse 13 reads, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour IN WHICH THE SON OF MAN IS COMING.” If this was the true translation it would indeed be speaking of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, for the words “Son of Man” do refer to His coming to earth to rule as the “Son of David” and the “Son of Man.”

Now let’s consider reasons why the Rapture is in view. I believe the word “Then” refers to Matthew 24:45-51 (and NOT verses 15-44), which is a parable dealing with the present Church (Christian) age and deals then with “Christian profession.” I believe the parable of the Ten Virgins is teaching us the same thing, that there are those who “profess to be saved and waiting for Christ to return” but their testimony (or lack thereof) proves if they are real believers or mere professors. I would like to offer two strong reasons for this view.

1) It is only during the present “Church Age” where the Holy Spirit indwells believers (remember, the “oil in the vessels” speaks of the Spirit being given to believers today to empower them for witnessing, as you will see if you look up the passages I encouraged you to read).

2) In the parable it says, “But while the bridegroom DELAYED, THEY ALL SLUMBERED AND SLEPT.” This surely implies a LONG PERIOD OF TIME where those who professed to be waiting for the Lord to come grew impatient and fell asleep spiritually. History bears out that after the Lord Jesus went back to heaven professing Christians quit looking for His coming. This is borne out in their writings and even in their behavior for they became more “earthly-minded” by involving themselves in politics and other worldly ventures. Yet in time the truth of His coming was revived in the 1800s; this is the “Midnight cry” spoken of in verse 6 of the parable. If this parable represents the “Jewish age” and the 5 wise virgins the “Jewish remnant of believers,” it is very hard to believe that they would grow impatient and worldly within a short seven-year period (the “length of the Tribulation Period” spoken of in Matthew 24:1-26). No, at that time the Jewish remnant will be zealous for the Lord and will “preach the gospel of the kingdom” right up to the time of Christ’s coming (see 24:9-14). I might add that the Jewish remnant is never told to be looking for Christ to come as the BRIDEGROOM, but as their MESSIAH, the “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (see Revelation 19:11-16).

Regarding the last words in verse 1 and verse 13 that are found in the Syriac and Vulgate versions, more reliable translations (the NASB, ASV and DARBY) omit those words altogether. So, believers today are told to “go forth to meet the Bridegroom” and we are to “watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.” Both phrases can and do refer to the time of the Rapture.  (DO)  (600.3)