The Wise & Foolish Virgins: End-Times Preparedness
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
The Parable of the Virgins
A Call to Preparedness
Jesus teaches a parable of readiness in Matthew 25:1–13 (KJV). “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom,” it begins. Five virgins were wise, carrying oil with their lamps, but the other five were foolish and unprepared, not taking any oil.
The Bridegroom’s coming was then announced, and the foolish virgins weren’t ready, but the wise were. Our Lord Jesus Christ will return at an unknown hour, and like the wise virgins, we need to be ready. End-times preparedness isn’t a last-minute effort but a life of faith and holiness, built upon the anointing “oil” of the Holy Spirit.
The Cost of Foolishness
The parable continues, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.” The foolish virgins’ lamps failed while the bridegroom was approaching. Their lack of oil for their lamps, which is the anointing of the Spirit, left them blinded and unprepared.
The wise couldn’t share their oil, as the anointing is personal and cultivated over time in a life of faith. Neglecting prayer, Scripture, holiness, and spiritual preparedness leaves us blind to the Lord’s coming and exposed to the end-times judgments. We can’t borrow another’s anointing and spiritual preparedness, as we must cultivate our own.
The Bridegroom Arrives
The parable then reveals, “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.” The arrival of the Bridegroom is the return of Jesus. The wise entered the marriage supper, but the foolish were locked out as they scrambled to “buy” oil trying to obtain the anointing and prepare.
This sobering truth reminds us that the door of salvation won’t stay open forever. Preparedness means living daily in the Spirit, alert in anticipation, and aligned with God’s will in Scripture, so we’re not caught unprepared for Jesus’ return.
Stay Prepared
Today, be a wise virgin. Keep your lamp burning with prayer, faith, and holiness. Don’t let spiritual carelessness leave you unprepared and lacking the Spirit. Live for Christ’s return, trusting His power to sustain you. Watch and prepare, for the Bridegroom is imminent.
OFG Prayer of Faith
Our Father in Heaven,
Thank You for calling me to preparedness. Fill me with Your Spirit, keeping my faith strong and my lamp burning. Help me live watchful and obedient, ready for Christ’s return.
In Jesus’ mighty name I pray, Amen.
