Jesus' Life and Ministry/Continue with The Wise and Foolish Virgins

In the illustration, the ten virgins go out with the  purpose of welcoming the bridegroom and of joining the wedding procession. When he arrives, they will light the processional route with their lamps, thus honoring him as he brings his bride into the house prepared for her. However, Jesus  explains: "The foolish took their lamps but took no oil with them, whereas the discreet took oil in their receptacles with their lamps.  While the bridegroom was delaying, they all nodded and went to sleep." 

The extended delay of the bridegroom indicates that Christ's presence as ruling King is to be the distant future.  He finally comes to his throne in the year 1914.  During the long night prior thereto, all the virgins fall asleep . But they are not condemned for this. The condemnation  of the foolish virgins is for their not having oil for their receptacles. Jesus explains how the virgins awake before the bridegroom arrives:  "Right in the middle of the night  there arose a cry,  'Here is the bridegroom!  Be on your way out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and put their lamps in order. The foolish said to the discreet, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are about to go out.' The discreet answered with the words, 'Perhaps there may not be quite enough for us and you. Be on your way, instead to those who sell it and buy for yourselves.

The oil symbolizes that which keep true Christians shining as illuminators, namely the inspired Word of God, on which they keep a tight grip, together with the holy spirit, which helps in understanding that Word. The spiritual oil enables the discreet virgins to shed forth light in welcoming the bridegroom during the procession to the marriage feast. But the foolish virgin class do not have in themselves the receptacles , the needed spiritual oil. So Jesus describes  what happens: 

Next time: Jesus' Life and Ministry/ Conclusion of The Wise and Foolish Virgins

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