Many Christians will open their Bibles and start to read Matthew 25:1 without understanding that this was originally written as a scroll. Matthew did not add his name to every verse, nor were the original scrolls numbered with chapters and verses; these were added around 1560 AD.

The reason why we are pointing this out is because the very first word of Matthew 25:1 is “Then.” If we were reading the original scrolls, we’re completely certain that Matthew 25 is a continuation of what Jesus was teaching in Matthew 24.

Let’s look at some key phrases in Matthew 24 and see how they relate to Matthew 25. The only difference is the two types of people: in Matthew 24 are the saved and lost, and in Matthew 25 are the saved and those who fell away.

But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth; (Matthew 24:48)

Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (Matthew 25:5)

Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44)

But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. (Matthew 25:6)

the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, (Matthew 24:50)

Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:13)

When trying to understand Jesus’ parables, we need to let scripture interpret scripture.

knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. (2 Peter 1:20)

The 10 Virgins

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (Matthew 25:1)

The virgins are “they that were not defiled with women”

These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4)

“Defiled with women” is defiled with religions

The lamp is “Thy Word.”

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet; And light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

The wise and foolish

Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: (Matthew 7:24)

And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: (Matthew 7:26)

Jesus wouldn’t give a parable about “buying” the Holy Spirit, for we already have an account against such thing:

Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. (Acts 8:18-20)

This is one of the reasons that a pre-tribulation rapture teaching is a salvation issue, because many Christians are told we will not be here and we don’t need to take extra faith (oil) because we will already be gone. This parable is a direct warning to prepare your faith until midnight (the darkest hour).

The Bridegroom is Jesus

But the days will come; and when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then will they fast in those days. (Luke 5:35)

The Oil

And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (Matthew 25:2-4)

We must examine the scriptures in detail to fully understand what the oil represents because this symbol is not as clear as others. So let’s look at a few verses and see what makes the most sense.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (James 5:14)

It isn’t the cross itself that saved us; it is what Jesus did that saved us. The oil itself won’t heal you; it is applying it in faith that will heal you.

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. (Luke 8:48)

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. (Mark 6:13)

If the lamp is the Word, then you should have oil, which is faith in the Word. Having faith in the Word is oil in your lamps. Jesus would not relate a parable about going to “them that sell” and “buying” the Holy Spirit. But you can buy oil and apply in it in faith; however, it was too late for them.

Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. (Matthew 25:5-8)

They didn’t expect the bridegroom to tarry, so their faith flickered until it ran out; they wanted the faith of the wise. They had oil in their lamps but took no extra. If this is the Holy Spirit who guides us, He would have guided them to take more of Him. To make the oil the Holy Spirit isn’t logical.

And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matthew 25:10-12)

After they went and bought more oil and came back, if you make this the Holy Spirit, they came back with Him and Jesus wouldn’t let them in. Does that make sense?

If the oil is faith, even with faith it’s too late, like when you see Him coming in the clouds. If the oil is the Holy Spirit, it would never be too late and surely Jesus wouldn’t say to someone with the Holy Spirit, “I know you not.”

Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:13)

The difference in Matthew 24 is the wicked say Jesus isn’t coming anytime soon. Matthew 25 are the saved who say the opposite: He will come very soon.

But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth; and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he expecteth not, and in an hour when he knoweth not, (Matthew 24:48-50)

Matthew 25 are the saved who say the opposite: He will come very soon. They have already gone out to meet Him and had to keep their lamps (faith) burning bright.

Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (Matthew 25:5)

This is one of the reasons that a pretribulation rapture teaching is a salvation issue, because many Christians are told we will not be here and you don’t need to take extra faith (oil) with you because we will already be gone. This parable is a direct warning to prepare your faith.

Do you have this much faith?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)

We do. In all these things, we are more than conquerors!

If you run out of faith, you have no grace.

for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Ephesians 2:8)

who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:5-7)

For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. (Hebrews 4:2)

Keep your lamp full and burning bright, and don’t hide it.

And no man, when he hath lighted a lamp, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but putteth it on a stand, that they that enter in may see the light. (Luke 8:16)