Each of the four Gospels in the New Testament have a specific focus and different perspectives on the events during Jesus’ Earthly ministry showing us a complete package of truths about the Gospel. In Matthew, Jesus was primarily focused on the Jewish peoples who were believing that the way to be justified with God is by keeping the Law of Moses, which including the Ten Commandments has 613 rules to follow. Keeping them all is REQUIRED for justification and it is clear that it would be a most impossible task to keep them all. Jesus’ brother James even states so in James 2:10,
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10 KJV)
When we are reading Matthew 24 and 25, we need to keep this perspective in sharp focus to see the Prophecies correctly, watching the context closely. The Gospel according to Matthew is aimed primarily at Israel as God’s people, at the Jew, the person familiar with the Old Testament. In Matthew, we see time and time again, that the focus of Jesus teachings is to thwart the wrong idea that Law following will make a person righteous. That is why Jesus is shown to be the Son of David in Matthew (Isaiah 11:1; Matthew 1:1). This unique title shows that Matthew is also about the Kingdom Age to come as Jesus will one day sit on The Throne of David as a fulfilled prophecy to Israel in particular. The Church has NOT replaced Israel as some are teaching in reformed theology today. God gave specific promises to Israel and they have not all been fulfilled. In fact, these promises are not for the Church Age believers but for Israel in the End Times.
In Matthew 24, Jesus was asked by His disciples,
“…Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3 KJV)
At this point, all the disciple knew about was the foretold coming of Messiah and His Earthly Kingdom Age to come. This Kingdom Age is what the disciples were asking Jesus about. At that point in time, the idea of a Harpazo Rapture was not even known. The risen Christ did not reveal that until after His ascension when He gave the knowledge of the Rapture as a “mystery” revealed to Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 15:51). So Matthew 24 is not addressed to Church Age believers between the cross and the day of the Harpazo Rapture; the quick and forceful snatching away of Church Age believers to meet the Lord in the air. The very context shows this to be truth as well and so Matthew 24, and even Matthew 25, is NOT addressed to the Bride of Christ. Instead it is directed to the Jewish people (and all Gentiles alive at this future time) just prior to, during and after the time of Jacobs Trouble, what we refer to today as The Tribulation Period, and in specific the last 3 1/2 years called The Great Tribulation Period, as foretold through Daniel’s 70 week prophecy from the Old Testament and the Book Of Revelation. The Rapture event will happen before this 7 year period of time begins. The Bride of Christ will be removed before we see the bulk of Matthew 24 and 25 even occurring. A close look at the context makes this truth even more clear. when we keep to a literal interpretation of Scripture.
There are many pulpits and believers teaching that Matthew 25 is all about the Rapture of Church Age believers. Yet, the context shows otherwise. The Parable of the Ten Virgins is not about the Bride of Christ nor the Rapture. The Sheep and Goats Judgment is not about the Bride of Christ either. Just one word, the very first word of Matthew 25 proves the context is not about the Rapture nor the Bride of Christ.
“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.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out 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 gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 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.
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.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:1-14 KJV)
At first glance one might conclude this parable is talking about the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of believers in Christ. However, after closer inspection we can see clearly that this parable is given to those who were left behind at the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of church age believers and Israel left behind at the Rapture. It is referring to those living in what the Bible calls The Tribulation Period, the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week prophesy. A 7 year period of time in the end times between the Pre-Tribulation Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ with His Bride (saved church age believers; us today who believe on Christ for salvation).
Matthew 25 starts with the very first word being, “–THEN–“. I ask you, when is the then? The very first word is showing a very clear context not to be ignored. Remember that the book of Matthew was one continuous work and chapters were added later to the Bible for our referencing. So when is the then? We need to go back into Matthew 24 and follow it back to verse 29:
“Immediately —AFTER THE TRIBULATION– of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:” (Matthew 24:29 KJV)
Matthew 25 and The Parable of the Ten Virgins is all about and addressing the survivors of the Tribulation Period and not the Church. The parable is not referring to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture at the end of the Church Age, even though many pulpits are teaching such. They are ignoring the very context of the very first word in Matthew 25.
A Quick Brief Overview From Daniel’s Timeline Prophecy Of Human History
If we look at Daniel’s End Time Portion of the 70 weeks that God revealed to him to write down for us today to understand (Daniel did not understand the prophecy but God said it is for those living in the last days to understand), we see that Messiah would be ‘cut off’ and this happened at the exact time Daniel wrote down when Christ died on the cross and paid for the sins of the whole world. This happened at the end of the 69th week of Daniel’s prophecy. Israel had rejected Jesus as the Messiah and crucified Him. Jesus died and paid for the sins of the whole world on that cross (1 John 2:2) and He rose again, and sent His disciples to preach the Gospel of salvation and ascended to the Father.
Jesus later met Saul, the persecutor of Christians, showed him the truth and Paul was saved. Jesus then sent Paul to preach the Gospel of Grace to the Gentiles. The Jews rejected Christ and so now God turns to save the Gentiles (all non Jews). Of course, in the church age, whether a person is Jewish or Gentile; they can both be saved and become part of The Bride Of Christ. The CHURCH AGE had begun, which is a pause in Daniel’s 70 weeks of years prophecy timeline of human history. This age is the age we presently still live within and we are actually living in the very last days of the Church Age.
After the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of church age believers happens, this Church Age will end and Daniel’s 70th week will start. This will be the start of a 7 year period of time known as the Tribulation Period in which is the time of ‘Jacob’s Trouble’. (Jacob means Israel so it is Israel’s trouble’). Once Church age believers are taken off the Earth by the Lord Himself at the Pre-Tribulation Harpazo Rapture Event, He then turns back to save the remnant of Israel and anyone living at that time who will believe Christ is still to come.
We must remember that God made covenants and promises to the Jewish people. He will deliver these promises to Israel after the Rapture as well. God is handling the people of Israel (Jewish peoples) differently than the Christian believers in Christ from our current dispensation and Church Age of Grace. Believers in Christ’s act of atonement on the cross as the only means of receiving salvation will be Raptured 7 years prior to the end of the Tribulation period of the last days. The Tribulation period starts with the Antichrist making a covenant with many nations and not necessarily right at the Rapture.
Because the Jewish people are still looking for their Messiah (that is they do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah yet) they will be left behind at the Rapture just as any person that has not accepted the pardon for sin that Christ offers each of us. God will raise 144,000 Jewish believers in Christ during the Tribulation Period who will start evangelizing those left behind who will announce that Christ’s Second Coming is soon upon them.
It is to the end of the Tribulation Period that this parable in Matthew 25 is referring. Now, I know many people think this parable is all about the church and the soon coming Rapture event. Maybe you were taught that? However, it is not talking about that event. It is talking about a time AFTER the Rapture and at the end of the Tribulation Period. It is talking about those from the Tribulation Period that will be permitted (or not be permitted) to enter the Kingdom Age on Earth (the 1000 year Millennial reign of Christ on Earth starting at the Second Coming.)
Reason Why This Parable Is NOT About The Rapture Event
⇒ First, the parable is talking about “virgins” not the “Bride of Christ”.
Jesus Himself makes it very clear that believers in Christ are the BRIDE OF CHRIST. Believers are married to Christ in a very intimate way. The Holy Spirit resides within a believer and you can’t get much closer.
Many Scriptures in the Bible show the relationship between believers and Christ in our church age as a marriage relationship:
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Ephesians 5:23 KJV)
And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” (Matthew 9:15)
“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.” (John 3:29)
“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Revelation 21:2)
“Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19:9)
Paul speaking about how believers in Christ are liberated from the curse of the Law says this,
“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye SHOULD BE MARRIED TO ANOTHER, EVEN TO HIM (Jesus) who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” (Romans 7:1-4 KJV, “(Jesus)” added for clarity)
In Matthew 22, Jesus in another parable talks of a king (God) which made a marriage (with believers, the Bride of Christ), for His son (Jesus):
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding:… ” (Matthew 22:3 KJV)
After the Tribulation period and at the Second Coming of Christ there will be a “Marriage Supper” Of The Lamb (Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world). In Revelation 21, believers Raptured are called the Bride and Lamb’s wife.
“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Revelation 21:9 KJV)
There are many more examples in the Scriptures making it clear that our relationship with Jesus is that of a Bride and the Bridegroom being Jesus Christ.
⇒ Second, Believers Are Already Married to Christ at the moment of Salvation.
The parable of the Ten Virgins references “Virgins” and “Bridesmaids” but not “The Bride of Christ”. This is a key point to understanding that this parable of Jesus is not intended for the church age of grace but for the Tribulation Period of time in the last days AFTER the Rapture has already occurred.
Believers become married to Christ at the moment of Salvation when the two, become one.
“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” (John 14:16-20 KJV)
Seeing that believers are married to Christ, they are NOT virgins nor Bridesmaids. Throughout the Bible, Believers are called the Bride of Christ and not the Virgins of Christ.
Who Are The Virgins Then?
The interesting fact is that while the believers in Christ, the saved, are called The Bride Of Christ throughout the New Testament, Virgins talk about being Israel in the Old Testament, the Jewish peoples.
In fact, in Jeremiah 31 is a prophecy about the rebirth of Israel as a nation in the end times. Israel was reborn as a nation on May 15, 1948 in our present day and age and is a fulfillment and big sign that we are living in the last days of the age of grace RIGHT NOW! And since that is true, the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is even closer.
“Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O VIRGIN OF ISRAEL: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the Lord our God. For thus saith the Lord; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O Lord, save thy people, the remnant of Israel. Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
(Verse 13=>) Then shall THE VIRGIN rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.” (Jeremiah 31: 1-13 KJV)
You can see in the 13th verse it says “THEN SHALL THE VIRGIN REJOICE…”. That is all inhabitants of the end time reborn Nation of Israel are called “virgins”. The Virgins are clearly people left behind at the Rapture. This includes, the Jewish peoples and proclaiming Christians, (went to church, did good works but never accepted Christ’s atonement by faith).
Jesus warned proclaiming Christians sternly that their good works will not save them in Matthew 7:21-23, not even ‘many wonderful works’ they did in their life will save them. Instead, at the Great White Throne Judgment Seat they will hear the scariest words of all by Christ, “I never knew you” as they are condemned for rejected Christ’s gift of salvation (Eph. 2:8-9) and eternal life by belief on him (John 3:14-18, 36, John 6:37-40) and HIS ‘once for all’ final blood atonement (Hebrews 10:10) for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2).
They will have believed Satan’s greatest deception; that we are saved because we were a ‘good person’. Because they attended church services and did many wonderful works and even used the name of Jesus. Outwardly they looked like saved people but they never trusted in Christ alone for salvation. We see this is rampant in these last days in organized church religions. The false ‘Works for Salvation’ false gospel. Yes, true believers have good works but those come only from Christ living within us (Ephesians 2:10) by the new creation in our Spirit (2 Cor. 5:17-21). Our wonderful good works never save us nor keep us saved (Galatians 3, 5:4-5); only belief on Christ and HIS FINISHED WORK paying for or sins on the cross saves us.
During The Tribulation Period (after the Rapture event has occurred) the Bible describes how the Antichrist will take control of the world with a worldwide government and will eventually proclaim himself to be God. He will deceive the world into believing He is the Messiah come as prophesied. There will be Jewish and Christian (in profession only) peoples that will be deceived into believing this. Bible prophecy gives us a very clear timetable of when the Second Coming of Christ will happen but not to the precise day from the signing of the Antichrist’s covenant with many. So why is this event taking them by surprise?
God will be sending up 144,000 Jews, who become believers in Christ and Two high profile Witnesses (Moses and Elijah), with great signs and wonders, who are sent to proclaim the truth about Christ and His soon Second Coming. To preach that the Antichrist is NOT God. So to this group of believers during the Tribulation Period, it will not come as a surprise when Christ returns to the Earth.
However, for the vast majority alive during the Tribulation Period, who were deceived by the Antichrist and turned not to Christ in belief, His Second Coming will come as a complete SHOCK. They won’t be looking for Christ because they believe the Antichrist is the God-man, already come. They will in fact be shocked and later when Christ “closes the door” to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb they will realize the truth and in desperation knock on the door to enter. But it is too late and they will hear instead the words of Christ “I never KNEW you” on their judgment day.
Lamps, Oil and Extra Oil
LAMPS: The Prophetic Word Of God
To understand the parable you need to understand that the LAMP is the WORD OF GOD, or to the Jewish peoples called the “Torah” and all the prophecies about what will happen in the time of the Tribulation – just as Jesus stated in Matthew 24. Again for real understanding in God’s word, we must look at other Scriptures to see what is meant by the word LAMP.
Here is two verses telling us what the LAMP represents from the Old Testament (Torah):
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105 KJV)
“For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.” (2 Samuel 22:29 KJV)
A lamp is a LIGHT. The prophetic word of God is the lamp that shows us the truth in the darkness of the world. The Psalms have lots to say about the Tribulation period for Israel and so it is a PROPHETIC LAMP. Here in Matthew 24 and 25 it is all about the darkness of the Tribulation Period. To watch and NOT be deceived by the Antichrist. So the lamp is the PROPHETIC Word of God. Many will fall for the lie that Antichrist is God returned; their Messiah. They will think they were right that Jesus was not the Messiah 2000 years ago. And instead be deceived into believing the Antichrist is God.
The Holy Spirit within believers and working through believers, leaves Earth at the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. After that the Holy Spirit works with men as in the days of the Old Testament. Tribulation believers will not be indwelt by the Holy Spirit as we are today in the Church Age of God’s Grace, as Apostle Paul taught. And for those in the time of the Tribulation prophetically they will be taught by the 144,000 evangelists to not fall for the lie of the Antichrist.
OIL: The Holy Spirit & The Need For Enduring In Belief
What does the oil reference then? Are they willing to take heed to the PROPHETIC TRUTH of Scripture (The LAMP) regarding the Second coming of Christ or not? The LAMP holds the oil. The Lamp IS the prophetic Scripture. The 144,000 evangelists will be preaching the true prophetic Scripture to show the people not to worship the Antichrist nor take the Mark of the Beast. To tell the people not to believe the twisting of the Prophetic Scriptures which the Antichrist has been preaching. The Prophetic Scripture that Jesus is the true Messiah and He will still be coming soon. I believe that how much oil is related to how much is the nation Israel heeding the prophetic Scripture regarding this time during the Tribulation and after the Tribulation (Matthew 24:29).
You can see in Matthew 25:3 that the “foolish virgins” took their lamps. That is they studied and know that in the Torah, are PROPHETIC SCRIPTURES about the event of the Second Coming of Christ. They have the PROPHETIC WORD. But do they believe He is coming back or is the Antichrist God returned already?
In the Tribulation Period, the 144,000 Evangelized Jews believing Jesus is the TRUE Messiah, and NOT the Antichrist, will be sharing the truth of the PROPHETIC SCRIPTURE, warning the people to not be deceived by the Antichrist to take the Mark of the beast nor to worship him! That is, they were presented with the Gospel of Christ and His soon coming 1000 year Kingdom Age on Earth and believed on Christ as Lord and Savior. The foolish virgins did not believe until the end when Christ actually returns at the Second Coming event but it will be too late and they will find themselves shut out of the 1000 year Kingdom Age, the 1000 year rule of Christ on Earth.
Throughout Scripture OIL is a term used to represent the Holy Spirit. For us today, living in the Church Age, when we believe in Christ for Salvation, we are SEALED with the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 1:22, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Colossians 2). However, after the Rapture, the church age will end and those left behind and living during the 7 year Tribulation Period, and afterwards, will have the Holy Spirit working with them as it was before the church age began in Old Testament times. Those who become believers during the Tribulation Period and before Christ’s return will need to endure the persecution of the Antichrist, and yet remain believing to be spared. They will need to ‘endure to the end’ as we see in Revelation 14:12 and 16:15.
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12 KJV)
“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15 KJV)
Some are teaching these verses apply to The Church Age believers today but that is not correct by Paul’s teachings of the Gospel of Grace for our current dispensation of time. These verses are about those living in and after the Tribulation Period. Apparently, some will believe on Christ but with such tremendous persecution and pressure from others they know who are worshipping the Antichrist as God, will not endure in their belief in Christ and His soon return. They have knowledge of the LAMP (prophetic Word of God) but they ran out of OIL (the Holy Spirit in Belief) !
Those Jews that believe the Antichrist is the Messiah returned have ALREADY TAKEN the Mark of the Beast. They have no hope now. That is why the wise Virgins (those who heeded the prophetic Scriptures) tell the foolish to go and BUY MORE OIL for themselves. The Antichrist made it so that no man could buy or sell unless they had the mark of the beast right? The wise will be saying to them, you had your chance and you left us and chose Antichrist. In the end of Matthew 24, we see they will actually smite their fellow Jewish wise virgins! The foolish people, separated from the wise believing people and choose the Antichrist. They have been duped into believing the Antichrist is the Messiah returned.
So these are the people who did not endure and eventually took the Mark and then here in Matthew 25 they find that they see the Second Coming of Jesus coming from the Heavens. And in panic they go back to the wise Virgins (those who heeded the prophetic Scriptures and remained obeying the truth and belief on Christ) asking them for help because they do not have enough oil to make it when Jesus returns in judgment. But the Lord returned while they left to follow the Antichrist and when they came back they found everyone was gone inside and the door was SHUT. Just as in the time of Noah and the flood, the day came when GOD SHUT THE DOOR and all left outside in unbelief, were swept away into judgment. Just as Jesus said in Matthew 24,
“But as the DAYS OF NOAH were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Matthew 24: 37 KJV)
When Christ returns at the Second Coming after the great Tribulation period the foolish virgins have run out of the required oil of enduring in their faith in Christ. The 5 foolish Virgins have not endured in their belief and instead went to the ‘dark side’ of the Antichrist, deceived and now lost forever.
Today, here in the age of grace, before the Rapture, a person who comes to believe on Christ is eternally saved by the Grace of God. Such a person is from the very moment of belief on Christ, SEALED until the day of the Rapture. That is we have an “earnest” which is a ‘guaranteed down payment’ until our bodily Resurrection (see Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV). But during the Tribulation period, those left behind at the Rapture have no such guarantee and must endure in their faith in God’s prophetic Word, through all the hardships of the Tribulation Period, until the day of the Second Coming of Christ to rule and reign on Earth (Revelation 14:12, 16:15).
EXTRA OIL
The wise virgins are those in the Tribulation Period that have the Torah prophetic Word of Truth (lamp). They are people who are the remnant of Israel; true believers in Christ who have endured to the end in belief in Christ’s Second Coming and the prophetic Scriptures. They have the oil in belief. Notice that all Ten Virgins fell asleep, and they were all being pressured and persecuted by the Antichrist. But only the 5 Wise Virgins have the one extra required item that permits them access to the Kingdom of God; extra oil. The Extra oil is the enduring belief and trust in the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus Christ until the end when the Second Coming event actually happens. These wise virgins are the people that received the teaching of the 144,000 Jewish Jewish believers and the Two Witnesses that will be clearly seen by the whole world. They are believers in Christ who have enough oil, who endured until the end and kept the faith in Christ despite all that has happened to the world and to them personally during the Tribulation Period and shortly afterwards, before Christ’s Return.
The foolish Virgins who did not endure and keep their belief on Christ alone for Salvation have chosen the Antichrist and will see that Christ is coming but it is too late. They ask the true remnant believers for their oil. The remnant believers refuse because it is theirs and their Salvation is at hand. The wise Virgins cannot give them the extra oil that saves because they already rejected it. The foolish virgins go to get more oil but by the time they try to come back to belief it is too late. They likely (just speculation by me) already took the Mark of the Beast, a badge of servitude to the Antichrist.
Both the wise and unwise HAD THE LAMP! They both HAD and knew the prophetic Scriptures and warnings about the Antichrist as taught by the 144,000 Jewish Evangelists. It was a CLEAR DECISION MADE for both the wise and unwise.
God has an appointed specific date for the Rapture of believers, beyond which anyone who has not put their faith on Christ alone for Salvation will be left behind to endure the Tribulation Period. Likewise, God has also set an appointed specific date for the Second Coming Of Christ Event; beyond which a person living in the time of the Tribulation Period, who did not endure in believing on Christ alone for Salvation, will not be permitted to enter the 1000 year Kingdom age.
The End Game. Time Is Very Short!
The Parable of the Ten Virgins spoken by Jesus is NOT about the Rapture, although the Rapture must happen before the event described actually occurs. The Pre-Tribulation Rapture was revealed by Paul as a mystery unknown in 1 Thessalonians 4. Matthew 24 is about the Second Coming and addresses the Jewish people, and any gentile who come to belief on Christ in the Tribulation Period. This parable in Matthew 25 is a continuing on that truth. Jesus spoke this to the Jewish people of Israel, the disciples, and it applies to the Jews in the end times. At the time they asked Christ when He would return, they knew nothing about the Pre-Tribulation Rapture as that was a ‘mystery revealed’ by Apostle Paul after Christ ascended. In Matthew 24, they were asking Jesus about the Second Coming Event and the Kingdom Age to come, which is all they knew about.
The Bible talks about the 10 lost tribes of Israel. The 10 virgins are being regathered into modern day Israel right now from all four corners of the world into which they were dispersed. A Bible Prophesy that is the number one sign that the time period called the “End Times” and “Last Days” is the time in which you and I are living in.
The Five Wise Virgins is speaking about the remnant of Israel who will believe on Christ and any gentile living in the Tribulation Period that will believe.
Jesus gives a strong warning to those who will be living in the time of the Tribulation Period and in specific to the Nation of Israel, the Jewish people of THAT future time.
“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:13 KJV)
1. WATCH. What the prophetic Scriptures state MUST happen (Matthew 24:6), and will happen. Jesus said it MUST happen.
2. When Jesus comes at the Second Coming, they will know the season by the prophetic Word of God. But they will not know the exact Day nor Hour. But Jesus WILL return shortly after the Tribulation Period ends. Jesus is warning them to heed the prophetic Scriptures regarding this event and that Jesus is the REAL Messiah and Lord.
But What About The 1260 Days & Abomination Of Desolation Daniel Wrote About?
From Daniel’s Prophecy of timeline of human history, we know that the first half of the Tribulation Period is 1260 days from when a covenant is confirmed with the Antichrist as we read in Daniel 9:27. From this point on will be another 1260 days, giving us 7 years (two 3.5 year time frames within the Tribulation Period). Because Daniel tells us that once the covenant with many is confirmed, it seems to show that Christ will return in 1260 days from that point. Yet, if Matthew 24 and 25 are about the Second Coming, why would it state that no one knows the day nor hour?
No where does this state that Christ returns the very moment the Tribulation Period ends. This is showing when the Tribulation Period Ends only. Also if we continue reading Daniel’s Prophecy we see this prophetic statement,
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (Daniel 12:11 KJV)
We see here that from the time of the abomination of desolation being setup to some unnamed point there will be 1290 days. Not 1260 days. It continues and states that those who are alive on the 1335th day from this event are going to be blessed. I personally believe this is the start day of the promised 1000 Year Kingdom Age.
So there seems to be a time gap here after the Tribulation Period. So during this 75 days (maybe less, we do not know) most will not have any idea the true Christ is returning. Also, true believers will be looking for Christ’s Return as the 144,000 Evangelists and Two Witnesses were preaching during the Tribulation Period. But they are not the only ones who survived the Tribulation Judgments and there are also those (Jews and Gentiles) who took the Mark believing the Antichrist is the Messiah. The fact is, that there will be way more in the Antichrist camp than the believer camp. The general consensus, even to Jews who chose the Antichrist, is that they will not even be looking for the Second Coming of Christ. They believe he already came in the Antichrist. However, Believers will know that the Second Coming Event could come at anytime after the Tribulation Period ends. They know He is coming but will have to remain in that belief until He actually does appear in the clouds. Notice Jesus stated that at that time ‘no man will know the DAY NOR HOUR’ of the Second Coming Return of Christ. He did not mention YEAR! Even so, some believers will falter in their belief and not endure until the end (the 5 unwise virgins) and we see that in the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25. But again most on Earth who survive the Tribulation will not even be looking for the Second Coming Event!
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30 KJV)
Notice it reads ALL THE TRIBES Of THE EARTH – that means everyone alive regardless of where they live or what tribe they belong too. When this happens and they see Christ coming, it is not in an instant like the Rapture event, they have time to mourn because most have chosen the Antichrist wrongly as God and now they see what the 144,000 and to witnesses were preaching is true. All the unbelievers have then will be fear and they will try to hide themselves.
Remember, Matthew 25 is just a continuation of Jesus’ answer to the disciples in Matthew 24. At the end of Matthew 24, we see a warning for the unwise virgin in the parable that Jesus is about to mention starting in Matthew 25,
“48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord DELAYETH his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his FELLOWSERVANTS, and to eat and drink WITH THE DRUNKEN; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he LOOKETH NOT FOR HIM, and in an hour that he is NOT AWARE OF, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 24:48-51 KJV)
Do you see it now by context? A servant who believed the 144,000 evangelists that the Antichrist is not God, but who did not ENDURE in that belief but instead changes to belief in the Antichrist! Why? Because he believes the Lord’s Second Coming is being delayed, falters in their belief and then instead ‘smite his fellowservants’ and ‘drink with the drunken’. That is to say, that they turned from the belief in Christ coming soon and instead go and join the Antichrist in worship and start persecuting the believers in Jesus’s soon coming. They have rejected the true Christ! It is after this statement that Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This is what triggered me to understand the parable better and believe me I struggled with this parable a long time.
This is exactly how Jesus goes on in the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25 in describing the ‘unwise virgins’. They did not have the required ‘extra oil’, to enter the Kingdom Age that God prepared for all who would believe on Him under such great persecution and judgments of the Tribulation Period.
Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word and His grace. A pastor at heart, Chuck has served as senior pastor to congregations in Texas, Massachusetts, and California. Since 1998, he has served as the founder and senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs in major Christian radio markets around the world, reaching people groups in languages they can understand. Chuck’s extensive writing ministry has also served the body of Christ worldwide and his leadership as president and now chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation for ministry.
Life Worth Finding, Dr. Andrian Rogers
The Hal Lindsey Report, Hal Lindsey
Thru The Bible, James Vernon McGee
