Were the five foolish virgins lost?
Question:
Hello,
I would like to discuss with you the ultimate fate of the five foolish virgins who were shut out.
My understanding is that the five foolish virgins simply missed out on sharing the Millennial Feast with God and rejoicing in Christ's presence; God’s statement that He did not "know" them signifies His disapproval of their failure to prepare, yet they could still ultimately enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
The initial supply of lamp oil was a free gift from God, whereas the second supply required them to pay a price to prepare it themselves.
What is your view on this?
Answer:
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour" (Matthew 25:1-13).
The parable starts out with "the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins." This isn't about entering the kingdom. The virgins are a part of the kingdom.
The point of the parable of the ten virgins and those surrounding it is that a person must be watchful because we do not know when the Lord will return. Just because a person is part of the kingdom does not mean they have a guaranteed entrance into heaven. Each person must be prepared to hold on for an unknown length of time. It is required of Christians to remain steadfast (Hebrews 3:14; 6:11; Revelation 2:10). Like the warning in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23), the church is composed of people who will endure and those who will fall away. Only the wise understand the need to be prepared for endurance.
Just as one Christian cannot give their righteousness to another, the wise virgins were unable to help the foolish virgins in being ready for the bridegroom. Each person must individually put in their own effort to be ready. No one can make you get ready or do the work on your behalf (Philippians 2:12). Nor will there be an opportunity for a second chance once the Lord returns (Hebrews 9:27).
The foolish virgins were unable to enter into the presence of the Lord in heaven because they were not adequately prepared. Nothing states that such people are given a second chance.
There is no "millennial feast." There is eternity with the Lord in heaven. Premillennialism is not taught in the Scriptures. See "An Overview of Premillennial Theories."
Nothing in this parable mentions where the oil came from. You assume that it was given to the virgins, but if that was so, why were some given an insufficient amount? Adding things to a parable that isn't there detracts from its intended message.
