By Sola Adeyegbe
The parable of the wise and foolish virgins
In the Bible we read “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.”
In this parable, which relates to the Last Judgment, the bridegroom is the Son of Man proclaimed by Christ. He comes by night, thus at a time when He will not be recognized by most men.
One part of mankind (five foolish virgins) will pass by the Truth proclaimed by Him, because they are according to The Grail Message “too indolent to think and… too lazy to exercise the necessary care and attention to keep in constant order and readiness the little lamp left to them by the Creator, i.e., their ability to examine and illuminate…”
The Message says further that these people “…may easily miss the hour when the “Word of Truth” comes to them!”
The other part of mankind (five wise virgins) will recognize the Son of Man and receive His Divine Word, because they continually replenished the oil in their lamps. This means they ensured that their back brain which receives spiritual impressions works harmoniously with the frontal brain. Without this cooperation, the frontal brain is like a lamp without oil!
So, by using the tools given to them in accordance with Divine Ordinance and with the purity of their faith, they could take part in the marriage of the bridegroom, that is, in the New Covenant which the Son of Man makes with mankind, through which the gate to Paradise is opened for them.
So when we think of the false prophets that will come in the end time, also remember that it is at this same period that the Real One, the Bridegroom will appear! (See also Luke 21 and Matthew 24 of the Bible). We must therefore be extra vigilant and avoid superficiality in this matter.
So, in relation to this parable, The Grail Message warns us: “Beware of the indolence of your spirit, of comfort and superficiality, you men, and remember the parable of the wise and foolish virgins! It is plain enough in its great simplicity, so that everybody can easily grasp the sense. Act upon it inwardly, then all else will come of itself. Nothing can confuse you, for you go quietly and with firm strides along your path!”
