Matthew 25:10-13 -- On Parables and Preparation

"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 25:10-13


This is part of the parable of the 10 virgins, and if we look at it as real life, it sounds pretty harsh. I mean, no one will share with them, and then even though they are late no one will even let them in. Ouch. However, if we take that last comment about "the Son of man cometh" to indicate that the parable is about preparing for the Second Coming, then it starts to make a lot more sense, because being late for the Second Coming causes a lot of problems.

First of all, if we are late for the Second Coming and don't go into the Millenium with Christ, we're literally dead, which is a big hurdle at this point in the history of the world, because the just/righteous come forth in the first resurrection (beginning of Millennium), and the unjust/unrighteous are resurrected at the end, right before the judgement, and guessing if we have no oil, that is symbolic of no testimony, so that means end. We can change on one level in the afterlife, but Amulek warns us specifically about this in Alma 34:32-34, telling us that "this life" is the time to prepare for God, and that we can't say that we'll automatically repent after we die, because we'll have the same spirit, and if we've been letting Satan drive rather than God, we'll have a really hard time changing that without a body. So, we can imagine the 5 unwise virgins realizing their mistakes at death and working with the Spirit World missionaries to gain a testimony, but it will be too late for the Millennium, which in the story is the going into the marriage part. They will still be able to be resurrected and raised to a kingdom of glory, which I assume is what happens because they do obtain some oil in the story. It just won't be in time for that great division.

The parable right after this is the parable of the talents, and I think it is similar. It is showing that what we do in this life is how we're going to be judged, and if we did nothing, nothing is going to come of it... even though God gives us life, and time and many chances, forgiving us completely and letting us start over... at some point if we walk off the path and stay off or if we just give up, that's what we are going to be stuck with in eternity. Doesn't mean that there aren't good things that can be done after this life or that God doesn't love us. I think it is more that we've ended up choosing a path and hardening ourselves into it so that we can't get out anymore. We read in the Book of Mormon about people who were past feeling, and maybe we get that way if we just stop trying to change and improve. We run out of oil, and don't take the time to find more until we're forced to face our lack, by which point it is too late... not too late for *a* happy ending, but perhaps too late for the one that we could have had if we hadn't given up our quest.

Today, let's think about these parables from the Lord and take them seriously as a warning for how we live our lives. Let's jump in and do better and not just give up or give in to Satan. Let's grow and change and make the world better, even just a little. Let's improve ourselves, even slightly. Let's pray and make a real connection with God. Moving in the right direction means we aren't giving up and stagnating, and even if it is just a little bit of oil, it will collect, and if we keep at it, with God's help, we'll be ready.