Posted: 16 October 2026
Now before anyone starts to criticize and say that I am trying to rewrite the Bible or change Scripture, I am not that is the furthest thing from my mind. I am simply putting this very old parable into a more modern context so everyone can grasp its meaning. - Dr. B. Carey
At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him! Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!' But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.' Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
(Matthew 25:1-13)
Now let's put it into a context everyone can easily understand. Let's take the word "oil" and substitute it with "food, water, and other supplies."
Five had extra food, water, and other supplies. Five did not. Those who were not prepared tried to get those who were prepared to give them some of what they had and when they refused, the five who were unprepared, though they were most likely warned to prepare ahead of time did not, they had to leave to find what they needed, only to find out it was too late, for now no one had anything extra to spare or sell them.
This parable teaches us two very important things. That first we are to prepare for ourselves. We can't do it for anyone else. Secondly, that those who were not prepared, even though they were warned ahead of time, we are not to share with them that which we have set aside for ourselves.
I see many who have heard the warnings and are preparing for what is coming, and coming every soon, only to be ridiculed and called names and joked about by those ignoring the warnings. When the time comes and they have nothing or run out of what they have, the Bible clearly tells us that we are Not to share what we have with them. They were warned and knew to prepare and didn't. Just like when Noah built the Ark. The people ridiculed and teased him. Then when the flood waters came, they were probably beating on the door to be allowed in after God had sealed it. They were warned. They had been given their chance and rejected it, and now they had to pay the price for their own ignorance and laziness.
As the Bible further tells us:
....this we commanded you: that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
(2 Thessalonians 3:10)
You have heard the warning. Now get out there and do your work, prepare for what is coming. You have been warned! Now listen to the warning before it is too late.