The lamps were about to go out. Whereas the “discreet” virgins had receptacles filled with oil, the “foolish” virgins had no extra oil. Yet, the “discreet” ones could not share their oil, for the divided supply of all ten would then have given out. So the “foolish” virgins had to depart and try to buy oil somewhere at that late hour.

The symbolic “oil” pictures God’s Word and his holy spirit, which illuminates that Word and produces in possessors of the “oil” the godly “fruitage of the spirit.” Refusing to divide their “oil” with the “foolish” virgins means that the “discreet” virgins will not compromise with that class. The “foolish” virgins profess Christianity, yet do not meet its requirements. They may be influenced somewhat by their Bible knowledge, but not to the point of having God’s powerful spirit in them and producing its fruitage. Though they expect to go to heaven, their religious development does not enable them to meet the challenge of the midnight cry: “Here is the bridegroom! Be on your way out to meet him.” They have an illuminating-oil crisis. Theirs is a light that fails.

CONFRONTED BY A CLOSED DOOR

Upon returning, the “foolish” virgins found the door closed. (Matt. 25:10) But, in the fulfillment, when is it officially shut? When the “great tribulation” breaks out and destruction starts upon Christendom and all the rest of Babylon the Great. Then it will be too late for professed Christians to get out of her. By that time, too, the full number of the 144,000 “chosen ones” making up Christ’s “bride” will have been completed.​—Matt. 24:21, 22.

The parable concludes with the words: “Afterwards the rest of the virgins also came, saying, ‘Sir, sir, open to us!’ In answer he said, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you.’” (Matt. 25:11, 12) Because of their negligence resulting in a spiritual “oil crisis,” the “foolish” virgins had not met the bridegroom or added any brilliance to his marriage procession. Certainly, then, he was justified in keeping the door locked to them.

Likewise, when the “great tribulation” begins upon Christendom, the “foolish virgin” class will discern that they have not been associated with the religious organization that makes up the “chaste virgin,” “the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Rev. 21:9) Yes, they will call out to the Bridegroom, but the door will not be opened, for Jesus said on another occasion: “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.” (Matt. 7:21-23) In the “great tribulation” the Bridegroom will leave the “foolish virgin” class outside in the blackness of the world’s deepest night, to perish with all other “workers of lawlessness.” From their destruction they will have no resurrection to heavenly life.