Are You a Wise or Foolish Virgin? A Wake-Up Call from Matthew 25

Posted on February 10, 2026 by Dr. Conrad Vine

Have you ever felt like a “sleepy saint”? Going through the motions of faith, waiting for Jesus, but lacking that vital, transformative spark? That’s the piercing question at the heart of Christ’s parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25—a message that cuts to the core of what it means to be truly prepared for His return.

This parable isn’t just an ancient story; it’s a mirror held up to the modern church, a direct word for those of us who claim the name “Adventist”—those who are waiting for the Advent. In a recent sermon, we dove deep into this text, and the findings were both sobering and hopeful.

The Two Groups: More Alike Than Different

On the surface, all ten virgins look identical:

They are all “virgins” (parthenos): They profess a pure faith.
They all have “lamps”: They possess the Word of God (Psalm 119:105).
They are all “Adventists”: They are awaiting the arrival of the heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

The difference, Jesus reveals, is not in their profession or their equipment, but in their preparation. Five are called wise; five are called foolish. The defining difference? The oil.

The Foolish Virgins: The Danger of a Nominal Faith

The foolish virgins took their lamps but took no oil with them (Matthew 25:3). In Scripture, oil represents the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4). This group represents believers who have the truth—the Bible on their shelf, the doctrines in their head—but lack the daily, transforming presence of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.

Characteristics of the Foolish:

They know about God but don’t know God intimately. Their faith is informational, not transformational.
They base their lives on shifting sand—the cares and priorities of this world—rather than the solid rock of Christ’s teachings (Matthew 7:24-27).
They experience no real character change. Years after joining the church, works of the flesh like anger, bitterness, and pride remain unchecked.
They have no assurance of salvation. As one sobering quote reminds us, they risk being “without God and without hope… as the common sinner” despite their profession.

The frightening truth? It’s possible to be waiting for Jesus, to be in the right place with the right people, and still be completely unprepared.

The Wise Virgins: The Power of a Transformed Life

The wise virgins took flasks of oil with their lamps (Matthew 25:4). They had a reserve. They were ready for delay. Their faith was not just a possession but a living, breathing relationship.

Characteristics of the Wise:

They seek the Holy Spirit daily. They pray for the infilling that convicts, converts, and transforms.
They read Scripture for transformation, not just information. They allow God’s Word to be a mirror, asking, “Lord, change me.”
They cooperate with God in character development. They actively clean out the “weeds and rocks” of sin from their hearts.
They shine in the darkness. They are determined to let their light—the reflection of God’s character—burn brightly even in “earth’s midnight hour,” no matter the opposition.

Most compellingly, Jesus says the Bridegroom was delayed. We live in that delay. And the wise virgins have a mission in this time: to hasten the Lord’s return by taking the gospel to the world (2 Peter 3:12). Every soul won for Christ brings us one moment closer to the end of all suffering, pain, and death.

The Arrival of the Groom: When It’s Too Late

The crisis comes at midnight. The shout goes out. Both groups wake up, but the foolish virgins’ lamps are going out. They plead with the wise, “Give us some of your oil!”

The wise refuse. Not out of selfishness, but out of spiritual reality: character is not transferable. You cannot borrow a relationship with God. You cannot enter heaven on the coattails of a spouse, a parent, or a pastor. The door to the wedding feast is shut, and the tragic words are spoken: “Truly, I tell you, I do not know you” (Matthew 25:12).

The lesson is urgent: The time to secure the oil is now. When probation closes, the opportunity for heart transformation ends.

Your Choice Today: Foolish or Wise?

You are not permanently labeled as one or the other. This parable is an invitation to self-examination and a call to action. The default path is to drift into foolishness. The conscious, daily choice is to pursue wisdom.

How do you become a wise virgin?

Make your walk with God your top priority. It’s a daily choice of where you invest your time and mental energy.
Ask for the Holy Spirit every single morning. Pray, “Lord, fill me anew. Transform me. Show me my heart and change me.”
Engage with the Bible to be changed by it. Don’t just read it; let it read you.
Determine to let your light shine. Commit to being a channel of God’s grace and love to a dark world, no matter the cost.

We were not just born in this time of delay; we were born for it. God has entrusted us—not Abraham, Moses, or Peter—with the privilege of reflecting His character in Earth’s final hours. He has confidence that we can shine for Him.

The closing appeal of Christ rings in our ears: “Keep awake, therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

Will you choose today to be among the wise?