The Wise and Foolish Virgins

(Mat 25:1)  "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who having taken their lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3. Those who were foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them, Mat. 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels along with their lamps. 5.  But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6. And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7. "Then all those virgins arose, and they trimmed their lamps. 8. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9. "But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for you and us; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10. "But as they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11. Afterward the remaining virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12. "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly I say to you, I do not know you.'

Let me answer a few questions concerning the above passage:

Are all the virgins born again or are only the wise ones those who are saved?

 In the New Testament only those who have the life of God, those who are regenerated are considered to be virgins. No unbeliever is ever described as virgin. All have lamps and all the lamps are burning. Only believers have a lamp. All took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Only those who love the Lord Jesus are going forth to  meet the bridegroom. Even every day we who are the seekers of the Lord are going forth to meet the bridegroom.

What is the difference between the lamp and the vessel?

According to Pro 20:27, "The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts." So the lamp is our human spirit which according to Rom. 12:11 should always be burning. The vessel represents our soul, which includes the emotion, mind and will. God's intention is that day by day we will be seeking the our dear bridegroom, the Lord Jesus,  to be filled with Him and allow Him to saturate not only our spirit which is burning but to flow out to our soul to eventually transform us into His likeness. 

Who are the prudent and who are the foolish?

Both are believers. Some are wise, some are foolish. The wise are those who daily are filled with the Spirit and live by the Spirit. The foolish are those who have the same opportunity yet do not take the word to be filled but live by their own resources, their self-effort and self-righteousness. 

The last question is, Am I a prudent virgin or a foolish one? That one is for each of us to answer for ourselves.