eagerly active,
set to work to trim their lamps; then the wise ones found use for the
oil in their flasks, while the thoughtless five bewailed their destitute
condition, for their lamps were empty and they had no oil for
replenishment. They appealed to their wiser sisters, asking a share of
their oil; but these declined; for, in a time of such exigency, to give
of their store would have been to render themselves unfit, inasmuch as
there was oil enough for their own lamps only. Instead of oil they could
impart only advice to their unfortunate sisters, whom they directed to
go to the nearest shop and buy for themselves. While the foolish virgins
were away in quest of oil, the wedding party passed into the house
wherein the feast was provided, and the door was shut against all tardy
comers. In time the unwise maidens, too late to participate in the
processional entry, called from without, pleading for admittance; but
the bridegroom refused their request, and disclaimed all
acquaintanceship with them, since they had not been numbered among his
attendants or those of the bride.

The Bridegroom is the Lord Jesus; the marriage feast symbolizes His
coming in glory, to receive unto Himself the Church on earth as His
bride.[1163] The virgins typify those who profess a belief in Christ,
and who, therefore, confidently expect to be included among the blessed
participants at the feast. The lighted lamp, which each of the maidens
carried, is the outward profession of Christian belief and practise; and
in the oil reserves of the wiser ones we may see the spiritual strength
and abundance which diligence and devotion in God's service alone can
insure. The lack of sufficient oil on the part of the unwise virgins is
analogous to the dearth of soil in the stony field, wherein the seed
readily sprouted but soon withered away.[1164] The Bridegroom's coming
was sudden; yet the waiting virgins were not held blamable for their
surprize at the abrupt announcement, but the unwise five suffered the
natural results of their unpreparedness. The refusal of the wise virgins
to give of their oil at such a critical time must not be regarded as
uncharitable; the circumstance typifies the fact that in the day of
judgment every soul must answer for himself; there is no way by which
the righteousness of one can be credited to another's account; the
doctrine of supererogation is wholly false.[1165] The Bridegroom's
condemnatory disclaimer, "I know you not,"