Oh may we strive by the grace of God to be as those wise virgins who were ready for the call at midnight, whose lamps were full, and who entered joyfully into the presence of the king.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:1

She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the King’s palace.
Psalm 45:14-15

The Lord makes many comparisons in Scripture. He compares His people to sheep, and He is the good Shepherd (John 10). He compares His people to wheat and glory is His barn (Matthew 13:24). He compares His people to a young child, loved when they were young and held fast until they are old (Isaiah 46:3-4). He compares them to dust, clay, branches and many other things. Then in Matthew 25 Christ likens the Kingdom of Heaven unto ten virgins. We notice many things about these virgins from this one verse. There is not one virgin but there are ten virgins. They appear outwardly pure and fair in all respects like as the young virgins who were brought before the king in Esther 2:2. We notice God does not say “virgins are the Kingdom of Heaven” or “the Kingdom of Heaven is ten virgins.” Catholic theology that uses this parable to falsely give veneration and adoration to Mary as a perpetual virgin despite her having several addition children with Joseph after Jesus was born (12:47) is hereby, as in every place in Scripture, firmly refuted.  Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is likened unto ten virgins.  Jesus is illustrating the Kingdom of Heaven, as He so often does, by comparison to something. In this case, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to ten virgins.

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