Matthew 25:1-12:

“Then the kingdom of the heavens will become like ten virgins that took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

WHY THE SYMBOLISM “VIRGINS” IS USED

In relating this parable, Jesus did not mention the bride. Why? Because he wanted to highlight certain aspects of the responsibilities of his spiritually begotten, anointed “brothers” while they were still on earth and before they were actually joined with him by resurrection into the heavens. He did not want to confuse the understanding of the parable’s application. Therefore he confined this illustration to picture them, not as a “bride,” but as “ten virgins.”

While on earth those anointed ones are counted as ‘promised in marriage’ to Christ, as chaste virgins. (2 Cor. 11:2, 3) The few remaining ones of this class of persons on earth now are “invited to the evening meal of the Lamb’s marriage.” (Rev. 19:9) The actual marriage takes place in heaven. They have not yet attained to the heavenly inheritance. The “bride” class is selected from among the “ten virgins.” As the parable shows, not all prove to be discreet. Some are foolish. The term “bride” is applied to Christ’s joint heirs as a congregation and as a heavenly body of persons eventually numbering 144,000. As individuals, whether they are male or female, they are variously called “children of God,” “brothers” of Christ and “virgins.”​—1 John 3:2; Matt. 25:40; Rev. 14:1, 4; Gal. 3:28.

In what way are they “virgins”? The Bible explains. Concerning the 144,000, who are seen standing with the Lamb of God on the spiritual Mount Zion, it says: “These are the ones that did not defile themselves with women [like the religious harlot Babylon the Great, and her daughters]; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones that keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes.” (Rev. 14:4; 17:3-5) After becoming spirit-begotten ones, having hope of reigning with Christ in the heavens, they do not commit spiritual “adultery” with this world. Consequently, these Christians do not defile themselves with the religious and political system of this world. They do not meddle or interfere in any way with politics or the operations of human governments.​—2 Tim. 2:3, 4.

The position of these “virgin” Christians was clearly outlined by the apostle Paul when he wrote: “As for us, our citizenship exists in the heavens, from which place also we are eagerly waiting for a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will refashion our humiliated body to be conformed to his glorious body according to the operation of the power that he has, even to subject all things to himself.” (Phil. 3:20, 21) These Christians are friends of the people, calling at their homes with the good news of the Kingdom. But they are not friends of the world, that is, of the system of things of this world. The Bible severely reproves those professed Christians who would be the world’s friends, saying: “Adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.”​—Jas. 4:4; 1:27.

So those receiving the “heavenly calling” from God must ‘make the calling and choosing of them sure for themselves.’ (2 Pet. 1:10, 11) They desire to receive God’s seal of final approval before God orders the “four winds” to destroy this system of things. (Rev. 7:1-8) This requires faithful devotion on their part, becoming “patterned after the image of [God’s] Son.” (Rom. 8:29) Thus, they are like the engaged virgin girl in Israel, desirous of keeping herself clean and undefiled. They submit now while on earth to the headship of the One to whom they are promised in marriage, with a view to being glorified as his “bride” in heaven. (Col. 1:18) In ancient Israel an engaged virgin who committed fornication with another man was counted as an adulteress and was put to death. (Deut. 22:23, 24) Likewise, unfaithful ones would forfeit the hope of heavenly life for these betrothed “virgins.”​—Rev. 21:7, 8.