Matthew 25:1-13 (KJV)
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
In Matt 17:14-21, the disciples couldn’t free a young child, they went to the Lord and Jesus freed the child. Later the disciples asked why it didn’t work for them when it had in the past. Jesus said that these only leave through prayer and fasting. Note though: Jesus didn’t fast or pray at that moment, He had done it before. You can’t withdraw from an account you don’t put something into it. That’s what the faithful virgins did… they were storing up for when it was needed. The foolish ones didn’t and when caught off guard they went to do what they should have done earlier but by then it was too late. It is indeed about preparedness, just like Jesus said:
Luke 21:36 (KJV)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
I believe the rapture is not a right, but a gift to escape the end times which are fast approaching. Many older real spiritual leaders will begin to die off as the times get worse and worse until it’s time for the rapture. Just like in the days of Noah.
I’ve really been wrestling with this for weeks. So let’s go over the words.
The Greek for “foolish” can mean “godless”. “Slumbered” can also mean negligent or careless and “slept” can also mean indifferent to one’s salvation, yield to sin, be slothful, which all ten did. It’s also a euphemism for death. The oil is specifically olive oil, which is used for lighting lamps, healing the sick, anointing the head and body, and used in commerce. The lamp “going out” can be a metaphor to quench by divine influence. To “buy” can also mean to loiter at the market, to lounge there. But of these, the most interesting is the word ready. It can also mean to receive one coming. The warning from Jesus is to Watch, which the word means: give strict attention to, be cautious, active , to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one.
Now to whom was Jesus telling this story to? The disciples, Matt 24:3. Since I firmly believe you cannot lose your salvation, then what’s the other suggestion? The foolish were not really saved maybe. This is reiterated by Paul:
2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
This reminds me of another verse:
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJV)
I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Interesting…
Remember “buy” could also mean to receive one coming… So then Jesus also said:
Luke 21:36 (KJV)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
It could also mean that they just were not going in the rapture and therefore just not part of the bride, like John the Baptist, John 3:29. Also we know that there will be Christians in the tribulation, no less than 144,000, male virgin Jews, Rev 7:4. But what of those left behind (and I don’t mean the movie or books 
) We know that people survive the tribulation because they’ll have kids in the millenium, Isa 65:20. With all the warnings, show me where it’s a right to be raptured; Jesus says to pray you’re accounted worthy, that means we’ve got work to do.
I believe they were all Christians. I also believe this isn’t about heaven vs. hell, but being part of the Bride or not – aka partake in the Rapture. Literally those foolish are left behind. Radical concept, but it brings us back to – you can’t do what you want in this world and still be called the Bride. Those who call on Jesus’ name are saved and still go to heaven, they just won’t be part of the Bride because they were not found worthy to escape because they didn’t Watch as Jesus warned. No warning is a warning if there’s not a chance for loss.
The Holy Spirit is indeed the earnest (downpayment) of our salvation from hell, Eph 1:13-14, but that is still no guarantee of rapture participation. Hence the warnings to his followers. Jesus Himself said to pray to be found worthy to escape, Luke 21:36. If He said the warning then the possibility of being found unworthy is a possibility. Only the faithful virgins were ready and went with the Bridegroom when He arrived, a very example of the rapture itself. Jesus reiterates the warning to those who don’t even know they’re miserable, poor, blind, and naked, who are part of the Church, Rev 3:14-22. Again I remind you that many will be judged and lose everything having their garments spotted and smelling of smoke when they enter heaven, 1 Cor 3:15. The word of God is filled from Genesis (aka to Adam) all the way to very last chapter of Revelation with a warning: “don’t eat” and “there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth…”
2 Peter 3:14 (KJV)
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Salvation is a guarantee for those that call on the Name of the Lord and have faith. But because of the easy-believism infecting the church, once they pray a formulated prayer, they put faith in the prayer instead of the One they’re supposed to be praying to. Sadly many of this indeed think they’re a Christian and really are not, and maybe even go so far as to actually be a Christian, but a 40-year old baby. Proof is in the pudding, even Jesus said so:
Mark 16:16-18 (KJV)
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
The story of the virgins is a warning, heed it.