Interview with a Foolish Virgin

Here's an interesting take on the Parable of the Ten Virgins.

Photo at www.SheepTrax.com

They are the stuff of Jesus most enigmatic, haunting parable – the five foolish virgins. SheepTrax Undercover managed to catch up to one of the rejected ones, a member of the bridal Company who awaited His return only to be shut out, un-betrothed.

There, draped in white, beautiful, lampless, huffing on a cigarette (see photo) and strung out like a brazen trollip, stood one of the Foolish Five, waiting for the Wedding Feast that for her, would nev er be.

SheepTrax: Can we get a word, Miss…?

Foolish Virgin: Since he dumped me at the altar, Miss would be correct, not Misses.

SheepTrax: Uh, yeah. Tough break. Wait - Altars are places to worship and meet God and yet He dumped you there. Hummm...

Foolish Virgin: I don’t get it, really. I was dressed for the Bridegroom, had my lamp in hand but ran out of oil. What’s the big deal?

SheepTrax: Are you serious? The story of the 10 Virgins, the five wise and 5 foolish, is an end time parable, a dire warning to those who call themselves the Church of J esus Christ. It is a very big deal – and a theological quagmire of the first order.

Foolish Virgin: (Taking a long drag from her Virginia Slim). Don’t mind the cigarette. I use it to keep my lamp lit. (another long puff) I was supposed to be getting married to the Prince of Peace. Does the phrase “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” ring any bells? I’m part of the **%$@ Bride of Christ!

SheepTrax: Ouch. Look, the problem for you (and many others) was that you ran out of oil and went off sauntering into the darkness looking for more. The lamp you and the other nine carried are a picture of the human spirit and the oil speaks of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. A parable is a spiritual story…

F oolish Virgin: But our lamps began to sputter and go out…

SheepTrax: Times of darkness happen to everybody, foolish and wise alike. The issue becomes then: what next? Will I truly trust God when all seems dark? Will he be your supply, your source? In him, do you really “live, and move, and have your being?” Truth is, you weren’t really ready to meet God.

Foolish Virgin: You’re telling me this was all a test?

SheepTrax: Yep. Com’on, tell the truth. Are you really a Virgin?

Foolish Virgin: (pause) Tech-nic-ally… and you have no right to judge me!

SheepTrax: I’m sure having the eternal door to the Wedding Feast slammed in your face is Judgment enough.

Foolish Virgin: (deftly changing the subject) Have you seen the News? There’s another guy who claims to be the Bridegroom. He does signs and wonders, too. Wonder if he needs a Bride? I mean, I do look the part.

SheepTrax: That was another problem: you only looked the part. Jesus is coming for a Virgin who is, to quote the Bible, “without spot or wrinkle.”

Foolish Virgin: (Sighs) They always want the young, pretty ones.

SheepTrax: No! You’re missing the message here. The real issues of the end- times are about purity of spirit and single-hearted devotion to God. Who do you really worship? The other guy you mentioned is seeking followers, too. He is actually against Christ, hence the name anti-Christ. He is just a power mad pretender…

Foolish Virgin: He’s got a girlfriend?

SheepTrax: (Sighs) Many.

Foolish Virgin: Does he mind tattoos?

SheepTrax: Tattoo? It’s more of a mark, but yes, he’s got one and he’ll give it to you – but you’ll have to swear allegiance to him forever.

Foolish Virgin: Does he smoke?

SheepTrax: Not yet, anyway. - Hey, you aren’t seriously going after that guy?

And she was gone into the abyss. Was she ever really a Bride? Decide for yourself by reading Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 25, which also deals with wise and foolish servants, sheep and goats. These stories finally end with this stark promise: "Then they (foolish virgins, wicked servants, and goats) will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

In the light of Eternity, will you be found to be Foolish or Wise?


Bryan Hupperts
Copyright 2006