Five Foolish Virgins

 Who are the five foolish virgins? Unger states that they are the children of Israel. They are removed from the earth and will suffer death with the godless gentiles during the great tribulation period. The five wise virgins will remain and enter into the promised land, the millennial kingdom. Isaiah 27:12. Unger's commentary on the Old Testament. Pg. 1215.

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. The words kingdom of heaven are found thirty-two times in the gospel of Matthew and always refer to God's reign over His created and redeemed world and the believers who occupy that world. Jewish exclusivity is not the theme here. Jew and Gentile alike make up the kingdom of heaven. Whereas Isaiah 27:12 is referring to Israel exclusively.

The Bridegroom

Who is the Bridegroom? Jesus is the Bridegroom and He will be returning for those who are watching and waiting for Him. The foolish virgins are not concerned about the coming of the Lord. The wise virgins are waiting anxiously for Him. The group of virgins consist of Jew and Gentile alike.

The exhortation at the end of this parable is to watch for you know neither the day or the hour wherin the Son of man will come. If the parable of the ten virgins is referring to the Lord's gathering one by one and one to another of the children of Israel in Isaiah 27:12 which occurs during the tribulation period, it becomes nonsensical. During the tribulation period, people will know exactly when the Lord will return. It will be seven years after rapture of the church. Jesus' secret coming is a big mystery though and corresponds to the Lord's exhortation at the end of the parable of the ten virgins. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

In conclusion, the parable of the ten virgins is referring to the church. Jew and Gentile alike. It also speaks of the rapture of the church which will occur when Jesus secretly returns and calls His bride, the church, to come and be with him before the seven year tribulation period begins. Many folks in the church are not anxiously watching and waiting for the coming of the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. They will say to Him when he comes Lord, Lord, let us in. But Jesus will say to them, "I know you not". Matt. 25:12.