The Parable of the Ten Virgins (An Open Book by the Holy Spirit)

Text: “Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.’” Acts 1:4 NLT

This morning, while driving, the Holy Spirit began teaching me about the importance of the waiting period, using the parable of the ten virgins from Matthew 25:1-13 as a reference.

Key Definitions:

1. Chronos – Time created by God for man to prepare for divine moments.
2. Nun – The waiting period or transition.
3. Kairos – A time appointed by God.

Our anchor scripture emphasizes the instruction to “not leave Jerusalem until” the promise is fulfilled, illustrating the importance of patiently waiting without distraction.

Turning to the parable of the ten virgins, the focus is not on their virginity, which qualifies them all, but rather on the distinction between the wise and the foolish. The narrative reveals that during their chronos, or time of preparation, the foolish virgins failed to fully prepare by not having extra oil, essential in case of delays. Their entrance to the wedding represents their kairos, and their waiting period represents their nun.

A critical misstep for the foolish virgins was listening to wrong advice, prompting them to leave in search of more oil instead of remaining steadfast. When the bridegroom arrived, which had been previously announced, they were absent, missing their appointed moment.

The wise virgins, on the other hand, advised the foolish to buy oil, but crucially, they did not leave their post. The text emphasizes that their lamps were going out, not that they were completely extinguished, suggesting that persistence in their current state could have sufficed until the bridegroom’s arrival.

Lessons Learned:

1. The announcement was a call to meet the bridegroom, not necessarily to have lamps burning independently.
2. The lamps of the wise could have illuminated the path for others, demonstrating the value of communal support.

The NUN period serves as a gatekeeper season and is often the most challenging phase. This period could last for as little as 24 hours or extend up to several months. It’s important to recognize that it’s typically a brief window of time, and only those with keen discernment realize when the gate is open. During chronos, you might make mistakes and find opportunities to correct your course, but during the NUN, if you miss your moment, it’s gone. You’ll have to wait for another chronos period to open up. This explains why many experience a pattern of near success—they simply miss their crucial NUN period. It’s not a time for casual apologies to God; if you miss it, you must prepare to wait for the next opportunity.

In conclusion, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that much like the unwise virgins who left their transition gate, many can miss their divine appointments by seeking alternate strategies or succumbing to ill advice. As God revealed to me that 2024 is a year of transition, similar to 2020, I’ve come to understand the importance of recognizing and respecting God’s timing and guidance.

May God grant you the wisdom to navigate your periods of waiting and preparation.