“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:1-13
Just prior to this Parable Jesus, in reference to His Second Coming, speaks about our discipleship saying, "Blessed is that slave whom his Master will find at work when He arrives. Truly I tell you, He will put that one in charge of all his possessions." (Matthew 24:46-4) Next is this Parable, His Parable of the five foolish and five wise virgins. He speaks to us about perseverance.
To persevere is to endure tests of your faith, and to keep-on-keeping-on in your belief in God's best for those you love, and to stand firm in your Biblical belief in Jesus Christ. You are the one who has the lamp of Christ ready to shine and you let it shine for Christ the Bridegroom. We are His Church with lit lamps of faith as His Light shines out from us to others.
One day Jesus Christ will return to us and every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord. (Revelation 5:13) and until that day of His Return we are to persevere in sharing Christ, living like Christ, imitating Christ, and knowing Christ through Scriptures and Holy Spirit. We persevere using His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)