Are Our Lamps Filled?

Jesus’ parable of the Ten Virgins is one often repeated. Perhaps you even remember the felt figures used to illustrate the story in Sabbath School as a child. But in his 8:30 a.m. seminar, Reflections on the 10 Virgins, Jorge Baute provided a thought-provoking perspective on the familiar parable. Basing his presentation on Matthew 25:1–13, he unpacked the story and offered practical insights into its relevance for today’s end times.

In the parable, all ten virgins carried oil lamps. They were all waiting for Christ’s return, experienced the same delay, fell asleep, and awoke at midnight. At first glance, there appeared to be little difference between them. Yet in the moment of crisis, their true spiritual condition was revealed. It became clear which had cultivated a genuine relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. The parable reminds us that preparation for Christ’s return takes place long before the final crisis arrives.

Baute explained that the work of the Holy Spirit is to convict, teach, renew, and transform. As the Spirit works in the heart, the fruits of the Spirit (love, humility, and peace) replace the old nature, and the life begins to reflect the light of heaven. In contrast, the foolish virgins attempted to borrow what could only be personally experienced. Here lies the heart of Baute’s message: the foolish turned to others to fill the void in their spiritual experience, relying on people to sustain their faith instead of turning fully to God. Yet Scripture makes it clear that faith, character, and surrender to Christ cannot be transferred from one person to another.

Baute also connected the parable to Elijah’s message to Israel during a time of widespread Baal worship. Referencing the Spirit of Prophecy, he explained that the Elijah message before Christ’s return is likewise directed to the church today. In Prophets and Kings, page 170, Ellen White writes, “In the exaltation of the human above the divine, in the praise of popular leaders, in the worship of mammon…and in the placing of the teachings of science above the truths of revelation, multitudes today are following after Baal.”

To counteract this, Baute encouraged believers to study Scripture for themselves, pray together, confess sin, seek reconciliation, claim God’s promises, and pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as the early believers did.

God longs to pour out His Spirit upon His people. The question is not whether the Bridegroom is coming, but whether our lamps are filled and burning. May we be found faithfully waiting, with hearts prepared and lives surrendered to Him.

—Natalie Sissac