<p>25:7&nbsp;<em>Then all those virgins arose and</em>- In the general application of the parable, this invites interpretation as resurrection. But the burden of the parable is clearly specifically for those who live in the last days, those who are &ldquo;alive and remain&rdquo; and are called to meet their Lord, but find there is a delay. The more obvious picture, however, is that the call will grab all by surprise, and will lead to them arising and taking stop of their lives, and coming to terms with who they really are. Again, this is relevant to the closing section of the Olivet prophecy- the Lord&rsquo;s point is that even if they think they know the day and hour of His coming, it will be a shock which can in no way be prepared for. And knowing the day and hour is not the essential thing, but rather being willing to immediately go to Him and leave the things of this world.</p><p><em>Trimmed their lamps</em>- This is the same word translated &ldquo;garnished&rdquo; in the Lord&rsquo;s parable about how response to John the Baptist&rsquo;s teaching left a house &ldquo;garnished&rdquo; (12:44). And his teaching was about Jesus as Christ and the need for repentance and faith in His grace. Those who properly responded to it would be ready for the Lord&rsquo;s second coming. The whole language of Jesus as bridegroom was surely intended to recall John, for he had used the very same figure for the Lord. The introduction to the Olivet prophecy had noted that the temple was &ldquo;garnished&rdquo; (s.w. &ldquo;trimmed&rdquo;; Lk. 21:5), and the Lord is surely saying that that was irrelevant, for the true garnishing is of personal preparedness for His coming. The bride herself is to be &ldquo;adorned s.w. for her husband&rdquo;, the bridegroom (Rev. 21:2).</p>