They are referred to as "virgins", not brides in waiting. Anyone who has been washed by the blood of Christ is virginal! But this teaching is of paramount importance and speaks to those who are serious in their divine romance, as opposed to those that simply go through the motions! TR 35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; This also mentions a reception of the Bridegroom after the wedding. We should examine the parable of the ten virgins from a 1st century perspective. Their customs were different from ours. Indeed. Oh if I were a two thousand year old Jew! But I know a two thousand year old carpenter! TR
36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:35-37
