Parable of the Ten Virgins

marks said:

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True, every word, and just the same, we recognize things like, that while we learn and grow and all by reading God's dealings with Noah, we still realize that God was speaking to Noah when He told him to build an ark. So we learn about God's love, and patience, and grace, and holiness, and judgment, but we aren't building big boats.

Much love!

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Mark 16:18-20 KJV
[18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. [19] So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. [20] And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

When you read this do you perceive that God is speaking to you, or His disciples standing before Him?
Tecarta Bible

amadeus said:

And what is a "genuine child of God"? Certainly not every person who says that he is!

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And that is the whole point of the parable. That every person must examine themselves to see if indeed they are children of God. Since only the children of God will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Philip James said:

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

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Interesting.

Philip James said:

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

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This is not parabolic but prophetic. The two Tribulation PROPHETS (more than likely Moses and Elijah who also appeared at the Transfiguration) are likened to two olive trees and two lampstands since they are filled with the Holy Spirit and present the light of Gospel Truth to the whole unbelieving world (while the Antichrist tries to deceive the world). This is yet future and they will minister on earth for 3 1/2 years (1260 days) before they are killed and then resurrected and raptured.

only prolly not, wadr

The olive tree in the Bible is the tree of the anointing
!

amadeus said:

In order to find the "real jewels" should we not go ahead and buy the whole field at whatever the cost and then we search for the treasure hid therein?

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field." Matt 13:44

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Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so ; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

note) He overturned the tables and threw out those who sold and made His house into a house of merchandise...a den of thieves. also note) it wasn’t “the ministration of the Spirit” sending them to those that sell.

But your post brought up it does cost “for joy thereof goeth and sells all that he has, and buys that field.”
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Enoch111 said:

Sorry, but this interpretation is completely inconsistent with the context as well as the actual parable of the Ten Virgins.

Ten Virgins = the sum total of Christendom (all who call themselves Christians).

Five Wise Virgins = those who truly believed and received the Holy Spirit (oil being a metaphor for the Spirit)

Five Foolish Virgins = those who thought they were Christians but did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit. They may have been good church members, even baptized and tithing, but without the Spirit.

The Bridegroom = Christ Himself

Being Shut Out = Not being allowed into the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said that one must be born again in order to (1) enter and (2) see the Kingdom of God. Professing Christians who have not been born again are shut out of that Kingdom.

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Absolutely correct, with the following scripture for support:
KJV-Rom. 8:8-9
[8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
[9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Waiting on him said:

Mark 16:18-20 KJV
[18] They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. [19] So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. [20] And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

When you read this do you perceive that God is speaking to you, or His disciples standing before Him?
Tecarta Bible

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Hi Waiting on him,

Are we talking dispensationism?

Much love!

So have any Calvinists weighed in? I'd be very interested in how they interpret this parable. The way I see it, this parable puts the kibosh on the Calvinistic idea about predestination.

VictoryinJesus said:

Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so ; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

note) He overturned the tables and threw out those who sold and made His house into a house of merchandise...a den of thieves. also note) it wasn’t “the ministration of the Spirit” sending them to those that sell.

But your post brought up it does cost “for joy thereof goeth and sells all that he has, and buys that field.”
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

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The cost for us is very high, but certainly more than worth the price... Also there is this:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom 12:1

Invisibilis said:

11. "Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!'

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And they are still outside blaming each other.

Matthew 25:1 "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and sent forth to meet the bridegroom."

Many today teach that once you say the magic words, you automatically become saved, once and for all times. The can't imagine themselves being shut away from the wedding feast, after they have been saved. Know this, on the road to salvation, without repentance, and without studying God's Word, there are many pitfalls. It will be the last day of the Millennium age, before some that think that they are saved now, will earn it, or they will walk into the lake of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Jesus is now comparing the "kingdom of heaven" to a wedding that is taking place. The Kingdom is made up of the king [Jesus Christ] and His domain. The domain is made up of everything in the area of rulership of the king; the people, the land and all things on and in the land.

The bridegroom is Christ, and all ten of the virgin maidens are Christians and are going forth to meet the Bridegroom. Ten in Biblical numerics represents "law, and responsibility". The law is still on the books for us, and we have the responsibility to serve the true Christ. Though the parts of the law that pertain to the blood sacrifices are ended with Christ shed blood on the cross, the rest of the law is a vital part of every society, no matter how primitive.

The subject here then is to remain a true virgin, spiritually, waiting on the true Christ, and not to be take by the wrong Christ. All ten of these virgins are Christians, and claim to be in this generation, for the time of being taken is at the arrival of Satan being cast to the earth, as the Antichrist.

Matthew 25:2 "And five of them were wise, and five were foolish."

The wise studied God's Word, and knew the signs of the end times, and who the Kenites were. However the foolish were the virgins that listened to the fairy tales of the fly away doctrines, and just couldn't wait until the could go whoring after the Antichrist. The foolish ones just do not care to study to know the truth and seal it away in their minds.

This is the eleventh hour, which means these five foolish were Christians all the way to the very end of the age, before the coming of the Antichrist. It will be documented later. This is Jesus Christ's final teaching, from the mount of Olives, and is part of the teaching of chapter twenty four.

Matthew 25:3 "They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:"

They had oil, but not an reservoir of oil. The lamp will not burn to long with out the reservoir.

It is important that you understand the menorah described in Zechariah 4, that has to do with the two witnesses, and the seven candlesticks. The seven candlesticks represent God's elect, the seven thousand, and all the ethnos that are with them. At the base of the menorah, or lamp stands, there was a huge reservoir of oil. That oil was olive oil, the oil of our people. This is the same oil that we are instructed to use when anointing in Jesus name.

Keep tis in mind, as long as your in the flesh, Christ has not returned. If someone says that Jesus has returned today, and your in the flesh, they are liars. When Jesus comes, and touches His feet on mount Zion, the mountain will split with a quake, and the sun and moon will vanish. If those heavenly bodies are there, Christ has not returned. If you pinch yourself, and it still hurts, then that is not Christ. If it takes that simple act to understand, then do it.

The oil in the lamps are the knowledge in your mind that seals your mind that you will not be taken by the wrong husband, the Antichrist, Satan. The oil is the entire world of God, enough to keep your lamp lit through the entire tribulation of deception of the Antichrist. All of the knowledge from God's word, of the signs of the times, and the details of His coming is the oil that you need for your lamp. But don't be foolish, and deceived; wait for the true bridegroom.

Matthew 25:4 "But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps."

The wise had the reservoir, other then the lamps. They had all the oil necessary to for the entire waiting period, right through the Antichrist rule, and up to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. They had the truth, and knew the signs of the times. They could identify Satan, and his locust army of fallen angels, and they were aware of the supernatural powers that God gave them, to deceive all those that did not have the oil. The were not deceived by the miracles that Satan, and his angelic forces preformed in the sight of men.

The oil that we are to take that is stated here; in the Greek is # 1637 in Strong's Dictionary. It is "elaion", which comes from the prime # 1636, "elaia, el-ah'-yah", "el" is God, and "ah" is God, and "yah" is God, Three forms of the God head. This is the olive tree that the olive oil comes from. The wisdom of God, the oil, comes from the olive tree. and we get that oil from His word.

The oil of God is the truth in God's word, from beginning to end. It covers all three ages, and is controlled in every aspect in the perfect plan of God, by the offices of God.

Matthew 25:5 "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept."

As the delay went along, they slept, and became slack in their studying and understand of God's Word. The just forgot to take on some of that oil of truth.

Matthew 25:6 "And at midnight there was a cry made, 'Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out and meet him.' "

At the end of the eleventh hour, right at the end of this earth age, and the Christians, all ten of them, are anxious to see the bride groom. You have heard the expression, "once saved, always saved", well that doesn't mean that you are going to take part in the marriage. If you are betting you soul on that then you are in trouble. You have to be founded in the word of God, in this final generation, or your only hope will be after you earned it at the end of the Millennium age. It is important that you study, and listen to God, rather then listening to man.

This is the end of the age, and that is what the subject is in Matthew 24, and so far in 25.

Matthew 25:7 "Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps."

That means that you trim the wick, where the flame burns the brightest, without soot. That is where you put out the most light possible.

Matthew 25:8 "And the foolish said unto the wise, 'Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.' "

What it means is that the foolish virgins [Christians] simply do not know the way to go, for they have run out of truth. They listened to the traditions of men, and not that teaching has left them confused between God's teachings and man's teaching. The oil is the truth of the Word of God, which includes all the signs of the times, and being able to distinguish between the two Christ, the two comings, and the two trumpets [the fifth and the seventh].

Matthew 25:9 "But the wise answered, saying, 'Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.' "

There is only one true light, friend, and if you wait until the last moment, the only oil that will be available will be the oil of strange fire. These five foolish virgins, or Christians must then go and buy strange fire, or the doctrines of men, then when you do, they will find yourself heading into the wrong light, when the Antichrist arrives on earth. This is speaking in a spiritual sense.

Matthew 25:10 "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut."

At midnight the door was shut, it was midnight, and you were either in or out, there was no changing of mind, for at that moment those that knew the truth, and had the oil absolutely could not be fooled, and all others that had not the truth, could not get it. There was a complete blackout for the truth, or oil, and the only oil on the market was for "strange fire" that led you to the Antichrist.

Friend, if you are banking on waiting to the end to make things right, you are in trouble. When the Antichrist comes to earth, with his locust army of fallen angels, God is going to turn those that have not the truth over to Satan, the Antichrist, and only those seal with the oil of truth in their minds are to be protected. Revelation 9:4; "And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only the those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads."

The seal is the oil, the truth of God, and the the lamps are where the oil is kept, and that is in your mind, which is in your forehead. The foolish virgins are lacking the knowledge of the truth of God to know the difference between the two Christ, Jesus Christ and the Antichrist, and before they have the time to obtain the truth, it will be to late. The door is shut by the Almighty God Himself, and it is He that will cause you to go whoring after the wrong husband.

It better be clear, for the time is getting close. The eleventh hour started in May 15, 1948, and Jesus told us in Matthew 24:33, 34; "So likewise ye when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the door." [33] "Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." That generation that saw the planting of the fig tree, which is the establishment of the Jewish state of Israel in Palestine, is forty eight years are becoming senior citizens today.

You can take on the true oil now, however at the instant of the sounding of the fifth trumpet, and Satan the Antichrist and his fallen angels are cast out of heaven, it is to late, the door is slammed shut.

There is a war in heaven going on right now, and at the appointed time, as Jesus told us in Revelation 12:7-9, "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, " [7] "And prevailed not, neither was there place found any more in heaven." [8] "And The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth , and his angels were cast out with him." [9]

When Satan arrives in person, the door is shut, and the whole world except those sealed with the oil of God, the Word of God, and know the truth, are given over to Satan, and his hoards of locust army [fallen angels] and the Kenites. Then it is to late. There is just to much listening to "one verse preachers".

Matthew 25:11 "Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, 'lord, lord, open to us."

These five virgins [Christians] ran to town and bought some strange fire, or false teaching. They went back to the same old place that told them in the first place that they were going to fly away in the rapture, and tried to pick up some more of that strange fire.

Friend, even Martin Luther didn't teach of the Rapture, because it originated in the mind of a mentally sick woman in Scotland, Margaret McDonald, in 1830 A.D. What do you think that Christ thought of those that chased after that bad oil, to fan their strange fire?

Matthew 25:12 "But he answered and said, 'Verily I say unto you, I know you not.' "

When the door shuts it is final, there is no more grace offered to those who have not prepared for the entire wait. We are told to wait with patience, to know the times, and the seasons, and Jesus is telling us in a very simple way, to take up the oil, and fill our lamps while there is time.

Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."

Do you know the hour? If you are a watchman, you do. Many are called but only a few will be chosen. That time for the watchman to pay attention is here and now. Do you know what hour you are watching for?

That hour is the hour that consummates the end of this age, it is the hour of temptation, which is the time that the New World order has prepared the world to rejoice in their savior, the Antichrist. It is that five month period spoken of in Revelation 9:5, 10. Have you heard of the New World Order lately? Then wake up.

It is up to you to make the choices, for nobody is going to force you to wait on the true Christ, and load your lamps with the true oil [God's truth]. God gave you the free will to chose whom you will, and when the door shuts, there will be some rejoicing, but there will be far more that will be weeping and gnashing their teeth.

matthew25

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

These saints are described to be virgins in spite of the fact that all the saints once were sinners. That is correct since what God has purified, we should not call impure. When the soul of a sinner is converted, it is as if a prostitute has become a virgin. Now although we cannot compare ourselves to Mother Mary in one way, we can in another. When we betroth ourselves to Christ, we wait for the Holy Spirit to overshadow us in something which compares to the consummation of a wedding. We know Jesus in a certain way but await a more intimate kind of knowing.

The lamps represent, I believe, their hearts. The once hard heart has been made a heart of flesh in which the Light of God can manifest as oil burns in a lamp.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

The foolish virgins have been granted a high favor by being betrothed and by being made virgins; but they have not not learned to act for themselves. They appear to think they don't need to do anything, that the bridegroom will take care of everything. So they were offered salvation and special positions in the kingdom freely; they could not earn the spots; but they then failed to show gratitude or thoughtfulness for the gift they received.

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

This can be related to how the two witness trees are depicted. People are like trees in a certain way. A tree can grow from a tiny seed, pull down roots into the "dead" soil and convert that dead soil into something living. The spiritual tree called man requires spiritual light (Light of God), air (Wisdom of God), and water (Waters of Life). The "air" could also be compared to "blood" since blood has the ability to carry air within it. Thus the Spiritual Tree called Man relies on the three that bear witness also -- Spirit, Blood and Water. It is growing in the physical earth and changing the material into the spiritual just as a physical tree converts dead matter into living matter.

Do not say that everything in the kingdom is free. This parable shows it isn't. While it is true each of us received "the oil" of the Holy Spirit from outside ourselves at first, we are expected to grow as olive trees, bear olives and make our own oil. This oil is then offered as a sacrifice on the altar of the Pure Heart which burns with the Sacred Flame. If you have ever experienced that "warm feeling" worshiping God in prayer or song, you can be sure your heart is offering up its sacrifice of oil which is converted to Light and Fire.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

It was acceptable for them to sleep. . . if they had prepared themselves.

John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

I see the trimming of the wicks as circumcising the heart. At the last minute here, the brides all check to see if their hearts are indeed pure and circumcise their hearts if they find any flaws. This I compare to how brides fuss, wanting to perfect when their husband sees them.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

Were the wise virgins selfish for not sharing? Wouldn't the selfless thing to do have been to give their oil to the foolish ones? Actually no. The bridegroom's wishes must be taken into account. For the wise ones to run out of oil so the foolish ones had it would have stuck the bridegroom with ungrateful and unthinking brides.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1-13)

We could say they had been predestined and called; but they were not justified or glorified. "Many are called, but few are chosen." While betrothed, they were not wed. The bridegroom was not intimate with them -- there remained something unsatisfactory about them preventing such intimacy.

Notice that "glorification" also involves the Divine Light. Do not think that God is going to impart His Light on the saints from the outside only. To a large extent, the steps that lead up to glorification are happening now. The more oil a saint can produce by keeping his roots in the earth below while receiving Light, Air and Water from above, the more brightly he will shine on the day the Glory of God is manifested in him. In this world, each saint acts as a "candle" or "lamp" to shine the Light of God to others; and in the world to come and in the kingdom, the full brightness will be revealed.

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Hidden In Him said:

I will give my interpretation first, and open the thread for comments, questions and/or competing interpretations. All are free to respond.

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I copied this to the right thread.

I believe part of getting this fire rekindled is being of sober spirit. All of the ten virgins had to wake up.

I like what the Benson commentary says about what a sober spirit is according to 1 Peter 5:8

1 Peter 5:8-9. Be sober — See on 1 Thessalonians 5:6. Keep your appetites and passions under proper restraint and government, or awake, as υηψανε also signifies; namely, to a deep sense of the certainty and importance of things invisible and eternal

Then 1 Thessalonians 5:6 also goes along with the Parable of the ten virgins...

1Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. 2For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.4But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. 5For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.9For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. 11Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.

I wonder if verse 10 means there is hope for the foolish virgins that they will be able to live with Him...

Anyway, just thoughts, this parable has been a big one on my heart for the last year or so and finally getting a good grasp understanding on it. If we are not of sober spirit, this is another way we can quench the Holy Spirit.

I wanted to add this too from the other thread...

A little bit different thing, but wonderful post. "Awake or asleep" above is an allusion to the body being alive or in the grave awaiting resurrection, while in the parable I believe it is a reference to being spiritually asleep.

But the rest of the passage you quoted is indeed talking about spiritual slumber, and being "in the dark," so to speak. So excellent reference! Very insightful : )

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I can see this being an allusion to being naturally asleep and awake...but I think that the context in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 is spiritually soft vs. vigilant as I read in one commentary. I think this, because the passage is talking about spiritual slumber vs. Those awake

My question about this parable still is if the foolish virgins, are they true believers weeping and gnashing teeth because they go to Hell, or weeping and gnashing teeth, because they missed out on the Rapture.

Because believers are supposed to be in the day, but are there genuine believers in the dark. If they came to the wedding feast to try entering, maybe they ended up getting some oil...

Mayflower said:

My question about this parable still is if the foolish virgins, are they true believers weeping and gnashing teeth because they go to Hell...

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True believers do not face Hell.