Parable of the Virgins.

This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine
Let it shine



HankD

 

Watch and be prepared.

 

1 Thessalonians 5
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[ October 16, 2002, 01:25 PM: Message edited by: HankD ]

 

Luke 21:
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
37 And in the day time he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives.
38 And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him.

 

The Virgins in This Parable Represent The Priests of The Old Testament.
The Door Was The Veil Of The Sanctuary.
Inside Is Where The Priests Fellowshiped With Each Other and The Lord

The Foolish Virgins were unprepared..They Were Defiled and had Blemishes and were unclean..and were unable To Enter into The Sanctuary.
They Couldnt Enter Through The Veil when They Were Beckoned...understand

Jesus Describes A Temple Made With Hands in The OT. The NT Is The Same But We Enter A Temple Made Without Hands. And We Are The Virgins...Wise and Foolish. the Rules of The Sanctuary Still Apply...Disobedience...Defilement and Blemishes (Sin), Disallow Us To Enter Into Fellowship "In The Spirit" With Our Fellow Christians..

This Parable Was Not an end Of The World Sign or Analogy either..Its Everyday Instruction..

At Least Thats My Opinion....
Me2

 

The Virgins in This Parable Represent The Priests of The Old Testament.
The Door Was The Veil Of The Sanctuary.
Inside Is Where The Priests Fellowshiped With Each Other and The Lord

The Foolish Virgins were unprepared..They Were Defiled and had Blemishes and were unclean..and were unable To Enter into The Sanctuary.
They Couldnt Enter Through The Veil when They Were Beckoned...understand

Jesus Describes A Temple Made With Hands in The OT. The NT Is The Same But We Enter A Temple Made Without Hands. And We Are The Virgins...Wise and Foolish. the Rules of The Sanctuary Still Apply...Disobedience...Defilement and Blemishes (Sin), Disallow Us To Enter Into Fellowship "In The Spirit" With Our Fellow Christians..

This Parable Was Not an end Of The World Sign or Analogy either..Its Everyday Instruction..

At Least Thats My Opinion....
Me2

 

The delay… IMO The following verses might apply:

As a test for both the world and the Church…

Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Genesis 15: (see the context).
16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

Luke 12:
45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Grace abounds…
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

At midnight…
Mark 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Matthew 26:36-45.

 

I'm one of those nutsy rapture people, and this parable is one of the reasons why. We are watching for the return of the Bridegroom for the bride.

The Jewish groom came at night for the bride. So those who waited for him would wait with lamps to "show the way". Now we know Jesus does not need to be shown the way, but every parable can only go so far!

Oil is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit in the Bible.

So here is a possible series of ideas relating to this parable. PLEASE note I said 'ideas'!

It is night when the bridegroom comes.
The light of the truth of the Bible does seem to be going out across the world in favor of ecumenism, liberality, and/or legalism in the churches and increasing apostacy and atheism outside of them.

Many claim to be Christian. Not everyone who makes the claim is.

Those who are born again have the Holy Spirit within. They have the oil.

Those who are not born again are bankrupt of the oil.

The lesson? Be right with God (be born again in Him), then, while you are being used by Him in your life on this earth and maturing spiritually in the process, keep your heart looking up -- watching and waiting.

 

Helen,

I agree with much that you said, except the above. If the oil represents the Holy Spirit, then, even the five foolish virgins are representatives of (rather than individuals) I would say churches, the oil being in the lamp shows possession of the spirit, the flame going out shows they were low on the Spirit, but not going out.

I know some who believe all ten of these to represent "bridesmaids" rather than the bride. I have not studied it out that far as of yet, so I refrained from answering since the brother specified his working on a sermon topic, I did not want to provide any undue influence, though I don't think I would have.

In keeping with the analogy of your picture of the Jewish marriage, from my studies,I believe the marriage supper, or reception was also held in the bridegroom's father's house.

I also believe the use of midnight would refer to a "late" hour; when guests are not expected to visit, not necessarily night; though you may have meant the same as my statement, being in the "night" of time.

This scripture is much deeper than I have been able to glean from it so far. It is a beautiful study, however, and I am drawn to it often.

I have also found the reference that the bridegroom is returning from His father's house as the virgins would go out to meet him; This would imply the bride is with her beloved; and would show the thought toward the bridesmaids.

A wonderful study I am involved in now may be parallel:

http://www.ohr.org.il/judaism/articles/wedding/htm

The above url I believe will reference to The Jewish Wedding Ceremony.

God Bless you in your walk and service to Him.

Bro. Dallas

 

Heres A Sidebar...

In The Temple Of solomon There Is Inside The Inner Sanctuary

10 Lampstands with 7 Candles On Each with Their own Individual Containers Of Oil

5 on One Side...5 on The Other

Priest Were To Keep The Oil Filled and The Lamp Wicks Trimmed

Priest are Called Virgins To The Lord (Rev 14:4)

Only Qualified Priests Could Be Used In This Service. With No one Containing Spots or Blemishes.

The Veil to the inner Santuary is Called The Door, or The Gate (Mat 7:14) and only Qualified Priest Could Enter.

And Rules Of The Temple..Love God, Love Man


Who In Their Right Mind Has 10 Virgins Waiting To Be Eloped?

and would Leave 5 ?...

(oh well..Its Just A Parable)

Me2

 

I agree with you, Dallas. Am revising my 'ideas'

Thank you very much.

Me2 -- you crack me up. I really do appreciate your approach as well as your willingness to note where it seems to fall down.

Thinking on the things of the Lord is not a bad way to spend some time, eh?