*****5 Wise Virgins---------------------------------*****5 Foolish Virgins

[trofimus]

OK, change oil for FAITH or Spirit and it would still have the same result. The foolish virgins did not have enough of their own. The parable says they could not get in....why are you questioning God's decision ?

Ehm.. what? I am questioning God's decision? Where did you get this illusion from?

I am questioning one specific explanation of this story.

 

[trofimus]

An they all fell asleep, that's interesting what does this mean?

All got tired by the long waiting...?

 

[BeyondET]

All got tired by the long waiting...?

Hehehe maybe or something else.

 

[popeye]

I take a simple approach to the parable of the ten virgins, I believe that Jesus was just saying, be prepared for the unexpected. Remember, the time for the bridegroom to arrive had came and went. All of the girls were prepared for the bridegroom to come when he was suppose to come, the five that were wise were prepared for the unexpected. I think that Jesus was just telling us to be prepared for the unexpected and keep our faith.

They were expecting his arrival. They were told to wait and even the foolish were waiting alongside the wise.

 

[sevenseas]

Yet 5 of them were FOOLISH and Jesus DID NOT KNOW THEM. Judas Iscariot was called a disciple, yet Jesus referred to him as an unbelieving, unclean devil who would betray Him (John 6:64-71; 13:10,11). Does that sound like Judas was TRULY His disciple? (John 8:31).

Satan may grant the power to one of his agents to cast out demons from another of his agents or perform miracles in order to gain attention and loyalty from an audience for his evil agenda. False teachers and false prophets have long demonstrated supernatural power granted by Satan. The enemy uses this deception to win an audience for his claims.

Also, in Matthew 10:1, we also see that Jesus gave His 12 disciples power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. This would include Judas Iscariot, yet Jesus referred to Judas Iscariot as an unbelieving, unclean devil who would betray Him! (John 6:64-71; 13:10-11). Apparently, Judas believed that Jesus' name has the power to cast out demons but did not truly believe in His name (John 1:12) and become a child of God, but instead was the son of perdition (John 17:12).

These many people (unbelievers) in Matthew 7:22 had the wrong foundation. They were trusting in their works to save them and NOT IN CHRIST ALONE. Jesus NEVER knew them which means they were NEVER saved. Their hearts were not right with God, so their attempted external obedience was stained with sin. *Seeking salvation by works is not the will of the Father. Without faith it's impossible to please God no matter how many alleged wonderful works that these many people set out to conjure up through the flesh. This is why Jesus referred to them as WORKERS OF INIQUITY/LAWLESSNESS! They were self righteous.

Amen!

And what does no oil suggest?

"Foolish" virgins who had "no oil" that Jesus "did not know." What does that tell you about their status?

Not everyone who "on the surface" appears to be a Christian really is, regardless of their label.

Let me explain my understanding again

I think the parable is a warning to be 'real' regarding your faith. I won't disagree there are many who call themselves Christians but do not have a relationship with the one they say is their Savior, hence Jesus does not 'know' them

I'm not debating or discussing what the devil can mimic and God allows.

What I am saying, is that everyone had the same thing. That is, all 10 were the same thing and had the same thing but only 5 had the oil IN their lamps. I believe God is looking for the image of His Son in us and if He does not see it, then we are not 'ready' for the bridegroom.

I think we are saying the same things with the exception that you might not see a warning regarding being genuine, maybe you do, I don't know, but I do see one. And I also see the oil as the life of Christ in us.

This is my take on it and if you don't quite see it that way, that's fine. I don't like to get into back and forth debates that take up 30 pages. It's ok if we do not see it exactly 100% the same. I think we are pretty close.

 

[PeterJens]

A brutal truth.

What distinguished between the wise and fools what the level of preparation.
Everything was identitical, except one had spare oil and the others did not.

Being ready is the most important thing, there is no alternative option or
2nd chance.

When the bridegroom appeared, the foolish virgins their lamps were going out.
The focus is on the bridegroom and the celebration and not waiting for the
virgins to be ready.

The Kingdom of heaven is about Gods timings and not ours.

 

[PeterJens]

Facts about the parable

1. All 10 virgins had oil in their lamps and they were alight at the start
2. All fell asleep
3. When they awoke at the shout, the 5 foolish virgins lams were going out.
4. The 5 had to go off to buy some more oil for their lamps.

 

[BeyondET]

But they all fell asleep any other guesses as to its meaning. I see many avoiding this in the parable.

 

[BeyondET]

Facts about the parable

1. All 10 virgins had oil in their lamps and they were alight at the start
2. All fell asleep
3. When they awoke at the shout, the 5 foolish virgins lams were going out.
4. The 5 had to go off to buy some more oil for their lamps.

It's about time want is the meaning of all fell asleep

 

[FreeNChrist]

But they all fell asleep any other guesses as to its meaning. I see many avoiding this in the parable.

When you’re ready, willing, and well provisioned you can sleep soundly, knowing you’re not going to miss a thing.

 

[sevenseas]

When you’re ready, willing, and well provisioned you can sleep soundly, knowing you’re not going to miss a thing.

I think the fact they all were asleep might indicate that even if it seems the Bridegroom won't come, He will and possibly when you least expect it, so be ready at all times. So, as you say, ready and having peace of mind about it because you are ready.

 

[BeyondET]

When you’re ready, willing, and well provisioned you can sleep soundly, knowing you’re not going to miss a thing.

Hmm interesting.

[video=youtube;FDHd3TmZ6wM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDHd3TmZ6wM[/video]

 

[PeterJens]

It's about time want is the meaning of all fell asleep

They fell asleep because it was getting late and nothing was happening.
Look at the church today. Compromise on all aspects of love and theology, and
conform to the world, without even acknowledging spiritual realities.

Wealth and laziness have taken over. Suffering and having things hard is now a minor
experience, rather being overweight and over indulgent is the normal experience.

 

[88]

It's about time want is the meaning of all fell asleep

***** probably referring to time----- time slipped by...

 

[BeyondET]

They fell asleep because it was getting late and nothing was happening.
Look at the church today. Compromise on all aspects of love and theology, and
conform to the world, without even acknowledging spiritual realities.

Wealth and laziness have taken over. Suffering and having things hard is now a minor
experience, rather being overweight and over indulgent is the normal experience.

Yes correct and also no one knows the hour, thus asleep.

Though some can't help being overweight I'm not harping on you for the use of it, but you never know who is reading the forums.

 

[BeyondET]

***** probably referring to time----- time slipped by...

[video=youtube;OnlTrq6wLf0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnlTrq6wLf0[/video]

 

[88]

All Christians are sealed with the Holy Spirit or how long? Unto the day they lose their salvation? NO. Unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). Ephesians 1:13 - In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

There are genuine believers and there are make believers.

Jesus will say to many that He NEVER knew them because they were NEVER saved (Matthew 7:22-23).

The wording of the five foolish virgins in our text is all too familiar to the reader of Matthew’s Gospel:

Matthew 25:11 - "Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’ 12 But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!"

Matthew 7:21 - "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven" but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven - (See John 6:40). 22 On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons and do many powerful works?’ 23 Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

Taking Matthew’s words literally, I read that the difference between the foolish virgins and the wise virgins: The wise virgins had oil for their lamps, while the foolish virgins did not. The wise virgins had the opportunity to obtain oil, and did so. The foolish virgins had plenty of opportunity to procure oil, but did not.

It is possible to be in close contact with Christ, and with Christians, and yet not be saved. I am reminded of a similar passage in the Gospel of Luke:

Luke 13:23 Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" So he said to them, 24 "Exert every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, then you will stand outside and start to knock on the door and beg him, ‘Lord, let us in!’ But he will answer you, ‘I don’t know where you come from.’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 But he will reply, ‘I don’t know where you come from! Go away from me, all you evildoers!’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves thrown out. 29 Then people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and take their places at the banquet table in the kingdom of God. 30 But indeed, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."

Jesus is warning us in this parable that there will be a number of people who look like Christians, who associate with Christians, and who even think they are Christians, who will be shocked to learn that they are not saved at the return of our Lord. What a sobering thought!

**** I believe the foolish virgins had oil---- verse 8 in the NIV says the foolish virgins lamps were going out---- implying they hard oil but not enough----- we can be saved and foolish---- we can be saved and unprepared foir Christ's coming...

 

[88]

They are not saved because the bridegroom NEVER KNEW THEM. He did not say
"I'm sorry ladies, but you misbehaved. You did not act well by keeping your lamps burning." No, he said "I do not know you." They were strangers to him. There are plenty of people who look like Christians, and lead moral lives- but they have not been saved.

**** this parable's focus is on preparation not salvation----- both were saved and had oil---- the foolish were neglectful----- the Lord did not know them in the sense they were not intimate rather foolish...

 

[88]

**** this parable's focus is on preparation not salvation----- both were saved and had oil---- the foolish were neglectful----- the Lord did not know them in the sense they were not intimate rather foolish...

**** if we fail to be intimate with the Lord and prepare to meet Him we will lead lives which will cause us to be foolish and not be known---- is it possible to lose our salvation and not be " known"...?

 

[mailmandan]

This is my take on it and if you don't quite see it that way, that's fine. I don't like to get into back and forth debates that take up 30 pages. It's ok if we do not see it exactly 100% the same. I think we are pretty close.

I know what you mean by debates that go back and forth and take up 30 pages. Been there, done that. It gets old! Not seeing it exactly 100% the same, but pretty close is about as good as it gets many times in these discussions.