Five Foolish Virgins VS Five Wise Virgins
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QUOTE ;
"""In parables it is rarely necessary to decode every detail in the parable as though it were a metaphor of a spiritual object. Like in the parable of the prodigal son. It was specifically taught to show the pharisees that they had the wrong attitude toward sinners and publicans coming to Jesus"""
LOL
Your formula must have prevented you from understanding the prodigal story.
Are you aware that Jesus interpreted his metaphors to the disciples?
This METAPHOR IS "THIS OR THAT" ,in the wheat/ tares parable?
You basically proved that not deciphering the metaphor DISTORTS the allegory being delivered.
"""In parables it is rarely necessary to decode every detail in the parable as though it were a metaphor of a spiritual object. Like in the parable of the prodigal son. It was specifically taught to show the pharisees that they had the wrong attitude toward sinners and publicans coming to Jesus"""
LOL
Your formula must have prevented you from understanding the prodigal story.
Are you aware that Jesus interpreted his metaphors to the disciples?
This METAPHOR IS "THIS OR THAT" ,in the wheat/ tares parable?
You basically proved that not deciphering the metaphor DISTORTS the allegory being delivered.
"""One interesting thought is what would have happened had the 5 foolish virgins remained, with unlit lamps, and were there while Christ had returned? It seems a critical element is that they were gone when he arrived. They were late because they hadn't been properly prepared for his return. They were lacking something and realized it too late."""
Yes they were " gone" but in the rapture it is world wide, so they are still " present" at the same time.
The one taken/left is also the rapture and the " foolish" are side by side with the wise.
Yes they were " gone" but in the rapture it is world wide, so they are still " present" at the same time.
The one taken/left is also the rapture and the " foolish" are side by side with the wise.
As a child dI heard the story of how one man built his house upon the sands, while the wiser man built his house on a rock.
The storm came and the first lost everything he had built, and the wise man's house withstood the winds and rains and kept itself well.
I have never built a house, but I have bought one, and it is on high ground away from flood plains nearby and it has a good foundation.
Since receiving the Holy Spirit I have come to understand this story as having other meaing for me. My faith is built on a Rock, and when any storm comes, trials that is, my Rock will defend me perfectly.
I never thought of this as a parable, just wisdom from our Master.
The storm came and the first lost everything he had built, and the wise man's house withstood the winds and rains and kept itself well.
I have never built a house, but I have bought one, and it is on high ground away from flood plains nearby and it has a good foundation.
Since receiving the Holy Spirit I have come to understand this story as having other meaing for me. My faith is built on a Rock, and when any storm comes, trials that is, my Rock will defend me perfectly.
I never thought of this as a parable, just wisdom from our Master.
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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. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’ (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's 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 may indeed be 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 and Christ never knew them. What a sobering thought!
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. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’ (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's 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 may indeed be 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 and Christ never knew them. What a sobering thought!
S
The context states the reason he told them this parable "
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable:..."
With that in mind one can understand that the lost sheep, the prodigal and other parables here are to teach them that God is all about saving sinners and publications and they should be glad if they really were on God's side instead of murmuring about it.
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable:..."
With that in mind one can understand that the lost sheep, the prodigal and other parables here are to teach them that God is all about saving sinners and publications and they should be glad if they really were on God's side instead of murmuring about it.
S
It is not something to argue about. There is a lack of understanding about the differences between allegories and parables in biblical literature and so people sometimes make mistakes in trying to decode the details in a parable when the detail objects are not really the lesson. The lost sheep could have been a lost goat, a lost calf, a lost alpaca, the lesson would have been the same. When people go on an on about the nature of sheep they miss the point.
When people try to interpret a parable defining secret revelation to every object in the story it is like trying to explain a joke. You probably aren't getting the lesson if you are trying to find secret meaning in the shape of the lamps they ten virgins used.
Below is a good explanation about Parables in the bible and how they are explained to Bible School Students in every denomination. It is not something students argue about. There is much more to exegesis for a parable but I wont post that now.
The Good Samaritan is an example of a true parable. It is a story, pure and simple, with a beginning and an ending; it has something of a “plot.” Other such story parables include the Lost Sheep, the Prodigal Son, the Great Banquet, the Workers in the Vineyard, the Rich Man and Lazarus, and the Ten Virgins.
The Yeast in the Dough, on the other hand, is more of a similitude. What is said of the yeast, or the sower, or the mustard seed was always true of yeast, sowing, or mustard seeds. Such “parables” are more like illustrations taken from everyday life, which Jesus used to make a point. Beyond this, such sayings as “You are the salt of the earth” differ from both of these. These are sometimes called parabolic sayings, but in reality they are metaphors and similes. At times they seem to function in a way similar to the similitude, but their point — their reason for being spoken — is considerably different. It should be noted further that in some cases, especially that of the Wicked Tenants (Matt 21:33 – 44 // Mark 12:1–11 // Luke 20:9 – 18), a parable may approach something very close to allegory, where many of the details in a story are intended to represent something else (such as in Augustine’s misinterpretation of the Good Samaritan). But the parables are not allegories — even if at times they have what appear to us to be allegorical features. The reason we can be sure of this has to do with their differing functions.
Because the parables are not all of one kind, one cannot necessarily lay down rules that will cover them all. What we say here is intended for the parables proper, but much of what is said will cover the other types as well.
How the Parables Function The best clues as to what the parables are is to be found in their function. In contrast to most of the parabolic sayings, such as not reaping figs from thorn bushes (Luke 6:43), the story parables do not serve to illustrate Jesus’ prosaic teaching with word pictures. Nor are they told to serve as vehicles for revealing truth — although they end up clearly doing that.
Rather the story parables function as a striking way of calling forth a response on the part of the hearer. In a sense, the parable itself is the message. It is told to address and capture the hearers, to bring them up short about their own actions, or to cause them to respond in some way to Jesus and his ministry.
Indeed, this chapter is being rewritten shortly after watching Spielberg’s marvelous film presentation of Lincoln, whose own personal wit and story-telling had a similar effect on his hearers — love or hate. It is this “call for response” nature of the parable that causes our great dilemma in interpreting them. For in some ways to interpret a parable is to destroy what it was originally. It is like interpreting a joke.
The whole point of a joke and what makes it funny is that the hearer has immediacy with it as it is being told. It is funny to the hearer precisely because they get “caught,” as it were. How a joke ends is not what one instinctively expects from how it began. But it can only catch someone if they understand the points of reference in the joke. If you have to interpret the joke by explaining the points of reference, it no longer catches the hearer and therefore fails to capture the same quality of laughter. When the joke is interpreted, it can then be understood all right and may still be funny (at least one understands what one should have laughed at), but it ceases to have the same impact. Thus it no longer functions in the same way. So it is with the parables.
They were spoken, and we may assume that most of the hearers had an immediate identification with the points of reference that caused them to catch the point — or be caught by it. For us, however, the parables are in written form. We may or may not immediately catch the points of reference, and therefore they can never function for us in quite the same way they did for the first hearers. But by interpreting we usually are able to understand what they caught, or what we would have caught had we been there. And this is what we must do in our exegesis. The hermeneutical task lies beyond that: How do we recapture the punch of the parables in our own times and our own settings?
Fee, Gordon D.; Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
When people try to interpret a parable defining secret revelation to every object in the story it is like trying to explain a joke. You probably aren't getting the lesson if you are trying to find secret meaning in the shape of the lamps they ten virgins used.
Below is a good explanation about Parables in the bible and how they are explained to Bible School Students in every denomination. It is not something students argue about. There is much more to exegesis for a parable but I wont post that now.
The Good Samaritan is an example of a true parable. It is a story, pure and simple, with a beginning and an ending; it has something of a “plot.” Other such story parables include the Lost Sheep, the Prodigal Son, the Great Banquet, the Workers in the Vineyard, the Rich Man and Lazarus, and the Ten Virgins.
The Yeast in the Dough, on the other hand, is more of a similitude. What is said of the yeast, or the sower, or the mustard seed was always true of yeast, sowing, or mustard seeds. Such “parables” are more like illustrations taken from everyday life, which Jesus used to make a point. Beyond this, such sayings as “You are the salt of the earth” differ from both of these. These are sometimes called parabolic sayings, but in reality they are metaphors and similes. At times they seem to function in a way similar to the similitude, but their point — their reason for being spoken — is considerably different. It should be noted further that in some cases, especially that of the Wicked Tenants (Matt 21:33 – 44 // Mark 12:1–11 // Luke 20:9 – 18), a parable may approach something very close to allegory, where many of the details in a story are intended to represent something else (such as in Augustine’s misinterpretation of the Good Samaritan). But the parables are not allegories — even if at times they have what appear to us to be allegorical features. The reason we can be sure of this has to do with their differing functions.
Because the parables are not all of one kind, one cannot necessarily lay down rules that will cover them all. What we say here is intended for the parables proper, but much of what is said will cover the other types as well.
How the Parables Function The best clues as to what the parables are is to be found in their function. In contrast to most of the parabolic sayings, such as not reaping figs from thorn bushes (Luke 6:43), the story parables do not serve to illustrate Jesus’ prosaic teaching with word pictures. Nor are they told to serve as vehicles for revealing truth — although they end up clearly doing that.
Rather the story parables function as a striking way of calling forth a response on the part of the hearer. In a sense, the parable itself is the message. It is told to address and capture the hearers, to bring them up short about their own actions, or to cause them to respond in some way to Jesus and his ministry.
Indeed, this chapter is being rewritten shortly after watching Spielberg’s marvelous film presentation of Lincoln, whose own personal wit and story-telling had a similar effect on his hearers — love or hate. It is this “call for response” nature of the parable that causes our great dilemma in interpreting them. For in some ways to interpret a parable is to destroy what it was originally. It is like interpreting a joke.
The whole point of a joke and what makes it funny is that the hearer has immediacy with it as it is being told. It is funny to the hearer precisely because they get “caught,” as it were. How a joke ends is not what one instinctively expects from how it began. But it can only catch someone if they understand the points of reference in the joke. If you have to interpret the joke by explaining the points of reference, it no longer catches the hearer and therefore fails to capture the same quality of laughter. When the joke is interpreted, it can then be understood all right and may still be funny (at least one understands what one should have laughed at), but it ceases to have the same impact. Thus it no longer functions in the same way. So it is with the parables.
They were spoken, and we may assume that most of the hearers had an immediate identification with the points of reference that caused them to catch the point — or be caught by it. For us, however, the parables are in written form. We may or may not immediately catch the points of reference, and therefore they can never function for us in quite the same way they did for the first hearers. But by interpreting we usually are able to understand what they caught, or what we would have caught had we been there. And this is what we must do in our exegesis. The hermeneutical task lies beyond that: How do we recapture the punch of the parables in our own times and our own settings?
Fee, Gordon D.; Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
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S
They did not qualify to go in the procession with a burning lamp. It is a Jewish wedding custom. They had to be ready to join right in with a burning lamp. The Groom comes with his followers and they have to join right in, no time to go get more oil and come back the procession is already moving and they have to step into a moving parade, it will not stop for them and wait for them, So what's the lesson from a custom familiar to the hearers who heard this parable SPOKEN not written? There was an immediate "ah Ha, I get it" What do you think it was? The oil being the Holy Spirit? I doubt that. The main "ah Ha" Would naturally be, "you better do what you need to do to be ready when the Lord comes" And of course that lesson gets repeated in other parables. And taught doctrinally in the New Testament epistles. \
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
So that was the lesson Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. But the parable drove it home and called for a response. What will you now do to make sure that you are watching?
If you say, I will get extra oil and then you decide that the oil is the Holy Spirit, how exactly would you get extra oil? If you say I will pray always, this will supply the grace of the Holy Spirit in my life, then you are on the right track but you could teach something unsound if you try to teach that your prayer gives you more Holy Spirit than your brother who does not pray as many hours as you do. So a definition of how to have extra oil is going to produce all sorts of interpretations and none of them are necessary because what the oil represents is not critical to the lesson. Watching is.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
So that was the lesson Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. But the parable drove it home and called for a response. What will you now do to make sure that you are watching?
If you say, I will get extra oil and then you decide that the oil is the Holy Spirit, how exactly would you get extra oil? If you say I will pray always, this will supply the grace of the Holy Spirit in my life, then you are on the right track but you could teach something unsound if you try to teach that your prayer gives you more Holy Spirit than your brother who does not pray as many hours as you do. So a definition of how to have extra oil is going to produce all sorts of interpretations and none of them are necessary because what the oil represents is not critical to the lesson. Watching is.
Carnal believers are still saved.
The bible says " some are saved as through fire. Their works are burned up"
They enter. But stink like smoke
Same with the 5 foolish virgins.
There are several warnings in the first 3 chapters of rev.
BELIEVERS are warned.
Believers get sanctioned unless they repent.
The 10 virgin parable carries a certain warning.
No oil...no rapture
The bible says " some are saved as through fire. Their works are burned up"
They enter. But stink like smoke
Same with the 5 foolish virgins.
There are several warnings in the first 3 chapters of rev.
BELIEVERS are warned.
Believers get sanctioned unless they repent.
The 10 virgin parable carries a certain warning.
No oil...no rapture
"""When people try to interpret a parable defining secret revelation to every object in the story it is like trying to explain a joke. You probably aren't getting the lesson if you are trying to find secret meaning in the shape of the lamps they ten virgins used."""
Nobody is doing that.
But you are going the opposite way to reframe the parable into a abstract with no meaning but your own.
By eliminating ingredients pretty soon the outcome is too sterile for consumption.
You should Tell it to Jesus. He found tons of meaning in "soil"..."Seed"..."sower"..."Wheat"...."tares"..." Harvest"....
But he was not privileged to learn such a better way at bible college.
Nobody is doing that.
But you are going the opposite way to reframe the parable into a abstract with no meaning but your own.
By eliminating ingredients pretty soon the outcome is too sterile for consumption.
You should Tell it to Jesus. He found tons of meaning in "soil"..."Seed"..."sower"..."Wheat"...."tares"..." Harvest"....
But he was not privileged to learn such a better way at bible college.
S
Are thinking that this parable teaches that some are saved enough to be taken in the rapture but others who are saved are not saved enough to be taken in the rapture but they are still saved?
When Paul spoke about him and Apollos being ministers whos works will be tried as to how they built on the foundation of Christ, wood hay, stubble or precious gems that endured the fire, he was talking about their ministry works. He was talking about himself and Apollos as examples. He was not talking about fornicating Christians still being saved.
When Paul spoke about him and Apollos being ministers whos works will be tried as to how they built on the foundation of Christ, wood hay, stubble or precious gems that endured the fire, he was talking about their ministry works. He was talking about himself and Apollos as examples. He was not talking about fornicating Christians still being saved.
At the bema seat....it is NOT a salvation/ no salvation dynamic.
When a few disciples went in with Jesus, it was not implying the ones left behind were not disciples.
When 5 Virgins are shut out, it does not mean forever.
When the covenant Jews are cut off, it does not mean none of them come in LATER through Messiah.. ( rev 14)
Virgin is not a variable.
10 christians.
5 were low on oil then ran out.
They were nominal believers. Carnal and satisfied with their tiny light and oil.
Bottom line...they could not run with the committed and on fire christians.
They sputtered and pooped out.
Not a salvation dynamic.
In fact, they get martyred right away by the AC.
....
an innumerable number at the throne of God.
It says " they washed their DIRTY ROBES in the blood.
They were carnal nominal believers...NOT WORTHY.
Jesus said " but pray that you may be COUNTED WORTHY to escape and STAND BEFORE the son of God."
The 10 virgin/ 10 christian parable is a Worthy / unworthy. Dynamic.
As is the one Taken/ left.
When a few disciples went in with Jesus, it was not implying the ones left behind were not disciples.
When 5 Virgins are shut out, it does not mean forever.
When the covenant Jews are cut off, it does not mean none of them come in LATER through Messiah.. ( rev 14)
Virgin is not a variable.
10 christians.
5 were low on oil then ran out.
They were nominal believers. Carnal and satisfied with their tiny light and oil.
Bottom line...they could not run with the committed and on fire christians.
They sputtered and pooped out.
Not a salvation dynamic.
In fact, they get martyred right away by the AC.
....
an innumerable number at the throne of God.
It says " they washed their DIRTY ROBES in the blood.
They were carnal nominal believers...NOT WORTHY.
Jesus said " but pray that you may be COUNTED WORTHY to escape and STAND BEFORE the son of God."
The 10 virgin/ 10 christian parable is a Worthy / unworthy. Dynamic.
As is the one Taken/ left.
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No, Christ said he didn't even know them.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Similar situation:
Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Luk 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
Luk 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Similar situation:
Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Luk 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
Luk 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
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4
Its probably not too far fetched (if you read from here)
Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given,
he offered them money,
The apostles did not sell the Holy Ghost but the offer to buy the gift of God existed but none were selling at that time.
Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given,
he offered them money,
The apostles did not sell the Holy Ghost but the offer to buy the gift of God existed but none were selling at that time.
S
Well this is a good example of how bad a doctrine can become by turning a parable into an allegory of ones own imagination.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
That is how the parable ends and you have no authority to give it a different ending.
There is no such thing as saved Christians worthy to go up in the rapture and another group of saved Christians who are not. I think Joseph A. Seiss taught something similar to this in his book on The Parable of the Ten Virgins in 1862. It is in the open domain.
As good as Joseph A Seiss was in his writings, especially about his pre tribulation pre millennial rapture presentation in "The Apocalypse: Lectures on Revelation" a 900 page verse by verse commentary on Revelation, I don't agree with everything he says, and his interpretation on this Parable of the Ten Virgins is one of those.
This parable has an end. They are shut out. And not known. Adding an additional chapter to this story, a happy ending to it that comes later, is pure imagination and should smite the conscience to attempt to do so.
Concerning the Bema Seat of Christ:
As I explained previously, if you read the context of this passage in 1 Cor 3 concerning the Bema Seat of Christ it is very clear that Paul is talking about himself and Apollos teachings and ministry as examples of being the kind of works that are judged at the Bema seat of Christ.
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled[b] master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
You see they were arguing over which minister was better, Paul, Apollos, and Peter. This is what made them carnal in Pauls definiton of why they were carnal. They had divided into schism over their arguments. (1 Cor 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, ) One group thought that Apollos was a better speaker because he was eloquent and Paul was weak in bodily presence they said, (He was not but that is what some were reported to be saying) and some cared more for Peter and they were causing division by saying things that suggested that these men were contrary in their message but Paul is setting them straight that all of these ministers were engaged in the same work of God together all doing their individual called parts (planting, watering, etc) and not divided like they would have them to be. This explanation he gives about the foundation and building on it, is about their individual ministries and missions from God to build on that foundation of Christ and if they were to build on it a message that distracts from this foundation of Christ then it would not endure the fire on that day. That means they would have no reward for that kind of teaching or ministry work but will still be saved.
Maybe this interpretation of the 5 foolish virgins getting saved in the end would be an example of wood, hay, stubble. Don't waste your time on it. Let the parable end with the ending that Jesus gave it. 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
If you insist on teaching that the 5 foolish virgins eventually get oil and can join the procession, which is long over then you have some explaining to do. The more you explain the further away from the lesson of the parable you venture. In the end it, this whole teaching will burn up at the bema seat of Christ and you will get no reward for it. It is wood, hay and stubble.
11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
That is how the parable ends and you have no authority to give it a different ending.
There is no such thing as saved Christians worthy to go up in the rapture and another group of saved Christians who are not. I think Joseph A. Seiss taught something similar to this in his book on The Parable of the Ten Virgins in 1862. It is in the open domain.
As good as Joseph A Seiss was in his writings, especially about his pre tribulation pre millennial rapture presentation in "The Apocalypse: Lectures on Revelation" a 900 page verse by verse commentary on Revelation, I don't agree with everything he says, and his interpretation on this Parable of the Ten Virgins is one of those.
This parable has an end. They are shut out. And not known. Adding an additional chapter to this story, a happy ending to it that comes later, is pure imagination and should smite the conscience to attempt to do so.
Concerning the Bema Seat of Christ:
As I explained previously, if you read the context of this passage in 1 Cor 3 concerning the Bema Seat of Christ it is very clear that Paul is talking about himself and Apollos teachings and ministry as examples of being the kind of works that are judged at the Bema seat of Christ.
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled[b] master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
You see they were arguing over which minister was better, Paul, Apollos, and Peter. This is what made them carnal in Pauls definiton of why they were carnal. They had divided into schism over their arguments. (1 Cor 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, ) One group thought that Apollos was a better speaker because he was eloquent and Paul was weak in bodily presence they said, (He was not but that is what some were reported to be saying) and some cared more for Peter and they were causing division by saying things that suggested that these men were contrary in their message but Paul is setting them straight that all of these ministers were engaged in the same work of God together all doing their individual called parts (planting, watering, etc) and not divided like they would have them to be. This explanation he gives about the foundation and building on it, is about their individual ministries and missions from God to build on that foundation of Christ and if they were to build on it a message that distracts from this foundation of Christ then it would not endure the fire on that day. That means they would have no reward for that kind of teaching or ministry work but will still be saved.
Maybe this interpretation of the 5 foolish virgins getting saved in the end would be an example of wood, hay, stubble. Don't waste your time on it. Let the parable end with the ending that Jesus gave it. 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
If you insist on teaching that the 5 foolish virgins eventually get oil and can join the procession, which is long over then you have some explaining to do. The more you explain the further away from the lesson of the parable you venture. In the end it, this whole teaching will burn up at the bema seat of Christ and you will get no reward for it. It is wood, hay and stubble.
4
Here are a few things that could probrably be linked a little better but its the best I could do for now,.
Virgins mentioned here
Songs 1:3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth,
therefore do the virgins love thee.
A time when the Kingdom of heaven will be likened to ten of them.
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
His word is a lamp to our feet, but so is the spirit of man the lamp of the Lord (which we take with us wherever we go) inwardly is where the oil would be
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Here it speaks of the dwelling of them (who are wise) in respects to oil and the man that is foolish spending it up
Prov 20:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
but a foolish man spendeth it up. (See also, Proverbs 29:3, 1 Cr 6:15-16)
Which appears to mirror the treasure to be desired and oil the foolih seek from the wise
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Their lamps go out, just as it says here
Prov 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Again this way
Prov 20:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise...
2Cr 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Just like the foolish Simon says give me also this oil (or excellency of power) or treasure in this earthen vessel
Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Whereas the wise answered the foolish saying
Mat 25:29 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.
Whereas Peter answers Simon saying
Acts 8:19 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
So the wise virgins response "Not so, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves". (In Mat 25:29) Would seem to indicate a time of apostasy.
We can buy and sell earthly things, but truth also is something that is shown as something that we should buy but not sell.
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
But then here also, The wise and foolish are spoken of in other examples even as Ewq pointed out,
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(So the wise hear his sayings and doeth them= the foundation, the rock)
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Who are as one without a foundation (in contrast to the wise) but
2Titus 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
The double "Lords" or the "Lord, Lord's" which are shown coming from the foolish are also present in the parable of the foolish virgins, "Lord, Lord, open up to us" (Mat 25:11) and his response to them was that he knew them not.
Whereas there were those also (which did works 'in his name") that worked iniquity to whom he professed he never knew
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
These are calling him "Lord Lord" (which do not as He says) and likewise say to Him...
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
He responds to them the same way He responds to them which work iniquity
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Who I will not know (and will depart from Him)
Psalms 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
And so again, the Lord knoweth them that are his and are warned that them who name the name of Christ to depart from iniquity
2Titus 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity
The foundation the seal (the Lord knows them that are his) those that name his name are to depart from iniquity right? But there are shown those come in his name and working iniquity who were told to depart from him. Its an either or, either depart from inquity or depart from him who work iniquity.
So where the oil are shown in the earthen vessel/dwelling of the wise
Prov 20:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
And the foolish reccognized the oil to be desired in the dwelling of the wise (Mat 25:3) as their lamps ( just as the lamp of the wicked would be put out (Proverbs 13:9)
Proverbs 20:20 also says, "but the foolish man spendeth it up"
Proverbs 29:3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance
1Cr 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
Our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you (The treasure in the earthern vessel) but spending up of ones substance is spoken of in the above also.
Theres a few things that are kind of hard to order up but have some common things shown in various other places. I keep adding to it as I find more. Maybe these can help someone else in their search.
Virgins mentioned here
Songs 1:3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth,
therefore do the virgins love thee.
A time when the Kingdom of heaven will be likened to ten of them.
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
His word is a lamp to our feet, but so is the spirit of man the lamp of the Lord (which we take with us wherever we go) inwardly is where the oil would be
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Here it speaks of the dwelling of them (who are wise) in respects to oil and the man that is foolish spending it up
Prov 20:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
but a foolish man spendeth it up. (See also, Proverbs 29:3, 1 Cr 6:15-16)
Which appears to mirror the treasure to be desired and oil the foolih seek from the wise
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Their lamps go out, just as it says here
Prov 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Again this way
Prov 20:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise...
2Cr 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Just like the foolish Simon says give me also this oil (or excellency of power) or treasure in this earthen vessel
Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Whereas the wise answered the foolish saying
Mat 25:29 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.
Whereas Peter answers Simon saying
Acts 8:19 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
So the wise virgins response "Not so, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves". (In Mat 25:29) Would seem to indicate a time of apostasy.
We can buy and sell earthly things, but truth also is something that is shown as something that we should buy but not sell.
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
But then here also, The wise and foolish are spoken of in other examples even as Ewq pointed out,
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(So the wise hear his sayings and doeth them= the foundation, the rock)
Mat 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mat 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
Who are as one without a foundation (in contrast to the wise) but
2Titus 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
The double "Lords" or the "Lord, Lord's" which are shown coming from the foolish are also present in the parable of the foolish virgins, "Lord, Lord, open up to us" (Mat 25:11) and his response to them was that he knew them not.
Whereas there were those also (which did works 'in his name") that worked iniquity to whom he professed he never knew
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
These are calling him "Lord Lord" (which do not as He says) and likewise say to Him...
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
He responds to them the same way He responds to them which work iniquity
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Who I will not know (and will depart from Him)
Psalms 101:4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
And so again, the Lord knoweth them that are his and are warned that them who name the name of Christ to depart from iniquity
2Titus 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity
The foundation the seal (the Lord knows them that are his) those that name his name are to depart from iniquity right? But there are shown those come in his name and working iniquity who were told to depart from him. Its an either or, either depart from inquity or depart from him who work iniquity.
So where the oil are shown in the earthen vessel/dwelling of the wise
Prov 20:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
And the foolish reccognized the oil to be desired in the dwelling of the wise (Mat 25:3) as their lamps ( just as the lamp of the wicked would be put out (Proverbs 13:9)
Proverbs 20:20 also says, "but the foolish man spendeth it up"
Proverbs 29:3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance
1Cr 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
Our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you (The treasure in the earthern vessel) but spending up of ones substance is spoken of in the above also.
Theres a few things that are kind of hard to order up but have some common things shown in various other places. I keep adding to it as I find more. Maybe these can help someone else in their search.
S
None of this makes the parable more understandable. The parable is best understood in the context of the reference points of the parable itself.
1) It is a Jewish wedding custom. The Jewish wedding custom included a procession of the Bridegroom, and brides friends that would walk in a procession or parade if you will, the virigins were young women who were not married. I guess you could think of them like Bridesmaids but not quite, but it is a tradition so that that is why I mention bridesmaids. This tradition required that they have burning lamps as this procession happened at night and they could not join the parade without these burning lights.
Part of the tradition is that no one knew when the bridegroom would come and they had to wait until it was announced that he had arrived. Then they walked right into the passing procession and built up the fanfare with their lights.
2) The wise brought extra small containers of oils which was a very common thing to do because oil lamps could only hold so much oil and they they needed refilling. This ended up being an all nighter wait which is a good thing they came prepared. Thus they were wise for that reason.
3) The foolish were not able to join the procession because their lights had gone out and they had not done what was necessary to provide for this possible scenario.
4) They were not able to go into the wedding feast as a result. Their efforts to borrow from the wise and being turned away, and their beating on the door and being told they are not known, ends in a tragedy that the hearers of this parable would have understood as "watch and pray and live a holy life devoted to Christ so that you are not living in sin when Jesus Comes"
Really it is that simple. Their hearts would have been arrested by the seriousness of the parable. This is life and death. This watching and praying has eternal consequences. Don't fall into a porn addiction and think you can repent later. You don't know when the Bridegroom will appear.
If people don't get that lesson from this then they have missed the point and all the allegory is a waste of time. If they read this parable and then think that people can live in sinful indulgences of the flesh and claim to be saved anyway they have missed the point of the parable and that is the tragedy of the foolish religious people who did not prepare for the coming of the Lord and comforted themselves with the idea that they can do something at the last minute to still "get in".
1) It is a Jewish wedding custom. The Jewish wedding custom included a procession of the Bridegroom, and brides friends that would walk in a procession or parade if you will, the virigins were young women who were not married. I guess you could think of them like Bridesmaids but not quite, but it is a tradition so that that is why I mention bridesmaids. This tradition required that they have burning lamps as this procession happened at night and they could not join the parade without these burning lights.
Part of the tradition is that no one knew when the bridegroom would come and they had to wait until it was announced that he had arrived. Then they walked right into the passing procession and built up the fanfare with their lights.
2) The wise brought extra small containers of oils which was a very common thing to do because oil lamps could only hold so much oil and they they needed refilling. This ended up being an all nighter wait which is a good thing they came prepared. Thus they were wise for that reason.
3) The foolish were not able to join the procession because their lights had gone out and they had not done what was necessary to provide for this possible scenario.
4) They were not able to go into the wedding feast as a result. Their efforts to borrow from the wise and being turned away, and their beating on the door and being told they are not known, ends in a tragedy that the hearers of this parable would have understood as "watch and pray and live a holy life devoted to Christ so that you are not living in sin when Jesus Comes"
Really it is that simple. Their hearts would have been arrested by the seriousness of the parable. This is life and death. This watching and praying has eternal consequences. Don't fall into a porn addiction and think you can repent later. You don't know when the Bridegroom will appear.
If people don't get that lesson from this then they have missed the point and all the allegory is a waste of time. If they read this parable and then think that people can live in sinful indulgences of the flesh and claim to be saved anyway they have missed the point of the parable and that is the tragedy of the foolish religious people who did not prepare for the coming of the Lord and comforted themselves with the idea that they can do something at the last minute to still "get in".
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