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and in addition to that, the "division" in the parable is between foolish and wise, not saved and unsaved

The other day I left my trash outside my front door, intending to put it out on the street half an hour later. When I finally decided to remove it from the front door, it was gone. My neighbor had put it out for me. Another time, I had already put the trash out the night before and as I left for work the next morning I saw that some animal had ripped the side of my trash bag open and some of the contents were lying on the ground. My neighbor was also on her way to work. I moved towards the bag to clean up the mess but she was already there before me and cleaned up the mess as I got there. What neighborly kindness! And to think that a few years earlier she did not want to sell her house to us at all, the house that we're living in right now. We're grateful everyday for this lovely home, a gift from God, but that's another story! Praise God!

This made me laugh. Alongside those coronavirus prep bags being filled by shoppers with bleach and hand sanitizer may be boxes of long shelf life Twinkies and Ding Dongs. “We are seeing that,” Hostess Brands CEO Andy Callahan said on Yahoo Finance’s On the Move, when asked if he is seeing a bump in business as people stock up, should they be trapped at home due to the coronavirus outbreak. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/coronavirus-outbreak-may-have-unleashed-panic-buying-of-hostess-twinkies-and-ding-dongs-210034011.html

Well I'm up and coffee is kicking in lol....the way I worded that might sound like I'm certain I got this nailed.....but that's not true. I have spent considerable time and focus on this parable in the past, and do feel He's given me a lot more insight into it than I once had. But I don't have it all figured out yet. What is intimidating is the fact that SO much of my theology got overturned as I did study it in the past....it's an interwoven, complex thing to explain. Good grief I hardly know where to start. But i do feel like I'm being led to really dig in again, and ask more questions....and share what I believe I've been shown so far. Let me first try to give you an idea of what I mean, why it seems intimidating to face the complexity. At one point in my studies I ran across Hebrews 6:1-3 and ended up stuck there for months. I know the Lord was wanting me to see, take seriously and OBEY Him in something related to those verses. And it took literally months to follow through and DO what those verses were exhorting me (us!) to do. As I studied the six FUNDAMENTAL "doctrines of Christ" listed there, what I learned fundamentally changed my understanding of a MYRIAD of things I thought I had "nailed" already. I discovered a LOT of stuff I thought the Bible taught was just plain not supportable in Scripture. And one of the things that got modified ....overthrown really...was my perception of His plans for the end of this age. Man....He went "cow tipping" on me I had sacred cows getting slaughtered left and right in that season. But, getting those six FUNDAMENTAL doctrines studied out, laid a foundation for a VERY different understanding of many things, including the parable of the ten virgins. Two of those fundamental doctrines listed that we must MASTER if we expect to move on to maturity are "resurrections" and "eternal judgement". What we believe about BOTH of those will directly impact our understanding of this parable. And a lot of other things too. I came away from that study awestruck at how poorly laid my foundation was. And I was no novice in the Word and study of it when He pointed out the necessity of getting proficient in those six fundamental doctrines. Anyway....i do feel drawn back to focusing on this. I just need to find a starting place, and I trust He'll reveal one somehow if He really is leading me to dig into this for another round. I'll pray He'll find a way to integrate this complexity that intimidates me at the moment....without adding confusion. We are necessarily going to have to talk about a number of things, most of which I dread, just due to the rancor that surrounds those topics on this forum. I haven't even TRIED to talk about the "rapture" here because i knew it would be utterly pointless to. Might still be...dunno :/ But, let me list a few of the things He "adjusted" (understatement) my understanding of ...resulting in the understanding I have now. 1. The rapture. And i hate that word now. It has been used to hide a truth from the eyes of many since it began to be popularly used. I MUCH prefer the word "resurrection" which is what the Bible calls it. I don't object to the word because it isn't descriptive....it is. There IS a great catching away clearly recorded in Scripture and whether we call it a rapture or a harpazo or something else doesn't change that. So I don't object to it on the grounds that it is inaccurate. I object to it because the way it's commonly come to be understood, it focuses us on a single aspect of an event (resurrection) that has two expressions. One (rapture) describes how this resurrection affects those ALIVE when it happens, and the other expression has to do with how the event (resurrection) affects those who have already died when it happens. But it's a single event....a resurrection. And the word rapture has now commonly come to mean a separate event. 2. The nature of and definition of the "Kingdom of Heaven" aka the "Kingdom of God". And the centrality of the "gospel of the Kingdom" in Jesus' ministry and teaching. This parable begins with "Then ( at that time ) the KINGDOM will be like...." and then He proceeds to paint a picture of the KINGDOM in a wedding parable. If we don't know what the KINGDOM being spoken of really is, we can't get a handle on this parable at all. We're not looking at a story of a wedding feast...primarily. We're looking at a portrait of the KINGDOM, portrayed in a story of a wedding. But the wedding portrait DOES still give us insight into the wedding of the Bridegroom and the Bride too :). It's still important to understand they're two separate subjects that happen to be closely related....just not one and the same. 3. We have to have a good handle on the millennial reign...a MAJORLY overlooked and incredibly important, necessary event. 4. We need a SOLID foundation in the FUNDAMENTAL doctrines of "resurrections" and "eternal judgement". (Hebrews 6:1-3) We can't really pass "go" on ANY deep subjects without all six of those doctrines well laid and secure in our foundation. Anyway....that's the short list. I'm kindof idling my motor, trying to listen for a clue on exactly where to bite this doughnut. I'll go back and try to answer @dhchristian's post, because it truly does relate to all this, but it's not a simple answer. Maybe that's the starting point.

The Lord also will be refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9 For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalm 18:28 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shall stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. Psalm 138:7 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:19

Yum!!! Stale, dry, chocolate "flavored" cake, topped with a rubbery like covering presented as chocolate icing, with a gooey, gluey white "unknown" substance mistakenly referred to as "vanilla cream!" It's amazing how deprivation from certain things changes our concept of them, ...our desires always over rule our intelligence!!!

I would love a Twinkie or a Ding Dong, some Dunkin Donuts, ...a Snowball, ...I haven't had any in 30 years, .........you people don't know how fortunate you are! LOL

man i want to dig into this And I promise you I will tomorrow. It's going to take a pretty substantial post to address as thoroughly as I want to. I'd like to be mentally sharp when I take a shot at it. I've been up for a while and need some sleep and I'd really like to do these questions justice.

The issue is not salvation...it's sanctification all are called, but not all who are called...are chosen. And not all who are chosen are faithful. How we finish is what matters the most. You MUST be born again to SEE the Kingdom. But not all who see will enter, and not all who enter will inherit A slave serves out of duty. A bond-slave serves willingly, for life, out of love for the Master. A son is given the responsibility of managing the Father's estate in His Name. Called, chosen, faithful Slave, bond-servant, son See, enter, inherit It is the overcomer, who endures to the end, and is grown up...taking care of Father's business who is faithful, heir and son.

As I understand the general progression of a Jewish wedding, there's a betrothal to a virgin....a marriage contract that couldn't be broken except by infidelity. After the betrothal the Bridegroom left the Bride at her Father's house and returned to His own Father's house to prepare a place He and His Bride would live. When the Bridegroom's Father was satisfied with the preparations, the Bridegroom would take a procession (friends of the Bridegroom) to the Bride's house to pick her up and take her home to live as husband and wife. If that's the procedure, would the Bride already be "inside" with the Groom or was He coming to pick her up? I'm more comfortable understanding the ten virgins as the "betrothed" He was coming to pick up for the feast and consummation.

yes. I believe the last Adam gets His Bride the exact same way the first Adam did In a time of slumber and sleep for the Body, Father reaches into His side and "calls out" a portion....a rib. And in His secret place, forms and fashions a helpmeet suitable for His Son. Pure, spotless, without wrinkle. an "ekklesia of the ekklesia"

Virgins in scripture is often talking about women who are betrothed (as binding as marriage in the culture of ancient Israel) but who have not yet formalized and consummated the marriage. I believe that is the imagery of the parable of the ten virgins...implying that they are all betrothed....and awaiting the Bridegroom to come and marry "them" (the many-membered church).

Habakkuk 3:1-2 Images, Psalm 85:1-13 TPT

i couldn't agree more. Over the years I've come to realize not one bit of the Word is superfluous. I've been amazed at just how detailed ... and perfectly He communicates

I disagree with that. Every letter, word, number, jot and title has meaning. Jesus quoted Isaiah and it ended in a comma, that comma has now lasted about 2,000 years.

I think you hit the point right there. A true Christian would not be doing this sort of thing. This man in this cartoon maybe a church going. But he is not a Christian. (I can make that judgment because it is a cartoon and not a real person)

“My sheep recognize my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish. No one shall snatch them away from me….” John 10:27-28 I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back. [From the song: “I have decided to follow Jesus”]

The thing is is that your argument is not Biblical. It is of "your" opinion that pants are masculine. While I myself along with many other women see "women's" pants or "women's" jeans as femimen, based on the fact that they are cut, made, and design for women and not for men. Having the opinion that women's pants are masculine is fine for you to have. But to use that opinion to judge a woman's Godliness and to flat out accuse her of being a cross dresser is where it becomes wrong.

You can be sure that the ever aggravated anti President factions will do all they can to discredit him.

In other words, Trump understands that direct changes to Social Security means some group is going to lose out and be worse off than they were before. Therefore, making any direct changes to Social Security prior to an election is akin to political suicide. Long story short, President Trump's budget is bound to hit on a number of talking points, but it's unlikely to incite any change to the existing structure of the Social Security program. https://www.fool.com/retirement/2019/03/14/trump-outlines-a-significant-social-security-cut-i.aspx

THE "ultimate" childhood junk food of the 50's and 60's, ...ahhh, I wouldn't go so far as calling them cake, ...per se, ...but back in the 50's early 60's they were a favorite "long shelf life" staple that were kept in bomb shelters during the "Communist" threat of annihilation..........., until, ...MacDonald's came to town and "knocked" them off of the shelf. You didn't know that, man, ...you must of had a "sheltered" childhood, ...why, those were the "good" old days! LOL

I used to like Hostess cupcakes. But that Hostess stuff is ultimate junk food.

I appreciate your gracious reply, Last Daze and regard you as being like the noble Bereans...

Thats a blatantly courageous faithful servant of God.

What is twinkies n Dingdong?

amen...a remnant out of His body..!

their lamps were lit....they had oil. They failed to carry a vessel with oil for a refill...

could well be. I think it's more than just that, but even so...He is calling to His own to come out. I personally think the Catholic hierarchy fits too...but it's not the only religious institution that likes to play footsie with the world

Yes. It's my life long belief the church [composed of individual believers in the church age, age of Grace, having the Holy Spirit indwelling them], is the bride of Christ. What's your view?

WOW! It sure would take some time and a well of cyber ink to respond to all those points listed!

All that are born again of gods Spirit are the elected.

@Walter and Deborah I love to sing this psalm over and over again. Yes, I have set my heart on a pilgrimage to Zion. Therefore I will go through the valley of weeping for the Lord is my sun and my shield. Zion is the place where God dwells. In the OT it was a physical place. In the NT its a spiritual place.

Christians really need to spend their time being kind and helping one another. Instead of standing around casting harsh judgments at people. A story comes to mind of a Christian family who moved next door to my grandma's house. My grandma was in her 70's and needed help mowing the lawn. I did my best to help but I was working 2 jobs at the time and it just became too much for me. This Christian family went over to grandma's house and mowed the lawn for her. For no pay. I was blown away at their kindness. No one had ever done that before. It is this sort of thing that Christians should be doing. Not standing off to the side and pointing out the faults of others. That is just what I think.

You're stereotyping the majority of Christian men, brother. Most of us don't think in that manner. I certainly don't. Luke 6:42 pertains to personal confrontations of criticism, and they are considered hypocritical according to the Lord Jesus. The illustration and verse just doesn't match accordingly. The cartoon looked more befitting to these verses. Matthew 5:28 KJV 28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 1 John 2:16 KJV 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

YES! Psalm 91: 5-11, V 5, Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6, Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7, A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8, Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9, Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10, There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11, For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:20-26 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

What is being preached and taught in the Church? The Bible tells us we should only listen to those who preach the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

My quick answer to the question would be not a minute before he is suppose to. I know as I look around me that the stage is set for his return. I yearn for his return as John said in Revelation 22:20, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" There are different signs given in the scriptures and I see many coming to be. I know there are increasing disasters and wars and rumors of war, but many will say that has always been, and I wouldn't argue, but it is increasing. There has also always been evil and darkness but I have never before seen such an acceptance of evil. I know many will say that they desire the Lord to return but likely secretly hope that it won't be within their life time. Our world cannot last another 100 to 500 years. The Lord in his mercy will return much sooner. I believe we are the last generation that will walk apart from the Lord. I believe a better guesstimate would be 10 to 20 years. I truly believe that the 2 witnesses are alive upon the earth at this time and are being prepared for what their ministries will entail. I also believe the anti christ is alive upon the earth at this time and being prepared by the darkness and the stage is being set. I know there will be a harvest of mercy and a great revival before the Lord's return. We shall see mighty miracles as the world has never seen during this time. I also know that we will see animal sacrifices begin again in Jerusalem at the start of the final 7 years. I truly believe the Ark of the Covenant will be found as well and that will cause the sacrifices to begin. It will also prompt the rebuilding of the temple. I post this knowing that there will be scoffers, but hopefully, you will remember the words shared.

If God wants to take me via Corona virus so be it, I'm ready!! That being said I will jut do my best to avoid people but the virus will be almost impossible to avoid by the sounds of it. Don't walk in fear!! If you die from this pestilence you will be with Christ! Being with Him is not comparable to anything you have to face on this Earth. Praise God!

When do you think Christ will return I am really hoping to see the Second Coming in my lifetime. It's my greatest longing.

So my question to you is why we need a Bible at all? Has the Holy Spirit dictated to you every single one of God's truths, the history of the church, the history of the Jews, and the creation of the world? How do you know that the story about Jesus being baptized is true, you got it from a translation of the Bible? What made you believe any of it before you were saved, as you didn't have the Holy Spirit guiding you then? I CERTAINLY think that we have a guarantee of a preserved written word, for just this purpose. Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Psa 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. My main question to you, though, is why would a God that had enough power to perform these actions and to say and dictate these words in the first place be too weak to preserve them in different translations?