The Ten Virgins

[WilliamL]

On 3/18/2022 at 7:18 PM, AdHoc said:

The problem was lack of oil, NOT in the Lamp, but in their VESSELS. That was caused by the lack of knowledge that while the oil in the Lamp was for free, the oil in their VESSELS had to be "bought". This is what made the difference and caused the Holy Spirit to call them "foolish".

  Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and do not sell it,
Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.

To mix metaphors and parables, the wise disciples take the talents given them of the Lord and invest them, while the foolish bury theirs in the sand.

On 3/9/2022 at 12:00 PM, luigi said:

Your second interpretation, however, about the five virgins being betrothed to the Lord I disagree with. In my opinion, a virgin is one who has yet to have an intimate relation. The five foolish virgins, therefore would not have had a deep relationship with Mammon, as those who sell their souls by doing injustice to their neighbors for the love of lucre.

Hebraic wedding tradition and practice was a two-part deal. The first part was the contract, the second the consummation. There was generally a year or more passed between the two parts. So we are all literally married to Christ according to the covenant/contract, but are still virgins, awaiting "the συντελείας/consummation/end of the age” when part two of the wedding takes place.

[luigi]

4 minutes ago, WilliamL said:

 

Hebraic wedding tradition and practice was a two-part deal. The first part was the contract, the second the consummation. There was generally a year or more passed between the two parts. So we are all literally married to Christ according to the covenant/contract, but are still virgins, awaiting "the συντελείας/consummation/end of the age” when part two of the wedding takes place.

Hello WilliamL,

From what I understand of your perspective, the five foolish virgins would then also have been married to the Lord according to the covenant/contract, but just didn't make it to the consummation part. I don't know if I can agree with this.

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

[WilliamL]

17 minutes ago, luigi said:

From what I understand of your perspective, the five foolish virgins would then also have been married to the Lord according to the covenant/contract, but just didn't make it to the consummation part. I don't know if I can agree with this.

I might add that the betrothed virgin bride was expected to be prepared for her husband's coming. Clearly the foolish virgins were not.

[luigi]

5 minutes ago, WilliamL said:

I might add that the betrothed virgin bride was expected to be prepared for her husband's coming. Clearly the foolish virgins were not.

Obviously, the five foolish betrothed/engaged virgins were not ready, by not having sufficient oil. 

[WilliamL]

9 minutes ago, luigi said:

Obviously, the five foolish betrothed/engaged virgins were not ready, by not having sufficient oil. 

Which oil-which-could-have-been-bought was "truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding." Which many present-day Christians most certainly eschew. And so will not be ready for the Lord's unexpected return.

[luigi]

3 minutes ago, WilliamL said:

Which oil-which-could-have-been-bought was "truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding." Which many present-day Christians most certainly eschew. And so will not be ready for the Lord's unexpected return.

Agreed.

[Marilyn C]

The 10 Virgins.

Alive has pointed us in the right direction - Who is being spoken to?

Jesus is speaking to the people of Israel. He came to confirm the promises of the fathers to Israel. (Rom. 15: 8) One of the promises was that God would send a Redeemer to Israel. The book of Ruth wonderfully illustrates this Redeemer who had to fulfil four requirements -

1. Be the nearest of kin.

2. Uphold God`s law.

3. Clear the debt.

4.Consummate the marriage union.

Jesus, as Israel`s Kinsman redeemer fulfilled the first three while the last is still to come. This is portrayed in the parable of the 10 Virgins.

SYMBOLS & their MEANINGS.

10 - the Law.

5 - grace.

Virgins - Israel.

Lamps - their life.

Oil - Holy Spirit.

Slumbered & slept - Unaware.

Buying more oil - from God not people.

Midnight - darkest hour, tribulation.

Bridegroom - Jesus.

Jesus has been talking to the people of Israel concerning `being awake, ` `watch for His coming. `(Matt. 24: 44 - 51) Jesus continues on the theme of being ready. (Matt. 25: 1 - 13)

The parable of the 10 Virgins thus relates to Israel being ready for their kinsman-redeemer, Jesus, to deliver them, avenge and connect (marry) with them. Israel is under the law (10) and separated (virgin) to God.

Some of Israel receive the Holy Spirit (oil) by God`s grace, (5) while others prefer to live under the law and reject God`s Holy Spirit, (oil).   

The darkest hour of the tribulation is when the world`s armies come down from Armageddon to surround Jerusalem. Those of Israel who received the Holy Spirit are now aware (awake) and go out to meet their Kinsman-redeemer. Those who did not receive the Holy Spirit, (can`t get him from people) are disturbed and at a loss to what is happening. They are too late and cannot go into the `marriage feast.`

 

 

  

[Vine Abider]

22 minutes ago, Marilyn C said:

The 10 Virgins.

Alive has pointed us in the right direction - Who is being spoken to?

Jesus is speaking to the people of Israel. He came to confirm the promises of the fathers to Israel. (Rom. 15: 8) One of the promises was that God would send a Redeemer to Israel. The book of Ruth wonderfully illustrates this Redeemer who had to fulfil four requirements -

1. Be the nearest of kin.

2. Uphold God`s law.

3. Clear the debt.

4.Consummate the marriage union.

Jesus, as Israel`s Kinsman redeemer fulfilled the first three while the last is still to come. This is portrayed in the parable of the 10 Virgins.

SYMBOLS & their MEANINGS.

10 - the Law.

5 - grace.

Virgins - Israel.

Lamps - their life.

Oil - Holy Spirit.

Slumbered & slept - Unaware.

Buying more oil - from God not people.

Midnight - darkest hour, tribulation.

Bridegroom - Jesus.

Jesus has been talking to the people of Israel concerning `being awake, ` `watch for His coming. `(Matt. 24: 44 - 51) Jesus continues on the theme of being ready. (Matt. 25: 1 - 13)

The parable of the 10 Virgins thus relates to Israel being ready for their kinsman-redeemer, Jesus, to deliver them, avenge and connect (marry) with them. Israel is under the law (10) and separated (virgin) to God.

Some of Israel receive the Holy Spirit (oil) by God`s grace, (5) while others prefer to live under the law and reject God`s Holy Spirit, (oil).   

The darkest hour of the tribulation is when the world`s armies come down from Armageddon to surround Jerusalem. Those of Israel who received the Holy Spirit are now aware (awake) and go out to meet their Kinsman-redeemer. Those who did not receive the Holy Spirit, (can`t get him from people) are disturbed and at a loss to what is happening. They are too late and cannot go into the `marriage feast.`

 

 

  

And I've heard this event framed as it would happen in an ancient, Jewish wedding custom, which seems to fit quite well.  This point of view is not without it's merits I think.

[Marilyn C]

Some other thoughts too. 

1. The Body of Christ was not known at that time. (Eph. 3: 1 - 5)

2. The Body of Christ is NOT in darkness that this Day will overtake them. (1 Thess.5: 4)

3. The Body of Christ will see the Day approaching. (Heb. 10: 25)

[farouk]

On 11/26/2022 at 12:17 AM, Marilyn C said:

Some other thoughts too. 

1. The Body of Christ was not known at that time. (Eph. 3: 1 - 5)

2. The Body of Christ is NOT in darkness that this Day will overtake them. (1 Thess.5: 4)

3. The Body of Christ will see the Day approaching. (Heb. 10: 25)

@Marilyn C Hebrews 10 has indeed good exhortative content...