Christians: Please help me understand the Parable of the 10 Virgins?
Jesus has just been giving His disciples a run-down of what to expect in the last days (Matthew 24) and then He launches into this parable in ch. 25. It's followed by the Parable of the Talents. I'd copy and paste it here, but it makes the question so long . . .
As I see it, the bride of Christ is the church, without whom it would seem impossible to hold the wedding, so who are the 10 virgins? And why ten? If they represent Israel, I would expect 12.
Oil symbolizes anointing, but can anointing be bought and sold in the marketplace, or lent among friends? And if a friend could lend it, would she thereby be diminished? It seems she would have the same amount of anointing as she had before. Maybe the oil represents something else in this story?
Why are the girls waiting all alone in the dark? The bridal procession included everyone, from what I can learn. Why weren't the bridesmaids assembled together along with the bride herself, with everyone joining the bridegroom as he led the way to the wedding feast? It's not all that easy to find good sources on Jewish wedding customs of the day, but this arrangement doesn't sound like the wedding traditions I was able to find anything out about.
I guess that covers the questions I can think to ask. This parable is a real puzzler to me and I'd appreciate any help in understanding it.
2011-10-09T16:28:12Z
Nightmare, I think you may have me mixed up with someone else. You are mistaken.
2011-10-09T16:32:52Z
Thanks everyone for your time in answering . . . but I'd appreciate if you all could take the time to read my questions about the parable.
2011-10-09T17:11:07Z
CF, Jesus said not to believe those who said He had come in secret. You have been deceived. I humbly and urgently advise you to search the scriptures for yourself with all diligence, and I suggest you do not limit yourself to the NWT. Get a Greek Interlinear. You can find one here: http://www.scripture4all.org/ . I have downloaded this software and it works, is safe, and has no ads.
2011-10-09T17:12:46Z
Orla, God bless you Sis; so far your answer IS the best.
2011-10-09T17:22:35Z
Zwise, that was most excellent. You've given me a lot to ponder and chew on. Jesus was talking to His disciples here; maybe He was only talking to the twelve disciples, who were (most of them) to become the apostles of the Lamb. Perhaps the virgins, in your interpretation, are workers sent out to prepare the church. The bride's attendants would be helping her to get ready for her big day. Hmm. Thanks, I'll be thinking and praying over this one.
Zwise2011-10-09T17:01:36Z
Favorite Answer
Lets try a little alegorical context here.
Yes, the bride is the Church, most notably the True Church of God that fulfills all the conditions of restoration and coming forth in the latter days as defined in Daniel 2 and other scripture.
Next the Virgins are those designated as special chosen faithful servants who have been chosen and set apart for this specific duty to be there. In Jewish culture or custom, these were often paid servants who were loyal besides, whom the Lord thought could be trusted.
I don't know the significance of 10, other than it's a convenient number that divides easily to make the point. The oil is testimony or the fuel which the Virgins use to provide their services which is to provide light to enliven the reception and provide glory for the Bride & Groom when they come with the rest of the wedding party. They were sent out as forerunners, to prepare the path ahead and alert the community of the coming of the Lord.
In the beginning, all were very faithful, well prepared, ready and willing to do their part. But then, when the wedding party was delayed, they languished, got discouraged, their lights and resources going out. They were getting discouraged, starting to complain, realizing this was going to take more of themselves than they were willing or able to give.
When they realized the bridegroom truly was coming and nigh at hand, they straightened themselves up in a hurry, but then realizing they were out of oil or short on resources, begged the others, those who were more faithful and better prepared to share. At this point it's very easy to get bogged down in over analysis so I won't go there. I just call the oil testimony because it represents all necessary to do the job. Not only is it hard to share, but one can get it from other sources.
The point of the story is the faithful ones weren't willing or able to share because they realized that by doing so, they risked running short themselves and thus ruining the celebration totally. The risk was just too great, so rather than share, they allowed natural consequences to take their toll. In the end, they were rewarded for their faithfulness, for making the right choices, for being prepared for whatever eventuality might take place, as in the delay, and were accepted for their diligence.
In the end, when the foolish ones returned seeking entry and were refused, the Lord turned them away because from His vantage point, they weren't there doing the job they'd been hired to do at the appropriate time. In my way of thinking, this is an example of the Lord's way of dividing the goats from the sheep, those who truly believe vs those who go through the acts of believing but aren't really devoted to the cause.
Indeed, many important principles and points might be learned here but they will be missed if you over analyze. I won't expound all that come to mind but the primary point is the Lord has a way of discovering who is truly His servant and who is not. Those who truly know Him, follow His example and do His work while they who do not find the work requires more than they are willing to provide. They are willing to give a good show, but when it comes down to being genuine, they don't have what it takes to succeed. This is about half of those who appear to be faithful.
The Lord judges by results, what actually is done to yield benefit. Don't get lost in the sidelines. While intent counts, enduring to the end and total preparation are what yields the reward.
You are right that the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins is an End Time Parable. It a brief overview it describes two classes of Christians,one who makes the Bride Class and goes into the Marriage and one who doesn't. The Parable is about the Last members of the Bride being taken home and the door is shut (no more callings, no more opportunity to enter the race.)
I may not be able to explain this in the space allotted.
To understand this parable you have to understand there is 2 basic groups of Christians
Luke 21:36 Talks about those WORTHY to escape (the great time of trouble). These are the: Little Flock, the Elect, The Bride of Christ, The Wise Virgins, the Elijah class, First Resurrection, Church of the First Born. They are the minority.
Revelation 7 tells us about the majority of Christians, the Great Multitude, these do not sit on the throne, but are before it and serve Jesus and the Bride. Revelation 19:9 explains that they miss out the wedding, but come to the reception. They are also pictured elsewhere as: Foolish Virgins, Elisha, scapegoat, Little sister in Song of Solomon.
You need to compare some other types in the Scriptures that show these two classes, and show one of the classes missing out on the chief prize.
Wise and Foolish Virgins--Foolish ask the wise for more oil (understanding through the Holy Spirit) Gideon (300) vs. 9700 who failed the drinking test (failed to look out for the enemy while drinking in the Word) Elijah and Elisha--Elisha asks for a double portion (Has to recognize when Elijah [Church] is gone to get it. Lord's Goat and Azazel's goat--Scapegoat turned out to the wilderness (turned over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh) Little Sister in Song of Sol.--too lazy to get up and go to the door, but eventually does then has to go out in the street to find him--she gets beat up Jesus' Last day--They take Jesus (The Christ head and body), Disciples run away (picturing that other class)
There is a common theme in all of these. All show the death/taking of the Bride class and the remaining of the other at that time.
Time period in all: Night (the Dark night in which no man can work) This night corresponds to the Hour of Power of the Beast, the Wise (those ready) go ahead even though they know they will be put to death, but have faith that they will be changed in a twinkling of an eye. The others through fear (and lack of preparation) hold back and lose the ultimate reward.
Brides maids in history are not like they are today, they are not the friends of the bride, they are her servants, and that is why they follow after her.
Psa 45:14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee.
you quite have performed your study, attaboy (and that i quite imply it, i've a significant face on, when you cant see it). Morals are outlined by way of the days, what was once well then is dangerous now and vice-versa. the major factor is to seem past the main points in leviticus and deutoronomy and consciousness at the major stuff, like the decision for charity, cleanliness, peace, and justice. I consider the Christian gospels are the first-class at speaking the ones abstracts that bought confuzzled by way of the mistranslations and the replacing occasions. Dont disregard that the OT was once written for a institution of nomads unfold for the duration of the Fertile Crescent. there was once a way of order and strictness that needed to be situated. seeking to observe them to society these days is like seeking to have compatibility an american plug in a ecu outlet, or diesel in a petroleum engine. Most of the legislation again then have been made to maintain the society and hold humans pleasant (as in sort) and healthful. In reality, the various legislation, whilst all in favour of a grain of salt, fit the ones morals you could have. The factor I'm seeking to make is that the faith is well at its middle, however its been included with the entire muck from its beyond. If you'll seem beyond that, you'll see how well it's.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins, also known as the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, is one of the well known parables of Jesus. It appears in only one of the Canonical gospels of the New Testament. According to Matthew 25:1–13 five virgins (who wisely prepared in-time for the bridegroom's arrival) are rewarded (entering the marriage feast) and five who didn't, are excluded. The parable clearly has a eschatological theme: be ready for Christ's return.
It was one of the most popular parables in the Middle Ages, with enormous influence on Gothic art, sculpture and the architecture of German and French cathedrals.
The oil represents the Holy Spirit, so some of them are not obeying and overcoming as much as they should. No one can lend the Holy Spirit to another, only the Almighty dispenses it to those whom He chooses. The counsel for them to go "buy" it in the market place is a warning for them to get their houses in order in regards to following God. A quick read through the 7 Churches in Revelation will give you an deeper understanding of this.
They are waiting alone in the dark because the world we live in is a dark world, cut off from the Creator until the return of Messiah. Only a chosen few come to understand and follow the Almighty in this age of darkness and confusion. The Bridgegroom is the Christ, who will bring light back to the world.