Parable of the ten Virgins

[Arial]

Why do the foolish virgins feel that they have to purchase oil in order to be accepted by the bridegroom? Is there a type of oil that is better than others?

How did the wise virgins manage to budget their oil in order to meet the bridegroom's strict oil-level specifications?

_______
.

The parable isn't about purchasing oil.

 

[Carbon]

The parable isn't about purchasing oil.

Since the oil is a gift, of course not.

 

[Arial]

I'm hoping for a more in-depth conversation about this narrative.

par·a·ble

noun

1. a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels.

Understanding why the foolish virgins were foolish is an important factor in order for the reader to grasp meaning. Whenever two or more interpretations are possible, even plausible, the most reasonable solution should be adopted.

Here, the grammatical structure allows many interpretations depending on one's religious background. Catholic teaching for example provides the following explanation:

"oil is the symbol of very deep and very personal gestures"

________
.

They were foolish because they weren't ready. Christ's delay put Him on the back burner of their life so to speak. SInce we know from scripture that all true believers persevere in the faith it suggests they were not true believers and it would also apply to unbelievers who never come to Christ. We do not need to identify the "ingredients" of the parable in order to get the message. It is a good way to miss the message however.

 

[Marilyn C]

Biblical reference: Matthew 25

1.) What does the purchase of oil mean?

2.) What does "oil" represent?

3.) Does the parable explain Christ's return during the Millennial Kingdom?

or

4.) Does the parable explain the rapture of the Church?

_________
.

The 10 virgins are part of the wedding feast pictorial representation.

The book of Ruth shows the 4 requirements of the kinsman-redeemer. The Lord is Israel`s kinsman-redeemer and the 4th requirement was for Boaz to marry Ruth, and this illustrates the Lord `marrying,` connecting again with Israel.

The 10 virgins illustrate that there will be some in Israel who kept their hearts ready for the Lord and some didn`t. Zech. 13: 8 shows that two-thirds of Israelis will die while a third will go through the fire just before the Lord returns for them.

 

[ChristB4us]

^That^ is another explanation I haven't read previously. - nice

Quick question: Since the kingdom of heaven is modeled by the ten virgins and their responses in this parable, how does one reconcile this model with Jesus' teaching on division within the kingdom?

"Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and a house divided against itself falls." (Luke 11:17)

________
.

Luke 11:17 is referring to His accusers accusing Him of serving the devil by casting out the devils.

Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

But if we were to look at these verses;

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

And apply it to the parable of the ten virgins, we see that the foolish were left out of the wedding reception because of iniquity, but not cast out of the kingdom of heaven.

This is why there are vessels unto dishonor in His House that did not depart from iniquity, the vessels of wood & earth, but still in His House for why they will be denied by Him for being workers of iniquity but He still abides in them that get left behind. When they die, their spirits will be with the Lord in heaven to await for their resurrection after the great tribulation as vessels of wood & earth, but serving the King of kings on earth, in raising up the generations after them in that thousand year reign of Christ.

Picture that as the prodigal son giving up his first inheritance for wild living and can never get it back, but he is still son as he will be given a ring and a robe in serving the King of kings on earth,

2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 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. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

God wiping the tears from their eyes is a miracle performed by God to get them past that loss of their first inheritance so they will stop weeping and gnashing their teeth over the keen loss of their first inheritance, and rejoice in the power of God in salvation in Christ Jesus as vessels of wood & earth.

So there is no separation in the body of Christ when you consider how the fold that did not follow His voice, but the stranger's voice will, be made to follow His voice literally as their King of kings on earth and be of the one fold & one shepherd because they are His sheep even though they did went astray.

John 10:1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

 

[Eleanor]

Luke 11:17 is referring to His accusers accusing Him of serving the devil by casting out the devils.

Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

But if we were to look at these verses;

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

And apply it to the parable of the ten virgins, we see that the foolish were left out of the wedding reception because of iniquity, but not cast out of the kingdom of heaven.

The wedding is an illustration of the kingdom of heaven.
Not at the wedding means not in the kingdom of heaven.

This is why there are vessels unto dishonor in His House that did not depart from iniquity, the vessels of wood & earth, but still in His House for why they will be denied by Him for being workers of iniquity but He still abides in them that get left behind. When they die, their spirits will be with the Lord in heaven to await for their resurrection after the great tribulation as vessels of wood & earth, but serving the King of kings on earth, in raising up the generations after them in that thousand year reign of Christ.

Picture that as the prodigal son giving up his first inheritance for wild living and can never get it back, but he is still son as he will be given a ring and a robe in serving the King of kings on earth,

The parable of the prodigal son, as is the parable of the ten virgins on counterfeit fatih, is part of a trilogy where Jesus is justifying the charge against him of welcoming and eating with sinners (Lk 15:2). They were angered by the repentance of publicans and heathens.
The parable of the prodigal son is the third parable in a trilogy on finding something precious that was lost; i.e., the elect.
1) Lk 15:1-7 - God seeking and finding the elect (Jn 6:39),
2) Lk 15:8-10 - same as parable #1,
3) Lk 15:11-31 - anger of the Pharisees at inclusion of the Gentiles in the elect.

The parable of the prodigal son is not about two bodies of Christ, one in heaven and one on earth, it is about the inclusion of the Gentiles in the kingdom of God.

2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 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. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

God wiping the tears from their eyes is a miracle performed by God to get them past that loss of their first inheritance so they will stop weeping and gnashing their teeth over the keen loss of their first inheritance, and rejoice in the power of God in salvation in Christ Jesus as vessels of wood & earth.

So there is no separation in the body of Christ when you consider how the fold that did not follow His voice, but the stranger's voice will, be made to follow His voice literally as their King of kings on earth and be of the one fold & one shepherd because they are His sheep even though they did went astray.

That presents two bodies of Christ, one in heaven and one on earth, based on personal interpretation of prophetic and not clearly-spoken riddles (Nu 12:8), which perosnal interpretation is contrary to authroitative NT apostolic teaching.

 

[Inertia]

I believe this is a great pastoral sermon by Christ. And he is speaking of the state of his church. As there will be goats among the sheep.

Again, I think it's talking about the state of the church. And that it is not sufficient to profess to follow Jesus but we must also persevere. When the bridegroom comes he will know his bride because they have received the gift of the Spirit (which is the oil). It seems obvious the lamps would be the heart.
The Bridegroom is Christ of course, the time of the wedding is at his second coming. I think the "night" refers to the churches state in the world 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

Also the virgins are those who profess Christ. But the wise virgins are the true believers. Those who are foolish are those who have tasted of the heavenly gift (as in Hebrews 6) but have not perservered.

Interpreting midnight (NIV) is consistent with Jesus answering the disciple's question in Matthew 24:3 -

"Tell us", they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?"
Part of Jesus' response was provided by using an easy-to-grasp simile for comparison.

What's also real is that it was the wise virgins that told the unwise virgins (Matt. 25:9) to "go to those that sell oil and buy some for yourselves."

Importantly, those who are asking for some oil . (8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’) remind me of,)

Proverbs 23:23

"Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline, and understanding." (NIV)
"Acquire truth and do not sell it - wisdom, and discipline, and understanding." (NET)

Are these who Christ will say these terrible words to:
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matt 7.

This passage reflects the attitudes of the people that solely depended on their works as a reward to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
This is evident by their response:

- "Did we not prophesy in your name?"
- "cast out demons in your name"
- "do many mighty works in your name"

Comparing this response to the response recorded in Matthew 25:34 - 40:

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"

Apparently, these "virgins" abided so deeply that they didn't know how their everyday lives reflected the Holy Spirit's truth within them.

________
.

 

[Inertia]

They were foolish because they weren't ready. Christ's delay put Him on the back burner of their life so to speak. SInce we know from scripture that all true believers persevere in the faith it suggests they were not true believers and it would also apply to unbelievers who never come to Christ. We do not need to identify the "ingredients" of the parable in order to get the message. It is a good way to miss the message however.

I view the simile by the truth of the statement as a whole and by the truth of its components in order to get a better understanding. That said, as long as one comprehends meaning without error, abiding with the Holy Spirit works all the time, every time.

_____
.

 

[Inertia]

The 10 virgins are part of the wedding feast pictorial representation.

Indeed. Jesus uses a simile as a tool to enhance understanding.

The book of Ruth shows the 4 requirements of the kinsman-redeemer. The Lord is Israel`s kinsman-redeemer and the 4th requirement was for Boaz to marry Ruth, and this illustrates the Lord `marrying,` connecting again with Israel.

Wow! That is a great observation. This is the first time someone has demonstrated this connection to me.

The 10 virgins illustrate that there will be some in Israel who kept their hearts ready for the Lord and some didn`t. Zech. 13: 8 shows that two-thirds of Israelis will die while a third will go through the fire just before the Lord returns for them.

I'm struggling with this one.

______
.

 

[Inertia]

Luke 11:17 is referring to His accusers accusing Him of serving the devil by casting out the devils.

Luke 11:15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

But if we were to look at these verses;

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

And apply it to the parable of the ten virgins, we see that the foolish were left out of the wedding reception because of iniquity, but not cast out of the kingdom of heaven.

This is why there are vessels unto dishonor in His House that did not depart from iniquity, the vessels of wood & earth, but still in His House for why they will be denied by Him for being workers of iniquity but He still abides in them that get left behind. When they die, their spirits will be with the Lord in heaven to await for their resurrection after the great tribulation as vessels of wood & earth, but serving the King of kings on earth, in raising up the generations after them in that thousand year reign of Christ.

Picture that as the prodigal son giving up his first inheritance for wild living and can never get it back, but he is still son as he will be given a ring and a robe in serving the King of kings on earth,

2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 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. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

God wiping the tears from their eyes is a miracle performed by God to get them past that loss of their first inheritance so they will stop weeping and gnashing their teeth over the keen loss of their first inheritance, and rejoice in the power of God in salvation in Christ Jesus as vessels of wood & earth.

So there is no separation in the body of Christ when you consider how the fold that did not follow His voice, but the stranger's voice will, be made to follow His voice literally as their King of kings on earth and be of the one fold & one shepherd because they are His sheep even though they did went astray.

John 10:1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

There is a lot to digest here. I will contemplate this for a while.

_______
.

 

[Inertia]

The parable reminds me of those who believe they are saved because back in the day they punched their ticket to heaven.

But there has been no serving the LORD, no ongoing sanctification, no interest in God, they are nominal Christians. It is all based upon easy-believism, and they will be in for a rude awakening at His return, and find that their lamps have no oil.

We run into trouble when we try to make the parables walk on all fours as they say instead of getting the bottom line point of them.

I'm not confident that purchasing oil = easy believism, especially since it was the wise virgins that told the foolish virgins to go and purchase oil.

Proverbs 23:23

"Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline, and understanding."

_______
.

 

[Deleted member 5]

I'm not confident that purchasing oil = easy believism, especially since it was the wise virgins that told the foolish virgins to go and purchase oil.

Proverbs 23:23

"Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline, and understanding."

_______
.

I hear you, but believe that is making too much of it and is missing the main point.

 

[Inertia]

I hear you, but believe that is making too much of it and is missing the main point.

I "hear" you too.

I view the simile by the truth of the statement as a whole and by the truth of its components in order to get a better understanding. That said, as long as one comprehends meaning without error, abiding with the Holy Spirit works all the time, every time.

_____
.

 

[Deleted member 5]

I "hear" you too.

OK.

I view the simile by the truth of the statement as a whole and by the truth of its components in order to get a better understanding.

Breaking it down into many components leads to error. Parables are teaching a main point, breaking it into many parts leads one off of that point.

That said, as long as one comprehends meaning without error, abiding with the Holy Spirit works all the time, every time.

Some of the errors it leads to (breaking parables into components) lead off of the main point and go into another point the parable isn't making nor asserting.

If your sentence above is broken into components, Christians who do not abide with the Spirit will in the end lose eternal life. But only if they are not abiding in the Spirit at the appearing of Christ, because and since that is the proper setting of the parable. We can arrive at this conclusion by strictly (and wrongly) breaking the parable up into segments, and only interpreting it through them and the parable itself.

So I could teach from all that if one isn't abiding in the Spirit when He appears, they'll go to hell. But if He doesn't appear, then they won't.

It can get more and more silly, and I'm doing nothing less or more than you are.

But no believer loses salvation when looking at all of Scripture.

 

[ChristB4us]

The wedding is an illustration of the kingdom of heaven.
Not at the wedding means not in the kingdom of heaven.

Read that very first verse again.

Matthew 10:1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

The ten virgins are the kingdom of heaven that went out to meet the Bridegroom; hence married to Christ awaiting for His return to retrieve them to their new Home and the Marriage Supper.

The thing is, the foolish were out to the market getting extra oil as if they were out of the Holy Spirit as this is the iniquity for why He did not know them, because for them to be in that kingdom of Heaven, they had that oil, but being in the market for that oil is akin to denying that oil in them even though it is still there and why they are still in that kingdom of Heaven.

The parable of the prodigal son, as is the parable of the ten virgins on counterfeit fatih, is part of a trilogy where Jesus is justifying the charge against him of welcoming and eating with sinners (Lk 15:2). They were angered by the repentance of publicans and heathens.
The parable of the prodigal son is the third parable in a trilogy on finding something precious that was lost; i.e., the elect.
1) Lk 15:1-7 - God seeking and finding the elect (Jn 6:39),
2) Lk 15:8-10 - same as parable #1,
3) Lk 15:11-31 - anger of the Pharisees at inclusion of the Gentiles in the elect.

The parable of the prodigal son is not about two bodies of Christ, one in heaven and one on earth, it is about the inclusion of the Gentiles in the kingdom of God.

That presents two bodies of Christ, one in heaven and one on earth, based on personal interpretation of prophetic and not clearly-spoken riddles (Nu 12:8), which perosnal interpretation is contrary to authroitative NT apostolic teaching.

You had compared the prodigal son to something that was lost and yet those left behind can be seen as those that fell away from the faith and thus lost, but Jesus told us not to despise them, the little ones, for they are still His, even though they may wind up being excommunicated from the church and even by Him at the Marriage Supper, but He will get those lost sheep for He will lose none of all the Father has given Him.

Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Look at the warning Jesus is giving saved believers before that.

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Textus Receptus Greek Text King James Bible With Strongs Dictionary Can you believe that they translated hell from the Greek word "geena" or Gehenna in verse 9? And I am having trouble trying to figure out how they connected fire to everlasting in verse 8 at this link; They are casted into that fire on earth but I believe the punishment of everlasting was being cast out in becoming that vessel unto dishonor in His House for ever. Jesus referred to Gehenna as that place of punishment on earth where the fire is not quenched and the worms do not die; hence the temporal word rather than the afterlife. So with New Jerusalem in Heaven at the rapture, earth is that refuse dump for those left behind as a third of the earth will burn up as prophesied in Revelation 8:7 that Jesus sends that fire on earth in verse 49 of Luke 12:40-49.

Jeremiah 7:32Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.

Obviously the hell on earth; that fire may burn forever if it wasn't for Christ making a new heaven and a new earth when He comes back as the King of kings at the end of the great tribulation.

 

[Marilyn C]

Indeed. Jesus uses a simile as a tool to enhance understanding.



Wow! That is a great observation. This is the first time someone has demonstrated this connection to me.



I'm struggling with this one.

______
.

Glad it has given you food for thought. Micah also reveals the hearts of some Israelis at the time of the Lord returning to deliver them.

`Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another and the Lord listened and heard them, so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.`

"They shall be mine," says the Lord of hosts. "On the day that I make them my jewels. I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him...` (Micah. 3: 16 & 17)

 

[ChristB4us]

There is a lot to digest here. I will contemplate this for a while.

_______
.

I can only hope in the Lord that He will cause the increase here.

1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

 

[Eleanor]

Read that very first verse again.

Matthew 10:1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

The ten virgins are the kingdom of heaven that went out to meet the Bridegroom; hence married to Christ awaiting for His return to retrieve them to their new Home and the Marriage Supper.

The ten virgins were invited to be guests at the wedding feast. In the parable they are not the bride

 

[Marilyn C]

The `Bride,` is the whole nation of Israel. The bride symbol being addressed there is in `time` and not the NJ in eternity.

`For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of Hosta is His name...` (Isa. 54: 5)

`I will betroth you to me for ever; Yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to me in faithfulness and you shall know the Lord.` (Hosea 2: 19 & 20)

 

[ChristB4us]

The ten virgins were invited to be guests at the wedding feast. In the parable they are not the bride

@Inertia & @Carbon & @Sparrow & @Arial & @Marilyn C & @preacher4truth

Yet they are the kingdom of Heaven. You cannot be in that kingdom without that seal of adoption as married to Christ.

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. ...... 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

1 Corinthians 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. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Scripture in case you did not know where I had gotten that truth from.

Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 above to apply below for how God will judge each of us for what we build on that foundation laid by Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

By His grace & by His help, I apply verse 13 as that day of the pre great tribulation rapture and if any believer defiled that temple of God, they are cast into that fire on earth thus left behind where his physical body will be destroyed hence physical death, per verses 16-17, but the spirit is saved per verse 15 for why I see their spirits with the Lord in Heaven per 2 Corinthians 5:7-11 but waiting for their resurrection as vessels unto dishonor in His House, vessels of wood and earth that did not depart from iniquity, but still in His House serving the King of kings on earth.

That is the terror of the Lord that should motivate believers not to follow the church blindly any more in trusting the church to be their good shepherd but to trust Jesus Christ to be their personal Good Shepherd & Friend to help them to follow Him by the meat of His words in the KJV.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.