The Parable of the Ten Virgins

[Inertia]

Moved to this forum for consistency

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[Odë:hgöd]

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It's commonly supposed that the five unwise girls were stupid for not bringing along
enough oil for their light sources. That may be true, but I rather suspect that their
stupidity was scarcely related to the oil and mostly related to abandoning their
posts.

Had they stuck to their guns (so to speak) they could've joined the procession
along with everyone else. They may have endured a measure of chagrin for letting
their lamps go out, but at least they wouldn't miss the party.

In other words; they let something relatively minor distract their attention from
something far more important; sort of like Nero concerning himself with trifles while
Rome is on fire all 'round the city.

● Matt 25:10-12 . . While they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom
arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And
the door was shut. Later the others also came. Sir! Sir! --they said-- Open the door
for us! But he replied: I tell you the truth, I don't know you.

The thing is: while the entrance was open, the general public was welcome to come
on in and join the celebration, but once the door was shut and festivities
commenced, late arrivals were permitted inside only if they were the bridegroom's
friends; which emphasizes that the invitation, though generous, offered a narrow
window of opportunity which if missed, was lost forever.
_

 

[Inertia]

.
It's commonly supposed that the five unwise girls were stupid for not bringing along
enough oil for their light sources. That may be true, but I rather suspect that their
stupidity was scarcely related to the oil and mostly related to abandoning their
posts.

Had they stuck to their guns (so to speak) they could've joined the procession
along with everyone else. They may have endured a measure of chagrin for letting
their lamps go out, but at least they wouldn't miss the party.

In other words; they let something relatively minor distract their attention from
something far more important; sort of like Nero concerning himself with trifles while
Rome is on fire all 'round the city.

● Matt 25:10-12 . . While they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom
arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And
the door was shut. Later the others also came. Sir! Sir! --they said-- Open the door
for us! But he replied: I tell you the truth, I don't know you.

The thing is: while the entrance was open, the general public was welcome to come
on in and join the celebration, but once the door was shut and festivities
commenced, late arrivals were permitted inside only if they were the bridegroom's
friends; which emphasizes that the invitation, though generous, offered a narrow
window of opportunity which if missed, was lost forever.
_

Now that is different. I have never read an explanation of Jesus' parable like this before now. Your inverse perspective is certainly not a common one. In the parable, it's clear that the lamps and oil are central components. The New English translation even specifies using olive oil and, in every version, all of the virgins were asleep. The use of the term "virgins" was purposeful meaning separated Bridesmaids. These were not any ordinary "Sally", "Jane" or "Mary" that one typically bumps into on a typical day.

I think we agree that the foolish virgins didn't adequately prepare and they wanted advice from the wise virgins.

"The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.'" (Matthew 25:8)

Just to clarify, are you saying that the wise tricked the virgins to go on a proverbial wild goose chase?

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[CrowCross]

Now that is different. I have never read an explanation of Jesus' parable like this before now. Your inverse perspective is certainly not a common one. In the parable, it's clear that the lamps and oil are central components. The New English translation even specifies using olive oil and, in every version, all of the virgins were asleep. The use of the term "virgins" was purposeful meaning separated Bridesmaids. These were not any ordinary "Sally", "Jane" or "Mary" that one typically bumps into on a typical day.

I think we agree that the foolish virgins didn't adequately prepare and they wanted advice from the wise virgins.

"The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.'" (Matthew 25:8)

Just to clarify, are you saying that the wise tricked the virgins to go on a proverbial wild goose chase?

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I think the Jewish wedding events can run parallel to future biblical events.

The following is somewhat abbreviated...

The Jewish wedding started with an engagement...where the groom paid a dowery to the "brides" father. Kinda like Jesus paid a price for His bride to God the Father.

The groom would then leave, returning to his home and build a living space for him and his new bride.
The bride not knowing when the groom would return would look for and wait patiently...being ready... for the return of the groom to take her to their new home.

Jesus is doing something similar...
1 John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 I n my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.

One highlight here may be..."I will come again and will take you to myself"

Today some are looking for Christ return...while others, not. I would venture to say those looking are saved while those not looking are not saved...and like the virgins who have no oil.

So, where does Jesus come and take us to the many rooms (mansions) prepared for His bride, the Church?
The answer....the Rapture.

Then what comes shortly after that? The wedding supper of the Lamb.

 

[Odë:hgöd]

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Just to clarify, are you saying that the wise tricked the virgins to go on a proverbial
wild goose chase?

No.
_

 

[Inertia]

I think the Jewish wedding events can run parallel to future biblical events.

The following is somewhat abbreviated...

The Jewish wedding started with an engagement...where the groom paid a dowery to the "brides" father. Kinda like Jesus paid a price for His bride to God the Father.

The groom would then leave, returning to his home and build a living space for him and his new bride.
The bride not knowing when the groom would return would look for and wait patiently...being ready... for the return of the groom to take her to their new home.

Jesus is doing something similar...
1 John 14:1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 I n my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.

One highlight here may be..."I will come again and will take you to myself"

Today some are looking for Christ return...while others, not. I would venture to say those looking are saved while those not looking are not saved...and like the virgins who have no oil.

So, where does Jesus come and take us to the many rooms (mansions) prepared for His bride, the Church?
The answer....the Rapture.

Then what comes shortly after that? The wedding supper of the Lamb.

Wow - that's worth some thought. Very good CrowCross.

Using this, how did the virgins actively look while they were sleeping?


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[Inertia]

No.
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Thanks -

Matthew 25:9

“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

...
Had they stuck to their guns (so to speak) they could've joined the procession
along with everyone else. They may have endured a measure of chagrin for letting
their lamps go out, but at least they wouldn't miss the party.

So they should have ignored the wise virgin's advice and followed the road that led to the bridegroom's door, and the bridegroom would have recognised them because the window of time was narrow.

In other words; they let something relatively minor distract their attention from
something far more important; sort of like Nero concerning himself with trifles while
Rome is on fire all 'round the city.

...

Indeed being distracted about less important matters can result in a failure.
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[Odë:hgöd]

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So they should have ignored the wise virgin's advice

The only thing "wise" about those girls was them bringing along enough oil for their
lamps to last all night. In that respect the other girls were careless, i.e. unwise.

Though bringing along a sufficient supply of oil was smart, the "advice" they gave
the other girls was dumb.

followed the road that led to the bridegroom's door

Better to mingle with the procession as it went by and all go in together.

the bridegroom would have recognised them

Personally I don't think the bridegroom knew any of those ten girls, It's my guess
they were all recruited by the wedding's planner.
_

 

[CrowCross]

Wow - that's worth some thought. Very good CrowCross.

The jewish wedding correlates very well.

The same can be said for the Jewish seder.

Using this, how did the virgins actively look while they were sleeping?


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Don't know off hand.

 

[Marilyn C]

Jesus came to confirm the promises to Israel not the B/C for that had NOT been revealed.

`Now I say that Jesus has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, TO CONFIRM THE PROMISES made to the fathers. `(Rom. 15: 8)

 

[Inertia]

Jesus came to confirm the promises to Israel not the B/C for that had NOT been revealed.

`Now I say that Jesus has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, TO CONFIRM THE PROMISES made to the fathers. `(Rom. 15: 8)

Hi Marilyn C -

I need further explanation about your response. How does it relate to the parable of the Ten Virgins?

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[Marilyn C]

Hi Marilyn C -

I need further explanation about your response. How does it relate to the parable of the Ten Virgins?

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Thank you for asking.

The 10 virgins are related to the marriage feast which the book of Ruth illustrates - 4 requirements for the kinsman-redeemer to Israel.

Kinsman-Redeemer.

Illustration of Ruth and Boaz.

God`s word gives us a wonderful illustration of the function of the kinsman-redeemer in the life of Ruth and Boaz.

There was a famine in the land of Israel and a certain man of Bethlehem, called Elimelech and his wife, Naomi went to live in the country of Moab. Elimelech, however died and left two sons. They took wives of the women of Moab, Ruth and Orpah. Then the two brothers also died leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law.

After many years Naomi decided to return to the land of Judah. She told her daughter-in-laws to go back to their families. Orpah did go to her family, however Ruth chose to go with Naomi to Judah. When they returned to Bethlehem they were very poor. Ruth had to glean barley grain after the men reaped the field, so they could make it into bread.

Naomi decided to sell the estate of her deceased husband and pay off any debts owing. Now only a near kinsman could step forward to buy the land. However, with the land came the man`s son`s wife, (Ruth) a Moabite, with the requirement to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.

When Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi`s husband looked at the facts he determined to undertake the duties of a kinsman on behalf of Ruth. However there was a closer kinsman that needed to be addressed.


These are the four requirements that Boaz needed to do to acquire the land and Ruth.


1. Proof of Relationship.

Boaz was a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech. He was a kinsman. (Ruth 2: 1)



2. Uphold God`s Law.

Boaz took ten men of the elders of the city to oversee the transaction. (Ruth 4: 2)



3. Clear the debt.

Boaz asked the closer kinsman if he desired to redeem the parcel of land of his brother Elimelech. He also said that the transaction included the marriage to Ruth. The closer kinsman declined to redeem the land and Ruth thus not becoming the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz however, chose to redeem the land and to take Ruth as his wife. (Ruth 4: 4 - 12)



4. Consummate the marriage union.

Boaz took Ruth for His wife and she bore a son to him, Obed, and he begat Jesse the father of David. (Ruth 4: 13 - 22) From this line Jesus was born. (Matt. 1: 1 - 16)

 

[Marilyn C]

Christ as the Kinsman-Redeemer for Israel.

In relation to the Lord being the kinsman-redeemer for Israel and the world, He needed to fulfill each requirement. The four gospels represent Christ fulfilling these great functions in regards to Israel and the four visions in Revelation reveal Him fulfilling them for humanity.


1. Proof of Relationship.

God`s Law required that the person desiring to be kinsman-redeemer, must first prove His right on the ground of relationship with Israel, for no stranger was permitted to act.

`In all the land of your possession you shall grant redemption of the land. If one of your brethren becomes poor, and has sold some of his possessions, and if his kinsman-redeemer comes to redeem it, then he may redeem what his brother has sold.` (Lev. 25: 24 & 25)

Christ`s genealogy is therefore recorded - as son of Abraham and son of David. (The two great covenants - promise and kingship). (Matt. 1 - 17)


2. Uphold God`s Law.

Next the Lord had to vindicate the law. This He did by fulfilling all legal demands. In Mark we see that Christ maintained the rights of God`s law. In doing so He came up against the usurper who dominated the heritage. Christ took authority over demonic possession, sickness, social inequality, and false teachings. (Mark 3: 1 - 5)



3. Clear the Debt.

To clear the debt in order to redeem Israel and ransom the estate, Christ did fully and finally by being the Lamb of God. Zacharias prophesied of this -

`And you child, (John), will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins.` (Luke 1: 76 & 77)



4. To Consummate the Marriage Union.

The last transaction awaits achievement. Christ must come and take His bride, consummating an eternal union. This means that Christ needs to connect again with Israel and for them to come under His rulership.

In John`s gospel we read, `He who has the bride is the bridegroom,` (John 3: 29). So Christ is expected to return and consummate the union.


`Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.` (Rev. 19: 7)

 

[Inertia]

Christ as the Kinsman-Redeemer for Israel.

In relation to the Lord being the kinsman-redeemer for Israel and the world, He needed to fulfill each requirement. The four gospels represent Christ fulfilling these great functions in regards to Israel and the four visions in Revelation reveal Him fulfilling them for humanity.


1. Proof of Relationship.

God`s Law required that the person desiring to be kinsman-redeemer, must first prove His right on the ground of relationship with Israel, for no stranger was permitted to act.

`In all the land of your possession you shall grant redemption of the land. If one of your brethren becomes poor, and has sold some of his possessions, and if his kinsman-redeemer comes to redeem it, then he may redeem what his brother has sold.` (Lev. 25: 24 & 25)

Christ`s genealogy is therefore recorded - as son of Abraham and son of David. (The two great covenants - promise and kingship). (Matt. 1 - 17)


2. Uphold God`s Law.

Next the Lord had to vindicate the law. This He did by fulfilling all legal demands. In Mark we see that Christ maintained the rights of God`s law. In doing so He came up against the usurper who dominated the heritage. Christ took authority over demonic possession, sickness, social inequality, and false teachings. (Mark 3: 1 - 5)



3. Clear the Debt.

To clear the debt in order to redeem Israel and ransom the estate, Christ did fully and finally by being the Lamb of God. Zacharias prophesied of this -

`And you child, (John), will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins.` (Luke 1: 76 & 77)



4. To Consummate the Marriage Union.

The last transaction awaits achievement. Christ must come and take His bride, consummating an eternal union. This means that Christ needs to connect again with Israel and for them to come under His rulership.

In John`s gospel we read, `He who has the bride is the bridegroom,` (John 3: 29). So Christ is expected to return and consummate the union.


`Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.` (Rev. 19: 7)

Thanks for the detailed responses.

How does one correlate a kinsman-redeemer to half of the foolish virgins seeking to purchase lamp oil?

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[Marilyn C]

Thanks for the detailed responses.

How does one correlate a kinsman-redeemer to half of the foolish virgins seeking to purchase lamp oil?

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Good question. I would say from what I read in God`s word that it refers to the Jews who did not prepare and those who did. Here are some scriptures I see concerning this.

`But who can endure the day of His coming?.....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 I make them my jewels. I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." (Mal. 3: 2, 16 & 17)

"And it shall come to pass in all the land," "That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. Then they will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, "This is my people:" and each will say, "The LORD is my God." `(Zech. 13: 8 & 9)

 

[Mr GLee]

In that parable Ten, in multiples, hundred, thousand ten thousand as a metaphor represent the whole as to whatsoever is in view,. Five represents the redeemed. The chaste virgin like that of Timothy the church .

 

[Inertia]

In that parable Ten, in multiples, hundred, thousand ten thousand as a metaphor represent the whole as to whatsoever is in view,. Five represents the redeemed. The chaste virgin like that of Timothy the church .

Certainly, the bridegroom is Jesus.

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[Mr GLee]

Certainly, the bridegroom is Jesus.

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Jesus the Christ yes not Jesus the Son of man our brother in the lord a born-again a member as the bride. He said marvel not that he must be born again from above.


God is not a man.

 

[CrowCross]

God is not a man.

The Word who is God......became flesh.

 

[Mr GLee]

The Word who is God......became flesh.

The word dwelt in dying flesh of the Son of man Jesus .Not as I with no power but as your powerful will that can raise the dead

The word is not dying flesh. It is the living word of God

God is not a man he is the creator of men.