Posted on 09/13/2020 7:51:28 AM PDT by jimfr
The parable of the virgins consist of ten virgins with oil lamps waiting for the bridegroom to appear. Five realize they did not have any oil and went to town to buy some. Meanwhile bridegroom comes and takes the five wise virgins into the house. The five foolish virgins initially witout oil returns and could not get into the house with the bridgroom saying he did not know the foolish virgin.(Matth 25:1-13) Some parables Jesus explains the symbolism, but this time He does not. It is easy to realize the wise virgins represent saved or chosen saints and the bridgroom represents Jesus. But what does the oil, which the virgins needed enter the house for the marriage ceremony represent?
Other have answered this with various objects/themes. But faith seems to fit nicely. In Hebrews 11:5 "without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" & Ephesians 2:8 "by grace are you are saved through faith". It is faith that gets you into His house.
What are the characteristics of faith? Faith contains trust and trustworthness. The degree of trust and trustworthness of each individual defines every relationship. And faith colors our outlook. The degree of trust can be appropriate or inappropriate for the degree of trustworthyness of the other person. Following the parable of the virgins is the parable of the master and servants, and is really a continuation of Jesus discussion (Matth 25:14-30). Where the master gives differring amounts of money to three servants. After going on a trip and coming back, two made a profit on the given money while the third hid the money and made not profit.
The difference between the three servants were the view they had of the master. The first two had trust in the master, had the freedom to risk failure and were praised. The third did not trust the master, feared failure declared wicked and was punished.
God knows how our outlook is formed. This is why God gave us the second of theTen Commandments. (Exodus 20:2-4) I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, .....Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness. He knew our view of Him would color our trust in Him.
Now going back to the virgins, the wording " I know you not" to the virgins without oil points to a relationship void interpersonal knowledge therefore trust. Deep trust does not suddenly appear. You must buy it by experience over time. It is not blind, but based on God's faithfulness to us over time. If you don't have it when the Lord comes, you will be left out. Meditate on His faithfulness throughout your life. Buy that oil.
The wedding ceremony has already taken place, and to add to that have ever heard of the bride not being invited to her own wedding feast.
The oil is being used symbolically here, then the principle of Expositional Constancy demands that it represent the Holy Spirit.
So the conclusion is that the 10 bridesmaids are tribulation survivors.
It's midnight oil. It's not sold in stores and can't be bummed off of someone else. It's the miracle oil that never burns out. Late-night, last-minute shoppers are operating on a wrong premise entirely.
There's a sweet story (based on Psa 119.62) about how King David always knew when it was midnight because a breeze (the Spirit of God) would come through his window at midnight like clockwork.
It would then cause David's harp to start playing by itself, awaking David who would then arise to sing praises to God.
Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
The oil represents the Holy Spirit which we receive when we believe.
Also, the statement ‘where two or more are gathered, I am there’ is you and the Holy Spirit. It isn’t talking about 2 people, otherwise, this statement means that Jesus ISN’T there if you pray alone.
I have thought that for some time.
Reading that one day, it occurred to me that the Bridegroom was marrying the Bride, which is believers, who are not the attendants.
I was trying to figu out who the virgins represented but you answered that well.
The bridegroom is a man and he has 10 virgins waiting outside five of them run to town to get oil and then he takes the first five but turns the others away when they get back with their oil? That doesn’t make sense. Why turn them away just because they didn’t have oil right away? Seems like a jerk. Plus what the heck is he going to do with 5 virgins that he couldn’t do better with 10? Not to mention the fact that he really should only have 1 virgin which is the one he is marrying. Trying to interpret a parable as having some correlation to current events or as a fulfillment of some biblical prophecy is hubris on the part of the interpreter. You can pat yourself on the back and in the style of Jack Horner. You won’t live long enough to know that, nope that wasn’t it.
The talents represents his word.(the gospel)
Psalm 138:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
I will bow down toward Your holy temple
And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.
Thx for your comment, but I believe every thing that is good comes from God.
Love that song, I am sure it will get played tonight, THX.
you need to read and understand the parable. The 5 without enough oil weren’t prepared. They had no idea when the bridegroom would come so they didn’t have enough oil. When it was announced that the BG was on his way, the 5 low in oil demanded the 5 WITH enough give them some of theirs. They said no, go get your own.
The consummate conservative story :) as well as much more profound that the BG being a jerk
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Song of Solomon:
1:3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you
Interesting translations of Solomon’s song hint His Name is like oil..
That verse in Solomon’s song also talks of ‘virgins’ also..
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