The Ten Virgins

[Richard Myers]

Amen!! 

One last question. Did not the foolish virgins ask the wise to share their Oil?  Why could this never be?  Did the wise want to share their oil, then why not?

[Mimi]

"Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out." (Margin.) But the waiting five, with their freshly trimmed lamps, have emptied their flagons. They have no oil to spare, and they answer, "Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves."

Salvation is an individual preparation. I cannot receive the Holy Spirit for you, nor you for me. We must do it for ourselves. "Character is not transferable. No man can believe for another. . . . No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of the Spirit's working. . . ."  {AG 214.4}

Here is the concept from Amazing Grace:

Chap. 206 - Oil for Our Lamps

     
The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Matt. 25:4.  {AG 214.1}
     
The two classes of watchers [in the parable of the ten virgins] represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the Word of God. . . . The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. . . .  {AG 214.2}
     
In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ's second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ's near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him," many are unready. . . . They are destitute of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His Word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. . . . Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan. . . .  {AG 214.3}
     
The grace of God has been freely offered to every soul. . . . But character is not transferable. No man can believe for another. . . . No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of the Spirit's working. . . .  {AG 214.4}
     
We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom!" and then gathering up our empty lamps to have them replenished. . . . In the parable the wise virgins had oil in their vessels with their lamps. Their light burned with undimmed flame through the night of watching. . . . So the followers of Christ are to shed light into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God's word is a light as it becomes a transforming power in the life of the receiver. By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His glory--His character--is to shine forth in His followers.  {AG 214.5}
     
Ask God to give you much of the oil of His grace.  {AG 214.6}



And from the Great Controversy:

"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and  slept." By the tarrying of the bridegroom is represented the passing of the time when the Lord was expected, the disappointment, and the seeming delay. In this time of uncertainty, the interest of the superficial and half-hearted soon began to waver, and their efforts to relax; but those whose faith was based on a personal knowledge of the Bible had a rock beneath their feet, which the waves of  disappointment could not wash away. "They all slumbered and slept;" one class in unconcern and abandonment of their faith, the other class patiently waiting till clearer light should be given. Yet in the night of trial the latter seemed to lose, to some extent, their zeal and devotion. The half-hearted and superficial could no longer lean upon the  faith of their brethren. Each must stand or fall for himself.  {GC88 394.1}

We can be sanctifying influences, encouraging individual to buy for themselves - but the oil is not transferable individual to individual.

[Mimi]

This sweet, solemn parable will not leave my mind ... more on the thoughts and expectations of the five foolish virgins:

But while "they that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them," "the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." The latter class had received the grace of God, the regenerating, enlightening  power of the Holy Spirit, which renders his Word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. In the fear of God they had studied the Scriptures to learn the truth, and had  earnestly sought for purity of heart and life. These had a personal experience, a faith in God and in his Word, which could not be overthrown by disappointment and delay. Others "took their lamps, and took no oil with them." They had moved from impulse. Their fears had been excited by the solemn message, but they had depended upon the faith of their brethren, satisfied with the flickering light of good emotions, without a thorough understanding of the truth, or a genuine work of grace in the heart. These had gone forth to meet the Lord, full of hope in the prospect of immediate reward; but they were not prepared for delay and disappointment. When trials came, their faith failed, and their lights burned dim.  {GC88 393.3}

[Richard Myers]

Amen! Such beautiful explanations that open up the simplicity of the gospel for us. Those who have been deceived about what is necessary for salvation may begin to appreciate the power of God's grace to transform the life of the sinner.

I said one last question, but now another comes to mind. Satan is as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Even the very elect could be deceived if it were possible since he is so cunning. Much truth has been mingled with a little error to lead many astray. But, the wise who are trusting in Jesus will not be led astray. There are some who will want to twist this parable to steal away the truth. What will they do? They will tell us that this parable has no lesson for those who are not part of the final generation. They teach that one need not overcome sin to be saved, but only the last generation, the 144,000 need to have their character perfected. They teach that the Saviour will stand in the place of those who died and were laid to rest. That their sins will be covered by Christ. That it is not necessary to overcome all known sin. They even go so far as to teach that until the final generation, Christians have pride in their hearts and will still be saved. 

Yes, it is true. They do teach this, but most cannot see it, for they do not put this out for all to easily see. 

So, my question is this; do we today need the same character that the wise virgins had, or can we be saved with the character of the foolish virgins?

[Greg Goodchild]

Jesus' character is the character of the wise virgins.

[Mimi]

One of the most important elements to this parable, we have not addressed.

The Master's final statement before going into the wedding feast: "I know you not."

The five foolish virgins were left standing without, in the empty street, in the blackness of the night. The Bridegroom claimed not to know this group.

They claimed to know Him - but He knew them not.

This brings us to our greatest need, our most intense need - to know Him. Could He point to any one of us today and say, "I know you"? 

[asygo]

The Master's final statement before going into the wedding feast: "I know you not."  ... Could He point to any one of us today and say, "I know you"?

There's something very important to understand about "knowing" Christ.

Genesis 4:1
Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived...

Conceiving used to be called "bearing fruit." When we "know" someone as the Bible calls it, we conceive - bear fruit. If you know Christ, you will conceive by Him. If you know Satan, you will conceive by him.

How did the Master determine that He did not know the foolish ones? By their fruits you will know them. That's the IJ.

[Dora]

Thank you, Arnold, that is profound!  A wonderful explanation!  I have heard "the marriage supper" preached in that way in detail, only once before.
I believe you have brought out the hidden truth in this parable.  He never "knew" them, no conception, no fruit.  And, all they had to show were "filthy rags."

[asygo]

Wallace?

[Dora]

Of course, Arnold.  I was sure you would recognize what I was talking about.  And, your comment brought it all back to my mind.  I believe you were exactly right on with that, and the similie is so simple, yet so meaningful.  Thank you.

[Richard Myers]

...do we today need the same character that the wise virgins had, or can we be saved with the character of the foolish virgins?

Jesus' character is the character of the wise virgins.

Amen. Let me rephrase my question. Can a person be saved before they receive the character of Christ?

[Mimi]

No

[Greg Goodchild]

...do we today need the same character that the wise virgins had, or can we be saved with the character of the foolish virgins?

Jesus' character is the character of the wise virgins.

Amen. Let me rephrase my question. Can a person be saved before they receive the character of Christ?

I am not sure that I understand the question. Do you have a case in point where someone is suggesting that one can be saved without receiving, or before receiving, the character of Christ?

[Richard Myers]

The great deception in the church today is that one has eternal life while sinning a known sin. That God knows the future decision of the sinner, so he retains his justification in his sin. A most abominable teaching that attempts to remove the condemnation of the broken law. It is taught that Christ will cover these sins until the sinner repents. Of course if the sinner does not repent, then I guess there will be a lot of surprised "Christians" at the judgment who were taught they did not need to repent in order to be saved.

Closely aligned with this teaching is that those who are not part of the 144,000 do not have be purified. This also is a most abominable teaching in that it states only the last generation, the 144,000, will have their hearts cleansed. That, until then the heart may remain defiled with pride and the sinner is still saved.

While it is important that we understand the work that is going on in the heavenly sanctuary in regards to the 144,000 who will perfectly reflect Christ, most professing Christians living today will not be amongst that group. The number of deceived in the churches is staggering and they need to understand the "milk" of the Word that they may come out from under the lies regarding salvation.  While I speak of all the professing churches, our concern in this ministry is God's church. It is said to be in a Laodicean condition. That is true. And one of the things that keeps our brothers and sisters in this condition is the teachings that tell them they are in a saved condition when they are not.  They are told that Christ will cover their unconfessed sins. 

These various so called gospels take many different twists, but they all accomplish the same thing, leaving the professing Christian dead in their sins, leaving them Laodicean. They remain blind to their present need of Jesus in the heart.

[Sister Marie]

Can a person be saved before they receive the character of Christ

When one comes to Christ in repentence asking for forgiveness (Justifcation) then he is given the character of Christ and made clean.(White as snow the Bible says) Only in this thought would I say yes. He would not receive the character of Christ before asking for forgiveness.

Salvation can also be lost after this because we are still free to undo what the Lord has done for us.

[asygo]

Can a person be saved before they receive the character of Christ?

No. But the confusion comes when people have no clear idea of what they're being saved from.

[Greg Goodchild]

The great deception in the church today is that one has eternal life while sinning a known sin. That God knows the future decision of the sinner, so he retains his justification in his sin. A most abominable teaching that attempts to remove the condemnation of the broken law. It is taught that Christ will cover these sins until the sinner repents. Of course if the sinner does not repent, then I guess there will be a lot of surprised "Christians" at the judgment who were taught they did not need to repent in order to be saved.

Closely aligned with this teaching is that those who are not part of the 144,000 do not have be purified. This also is a most abominable teaching in that it states only the last generation, the 144,000, will have their hearts cleansed. That, until then the heart may remain defiled with pride and the sinner is still saved.

While it is important that we understand the work that is going on in the heavenly sanctuary in regards to the 144,000 who will perfectly reflect Christ, most professing Christians living today will not be amongst that group. The number of deceived in the churches is staggering and they need to understand the "milk" of the Word that they may come out from under the lies regarding salvation.  While I speak of all the professing churches, our concern in this ministry is God's church. It is said to be in a Laodicean condition. That is true. And one of the things that keeps our brothers and sisters in this condition is the teachings that tell them they are in a saved condition when they are not.  They are told that Christ will cover their unconfessed sins. 

These various so called gospels take many different twists, but they all accomplish the same thing, leaving the professing Christian dead in their sins, leaving them Laodicean. They remain blind to their present need of Jesus in the heart.

Another false gospel is that one can overcome sin apart from Jesus. If they are diligent enough, and thorough enough, and focused enough, and diligent enough, and Bible studying enough they can get the job done.

[asygo]

There are two errors against which the children of God--particularly those who have just come to trust in His grace--especially need to guard. The first, already dwelt upon, is that of looking to their own works, trusting to anything they can do, to bring themselves into harmony with God. He who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can make us holy.  {SC 59.4}

The opposite and no less dangerous error is that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption.  {SC 60.1}

[Richard Myers]

Amen!! Seems we are in agreement as to the problems with false doctrine.  We must obey to be saved. We must obey from the heart to be saved. We must have new hearts. We must have Jesus in the heart. We must love God with all the heart and our neighbor likewise. If we do not, if self is alive, then we are dead in trespasses and sins. Pharisees who say and do not do, from the heart are not saved any more than those who say one may be saved in their sins.  The road is narrow to heaven and few enter therein.

[T James]

Hello all,

If I may, let me revive the discussion of this absolutely wonderful parable.  I love studying this chapter, as everytime I dig into with the Spirit's assistance I uncover more of the beauty of God's Word.  I have not taken the time to read through this entire thread, so it may well be that this question has already been discussed, but please oblige me.

I am preaching this upcoming Sabbath on this particular parable.  In my preparation and study, a bit of an unusual picture presented itself.  Allow me to explain:  Matthew 25:5 says that "while the bridegroom tarried, they ALL slumbered and slept." (emphasis mine, of course).  This makes a great segway into an connection with Rev 3 and the Church of Laodicea.  However, I assume that the lamps, which in my sermon I've already connected with Matthew 5:15-16, are still burning.  At least it seems that the wise virgin's lamps must be still lit.  And if they're lit, they're "letting their light so shine before men." 

Does that seem like a dichotomy to anyone else?  Being asleep yet shining your light?  Must I title my sermon "Asleep in the Light," and take a page from Keith Green's insightful song?

Thanks for your insights.

T James