Parable of the 10 Virgins: Wise & Unwise

[Sassy Granny]

I could use some insightful, if not expository type apologetic material that describes what is meant by the tale of the wise/foolish virgins depicted in Matthew 25:1-13. I've heard various commentaries on this, but the one I'm having difficulty with is that which says not all believers (true) will be taken in the Rapture as described in this passage.

I'm not seeing that. It has long been my belief that the wise virgins are "known" by the bridegroom (saved), while the foolish virgins are not known at all (unsaved).

Your thoughts?

Thank you,
Kathleen

[icebear]

oil= Holy spirit "saved"

no oil, no Holy Spirit "not saved"

unprepared= unsaved


these maids are guests, not the bride

i think they are symbolic of trib saints, but not of the church- she is the bride and has already begun the festivities.



sorry i'm not more articulate.

[seekingtruth1]

sassy...Im reading your blog and really enjoying it! .I think you are a wonderful, NEAT person and the kind of sassy chick I asire to be like....Look forward to reading more!!!! I always love your posts here!!!


I could use some insightful, if not expository type apologetic material that describes what is meant by the tale of the wise/foolish virgins depicted in Matthew 25:1-13. I've heard various commentaries on this, but the one I'm having difficulty with is that which says not all believers (true) will be taken in the Rapture as described in this passage.

I'm not seeing that. It has long been my belief that the wise virgins are "known" by the bridegroom (saved), while the foolish virgins are not known at all (unsaved).

Your thoughts?

Thank you,
Kathleen

[Theresa]

oil= Holy spirit "saved"

no oil, no Holy Spirit "not saved"

unprepared= unsaved


these maids are guests, not the bride

i think they are symbolic of trib saints, but not of the church- she is the bride and has already begun the festivities.



sorry i'm not more articulate.

I also think this refers to the time of the tribulation.

[Tall Timbers]

My thoughts: Even in the earliest days of the church there were pretenders... we know that from the story of the married couple who sold some land, kept most of the money to themselves, and made a monetary gift to the church, claiming it as the full amount of money earned from the sell. The Spirit of God was not in those two, and they quickly perished for their pretending.

I think the 5 wise virgins represent the true believers in the invisible church, while the 5 unwise virgins represent the pretenders within the visible church who have never known Christ nor surrendered their lives to Him. They were thus not ready when the bridegroom came for His bride, and thus were neither invited nor welcome at the festivities.

Oil is generally representative of the Holy Spirit. I believe that all true believers will be raptured, but that there is a larger number of pretenders, many of whom even fool themselves, who will be left behind.

[Castle]

Frankly, there are so so many different points of view on the Ten Virgins, its crazy. In fact, I believe there are more diverse opinions on this single parable than almost anything else prophecy related.

As a friend of mine once said:

"Forget about all of the various opinions on this parable......The bottom line to the parable that we ALL agree on: BE READY ! "

To a large degree thats true.....The warning to be "Ready" is clear as a bell, regardless.

[acceptedintheBeloved]

I believe that Jack Kelley has a good article on this (though I'm having trouble searching his site now that it has been "updated.")

If I recall rightly, he believes (as do I) that the 10 virgins (Matthew 25) describe the time period before His Second Coming (not the rapture, and not the Church), so these would be those believers during the tribulation period who must "endure to the end" to be "saved" (enter the kingdom.) They "attend the wedding feast" [NASB] (a "week" after the wedding.) They are bridesmaids, so to speak. :candle That is my understanding.

Hope you can find his article(s) :hat

The Ryrie Study Bible also has a bit of notes on this, saying basically the same thing.

[saved by Grace]

i think the parable of the 10 virgins applies to the tribulation saints.also the 10 bridesmaids.we are the bride ourselves.

[Wally]

Yes, there have been different opinions, but the common one, and the one I find most convincing is:

The Rapture has Happened. The Bride is at the ceremony. Jesus is preparing the big celebration and these ten are waiting for Him to show up.

The 5 wise maidens have recognized the times and have sought Jesus during the trib by FAITH. It is possible that the other 5 recognise this - maybe at the mid point and now fearfully try to get associated with the wise ones. However while they are doing works, the Groom comes and the 5 foolish ones windup on the outside - under judgement.

The wise 5 virgins, may represent the jewish survivors of the Trib Wrath who will then inhabit the new kingdom. The reminant who lived or maybe died by faith.

[Gabby]

Lewis Chafer is always a good resource. He asserts the 10 Virgins are for Israel and her judgment. You might want to read his thoughts on this parable ~ he's an excellent teacher and at the very least will give you more to ponder:

http://books.google.com/books?id=tSIOFBvsaNUC&pg=PA133&lpg=PA133&dq=ten+virgins+parable,+lewis+chafer&source=web&ots=mkMyqLCUKC&sig=qEkbaJAYjeWuLV2rMwtqZ2vl1A4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA133,M1