In the parable of the ten virgins, Christ brought to light what will take place when He comes, and the destiny of those who have truly acknowledged Him as Savior, and Lord. The lessons thus given do not only apply to spiritual issues, but also to temporal concerns, because the destinies of the two classes of virgins represent the result, and culmination of their habits, attitudes, and practices which produce eternal loss, or eternal salvation, depending on the category, and the choices made.
One of the primary lessons learned from hurricane Irma, is that it is never good to procrastinate, when warnings, cautions, and instructions are given for our best good. In fact, what transpired during the course of the hurricane will be repeated on a much larger scale when Jesus comes. Here, are some of the precious lessons we learned, which we should never forget, and which Christ designs we should apply also to spiritual issues.
[1] Whenever we are given ample warning about an impending danger, we should make the necessary preparations in a timely manner, wherever possible, for whatever may eventuate. Even if the predicted storm does not come, the least and the best we can do is be prepared, for no one ever lost anything by being ready. If the antediluvians had heeded Noah’s warning, and had entered the ark, they could have always returned to their homes if the storm did not come. There was absolutely nothing to lose by them being prepared.
[2] The Governor, the director of FEMA, the mayor, the national hurricane center, were the designated ones whose responsibility it was to give us warning, and they did a tremendous job. But as always, some did not take it seriously, while others were hoping, and praying that we would be spared. That’s all well and good, but Noah’s prayers did not stop him from making preparation, neither did the ridicule of the majority, deter him from giving warning.
[3] Most of those who were stuck in long gas lines actually had some gas in their tanks; the problem is that they did not have extra. Similarly, with the ten virgins, all had gasoline, and all were expecting the event, but five did not have sufficient for the delay, while five had extra. Some have stated that they did not have enough prior notice, to procure extra gas. But history has shown that the longer the warning is given, the more likely we are to put off preparation.
If the Governor had told us of Irma’s coming in the month of June, there would still be long gas lines in September. Noah gave ample warning to the people of his generation, in the most graphic terms for 120 years, and yet the flood still found billions of people unprepared. The issue is not so much the length of prior notice, as it is our disposition to put off for the future, that which can, and should be done today.
One phrase that is not to be found in the Bible is “Get ready”, for anyone who is getting ready isn’t ready. Instead, the Lord teaches us to “Be ready”. A husband, and wife have to be at a wedding for 3:00 pm. One is dressed, and waiting impatiently, as the other hurries to get dressed. Finally, the one who is waiting asks, honey, what’s taking you so long? The other replies frantically from the bathroom, “I’m getting ready! That reply implies that the one who is still getting dressed isn’t ready.
When Christ comes, many individuals will be in the process of getting ready, and will be eternally lost, because Jesus comes to save only those who are ready. How about us? After all these years, going to church, sitting in Sabbath school, listening to good sermons, and doing Bible study, are we still “Getting ready?”. Let’s read:
Luke 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Exodus 19:10 And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people;
11 And be ready against the third day: for the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
[4] The time finally came when all gas stations were closed, and those who went about frantically asking for the precious fuel, were deprived of the option to buy. Similarly, when human probation is closed, it’s then and only then many individuals will realize the golden opportunity Jesus had been granting us, and too late, too late, the choices, and decisions will be made to avail ourselves of His grace. Let’s read:
Jeremiah 8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.
[5] And last but not least, while some were looking for fuel, hurricane Irma came. While the five virgins were out searching for fuel, The Bridegroom came; The entire episode is eerily similar to the parable Christ spoke. Thus, it is important that we learn our lessons well, so that the fate of the five lost virgins, do not become ours. So let’s study the parable very carefully:
Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
There are a few essentials given in this parable, which must be established and interpreted before we proceed.
[1] The lamps represent the word of God, for it is described as a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. Therefore, we conclude that both groups had embraced the word of God, and had the Bible at their disposal, and were by so doing, reckoned as believers in God, and are not hypocrites. Let’s read:
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
2nd Timothy 3:15 And from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
[2] The oil in their lamps represents The Holy Ghost who is given in measure to every believer. Believe it or not folks, the five foolish virgins, were recipients of The Spirit of God, otherwise they would not have been able to come this far in their Christian journey. Every believer is always given a first deposit of The Holy Spirit, when the soul surrenders to Christ, but this down-payment is insufficient to take us through a lifetime of development, and growth in grace.
Zechariah 4:1 And the angel that talked with me came again,
2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:
3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
6 Then he spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
1st John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
We must be constantly receiving fresh endowments of The Holy Spirit, so that maturity in Christ may be our experience, or else we will become stagnant, or begin to retrogress, a protracted process which is often imperceptible in nature. Let’s read:
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 459] A long preparatory process, unknown to the world, goes on in the heart before the Christian commits open sin. The mind does not come down at once from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption, and crime. It takes time to degrade those formed in the image of God to the satanic. By beholding we become changed.
In the parable, all ten virgins were expecting the bridegroom, and all were given a measure of The Holy Spirit, the needed “gasoline” to take them through the emergency, but it was up to them to get extra, whilst the opportunity still lingered. But like it is with so many of us, five of them waited and procrastinated, even though they knew the event was getting closer, and closer.
Thus, it was with Felix, in the book of Acts. When his golden opportunity came for him to accept Christ as Savior, he made the fatal mistake of putting off for another day, that which should have been seized upon, and the rest is history, for he never made the decision. Let’s read:
Acts 24:24 And after certain days, Felix sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
One of the more disturbing aspects of this parable is that the five foolish virgins apparently, were able to purchase some amount of oil, because they couldn’t have returned to the wedding feast empty-handed. The prospect of them finding oil to buy raises three very important questions, since the oil represents The Holy Ghost:
[1] Can The Holy Ghost be purchased?
[2] Who did they purchase it from?
[3] Was it genuine?
Answer: [1] The Holy Ghost cannot be purchased. Let’s read:
[1] Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with
thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Answer: [2] There’s a counterfeit Holy Ghost, which for many Christians, has become quite difficult to differentiate from the true. If televangelists are working genuine miracles, and if folks are able to speak in tongues, does it mean that they have the genuine Holy Ghost? Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
For those who may not be aware, the words “Go ye out to meet Him” literally occurred in 1844, during which time those Christians represented by the five wise virgins followed Christ into the most holy place of the sanctuary, after which the counterfeit “holy ghost” went on “sale” in most of the churches in Christendom. After the great disappointment many believers became discouraged, and began searching for evidences that The Holy Spirit was still in their midst, which led some to supplant the work of the Spirit with “Other” manifestations. Let’s read:
[G.C. pp 393] The coming of Christ, as announced by the first angel's message, was understood to be represented by the coming of the bridegroom. The widespread reformation under the proclamation of his soon coming, answered to the going forth of the virgins. In this parable, as in that of Matthew 24, two classes are represented. All had taken their lamps, the Bible, and by its light had gone forth to meet the bridegroom. But “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; 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.
The half-hearted and superficial could no longer lean upon the faith of their brethren. Each must stand or fall for himself. About this time, fanaticism began to appear. Some who had professed to be zealous believers in the message, rejected the Word of God as the one infallible guide, and, claiming to be led by the Spirit, gave themselves up to the control of their own feelings, impressions, and imaginations.
Fanaticism: Noun.
Wildly excessive or irrational devotion, dedication, or enthusiasm.
Thus, it has become necessary for us to identify the counterfeit holy ghost, in order that we may not be deceived into thinking we have oil, when we don’t. The following four red flags, are the most current manifestations of the counterfeit spirit:
[1] The prosperity gospel, with its focus on health and wealth, and the doctrine of seeding, through which the congregants are milked of their hard-earned cash, to fill the coffers of smooth-talking preachers, who refuse to call sin by its right name, for fear of losing fame and fortune. This is the first evidence that the genuine Spirit of God is absent. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1st Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 He is proud, knowing nothing;
5 Perverse men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw thyself.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
[2] Speaking in tongues when it is not necessary, or warranted. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 14:9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
[3] Miracles of healing, where reformation and a change of lifestyle, and habits are not required, and where miracles are made to have preeminence over truth.
Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
Revelation 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
[4] Excessive emotionalism where other worshipers are disturbed, or prevented from focusing on Christ, and His word. These manifestations also include all prolonged and uncontrolled beating up on the floor, jumping up and down with incoherent speech, and the touching of the forehead by the bishop, or the
televangelist, which results in the collapse of the individual on the floor. All these are definite red flags, signaling to us that the counterfeit holy ghost is at work. Let’s read:
1st Kings 18:25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
26 And they called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
In closing, we have covered some of the lessons learned from the parable, and we’ve also been able to identify the counterfeit holy ghost from the word of God. Now it’s time to answer the all-important question, how do we get “Extra” of the Holy Ghost?
Answer: The Holy spirit works upon our hearts by our desire and our consent. Our desire for Him is awakened when we see our wretchedness, in the light of God’s broken law, and consent occurs when we invite Him in. Then, in response to our need and request, additional endowments of The Holy Ghost are given, and the following day, the same process starts all over again, and continues every day until we have “Extra”. Let’s read:
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Zechariah 10:1 Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word.
God bless!