10 virgin parable

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What could a Christian have that is needed for the coming of Christ, can be given away, but also is a limited amount?

I believe the common belief is that the oil is the Holy Spirit. Could the oil be something else, but if the oil is the Holy Spirit, then is it something that can be given away?

In the parable half of the brides ask for oil, but the other half said no. The reason was because they were worried they might not have enough.

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

“‘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.’

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.
 
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What could a Christian have that is needed for the coming of Christ, can be given away, but also is a limited amount?

I believe the common belief is that the oil is the Holy Spirit. Could the oil be something else, but if the oil is the Holy Spirit, then is it something that can be given away?

In the parable half of the brides ask for oil, but the other half said no. The reason was because they were worried they might not have enough.

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

“‘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.’

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.

I always looked at this parable being about keeping focused on the coming of Christ and those that tarry and lose sight of Him will not be part of His Church .... His bride........ it brings the other parable of the one who showed up to feast without the robe who was thrown out into the outer darkness. Just thoughts.


The bridegroom

Is coming be prepared

Fill your lantern

Up to the brim

Keep your eyes open

As you wait for Him

You don’t know

Hour nor the day

When He is coming

And passes your way

Should you tarry

If you are late

Not being prepared

will seal your fate

Knock as you may

Cry to come in

The invitation

Is with drawn

You will not

Be with Him
 
I see the parable as about Israel rather than the church. Some people were able to recognize the season of his coming, while others were unprepared and locked out of the kingdom of God.
That's what I see... The oil is the anointing, something which Israel had and let go, the holders of the Oracle of God. We too have to be faithful to the anointing. Remember Jesus' own words about it:

Luke 21:36 (KJV)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.​
 
I would suggest that as with all parables, that certain elements in the parable not be taken too literally.
The most obvious difference between the foolish and wise virgins is that the wise virgins were prepared, whereas the foolish virgins had not propared themselves (this parallels the attendees at the banquet).
So, be prepared for the Master's return. Do not lazily avoid duties and responsibilities thinking that you have much time.
The Apocalypse may be a long way off, but YOUR apocalypse may be tonight.
 
I would suggest that as with all parables, that certain elements in the parable not be taken too literally.
The most obvious difference between the foolish and wise virgins is that the wise virgins were prepared, whereas the foolish virgins had not propared themselves (this parallels the attendees at the banquet).
So, be prepared for the Master's return. Do not lazily avoid duties and responsibilities thinking that you have much time.
The Apocalypse may be a long way off, but YOUR apocalypse may be tonight.
I see this similar to what you said. We need to be ready and won't get a second chance when the Lord returns.
 
That's what I see... The oil is the anointing, something which Israel had and let go, the holders of the Oracle of God. We too have to be faithful to the anointing. Remember Jesus' own words about it:

Luke 21:36 (KJV)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.​
Interesting. I hadn't thought of that. So if the oil is an anointing, can an anointing be passed along? The parable is interesting because the virgins that had oil did not say they can't give it for the reason it can't be given, instead they said no because they were afraid they wouldn't have enough.
 
I would suggest that as with all parables, that certain elements in the parable not be taken too literally.
The most obvious difference between the foolish and wise virgins is that the wise virgins were prepared, whereas the foolish virgins had not propared themselves (this parallels the attendees at the banquet).
So, be prepared for the Master's return. Do not lazily avoid duties and responsibilities thinking that you have much time.
The Apocalypse may be a long way off, but YOUR apocalypse may be tonight.
Agreed. Elements of parables should not be taken too literally, however, would you say there could be something to be learned in every element of a parable?
 
I agree with everyone that says the parable is about being ready, but I'm specially curious to see what everyone thought the oil is.

So far I've heard today Holy Spirit, knowledge of the word, and anointing.
 
I agree with everyone that says the parable is about being ready, but I'm specially curious to see what everyone thought the oil is.

So far I've heard today Holy Spirit, knowledge of the word, and anointing.
" Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." - Sigmund Freud
Personally I think the oil was just that, oil. There doesn't have to be hidden meaning in everything.
You can' t lend "Holy Spirit".
 
When the disciples couldn't free a young child, they went to the Lord and Jesus freed the child. Later the disciples asked why it didn't work for them when it had in the past. Jesus said that these only leave through prayer and fasting. Note though: Jesus didn't fast or pray at that moment, He had done it before. Can't withdraw from an account you don't put something in. That's what the faithful virgins did... they were storing up for when it was needed. The foolish ones didn't and when caught off guard they went to do what they should have done earlier but by then it was too late. It is indeed about preparedness, just like Jesus said:

Luke 21:36 (KJV)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.​

It's not a right, but a gift to escape the end times which are fast approaching. Many older real spiritual leaders will begin to die off as the times get worse and worse until it's time for the rapture. Just like in the days of Noah.
 
When the disciples couldn't free a young child, they went to the Lord and Jesus freed the child. Later the disciples asked why it didn't work for them when it had in the past. Jesus said that these only leave through prayer and fasting. Note though: Jesus didn't fast or pray at that moment, He had done it before. Can't withdraw from an account you don't put something in. That's what the faithful virgins did... they were storing up for when it was needed. The foolish ones didn't and when caught off guard they went to do what they should have done earlier but by then it was too late. It is indeed about preparedness, just like Jesus said:

Luke 21:36 (KJV)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.​

It's not a right, but a gift to escape the end times which are fast approaching. Many older real spiritual leaders will begin to die off as the times get worse and worse until it's time for the rapture. Just like in the days of Noah.

Ah ha very interesting, and I like that you uses scripture to support it!
 
When the disciples couldn't free a young child, they went to the Lord and Jesus freed the child. Later the disciples asked why it didn't work for them when it had in the past. Jesus said that these only leave through prayer and fasting. Note though: Jesus didn't fast or pray at that moment, He had done it before. Can't withdraw from an account you don't put something in. That's what the faithful virgins did... they were storing up for when it was needed. The foolish ones didn't and when caught off guard they went to do what they should have done earlier but by then it was too late. It is indeed about preparedness, just like Jesus said:

Luke 21:36 (KJV)
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.​

It's not a right, but a gift to escape the end times which are fast approaching. Many older real spiritual leaders will begin to die off as the times get worse and worse until it's time for the rapture. Just like in the days of Noah.
Not to get into a translation debate but some leave out the fasting part. I fully believe in fasting, but just saying [emoji12]
 
Psalms 35:13 (KJV)
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing [was] sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.​

Daniel 9:3 (KJV)
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:​

Matthew 17:21 (KJV)
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.​

Mark 9:29 (KJV)
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.​

1 Corinthians 7:5 (KJV)
Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
I guess they leave off the "fasting" part because:

Philippians 3:19 (KJV)
Whose end [is] destruction, whose God [is their] belly, and [whose] glory [is] in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
Just say'en :D
 
@Abdicate - thanks for the verses you mentioned theyre interesting, because I think the praying and fasting led to more faith. Anytime the disciples could not perform a miracle how many times did Christ say it was die to a lack of faith. So maybe the oil is faith.

They were not ready because they had no faith. They had no faith because they never fasted and prayed.

So if faith is or leads to some type of spiritual power, then my guess would be that is something that can be given and taken.

Example might be found in Luke 8

"45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
So basically lady touched Jesus. He said power went out of him. Lady was healed. Jesus said her faith healed her.
 
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