THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

Let us read the Parable of the Ten Virgins, that can be found in Matthew 25:1-13,

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 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. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

• All 10 were virgins

• All had pure biblical beliefs

• Al l had lamps

• All had the Bible

• All of them went to meet the bridegroom

• All of them looked forward to the 2nd coming

• All of them went to sleep

• All heard the call and woke up

• All prepared their lamps

• All the lamps were burning

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE

All of them prepared their lamps and all of the lamps were burning; but burning lamps need oil. Energy was used. After a short time five of them noticed that their lamps were going out. The lamps of the foolish virgins that only burned for a short time show us that they did have something from the Holy Spirit. But it wasn’t enough. There was too little oil. That was the only difference.

When the five came asking to be let in, Jesus answered: “I do not know you.” They were too late in attending to the oil, the Holy Spirit. The door remained closed.

Jesus’ statement shows us that our personal relationship with Him has something to do with the Holy Spirit. Whoever doesn’t let himself be led by the Holy Spirit won’t be acknowledged by Jesus. In Romans 8:8,9 it says:

“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ... if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”

Actually, we only have a real personal relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Look to what 1 John 3:24 says,

“And by this we know that He [Jesus] abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.”

This means that the assurance I have that I am filled with the Holy Spirit is at the same time the assurance that I am in Jesus and He is in me.

TESTIMONY

This is exactly the experience a sister had, who took part in the 40 Days prayer time. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit in her life she experienced her relationship with God in a completely different way and others noticed the change in her life. A sister from southern Germany wrote the following after she had studied a booklet called ‘40 Days— Prayers and Devotions to Prepare for the Second Coming’ by Dennis Smith. It has become a great and long-awaited blessing in her life. Just like many of her church members have experienced. Something was always missing in their faith experience and now they had the privilege of experiencing how Jesus has entered in their lives and has begun to change them.

A brother wrote the following,

The booklet Steps to Personal Revival deeply touched me. The chapter on the ten virgins and especially on Romans 8:9b: ‘Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His’ greatly shocked me. Suddenly, I wasn’t sure if I had the Holy Spirit and if He was working in me, because I am painfully missing the corresponding “fruits” in my life. This Sabbath afternoon I finished reading the booklet and an infinitely deep sadness overwhelmed me. Then I read the prayer on page 110 and a deep desire rose in me to receive the Holy Spirit, that my heart would be changed and that God the Father would change me according to His will. ...Thank you for the booklet and the words, which deeply moved me.” A. P.

The greatest tragedy for the carnal person is that he won‘t receive eternal life if his condition doesn’t change.

“Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” (Rom 8:9b)

SUMMERIZING

Now to summarize,

The main difference between the spiritual and the carnal person has to do with the Holy Spirit. The spiritual person is filled with the Holy Spirit. The carnal person isn’t or isn’t sufficiently filled with the Holy Spirit.

Should you realize that you are a carnal Christian, then don’t be angry. God is offering you a remedy: the Holy Spirit.

In some circles, certain gifts of the Holy Spirit are overemphasized; on the other hand, in other circles, the Holy Spirit is neglected. May our dear Lord help us to follow his Holy Word, and neither go to one extreme or the other.

QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION & DEVOTION

1. What does get most of your attention in the Parable of the Ten Virgins?

2. In the Parable, the Ten Virgins had so much in common but what was the difference and why that was a problem?

3. What is the biggest problem, to overemphasize or to neglect the Holy Spirit and why?

4. Try to meditate about why do you want to keep your lamp full and to ask for the Holy Spirit in this new day!