Non-Christians tend to
Allegorize
when interpreting the Scriptures!
Those who use the Allegorical method of interpretation take the
position that beneath the obvious is the real meaning of the passage.
The problem with this viewpoint is that everyone can interpret what they
read any way they would like. This system of interpretation has no
definite standard. All opinions have equal value. The result of this
method of interpretation is confusion!
The Allegorical Method
of Interpretation
Example: What if everyone read their daily newspaper using the
Allegorical Method of Interpretation?
Conclusion: The daily newspaper reports would be of no value since every
one, who read them, could determine that they meant whatever they
thought or wanted them to mean.
Many professing Christians tend to
Spiritualize
when interpreting the Scriptures!
Those who Spiritualize various passages of Scripture do so to support
their preconceived position concerning the subject matter being
discussed. The problem with those who do this is that they have no
traditional or Biblical references to support their interpretation or
understanding. This means that what they say cannot be verified from
any source other than those who might agree with their teachings!
The Spiritual Method
of Interpretation
Example: There have been those who have attempted to apply the Parable
of the Ten Virgins to the nation of Israel and her people. Those who
have attempted to do so say that the people of whom the Lord Jesus spoke
in this parable were saved and unsaved Jews. The reason why those who
take this position are incorrect is that the nation of Israel and her
people have never been symbolically identified in Scripture as being
“virgins.”
Israel is described as the unfaithful and adulterous wife of Jehovah
(Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:20; Hos. 2:2, 7, 16) but never as a “virgin.” There
is no way for the nation of Israel or individual Jews to identify
themselves symbolically with this parable upon hearing it!
Conclusion: Only the Church is referred to as a “virgin” espoused to
Christ (the Bridegroom) in 2 Corinthians 11:2. Therefore, the parable
must be about the assembly of believers referred to in other passages of
Scripture as the Church, or the Body, or the Bride of Christ!
Most Christians tend to
Literalize
when interpreting the Scriptures!
Those who Literalize say that we accept the literal rendering of a
sentence unless something in the sentence indicates otherwise. It was
during the Reformation Period that the General Protestant Method of
Interpretation of the Holy Scriptures became prevalent. This method
takes into consideration whether the word or passage is Plain Literal or
Figurative Literal with the context determining the best way to
understand what has been read.
The Literal Method
of Interpretation
Example: If I said that I was so hungry that I could eat a horse, you
would understand that I was speaking figuratively. In other words, you
knew by the illustration that I was real hungry, but there was no way
that I could literally eat a horse. You would understand that what I
said, was to be taken in a figurative literal way.
But what if I said that I was so hungry, I could eat a two pound steak?
You would have no problem in understanding and accepting, at face value,
the fact that I was hungry and could indeed eat that much. In a plain
literal way.
Conclusion: Using the Literal Method of Interpretation is the only
logical way to read any literature. This includes the Word of God.
When the normal sense
makes good sense,
look for no other sense,
otherwise,
you might end up with
nonsense!
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
is part of the answer given by
the Lord Jesus to this question:
“And what shall be the sign
when all these things
shall be fulfilled?”
Mark 13:4
In His answer
the Lord Jesus
spoke of and spoke to
three
groups of people!
1. Unbelievers
2. Professing Believers
3. True Believers
The
Parable
of the
Ten Virgins
(Matthew 25:1-13)
A story told to illustrate what will happen
just before the Rapture takes place...
when the Rapture takes place...
and after the Rapture has taken place.
What is a PARABLE?
A Parable is a story told to
Illustrate
and
Bring Understanding
of truth.
With stories of familiar things
in the
natural or material world,
the Lord Jesus Christ
was able to teach
important spiritual truths.
The Parable of
the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took
their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them
were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took not oil with them;
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at
midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out
to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish
said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered, saying, No so, lest there be not enough for us
and you; but go rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
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.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Watch, therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour in which the
Son of man cometh.
A Basic Rule
for correct
Biblical Interpretation
and
Biblical Understanding
is to use
(whenever possible)
the Bible
to interpret itself.
These Words
Represent or Symbolize
the Following:
Virgins symbolize the Church or Body of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2).
The Lamp represents The Holy Scriptures of God
(Ps. 119:105, 130; Prov. 6:23).
The Bridegroom is Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:29; Ro. 7:4; Rev. 19:7-9).
Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (1 Sam. 16:13).
Wise indicates Saved people (Prov. 2:1-9; 3:1-6; Col. 1:9, 28; 3:16;
2 Tim. 3:15).
Foolish indicates Unsaved people (Prov. 9:6, 13; 14:7; 15:7; 19:3;
Jer. 5:4, 21).
Ten speaks of Natural responsibility to God.
Five speaks of Whole responsibility under God.
(According to F. W. Grant, The Numerical Bible)
The Three Stages
of a
Jewish Marriage
The 1st stage was the Engagement:
This was usually arranged at a very young age by professional
matchmakers and the parents of the children involved.
The 2nd stage was the Espousement:
This took place when the couple, who had been engaged, were united in a
marriage ceremony but lived apart without seeing each other or knowing
each other sexually for one to two years.
The 3rd stage was the Marriage Supper:
It began with the coming of the bridegroom for his bride, followed by
their honeymoon (usually seven days) and concluding with the meal or
feast to celebrate their union.
The Three Stages
of the Marriage between
Christ and His bride (the Church)
The 1st stage is the Engagement:
Just as parents once chose the marriage partner for their children, God
the Father has chosen those who will be part of the marriage to His Son
(Eph. 1:4-5, 11-14).
The 2nd stage is the Espousement:
The moment an individual receives, by faith alone, Jesus Christ as
their personal Savior, they become part of His bride (the Church) and
are legally bound to Him (2 Cor. 11:2). This stage will end either with
their physical death, when they find themselves immediately in His
presence in Heaven (2 Cor. 5:1-8; Phil. 1:21, 23; 1 Th. 4:13-14, 18), or
with the event we call the Rapture when the Lord Jesus comes for His
bride (Jn. 14:1-4).
The 3rd stage is the Marriage Supper:
It begins with the sudden “snatching out” of His bride (the Church) by
the Lord Jesus )1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Th. 4:13-17; 1 Th. 5:2) to be
followed by the “judgment seat of Christ” (2 Cor. 5:10). This is not a
judgment concerning sin in the believers life while on earth (Jn. 3:16;
Heb. 10:12, 14, 17) but a judgment concerning the things or works they
did after they trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior (Mt. 12:36;
Ro. 14:10-12; Gal. 6:7; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:23-25). Their rewards from the
Lord Jesus, will be given at this time (1 Cor. 3:8, 13-15; 2 Tim. 4:7-8;
Rev. 2:10; 22:12). After the “judgment seat of Christ” is when the
marriage supper of the Lamb (Christ) and His bride (the Church is
celebrated (Rev. 19:7-9).
Key Questions
Question: Why is the kingdom of heaven likened
unto ten virgins?
Answer: The fundamental thought for the number ten
is: Natural Responsibility to God.
Question: Why are their five virgins in each group?
Answer: The fundamental thought for the number five is: Whole
Responsibility under God.
(According to Mr. F. W. Grant’s, The Numerical Bible, Loizeaux
Brothers.)
A Basic Rule
for correct
Biblical Interpretation
and
Biblical Understanding
is to use
(whenever possible)
the Bible
to interpret itself.
More Key Questions
Question: Who do these virgins represent?
Answer: These virgins can only represent the
assembly of believers known as the Church
or the body or the Bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2).
Question: Why are five of them described as wise?
Answer: Wise indicates Saved people (Prov. 2:1-9; 3:1-6;
Col. 1:9, 28; Col. 3:16; 2 Tim. 3:15).
Question: Why are five of them described as foolish?
Answer: Foolish indicates Unsaved People (Prov. 9:6, 13;
14:7; 15:7; 19:3; Jer. 5:4, 21).
More Key Questions
Question: What fueled the light in the lamps of the Wise Virgins?
Answer: Oil, which is a symbol of the Holy Spirit
(1 Sam. 16:13).
Question: What fueled the light in the lamps of the
Foolish Virgins?
Answer: The Wick, which is a symbol of false
religious beliefs (Isa. 1:28-31), that shall be put
out (Prov. 13:9; 24:20).
More Key Questions
Question: Why did all of the virgins in the parable
fall asleep?
Answer: Because of the length of time that passed by,
while waiting for the Bridegroom to return
(Jn. 14:2-3).
Question: What caused all of the virgins to wake-up
from their sleep?
Answer: Something will have to disturb them.
More Key Questions
Question: What caused all of the virgins to arise from
their sleep?
Answer: Something will have to convict them.
Question: What caused all of the virgins to go and
meet the Bridegroom?
Answer: Something will have to convince them.
Question: Why did the Oil become an issue?
Answer: Christianity is contrasted with religion.
A Basic Rule
for correct
Biblical Interpretation
and
Biblical Understanding
is to use
(whenever possible)
the Bible
to interpret itself.
Matthew 25:1-13
The Foolish Virgins The Wise Virgins
1. The word Foolish signifies Unsaved 1. The word Wise signifies
Saved
(Ps. 5:5; 39:8; Titus 3:3). (Prov. 3:35; 2 Tim. 3:15).
2. The Lamp symbolizes the Holy 2. The Lamp symbolizes the Holy
Scriptures of God Scriptures of God
(Ps. 119:105, 130; Prov. 6:23). (Ps. 119:105, 130; Prov.
6:23).
3. Their lamps are lit by the Wick, 3. Their lamps are lit by
Oil, a symbol
a symbol of false religious beliefs of the Holy Spirit
(1 Sam. 16:13)
(Isa. 1:28-31), that shall be put out that shall never be
put out.
(Prov. 13:9; 24:20).
4. They all fell asleep while waiting for 4. They all fell asleep
while waiting
the Bridegroom. for the Bridegroom.
5. They all woke-up from their sleep. 5. They all woke-up from
their sleep.
6. They all arose from their sleep. 6. They all arose from their
sleep.
7. They all trimmed their lamps 7. They all trimmed their lamps
(Checked out what their salvation was (Checked out what
their salvation
based upon). was based upon).
Matthew 25:1-13
8. The light from their lamps went out 8. The light from their
lamps continued
because they learned that their salvation to burn because
their salvation was
was based upon something they had done based on the
finished work of Christ
or were doing in addition to what Christ plus nothing
else!
had done for them.
9. They all demand oil for their lamps 9. They all refuse to give
any oil to the
from the Wise Virgins. Foolish Virgins. But they did
instruct
them as to where they could get the
oil they needed to light their lamps.
10. They were not ready when the Bridegroom 10. They were ready when
the Bridegroom
came to take His bride to her new home and came to take
His bride to her new home
to enjoy the marriage feast prepared for her. and to
enjoy the marriage feast prepared
for her.
11. The door was shut before them. 11. The door was shut behind
them.
12. They plead to the Bridegroom to return for them.
13. The Bridegroom answers that He does not know them.
The Bridegroom (the Lord Jesus Christ)
closes with a warning
for all who are not part of His bride.
It must be understood that
there will be
3 Groups
of People on the Earth
when the
“Rapture”
takes place!
The 1st Group
will consist of people who are
completely unaware that
the “Rapture” is about to take place
Matthew 24:37-39
Luke 17:26-30
They will be just as ignorant
as those people
who were alive on the Earth when:
1. The flood that Noah warned of took place.
2. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God.
This is what people were doing,
when the flood took place,
in Noah’s day
and
when the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah
were destroyed
and
what people will be doing when
the “Rapture” takes place:
1. Eating 2. Drinking 3. Buying
4. Selling 5. Planting 6. Building
7. Marrying 8. Divorcing 9. Remarrying
Matthew 24:37-39
Luke 17:26-30
The 2nd Group
will consist of people
who think
that they are ready to meet
the Bridegroom (Christ).
These people,
who profess to be Christians,
are referred to as
Foolish Virgins.
Questions & Answers
Concerning
the
Foolish Virgins
Q. Who are the foolish Virgins?
A. People who think they are born-again believers (Christians).
Q. Why are they called Foolish?
A. Because they are not truly born-again believers (Christians).
Q. What is the light in their lamp fueled by?
A. The wick! A symbol of false religious beliefs
Q. Where do they go to church?
A. To Bible-believing churches that teach about the “Rapture.”
Q. When do they realize that they are not saved?
A. Near the time that the “Rapture” is about to take place.
Many Professing Christians (foolish virgins)
think that they are saved (born-again) because:
1. They have been baptized in water.
2. They have spoken or do speak in tongues.
3. They try to live a holy life.
4. They have had an experience.
5. They obey God and His commandments.
6. They do various good works.
7. They are members of a church.
8. They were born of Christian parents.
9. They repented of their sins.
10. They made Jesus Lord of their life.
Any person who is trusting something they have done or are doing or
might do,
in addition, to the finished work of Christ, is not saved!
After the “Rapture” some of those who thought
that they were Christians (Foolish Virgins)
will plead their case to the Lord Jesus Christ!
They will say, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in
thy name have cast out demons? And in thy name done many wonderful
works” (Mt. 7:22)?
His reply is, “I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity”
(Mt. 7:23).
They will say, “We have eaten and have drunk in thy presence, and thou
has taught in our streets” (Lk. 13:26).
His reply is, “I know you not from where you are; depart from me, all
you workers of iniquity” (Lk. 13:27).
They will say, “Lord, Lord, open to us” (Mt. 25:11).
His reply is, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not” (Mt. 25:12).
The 3rd Group
will consist of people who know
that they are ready
to meet
the Bridegroom (Christ).
These people,
who are true,
born-again Christians,
are referred to as
Wise Virgins.
Who are the Wise Virgins?
They are people who are trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ,
by faith alone, for their salvation! They are trusting that what Jesus
Christ did for them, is enough to save them, from the penalty due them
for their sins and nothing else. They are not relying on anything they
have done or are doing or might do, in addition to what Jesus Christ
did, to insure their salvation. For them to do so, would be to engage
in a form of religion.
That is the difference between the Wise Virgins and the Foolish
Virgins. The Wise Virgins have Jesus Christ as their Savior! The
Foolish Virgins have nothing more than religion.
What is a PARABLE?
A parable is a story told to
Illustrate
and
Bring Understanding
of truth.
With stories of familiar things
in the
natural or material world,
the Lord Jesus Christ
was able to teach
important spiritual truths.
The Epilogue
to the
“Meaning”
of
The Parable of
the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-1-13
The Scriptures teach that
the Lord Jesus Christ
will come
three times
1. The first time He came UNTO his own (Jn. 1:11). This is usually
called, “the 1st Coming” or “the 1st Advent.”
2. The second time is for his own (Jn. 14:1-4; 1 Th. 4:17). This is
usually called, “the Rapture.”
3. The third time is with his own (Rev. 19:14). This is usually
called, “the 2nd Coming” or “the 2nd Advent.”
And he said unto the disciples,
“The days will come,
when ye shall desire to see
one of the days
of the Son of man,
and ye shall not see it.”
Luke 17:22
There are three days
referred to as
“The Day of the Lord.”
They are:
1. The Rapture (1 Th. 5:1-5).
2. The 2nd Coming of Christ (Isa. 2:10-21).
3. New Heavens and New Earth (2 Peter 3:10-13).
“And they understood none of these things;
and this saying was hidden from them,
neither knew they the things
which were spoken”
(Luke 18:34).
The Lord Jesus proclaimed,
“But take heed; behold,
I have foretold you
ALL
things.”
Mark 13:23
The Most Important Question
for all Professing Believers (Christians) is this:
What is your salvation based upon?
Is Your Salvation based on
what you have done or are doing or might do
for the Lord Jesus Christ?
If it is then you are engaged in a form of religion!
The reason being that our salvation cannot and must not
be based on what we have done or might do for Him
(This is called Works).
Salvation, for each of us, must be based, solely, by faith,
on what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us
(This is called Grace).
Is your salvation based on what Jesus Christ has done for you?
“But to him that worketh not,
but believeth on him
that justifieth the ungodly,
his faith is counted for righteousness.” Roman 4:5
Heaven is not a reward for good people
but a gift to bad people!
Ephesians 2:8-9 |
