DEVOTIONAL INSIGHTS & REFLECTIONS

PARABLE OF THE 10 VIRGINS - August 7

         The Lord quickened to me consideration of the parable of the 10 Virgins in relation to the times we are living in. Everywhere I looked, everything I was hearing pointed to the Parable of the 10 Virgins; so I took note of it as a timely Word from the Lord. The following is my crude interpretation.

         Let’s look directly at the parable in Matthew 25:1-13. [READ THE PARABLE.]

I believe:

         1. The 10 Virgins represent the church, all individuals (male and female) within the body of Christ;

         2. The lamps represent the human spirit/the heart of men and women of God;

         3. The oil represents God’s anointing, His tangible presence in the hearts of His people, freely given to all who walk with Him; and

         4. The fire represents the Holy Spirit.

         So though oil was readily available to all 10 Virgins, only 5 were wise and the other 5 were foolish. All 10 trimmed their lamps at the midnight cry of the bridegroom. They trimmed the wicks, and lit their lamps; however, the light was going out of the lamps of the 5 foolish virgins because they neglected to replenish the oil, keep their lamps full of oil---neglected the bestowed anointing, time with God---they did not walk with God regularly. Though they asked the 5 wise virgins to share, there was not enough oil for both themselves and the 5 foolish virgins.

         Because the 5 foolish virgins did not stay prepared---were not watchful, vigilant---concerning the precious anointing so freely available, but neglected their relationship with the Anointed One, neglected the callings and gifts God so freely gave them stewardship over…, Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.

         As we have all done at one time or another, the 5 foolish virgins tried to remedy the situation too late.

         A SIMPLE INTERPRETATION----the 5 wise Virgins are "practicing" Christians and the 5 foolish Virgins are "carnal," nominal Christians at best---"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." (2 Timothy 3:5)

         Jesus says, after giving us the parable: "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour." –Matthew 25:13

And other scriptures likewise admonish us:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour… --1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

"Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. "For this reason, you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will. –Matthew 24:42-44

I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved. –Habakkuk 2:1

But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. –Matthew 24:43

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life. –Proverbs 16:17

READ THE REST OF MATTHEW CHAPTER 25.

Also remember the parable about the Rich Man and Lazarus.