Saturday, February 15, 2014

The Foolish Virgins: Case Study

The "Foolish Virgins" of the parable represent the saddest group for the end time remnant upon Christ's return. The Wise Virgins/Wheat are saved. The Tares are of course lost since they choke the Word. But the Foolish Virgins were not tares. they simply fell short along the way--they almost made it...this is why they are the saddest group to study about.


1) The Foolish have remained faithful to the Word....
"In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ's second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ's near approach, and confidently expect His appearing."
Christ's Object Lessons p.408 E.G.W.

2) Both the Foolish & the Wise had the Lighted Lamp of Scripture...
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
Psalm 119:105

3) Even the Foolish had at one time the Holy Spirit-but no longer....
"But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him," many are unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit."
Christ's Object Lessons p.408 E.G.W.

4) They fell short of filling up on the Holy Spirit during His delay....

"One may be familiar with the commands and promises of the Bible;

but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home,
the character will not be transformed."  
Christ's Object Lessons p.410 E.G.W.

5) The Foolish Virgins are sincere....
"The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit's working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up."  
Christ's Object Lessons p.411 E.G.W.

6) So the reason they are lost?...
...and took no oil with them:
Matthew 25:3
"The Spirit works upon man's heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature; but the class represented the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion with Him;"
Christ's Object Lessons p.411 E.G.W.
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Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which 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 no 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,
Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:
but go ye 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
wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:1-13