The Parable Of The Ten Virgins

[CrimsonKairos]

So today was the first time I've been able to attend Church in about 16 months. It was awesome to get back to Church (my dad's slowly getting better).

Anyway, we were talking about the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25), and I noticed something I'd never thought about before. I found it interesting that it says all the virgins, not just the foolish ones, fell asleep after getting into position with their lamps.

The class was talking about how the foolish virgins hadn't been replenishing their oil supply, but the fact is they were all sleeping so no one was replenishing their oil supply.

Then the thought struck me, "The scriptures often speak of death as 'sleeping' (1 Cor. 15:20). What if the symbolism is that whereas the virgins sleep, we die; and when the bridegroom comes and the virgins were awakened, when Christ comes again those of us who sleep in the dust will awake to a resurrection." To me, that made alot of sense in that the foolish virgins were fools not because they didn't stay awake and buy oil, but because they didn't buy enough oil before they fell asleep (like us perhaps not being sufficiently converted and keeping covenants before we die).

At that point, it is fruitless to ask someone else to help us because you can't share someone else's conversion or covenant-keeping. And as in the parable, those who have enough "oil" will enter the marriage with the Bridegroom while the others cannot enter God's presence.

I'm thinking the virgins represent God's Church or those who have covenanted with Him, and the five foolish virgins didn't keep those covenants. After we "sleep" (die) and are "awakened" (resurrected), it is impossible to keep covenants we willfully ignored during mortality. As Samuel the Lamanite so eloquently put it in Helaman 13:38, once we die we cannot go back and keep the covenants we shirked during life...

But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.

[rosie321]

So today was the first time I've been able to attend Church in about 16 months. It was awesome to get back to Church (my dad's slowly getting better).

That's great you got to go today Crimson!

Glad to hear that your dad is slowly getting better!

[Jason]

I was more interested by the fact that all ten of these virgins were betrothed to the bridegroom!

B)

[CrimsonKairos]

Yeah, like I was going to bring that up in Sunday School. But I agree that they were to wed the bridegroom, not just party with him.

Thanks rosie, for your comments. :)

[Jan98]

[if what you say regarding the 10 virgins is true, doesn't that make baptisms for the dead pointless?quote name='CrimsonKairos' date='Jun 18 2007, 12:03 AM' post='135820']

So today was the first time I've been able to attend Church in about 16 months. It was awesome to get back to Church (my dad's slowly getting better).

Anyway, we were talking about the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25), and I noticed something I'd never thought about before. I found it interesting that it says all the virgins, not just the foolish ones, fell asleep after getting into position with their lamps.

The class was talking about how the foolish virgins hadn't been replenishing their oil supply, but the fact is they were all sleeping so no one was replenishing their oil supply.

Then the thought struck me, "The scriptures often speak of death as 'sleeping' (1 Cor. 15:20). What if the symbolism is that whereas the virgins sleep, we die; and when the bridegroom comes and the virgins were awakened, when Christ comes again those of us who sleep in the dust will awake to a resurrection." To me, that made alot of sense in that the foolish virgins were fools not because they didn't stay awake and buy oil, but because they didn't buy enough oil before they fell asleep (like us perhaps not being sufficiently converted and keeping covenants before we die).

At that point, it is fruitless to ask someone else to help us because you can't share someone else's conversion or covenant-keeping. And as in the parable, those who have enough "oil" will enter the marriage with the Bridegroom while the others cannot enter God's presence.

I'm thinking the virgins represent God's Church or those who have covenanted with Him, and the five foolish virgins didn't keep those covenants. After we "sleep" (die) and are "awakened" (resurrected), it is impossible to keep covenants we willfully ignored during mortality. As Samuel the Lamanite so eloquently put it in Helaman 13:38, once we die we cannot go back and keep the covenants we shirked during life...

But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.

[a-train]

Perhaps the virgins symbolize those who were baptized. I mean, the only problem they had was a lack of light which was a result of a lack of oil. They were prepared otherwise. This would be no different than those who were baptized, but didn't continue in light (knowledge), but fell into darkness.

'For that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.' (Alma 34:34)

'And shall come forth; they who have done good, in the resurrection of the just; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust.' (D&C 76:17)

Can the ignorant sin unto the resurrection of the unjust? We hear quite often that they cannot. 'Wherefore, they cannot sin, for power is not given unto Satan to tempt little children, until they begin to become accountable before me.' (D&C 29:47)

Clearly, those symbolized by the foolish virgins will not be the ignorant, but those who knew better and failed to prepare themselves for the coming of the Bridegroom. Further, the wise virgins were certainly not ignorant, but acted in wisdom. I can find no symbolism of the ignorant in this parable.

It is those who have been baptized and know the Gospel, yet fail to prepare themselves as instructed that will most closely resemble those foolish virgins at the coming of the Bridegroom.

-a-train

[CrimsonKairos]

If what you say regarding the 10 virgins is true, doesn't that make baptisms for the dead pointless?

Not if you read my post closely. I said:

I'm thinking the virgins represent God's Church or those who have covenanted with Him, and the five foolish virgins didn't keep those covenants.

Obviously those who have not been taught the gospel will have the chance to learn and accept it in the spirit world.

[Annabelli]

The request of the five foolish virgins to borrow oil for their lamps has lead to interesting and powerful comments from church leaders over the years. Consider the following prophetic insights about borrowed light:

We will not be able to travel through life on borrowed light. The light of life must be part of our very being. The voice we must learn to heed is the voice of the Spirit (James E. Faust, "The Voice of the Spirit," Ensign, Apr. 1994, 8).

Our number one responsibility is to see that we are converted, and then to convert others. . . . The time is here when each of you must stand on your own feet. Be converted, because no one can endure on borrowed light. You will have to be guided by the light within yourself. If you do not have it, you will not stand (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye In Holy Places, p.95).

. . . we say to all the Latter-day Saints, these trials through which we are now passing will have the effect to prove the Saints and those who are only Saints in name. Those who have been careful to keep oil in their lamps, now have the needed light to guide them; and those who have been living in borrowed light, or in that furnished by others, may find themselves in perplexity and uncertain as to the path to pursue (James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.3, p.17)

Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and his work. This [p.450] Church has before it many close places through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned with victory. To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not you will not stand . . . . Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand? (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, p.450)

[pam]

So today was the first time I've been able to attend Church in about 16 months. It was awesome to get back to Church (my dad's slowly getting better).

Anyway, we were talking about the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25), and I noticed something I'd never thought about before. I found it interesting that it says all the virgins, not just the foolish ones, fell asleep after getting into position with their lamps.

The class was talking about how the foolish virgins hadn't been replenishing their oil supply, but the fact is they were all sleeping so no one was replenishing their oil supply.

Then the thought struck me, "The scriptures often speak of death as 'sleeping' (1 Cor. 15:20). What if the symbolism is that whereas the virgins sleep, we die; and when the bridegroom comes and the virgins were awakened, when Christ comes again those of us who sleep in the dust will awake to a resurrection." To me, that made alot of sense in that the foolish virgins were fools not because they didn't stay awake and buy oil, but because they didn't buy enough oil before they fell asleep (like us perhaps not being sufficiently converted and keeping covenants before we die).

At that point, it is fruitless to ask someone else to help us because you can't share someone else's conversion or covenant-keeping. And as in the parable, those who have enough "oil" will enter the marriage with the Bridegroom while the others cannot enter God's presence.

I'm thinking the virgins represent God's Church or those who have covenanted with Him, and the five foolish virgins didn't keep those covenants. After we "sleep" (die) and are "awakened" (resurrected), it is impossible to keep covenants we willfully ignored during mortality. As Samuel the Lamanite so eloquently put it in Helaman 13:38, once we die we cannot go back and keep the covenants we shirked during life...

But behold, your days of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head.

This is what I found in researching. I'm still looking at other talks and such that general authorities have given concerning this subject.

Elder McConkie explains that “from evening to midnight there was no direct word from the bridal party. At midnight, the most unlikely of all hours for a joyous celebration to begin, the cry goes forth to a sleeping world.” Likewise, the Lord’s Second Coming will be “more distant than the early saints supposed.”5

The Lord will come again in a dark “midnight” hour when the world is ripe in iniquity and when for the “elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:22). In such a dark time, what a truly stunning moment it will be when the Light of the World appears and darkness is banished!

[Guest Yediyd]

The request of the five foolish virgins to borrow oil for their lamps has lead to interesting and powerful comments from church leaders over the years. Consider the following prophetic insights about borrowed light:

We will not be able to travel through life on borrowed light. The light of life must be part of our very being. The voice we must learn to heed is the voice of the Spirit (James E. Faust, "The Voice of the Spirit," Ensign, Apr. 1994, 8).

Our number one responsibility is to see that we are converted, and then to convert others. . . . The time is here when each of you must stand on your own feet. Be converted, because no one can endure on borrowed light. You will have to be guided by the light within yourself. If you do not have it, you will not stand (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye In Holy Places, p.95).

. . . we say to all the Latter-day Saints, these trials through which we are now passing will have the effect to prove the Saints and those who are only Saints in name. Those who have been careful to keep oil in their lamps, now have the needed light to guide them; and those who have been living in borrowed light, or in that furnished by others, may find themselves in perplexity and uncertain as to the path to pursue (James R. Clark, Messages of the First Presidency, Vol.3, p.17)

Let me say to you, that many of you will see the time when you will have all the trouble, trial and persecution that you can stand, and plenty of opportunities to show that you are true to God and his work. This [p.450] Church has before it many close places through which it will have to pass before the work of God is crowned with victory. To meet the difficulties that are coming, it will be necessary for you to have a knowledge of the truth of this work for yourselves. The difficulties will be of such a character that the man or woman who does not possess this personal knowledge or witness will fall. If you have not got the testimony, live right and call upon the Lord and cease not till you obtain it. If you do not you will not stand . . . . Remember these sayings, for many of you will live to see them fulfilled. The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand? (Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, p.450)

I always thought the oil represented a person's testimony...now, after reading these quotes...that sheds better light on that concept. Thank you for those!

[CrimsonKairos]

I know there are a ton of interpretations of this parable. I'm not saying the one I provided is the only true breakdown of the parable's symbolism. I just saw it in a new light and gained a greater appreciation for and understanding of the parable as it relates to my personal quest for salvation.

[pam]

In biblical times constant effort was needed to ensure that an adequate amount of oil was maintained in lamps. In our day we must exert constant effort to remain temple worthy. In the parable the virgins were not able to enter the door without oil. In our day neither can we enter the door of the temple without a recommend.

[Dr T]

I spoke to that Jewish man that I said I would a couple of weeks ago. He was going to get back to me about the "vigins" and "wedding processional" idea. I'll let you know what he comes up with.

[Guest Yediyd]

I know there are a ton of interpretations of this parable. I'm not saying the one I provided is the only true breakdown of the parable's symbolism. I just saw it in a new light and gained a greater appreciation for and understanding of the parable as it relates to my personal quest for salvation.

Isn't that the whole point of a parable? I don't think any of these answers are wrong. I am enjoying reading this thread and seeing the different spins on this parable.

[Annabelli]

The Parable Of The Ten Virgins has been used in countless lessons and the oil has represented everything from food storage to tithes to Temple recomends to prayer and so on.

The phrase "let the Lord drink of your oil so that you may replinsh it" is spoken of in this scripture:

Lev. 23: 13

13 And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto the LORD for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.

[CrimsonKairos]

A little off topic (but hey, I created it so I can do that ), but this scripture in Leviticus is a good example of mistranslation in the Bible. The word that appears in the KJV as "meat" in Lev. 23:13 is the Hebrew word minkhah, which refers to a bloodless sacrifice (i.e. grain).

Kinda' makes a big difference.

[Annabelli]

A little off topic (but hey, I created it so I can do that ), but this scripture in Leviticus is a good example of mistranslation in the Bible. The word that appears in the KJV as "meat" in Lev. 23:13 is the Hebrew word minkhah, which refers to a bloodless sacrifice (i.e. grain).

Kinda' makes a big difference.

The first five virgins glorified the Lord with their oil. (Virgins meaning worthy) The other five virgins hoarded the means of giving the Lord their oil. (They had the money to buy the oil but would not do it.)

How many people attend Church, live the Word of Wisdom, ...etc. and hoard the knowledge of the Lord?

How many Missionaries use their oil to glorify the Lord?

[Dr T]

What did they use their oil for? Why did the ones that didn't have any want some?

[Guest Yediyd]

A little off topic (but hey, I created it so I can do that ), but this scripture in Leviticus is a good example of mistranslation in the Bible. The word that appears in the KJV as "meat" in Lev. 23:13 is the Hebrew word minkhah, which refers to a bloodless sacrifice (i.e. grain).

Kinda' makes a big difference.

CK, I LOVE that link...Thank you Sooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!

[Annabelli]

What did they use their oil for? Why did the ones that didn't have any want some?

The five faithful virgins showed up with converts and the other five showed up with no one.

The first five used their oil to light the path to the Lord and their lamps were forever filled. The last five had enough oil but refused to use it. So at the calling of the Lord, their oil was useless.

[Dr T]

The five faithful virgins showed up with converts and the other five showed up with no one.

Where did u get that idea? Who put that piece into that passage?

[Annabelli]

The five faithful virgins showed up with converts and the other five showed up with no one.

Where did u get that idea? Who put that piece into that passage?

Our number one responsibility is to see that we are converted, and then to convert others. . . . The time is here when each of you must stand on your own feet. Be converted, because no one can endure on borrowed light. You will have to be guided by the light within yourself. If you do not have it, you will not stand (Harold B. Lee, Stand Ye In Holy Places, p.95).

[Dr T]

He got that from that verse? You think that means they converted five people and the others didn't. Hermeneutics...Exegesis...

[CrimsonKairos]

I don't buy it, but it's one way to interpret the parable I guess.

The only convert you need at judgment day is yourself.

[Annabelli]

He got that from that verse? You think that means they converted five people and the others didn't. Hermeneutics...Exegesis...

There is not a number for the amount of the converted. That's talked about in the talents part.