Normally; after 12 comments some with great insight and spiritual depth I wouldn't attempt a response or deem it necessary.
There is; what I would call a "Corinthians" problem here. It is an inconvenient truth that according to passages there; some have "fallen asleep" not taking communion worthily; and others had been involved in gluttony; sexual immorality (even described as worse than pagans) and all sorts of other problems. There are other verses that describe some at the Bema Seat who have wood; hay and stubble burned up and are saved as through the fire; suffering loss (i.e. spiritual rewards). An important concept here is that God "chastises everyone he loves." ( Heb. 12:6). Such a fate could also be implied with God wiping out Ananias and Sapphira after they lied about their gift to God. If one's sin can cause premature death as the ultimate in chastisement (delivering the body to Satan so that the soul can be saved) ( 1 Cor. 5:5) then we need to be careful interpreting this parable.
We can; for instance look at "foolish virgins" being the left behind at the Rapture; but then if we interpret the end of the parable as "I never knew you" then we have a problem. It could possibly be interpreted as "I know you not." That brings up whether our garments are spotted and if the Rapture is a reward or salvation issue. It also can be looked as an analogy based on the Wedding guests in Biblical times; or possibly analagous to the 2nd Coming.
This; of course by no means takes away from the explanation that many aren't paying attention to the light flickering out. To buy the oil is strange; it could very well refer to the high cost of martyrdom in order to bear fruit in the height of the Tribulation the only way possible at that time. The outer darkness or as other scripture states the "portion with the hypocrites" ( Matthew 24:51) certainly could indicate being in the Tribulation and cut off from the rest of the Body of Christ. One can't lose salvation
I also believe the oil represents anointing. 1 John 2:27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
We are ready because the Holyspirit seals us. Ephesians 1:13. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.
In Revelation 1:12-13. the candlesticks mentioned here are oil burning lamp stands. A believer is to be a light to the world and that light should always shine on the one in the midst of the lamp stand. Our lord. Matthew 5:14-16.
Amen. Everywhere that we see the word candlesticks in the book of Revelation, it's literally the word LUCHNIA, which means lampstand. It's not a candlestick. It is a lampstand. Great analogy, and thanks for sharing those great scriptures!
Briefly speaking the oil always symbolizes the Holly Spirit
Lets see in the OT a prophesy about our Lord
Psalms 45:6-7
"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
The oil of gladness is the HS
Again in the OT the prophets anointed Kings with oil. It again symbolized the Holly Spirit
1 Samuel 16:13
"Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah."
Also in the NT Paul asks anyone who is ill to come to the elders of the church and put oil on him to be healed.
James 5:14
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord"
The oil again here symbolizes the Holly Spirit. It is Him who heals.
So we see that a general symbol for the HS in the Bible is the oil.
The lamp is us, the oil is the Holly Spirit, the light ( Matthew 5:15-16) is our pure life. But an introduction is needed first.
How does one have spiritual fruit in his life? The answer is that that fruit is a result of the work of the Holly Spirit in him, that is why in Galatians 5:22 the scripture talks about the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. It is not due to our struggles to aquire that fruit in our lives, it would be impossible to aquire love, peace, joy...on our own, it it smt given to us by God through His Spirit. How does one gets rid of the works of flesh ( Galatians 5:19-21) in his life The answer is by the HS ( Romans 8:13). In simple words how can somebody who comes to Jesus can change his character to be similar to Christ's, how can he be changed from a sinful person full of what the scripture calls deeds/works of flesh (sins,faults,passions,bad habits etc) and become a person with clean and pure life? The answer is due to the work of the Holly Spirit in him. That is why a person that never comes to Jesus can never become a saint no matter how hard he tries. There are certain limits we humans have. On our own we can never, say, love our enemy no matter how hard we try, we can never give up smoking, drugs, drinks, swearing, adultery, fornication no matter how hard we try. All these are results of the work of the HS inside us. So what is needed to supply our lamps with to have light/pure life? The answer is with God's Spirit. How do we fill ourselves with the HS. By reading the Word of God, going to church, have communion with other christians, have Holly Communion and mainly by PRAYING IN SPIRIT. In other words by living a decent christian life.
Now the 5 wise virgins made the proper preparation to meet the groom. This represents all christians that live a decent spiritual life walking God's way and let God's Spirit change them. Their life shines all the time.The rest represent the ones that walk with one foot inside and the other outside God's path. They live a christian life but not in its fullness, they occasionally, not always, read the Word of God, occasionally pray, occasionally go to church, occasionally have company with other christians, in other words they haven't taken seriously their salvation, they don't get prepared to meet Jesus. They don't realy try to change. They don't try to fill themselves with the Spirit of God, but maybe they let the spirit of world live in them sometimes.They don't really try to have their light on. They think there is still time so they postpone their preparation for later on. they are not in a hurry. So the oil starts finishing and the light starts blinking, which means that sin starts coming in their lives so their lives is not always pure and clean. If this is kept going the light will eventually go off and darkness will come in their lives. The darkness, the spiritual darkness represents a sinful life. If Jesus arrives when they (we) are at that stage, we will be left out of the Marriage. How horrible is to hear "I don't know you" How don't you know me my Lord? Am I not your child? Haven't you written my name in the Book of Life? Haven't you baptised me in your Spirit, haven't you given me spiritual gifts/miracles/casting out devils? "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that WORK INIQUITY."
We don't know when Jesus is going to come in our lives. We have to be ready all the time, our life has to shine all the time, ready to repent for our sins when necessary and walk Jesus' way. Not let sin in our lifes, not stepping back, not walking with one foot in faith and the other in the sinful world.
I think the oil would probably represent our readiness. I do not say this because the bible teaches it. It is just my guess. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins ( Matthew 25:1-13), it tells us that only five of the ten were prepared and ready. Verse 1 tells us that they all took their lamps to meet the bridegroom, but five of them took no oil.
A lamp in those days was a torch. It was a stick with cloth wrapped around it. They would soak the cloth in oil and they would light it, and they would bring an extra bottle of oil along to keep it lit. There were 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. So they are taking their station along the route. Five had oil and five did not.
Verse 10 is the key to this entire parable. They were ready, and they went in. And after they went in, the door was shut. Then the moral of the story would be in Verse 13: Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
In Verse 12, when the master of the feast inside the door says I know you not, it is the same thing Jesus said in Matthew 7:23. He says "In that day many people are going to come to me and say, Lord, Lord, have we not done many things in your name? Cast out demons, premiered many miracles." And Jesus says, in that day I will say I never knew you.
As far as our readiness and our lamps burning, if we belong to Christ, our lamps will always be burning. Jesus Christ is our light. We are always ready because the light of Christ is always in us.
Thanks Jesse for your thoughts. Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The oil is what makes the lamp work. The thought that strikes me is the foolish virgins didn't value the oil. They thought the wise had too much oil and could spare some. The wise were protective of the the oil when asked to give some up. Mat. 25:9 Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." I picture the foolish virgins thinking the wise virgins were foolish for being so careful about their "walk of life". Interesting enough: they were all virgins.
" Everywhere that we see the word candlesticks in the book of Revelation, it's literally the word LUCHNIA, which means lampstand."
I will note that.
God bless.
There is; what I would call a "Corinthians" problem here. It is an inconvenient truth that according to passages there; some have "fallen asleep" not taking communion worthily; and others had been involved in gluttony; sexual immorality (even described as worse than pagans) and all sorts of other problems. There are other verses that describe some at the Bema Seat who have wood; hay and stubble burned up and are saved as through the fire; suffering loss (i.e. spiritual rewards). An important concept here is that God "chastises everyone he loves." ( Heb. 12:6). Such a fate could also be implied with God wiping out Ananias and Sapphira after they lied about their gift to God. If one's sin can cause premature death as the ultimate in chastisement (delivering the body to Satan so that the soul can be saved) ( 1 Cor. 5:5) then we need to be careful interpreting this parable.
We can; for instance look at "foolish virgins" being the left behind at the Rapture; but then if we interpret the end of the parable as "I never knew you" then we have a problem. It could possibly be interpreted as "I know you not." That brings up whether our garments are spotted and if the Rapture is a reward or salvation issue. It also can be looked as an analogy based on the Wedding guests in Biblical times; or possibly analagous to the 2nd Coming.
This; of course by no means takes away from the explanation that many aren't paying attention to the light flickering out. To buy the oil is strange; it could very well refer to the high cost of martyrdom in order to bear fruit in the height of the Tribulation the only way possible at that time. The outer darkness or as other scripture states the "portion with the hypocrites" ( Matthew 24:51) certainly could indicate being in the Tribulation and cut off from the rest of the Body of Christ. One can't lose salvation
You've been given great answers.
I also believe the oil represents anointing. 1 John 2:27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
We are ready because the Holyspirit seals us. Ephesians 1:13. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.
In Revelation 1:12-13. the candlesticks mentioned here are oil burning lamp stands. A believer is to be a light to the world and that light should always shine on the one in the midst of the lamp stand. Our lord. Matthew 5:14-16.
Also used symbolically here.
Leviticus 24:2-4.
God bless.
Amen. Everywhere that we see the word candlesticks in the book of Revelation, it's literally the word LUCHNIA, which means lampstand. It's not a candlestick. It is a lampstand. Great analogy, and thanks for sharing those great scriptures!
Briefly speaking the oil always symbolizes the Holly Spirit
Lets see in the OT a prophesy about our Lord
Psalms 45:6-7
"Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre.
Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
The oil of gladness is the HS
Again in the OT the prophets anointed Kings with oil. It again symbolized the Holly Spirit
1 Samuel 16:13
"Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah."
Also in the NT Paul asks anyone who is ill to come to the elders of the church and put oil on him to be healed.
James 5:14
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord"
The oil again here symbolizes the Holly Spirit. It is Him who heals.
So we see that a general symbol for the HS in the Bible is the oil.
This is how I know this parable.
PART 1
The lamp is us, the oil is the Holly Spirit, the light ( Matthew 5:15-16) is our pure life. But an introduction is needed first.
How does one have spiritual fruit in his life? The answer is that that fruit is a result of the work of the Holly Spirit in him, that is why in Galatians 5:22 the scripture talks about the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. It is not due to our struggles to aquire that fruit in our lives, it would be impossible to aquire love, peace, joy...on our own, it it smt given to us by God through His Spirit. How does one gets rid of the works of flesh ( Galatians 5:19-21) in his life The answer is by the HS ( Romans 8:13). In simple words how can somebody who comes to Jesus can change his character to be similar to Christ's, how can he be changed from a sinful person full of what the scripture calls deeds/works of flesh (sins,faults,passions,bad habits etc) and become a person with clean and pure life? The answer is due to the work of the Holly Spirit in him. That is why a person that never comes to Jesus can never become a saint no matter how hard he tries. There are certain limits we humans have. On our own we can never, say, love our enemy no matter how hard we try, we can never give up smoking, drugs, drinks, swearing, adultery, fornication no matter how hard we try. All these are results of the work of the HS inside us. So what is needed to supply our lamps with to have light/pure life? The answer is with God's Spirit. How do we fill ourselves with the HS. By reading the Word of God, going to church, have communion with other christians, have Holly Communion and mainly by PRAYING IN SPIRIT. In other words by living a decent christian life.
Now the 5 wise virgins made the proper preparation to meet the groom. This represents all christians that live a decent spiritual life walking God's way and let God's Spirit change them. Their life shines all the time.The rest represent the ones that walk with one foot inside and the other outside God's path. They live a christian life but not in its fullness, they occasionally, not always, read the Word of God, occasionally pray, occasionally go to church, occasionally have company with other christians, in other words they haven't taken seriously their salvation, they don't get prepared to meet Jesus. They don't realy try to change. They don't try to fill themselves with the Spirit of God, but maybe they let the spirit of world live in them sometimes.They don't really try to have their light on. They think there is still time so they postpone their preparation for later on. they are not in a hurry. So the oil starts finishing and the light starts blinking, which means that sin starts coming in their lives so their lives is not always pure and clean. If this is kept going the light will eventually go off and darkness will come in their lives. The darkness, the spiritual darkness represents a sinful life. If Jesus arrives when they (we) are at that stage, we will be left out of the Marriage. How horrible is to hear "I don't know you" How don't you know me my Lord? Am I not your child? Haven't you written my name in the Book of Life? Haven't you baptised me in your Spirit, haven't you given me spiritual gifts/miracles/casting out devils? "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that WORK INIQUITY."
We don't know when Jesus is going to come in our lives. We have to be ready all the time, our life has to shine all the time, ready to repent for our sins when necessary and walk Jesus' way. Not let sin in our lifes, not stepping back, not walking with one foot in faith and the other in the sinful world.
I hope it helps.
GBU
GBU
I think the oil would probably represent our readiness. I do not say this because the bible teaches it. It is just my guess. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins ( Matthew 25:1-13), it tells us that only five of the ten were prepared and ready. Verse 1 tells us that they all took their lamps to meet the bridegroom, but five of them took no oil.
A lamp in those days was a torch. It was a stick with cloth wrapped around it. They would soak the cloth in oil and they would light it, and they would bring an extra bottle of oil along to keep it lit. There were 10 virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. So they are taking their station along the route. Five had oil and five did not.
Verse 10 is the key to this entire parable. They were ready, and they went in. And after they went in, the door was shut. Then the moral of the story would be in Verse 13: Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
In Verse 12, when the master of the feast inside the door says I know you not, it is the same thing Jesus said in Matthew 7:23. He says "In that day many people are going to come to me and say, Lord, Lord, have we not done many things in your name? Cast out demons, premiered many miracles." And Jesus says, in that day I will say I never knew you.
As far as our readiness and our lamps burning, if we belong to Christ, our lamps will always be burning. Jesus Christ is our light. We are always ready because the light of Christ is always in us.
Hope this helps!
Edward, I hesitated to answer for lack of scripture references.
Doug, yes, that thought makes good sense!
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