A parable is a short story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson, often using metaphor or analogy to convey its message. They're commonly found in religious texts, but they're also used in literature and everyday conversation to illustrate a point or principle. Parables are often fictional stories created to convey a deeper truth or moral lesson, so they're not necessarily meant to predict specific events. Instead, they offer insights into human behavior, ethics, or spiritual concepts.
Jesus spoke through parables. Imagine, a wedding is planned and the bridegroom has chosen bridesmaids, who are known by the bridegroom. Then a long time lapses. The bridesmaids wait, some wisely using their time, others foolishly. In the end, the bridegroom decrees there is no relationship with the foolish bridesmaids and they have the door closed in their face and are now outsiders and are not included with the wedding. He chose all 10 to be part and only 5 kept the relationship fervent with the bridegroom.
Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
25 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
Notice all were bridesmaids, they all had oil, the fools didn’t have enough oil for the lamp to burn, the wise had extra, and all slept. We must have full intention and focus to keep our light burning bright, if not, if we become lazy and weary in our walk with Him, we will be outsiders and He will not acknowledge a relationship with us. Extra oil is to pour onto others. It’s about Jesus and we make it about us, God using us, being known; when the focus needs to be on Him, lifting Him up, and letting our light shine. This is the great deception, to think we are ok with Jesus to be welcome into the marriage supper of the lamb just because of what He did for us on the cross. Salvation certainly comes through accepting and confessing Him as Lord and Savior. The marriage supper of the lamb is a privilege. The parable tells us how to prepare for this supper. Not all will be invited in, only those who are prepared, with a relationship. It won’t be enough to have known Him at one time and fallen away. Once we are born again, yes we are on the way to heaven, however this doesn’t get us into the marriage supper of the lamb. I want to be invited in, how about you? It’s up to us.
The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids teaches several spiritual lessons:
Be Prepared: The wise bridesmaids were prepared for the bridegroom's arrival by bringing extra oil for their lamps. This illustrates the importance of readiness and preparation in our spiritual lives, being vigilant and ready for the coming of the Lord or any other significant event.
Wisdom and Foolishness: The parable contrasts the wisdom of the prepared bridesmaids with the foolishness of those who were unprepared. It highlights the consequences of being unwise or negligent in our spiritual journey.
Readiness for Christ's Return: The parable emphasizes the unpredictability of the timing of the bridegroom's arrival, symbolizing the uncertainty of when Christ will return. It encourages believers to live in a constant state of readiness and vigilance for the Second Coming.
Personal Responsibility: Each bridesmaid was responsible for her own preparation. This teaches individual accountability in spiritual matters and the importance of personal faith and readiness.
Exclusivity of Salvation: The closed door to the wedding feast represents the exclusivity of salvation. Just as the unprepared bridesmaids were shut out, those who are not spiritually prepared will miss out on the kingdom of heaven.
The lesson here is that initial faith or readiness is not enough; it must be sustained and maintained over time. All the bridesmaids started with oil in their lamps, symbolizing an initial level of preparedness or faith. However, the crucial difference lies in the wise bridesmaids' decision to bring extra oil, demonstrating their foresight and commitment to enduring readiness.
Similarly, in our spiritual lives, it's not enough to have a momentary experience of faith or commitment. We must continually nurture and sustain our faith through ongoing practices such as prayer, study, fellowship, and service. The parable underscores the importance of consistency, perseverance, and endurance in our spiritual journey, reminding us that true readiness requires ongoing vigilance and preparation.
Oil holds significant symbolism throughout the Bible, representing various aspects of spirituality, consecration, and divine blessing:
Anointing: In many biblical passages, oil is used for anointing, symbolizing the pouring out of the Holy Spirit or God's chosen blessing upon individuals for specific roles or tasks. For example, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed with oil as a sign of their consecration and empowerment for their respective roles.
"So Samuel took the horn of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David." - 1 Samuel 16:13
Healing and Restoration: Oil is also used for healing and restoration in the Bible. In the New Testament, for instance, the Good Samaritan pours oil and wine on the wounds of the injured man as a form of care and healing.
"The Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them." - Luke 10:34
Abundance and Provision: Oil often symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and divine provision. In the Old Testament, olive oil was a staple food and an essential component of daily life, representing God's provision and blessing upon His people.
"You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings." - Psalm 23:5
Light and Illumination: Oil lamps were commonly used for illumination in ancient times. In the Bible, oil lamps symbolize spiritual enlightenment, guidance, and the presence of God's Word illuminating the path for believers.
"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." - Psalm 119:105
Joy and Celebration: Oil is sometimes associated with joy and celebration, such as in the imagery of anointing with oil during festive occasions or feasts, symbolizing the joy of God's presence and blessings.
Isaiah 61:3 in the New International Version (NIV)
"To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."
We are urged to be spiritually prepared, wise, and vigilant while emphasizing personal responsibility and the certainty of Christ's return. How do we accomplish preparedness?
Be Prepared Every Day: Start each day with a mindset of spiritual readiness, acknowledging that you don't know when unexpected events or opportunities for spiritual growth may arise.
Nurture Wisdom: Cultivate wisdom through daily practices such as reading scriptures, meditation, and seeking guidance from spiritual mentors or teachers.
Invest in Spiritual Resources: Like the wise bridesmaids who brought extra oil, invest in spiritual resources such as prayer, meditation, worship, and community to sustain and nourish your faith. This is greater than gold, silver, stocks, houses, cars, and anything naturally that could sustain us in this natural world.
Stay Vigilant and Alert: Throughout the day, remain vigilant and alert to the signs of God's presence and guidance in your life. Pay attention to moments of inspiration, intuition, and opportunities for service or growth.
Personal Accountability: Take ownership of your spiritual journey and growth. Reflect daily on your actions, attitudes, and decisions, and commit to aligning them with your spiritual values and beliefs.
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
[This is the great deception, to believe we can live however we want, and ‘bro Jesus’ will understand. There is nothing ‘cas’ about Him. He is God. He is Holy. Yeah He is Love.]
26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. ~James 1
Live in Readiness for Christ's Return: Keep the reality of Christ's return in mind each day, living with a sense of urgency and expectancy. Let this awareness shape your priorities, actions, and relationships.
Share the Light: Just as the bridesmaids' lamps illuminated the path for the bridegroom's arrival, let your life be a beacon of light and hope to others. Share your faith, love, and compassion with those around you.
Today, are you overflowing with the oil of joy? Enter into the feast. When the doors are shut, the wrath will come. Jesus, Paul, and Peter speak about the wrath of God with the earth and heavens shaking and burning throughout the New Testament. No one will want to be here. Yes, people can and will accept Jesus, as we read about them entering heaven in the book of Revelation as the martyrs.
“You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else." Hebrews 1:9