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"Virgins": asleep or awake?
#42701
07/07/05 09:49 PM
07/07/05 09:49 PM
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OP
Very Dedicated Member
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,664
Plowing
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Good topic: What are the symptoms of a sleeping virgin and the tokens of an awake virgin?
I propose the topic begin on the attributes of sleeping/wakefulness instead of the common process of proving who the virgins are; we can assume that they are us.
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Re: "Virgins": asleep or awake?
#42702
07/07/05 09:55 PM
07/07/05 09:55 PM
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Most Dedicated Member
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,332
BC, Canada
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I would like to add 1 more distinction to these 10 virgins, and that is the fact that some were diligent in preparation i.e. extra oil, and some did not prepare.
God Bless,
Will
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Re: "Virgins": asleep or awake?
#42703
07/07/05 11:39 PM
07/07/05 11:39 PM
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OP
Very Dedicated Member
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,664
Plowing
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Excellent point, amigo fiel! The "oil" of course is the Holy Spirit.
One must be awake in order see oil is needed, go and buy it and then fill the lamp, right? Sleepers may dream of doing this, but is not reality.
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Re: "Virgins": asleep or awake?
#42704
07/08/05 12:35 AM
07/08/05 12:35 AM
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Active Member 2012
14500+ Member
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
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The awake virgins are aware of the situation, which I believe translates into knowing what the important issues are and being able to recognize when important things are happening. The sleeping virgins are clueless about such matters.
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Re: "Virgins": asleep or awake?
#42705
07/08/05 02:02 AM
07/08/05 02:02 AM
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SDA
Charter Member
Active Member 2019
20000+ Member
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 22,256
Southwest USA
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The same announcement woke up all ten virgins. They did exactly the same thing when they awoke, namely, they trimmed their lamps. However, the five foolish virgins' discovered there wasn't enough oil to turn their lamps up brighter. They immediately sought to solve the problem by first asking the five wise virgins for some extra oil, and then by running off to buy some more.
Evidently their dimming lamps provided enough light to go and buy more oil, but they weren't bright enough to accompany the bridal procession. Apparently there was a certain standard of light that had to be met. But the oil they ended up getting didn't produce the same light, and they were, therefore, denied entrance at the door.
When I was in the military we used different shades of light, by using certain filters, to communicate with one another. One time my buddy lost the filter we were supposed to use to make contact with special forces, so we improvised. Boy, it sure landed us on a heap of trouble. It doesn't pay to use a light of your own kindling.
COL 405
In distress they appeal to their wiser companions saying, "Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out." (Margin.) {COL 405.2}
Matthew
5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Isaiah
50:10 Who [is] among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh [in] darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
50:11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass [yourselves] about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks [that] ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
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Re: "Virgins": asleep or awake?
#42706
07/08/05 05:55 AM
07/08/05 05:55 AM
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Active Member 2011
3500+ Member
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,965
Sweden
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quote:
Originally posted by Tom Ewall:
The awake virgins are aware of the situation, which I believe translates into knowing what the important issues are and being able to recognize when important things are happening. The sleeping virgins are clueless about such matters.
Its not nessessarily awareness or alarm that separates the awake from the asleap but action. The awake will act on alarm.
/Thomas
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Re: "Virgins": asleep or awake?
#42707
07/08/05 06:16 AM
07/08/05 06:16 AM
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Most Dedicated Member
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,332
BC, Canada
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Somethings different though. There was a midnight cry, and all 10 virgins awoke, but only half came prepared.
God Bless,
Will
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Re: "Virgins": asleep or awake?
#42708
07/08/05 10:15 AM
07/08/05 10:15 AM
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Greetings,
quote:
The two classes of watchers [in the parable of the ten virgins] represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the Word of God. . . . The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. . . .
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. 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 are destitute of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His Word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. . . . Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan. . . .God's Amazing Grace, pp. 214.2-214.3.
All the virgins are alike, they are all fruitful and gathered into one place. Yet the difference between the virgins is the cultivation of their hearts.
All the virgins are actively gathering together for the purpose of the pure present truth which is delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit.
They are patiently waiting. But what makes them virgins?
The Sabbath, but how can the Sabbath santify the soul?
quote:
"All through the week we are to have the Sabbath in mind and be making preparation to keep it according to the commandment. We are not merely to observe the Sabbath as a legal matter. We are to understand its spiritual bearing upon all the transactions of life. All who regard the Sabbath as a sign between them and God, showing that He is the God who sanctifies them, will represent the principles of His government. They will bring into daily practice the laws of His kingdom. Daily it will be their prayer that the sanctification of the Sabbath may rest upon them. Every day they will have the companionship of Christ and will exemplify the perfection of His character. Every day their light will shine forth to others in good works." Vol. 6, Testimonies for the Church, pp. 353-354.
"In all that pertains to the success of God’s work, the very first victories are to be won in the home life. Here the preparation for the Sabbath must begin. Throughout the week let parents remember that their home is to be a school in which their children shall be prepared for the courts above. Let their words be right words. No words which their children should not hear are to escape their lips. Let the spirit be kept free from irritation. Parents, during the week live as in the sight of a holy God, who has given you children to train for Him. Train for Him the little church in your home, that on the Sabbath all may be prepared to worship in the Lord’s sanctuary. Each morning and evening present your children to God as His blood-bought heritage. Teach them that it is their highest duty and privilege to love and serve God." Vol. 6, Testimonies for the Church, p. 354;1.
I would like to suggest that we ought to never assume that we are the 10 virgins. But rather ask the Lord to prove the reigns of our hearts.
I would like to say, that we dearly need to learn from Israel of old. They were proud of who they were, they announced to the world of who they were. They said it so loudly and often too.
The sleeping virgin may only have one thing that they put before the Lord, they may have more than one thing, but it is shown that they will love something more than the Lord. This is why they could not fully prepare for the Lord and have the measure of oil needed to travel through.
The awake virgin is faithfully relying on God and denying self.
Can we visibly see the difference? Well, the virgins are all pure because of truth. They are fruitful and appear all as wheat. None but God can distinguish the tare unless the tare shows its fruit, then you know it is not true. NOTE: Seeing a tare also means that this is an open sin.
So here is a question for you: Will the virgins have open sins before the congregation?
Your Sister in Christ Jesus,
Cheri Fritz
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Re: "Virgins": asleep or awake?
#42709
07/08/05 10:34 AM
07/08/05 10:34 AM
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Just would like to clarify one of my sentences with regards to sleeping virgins. I said: quote:
The sleeping virgin may only have one thing that they put before the Lord, they may have more than one thing, but it is shown that they will love something more than the Lord. This is why they could not fully prepare for the Lord and have the measure of oil needed to travel through.
It should read:
The sleeping virgins are comfortable in pure present truth. The one's in which are not prepared may only have one thing that they put before the Lord, they may have more than one thing, but it is shown that they will love something more than the Lord. This is why they could not fully prepared for the Lord and have the measure of oil needed to travel through.
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Re: "Virgins": asleep or awake?
#42710
07/09/05 02:29 AM
07/09/05 02:29 AM
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Active Member 2012
14500+ Member
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,795
Lawrence, Kansas
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Old Tom: The awake virgins are aware of the situation, which I believe translates into knowing what the important issues are and being able to recognize when important things are happening. The sleeping virgins are clueless about such matters.
Will: Its not nessessarily awareness or alarm that separates the awake from the asleap but action. The awake will act on alarm.
Tom: Action without knowledge won't get anywhere, will it? And true knowledge implies the love of God dwelling in the heart which motivates to action. We are justified by faith which works by love.
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