Oil Soaked Rags

[Coconut]

I was reading some various commentary a few days ago on the parable Christ told of the wise and foolish Bridesmaids, and came across something I did not know (no wow there, but this did WOW me)


The lamps Jesus spoke of consisted of oil-soaked rags at the top of a pole and needed to have oil added every 15 minutes or so.The charred edges had to be cut away and the rags soaked in more oil. Quite a lot of oil was needed for this kind of torch, hence:

"The wise carried flasks of oil for their lamps."

STOP right there.

The only reference to rags that I can recall in the NT letters is when Paul spoke of our righteousness and he called it "filthy rags"

It looks to me like the "rag" is pretty important in Christs parable...but only as it is willing to be trimmed and soaked and trimmed and soaked and trimmed and soaked....

If the rag does`nt get trimmed the fire will go out...

If the rag does`nt get soaked the fire will go out...

If there is not plenty of oil the fire will go out...

If the "oil" represents the "Holy Spirit", and the rag represents my "righteousness" ...whew!

But since my "rag" is all that...:wink:

Lets suppose...

I don`t like being trimmed...how about I just soak and burn? (sizzle)

Or how about I don`t resist the trimming, but insist the oil I was first soaked in is enough to lead the procession along the dark winding path. (as far as the outhouse maybe)

There is so much to glean here I can hardly contain it...so i`m sharing :embarasse

I confess, I need to wake up, listen up, stop whining about the charring and the trimming, soak up, and get set ablaze once more with the fire of the Holy Spirit...

And its only been 15 minutes ...

 

[jari]

i think the oil represents Holy spirit indeed which only Born again christians have in containers.


the foolish virgins were not know by Lord:

Mat 25:12
(12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.


But believing in Jesus as savior is what makes us born again and we receive Holy spirit in us:

Eph 1:13
(13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which makes us or seals us as God's own:

Rom 8:9
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

more verses:

Rom 8:11
(11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.


Rom 8:15-16
(15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

 

[Robin MacAoidh]

Good stuff Coconut!

You have connected a visual aspect to the term, 'process'. We find these examples elsewhere in scripture, providing secure foundation for your conclusions...

"Abide in me as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself." John 15:1

The two olive branches of Zechariah 4:1-6, "...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."

As well as one of my favorites, the Burning Bush of Exodus 3:2

Yes this is clearly a vision of God on Earth, but He always communicates in everything He does. Since man was formed of the dust of the earth, so, this bush is also a vision of His intent for us. Rooted in the earth and burning with the fire of God, yet not destroyed, but rather a beacon of light and hope to those around us.

Thank you for posting your observations.

Robin

 

[stephen]

Interesting thought dear lady. I was not aware of the lamps in the description you gave.

If the rag does`nt get trimmed the fire will go out...

If the rag does`nt get soaked the fire will go out...

If there is not plenty of oil the fire will go out...

If the "oil" represents the "Holy Spirit", and the rag represents my "righteousness" ...whew!

But since my "rag" is all that...

 

[Coconut]

I really like that Robin. Yes God always communicates in everything He does...and who can know why He chooses to communicate with us in such a myriad of ways...or who can plunder to the depths of the wisdom of His revelations. I think we only skim the surface...but I love catching glimpses of the deeper truths when He speaks.

Maybe I don`t see what I think I see...maybe I do. With God I always feel like I`m whale watching...lol...there are gems of light dancing on the rolling waters...there...there...is that a fin? :shade:

 

[judge not]

I believe the message and lesson in Matt 25 is to be always prepared.
The Bible tells us that Christ will return (the second coming ) suddenly when we least expect it, like a thief in the night.
We should be spiritually ready at all times, and plan for the last minute.
" the time for buying the oil was before the bridegroom was on his way not after he arrives"
Our preparation should be now-like the five wise virgins.
jn

 

[jiggyfly]

i think the oil represents Holy spirit indeed which only Born again christians have in containers.


the foolish virgins were not know by Lord:

Mat 25:12
(12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.


But believing in Jesus as savior is what makes us born again and we receive Holy spirit in us:

Eph 1:13
(13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which makes us or seals us as God's own:

Rom 8:9
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

more verses:

Rom 8:11
(11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.


Rom 8:15-16
(15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids* who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

Which ever kingdom Christ is referring to here, the millennial or eternal, He stated that it was like all ten.:wink:

 

[jari]

"Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids* who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

Which ever kingdom Christ is referring to here, the millennial or eternal, He stated that it was like all ten.:wink:

sorry what are you saying jiggyfly?

thats interesting view point there.

 

[jari]

yes i think its the very kingdom we belong to as God's children.
and those who were ready entered the wedding. the not ready are the ones not saved and who dont have faith.

 

[jiggyfly]

sorry what are you saying jiggyfly?

thats interesting view point there.

Just merely pointing out that Jesus did not compare the kingdom to just the five that were prepared but also included the five that were not prepared in His comparison.

Another point about this parable is that all ten were sleeping and had to be awaken which is why I tend to lean towards this parable to be speaking of the millennial reign of Christ with Israel.

 

[jari]

Just merely pointing out that Jesus did not compare the kingdom to just the five that were prepared but also included the five that were not prepared in His comparison.

Another point about this parable is that all ten were sleeping and had to be awaken which is why I tend to lean towards this parable to be speaking of the millennial reign of Christ with Israel.

interesting, well Jesus did talk about meeting the groom.

i have no idea what's the purpose of milleniam kingdom though.. and this parable regarding it.

haven't studied much all that, i just took it as meaning the God's kingdom where we dwell spiritually... and when Jesus comes back we goto heaven.

 

[jiggyfly]

interesting, well Jesus did talk about meeting the groom.

i have no idea what's the purpose of milleniam kingdom though.. and this parable regarding it.

haven't studied much all that, i just took it as meaning the God's kingdom where we dwell spiritually... and when Jesus comes back we goto heaven.

I would be happy to discuss it with you further Jari but don't want to hijack Coconut's thread, so I would be happy to take it up in a new thread if you want.

 

[jari]

I would be happy to discuss it with you further Jari but don't want to hijack Coconut's thread, so I would be happy to take it up in a new thread if you want.

sure if you wish id be glad to hear what you think. i may not have much input my self though but i'll sure read it if you chose to post.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

i think the oil represents Holy spirit indeed which only Born again christians have in containers.


the foolish virgins were not know by Lord:

Mat 25:12
(12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.


But believing in Jesus as savior is what makes us born again and we receive Holy spirit in us:

Eph 1:13
(13) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Which makes us or seals us as God's own:

Rom 8:9
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

more verses:

Rom 8:11
(11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.


Rom 8:15-16
(15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Jari You said the foolish virgins did not know the LORD but the verse you gave to prove it says that JESUS did not know them.

The fact that the virgins didn't have their lamps lit indicates that they were not ready for the return of the bridegroom. As in lazy Christians who will not be ready for the return of our bridegroom. And unfortunately there will me many.

You said "But believing in Jesus as savior is what makes us born again and we receive Holy spirit in us:"

Right you are but; If you love HIM you will obey HIM. You will walk in the WORD.

Deuteronomy 30:20
That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:

Proverbs 8:17
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.(keep my Word)

John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

A person who asks JESUS into their hearts and is not willing to obey HIM is only looking for fire insurance, and is not really born again. Are they?

You quoted Eph 1:13
(13) In whom ye also trusted. Its a wonderful verse but surely you know that trust involves obedience? You can be a child of light and still walk in darkness. Its your choice. You can be a child of the Blessing and still walk under the curse. You can be a child of life and still die of some filthy illness. Its all your choice

When you are born again the HOLY SPIRIT comes and makes HIS home in your spirit but HE does not force anything upon you. You must choose daily, hourly, minutely to walk in HIS WORD or you will not know HIM as you think you do.

I'm not saying that you would miss heaven, I'm saying you would miss out on being part of the bride. What a loss that would be!! :shock:

 

[jari]

Jari You said the foolish virgins did not know the LORD but the verse you gave to prove it says that JESUS did not know them.

Right i meant the same thing but your correct there.
what i thought that only by Jesus "knowing us" first we can know Him.

I'm not saying that you would miss heaven, I'm saying you would miss out on being part of the bride. What a loss that would be!!

miss bride but still make it to heaven? i thought the scripture says they didnt get to heaven. can you please explain your view?

 

[Thiscrosshurts]

The kingdom of heaven is within you.
Five foolish virgins could represent our five senses which dictate to us about matters that they know nothing about like the truth and time.
The five wise virgins could be the elements God has placed in us to tell us the truth about God's will and plan that was from the foundation.
The Holy Spirit is our senses in the truth.
Jesus often used the phrase "a time is coming and now is".
The foolish virgins are waiting for a delayed future event and the wise virgins know that the day is here now and that Day is the Lord Jesus so it is always now.

 

[jari]

The kingdom of heaven is within you.
Five foolish virgins could represent our five senses which dictate to us about matters that they know nothing about like the truth and time.
The five wise virgins could be the elements God has placed in us to tell us the truth about God's will and plan that was from the foundation.
The Holy Spirit is our senses in the truth.
Jesus often used the phrase "a time is coming and now is".
The foolish virgins are waiting for a delayed future event and the wise virgins know that the day is here now and that Day is the Lord Jesus so it is always now.

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Jesus said then.
so that seems to seal out the possibility of this being no other than tribulation time or after it, at Lord's day?

God bless

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Jesus said then.
so that seems to seal out the possibility of this being no other than tribulation time or after it, at Lord's day?

God bless

There's the thing Jari. You are superimposing the 'rapture' with the second coming in many of your posts.
At the second coming JESUS comes with HIS bride. I'll ask you this...How can the bride accompany JESUS at the second coming without she has already gone to join HIM?
They that have made themselves ready will be the bride and the rest...the foolish virgins will miss being the bride but will still be saved from the tribulation at the second coming. They will not meet HIM in the air 1 Thessalonians 4:17 ,but will be on Earth when HIS feet touch the mountain. Matthew 24:29-31

Jari These are two separate and singular events.

At the 'rapture' people simply disappear. At the second coming, all the world sees it.

 

[jari]

There's the thing Jari. You are superimposing the 'rapture' with the second coming in many of your posts.
At the second coming JESUS comes with HIS bride. I'll ask you this...How can the bride accompany JESUS at the second coming without she has already gone to join HIM?
They that have made themselves ready will be the bride and the rest...the foolish virgins will miss being the bride but will still be saved from the tribulation at the second coming. They will not meet HIM in the air 1 Thessalonians 4:17 ,but will be on Earth when HIS feet touch the mountain. Matthew 24:29-31

Jari These are two separate and singular events.

At the 'rapture' people simply disappear. At the second coming, all the world sees it.

if that's true, at which point did the bride get to heaven for the second coming? by rapture? scripture only mentions one rapture...

i always look it in the way that Jesus returns for His bride and not with His bride..

God bless

 

[jari]

They will not meet HIM in the air 1 Thessalonians 4:17 ,but will be on Earth when HIS feet touch the mountain. Matthew 24:29-31

hmm where does it say His feet touch the mountain? i suppose this is reference to the OT writings.
both mat 24 and 1thes 4:17 state that we will be going through air...