Readers' Comments on:
Understanding the "Oil" of the Ten Virgins
From Germany:
You wrote:
Thanks for your article! It does stir a sense of urgency. Your detailed analysis is very helpful no matter which meaning one chooses for the "oil." My comments do not do justice to your work.They do not answer it on as high a level of analysis. Under "Foolishness" your own argument seems to allow for the possibility that this refers to the Holy Spirit. The HS leads to understanding. If one was full of the HS, he would have sufficient understanding, IMO. People full of the spirit don't look to men for understanding. Could it not also be that they had *some* of the HS, but not *enough* of the HS? I am not necessarily disputing your conclusion here, just expressing skepticism with this part/argument.
Our response:
The article emphasizes that men are not the ultimate source of a right understanding of God's truths, but that is where the "foolish" virgins attempt to acquire it, from "sellers of oil".A case could be made for any of several definitions of the "oil". The article addresses why a shortage or complete lack of the Holy Spirit doesn't work in the parable. See paragraphs under, '"No Sale" on the Holy Spirit", and "No Admission with "Purchased Oil"". If it were the Holy Spirit, then they should expect to be admitted once they have acquired the "oil" they previously lacked. But, having acquired "oil", they are still denied admittance by the Lord. He doesn't "know" them because they don't "know" him in that they don't fully "understand" what was required, what was expected, or why they have failed.
You wrote:
But it is true that we wouldn't definitely expect people to go to "sellers" to get more of the HS. So, while I can begin to agree with you that it might not be the HS that the oil symbolizes, and *very much agree* with your conclusion that we can [not] rely on men for this oil, I am still not totally convinced that it must be "understanding."Consideration of your paper has given me another (similar) idea... It is hard for me to put a label on it though. People are comfortable with their orgs they have security there and rely on them to get them into the kingdom. It seems like this has something to do with how we approach God. It is as if some rely on men as a link between them and God, as the Israelites did Moses. Their relationship with God is *through* an organization (the "sellers").
Our response:
Yes, we addressed this to a limited extent in the paragraphs under, "Buying and Selling", "Business as Usual", and ""No Sale" on the Holy Spirit".You wrote:
What about instead of "understanding" as the oil, we consider it to be "a right standing and relationship with God" (which one has as the internal motivation i.e., reflecting the love of God for doing these acts of love unto the least of their brethren. This is true religion. And it is asked: how can one love God who he cannot see if he does not love his neighbor...Our response:
Your statements bring up a good point which is closely related to the subject. There is more than just understanding required of us. We must be "profitable servants", practice "pure religion", be obedient, and above all, have love (I Cor. 13).However, the "oil" is something that the "foolish" seek to "purchase" from "those that sell" it. It is something which cannot be "borrowed" nor "loaned" nor "shared". An inferior version of it is available in the religious marketplace, but it will not be acceptable to gain one admission to the wedding supper.
One of the most successful organizations published a magazine which was described, not as a magazine of faith, or of love, or of the Holy Spirit, but "A magazine of understanding". The chief "product" marketed by corporate religious organizations and of individual ministries, is not love, faith, or the Spirit of God, but a package of doctrinal understanding, usually unique to that organization. This is being "exchanged" for tithes and offerings, regardless of how the individual views it.
You also wrote:
Under "The Cry" you wrote: "Understanding is dependent upon faith (Heb. 11:3) and "without faith it is impossible to please (God)" (verse 6). Lacking faith, the Israelites also lacked understanding. A lack of the Holy Spirit is never mentioned as the problem here..." You seem to make here as much an argument for the possibility that the oil = faith.It seems to me that this is what you are saying: the problem is the lack of faith.
Our response:
"Faith comes by hearing" (Rom. 10:17), and it comes from God (Rom. 12:3). The lack of faith is Christ's greatest concern for us (Lk. 18:8).Perhaps we should define some terms here. Proverbs says repeatedly to seek "knowledge, understanding and wisdom." (Pro. 1, 2).
"Knowledge" is "facts, truths or principles". Truth or true knowledge comes from God (Psa. 119:142, 151; Jn. 1:17; 17:17).
"Understanding" is "the ability to acquire and interpret knowledge; (or) comprehension". It's knowing the difference between good and evil (Psa. 119:7, 11, 34, 73, 97-104, 130, 144; Pro. 9:10).
"Wisdom" is "the faculty to discern right and truth and to judge or act accordingly". It's the decision and action to do what is "good" (Psa. 111:10, Pro. 3:21-26).
These definitions are based both on man's definitions and scriptural usage of these terms. By either standard, they are often used interchangeably.
Several different "fruits" of the Spirit have been suggested as being symbolized by the "oil", including "all of the fruits combined". The parable makes a valid point if we substitute any of the fruits of the Spirit for the "oil", but there is only one that stands out from the rest.
There is an overlap among all spiritual topics. There is a circularity or spiral that makes defining a precedence or sequence difficult. Which comes first: understanding, the Holy Spirit, conversion, calling, or repentance? By comparison, it's easy to say that the chicken came with the egg in it. Can you repent without some understanding? Can you fully understand without any repentance? Can you respond to a calling without any understanding? Can you have any understanding without the help of the Holy Spirit? Can you have the Holy Spirit and have a total lack of understanding?
It's easy to get lost in establishing a precedence here and forget that the parable the virgins says that one can have the Holy Spirit, have some understanding and still get shut out of the kingdom.
Since all the gifts of the Father come to us through His Spirit, a case could be made for the oil to be one of several, perhaps any of the gifts.
Understanding is a gift. But people financially support an organization or ministry with the expectation or belief that they and others are receiving "true" and "divinely inspired" understanding from that particular source (or through it). Otherwise, why would they be supporting it? Most, if not all, cog (ex-wcg) ministries believe and teach that tithing is required. In effect, "buying and selling" is taking place. I Cor. 12:8 gives the gifts of the Holy Spirit as "the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Rom. 12 also lists: serving, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, and showing mercy.
The article discusses that even the foolish had some knowledge, and some understanding and to do so, requires that they had obtained it through the Holy Spirit. No one goes to the ministry to "buy" tongues, interpretation, the power to heal others, miracles, ability to prophecy, to discern the spirits, or to " buy" faith. People go to services fully expecting to receive "knowledge" ("facts", which they could read for themselves in their own Bible or research). They go expecting to receive "understanding" (how do the "facts" affect their daily lives). Some go expecting to receive "wisdom", (e.g. "just tell me which choices I should make".) All of which they could receive from the HS, if they had enough faith. Christ did not promise to send a corporate representative, or college catalog, but the Holy Spirit, as a "teacher" which would "teach all things."
Of these three, (knowledge, understanding and wisdom), Christ was repeatedly exasperated at the disciples, saying, e.g., "are ye also yet without understanding?" (Mat.15:16).
Wisdom (making the right choices) is dependent upon correctly understanding knowledge. The knowledge has been made available, at least to those "called" now.
All three require some effort and some faith. We see scriptures indicating that faith is the key element in all things. It is the key element that Christ is looking for when He returns (Lk. 18:8).
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1). We do not seek faith from "sellers". A lack of faith can limit any of the three: knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
A case could be made that the oil represents any of these three. But knowledge (or facts) are printed on the pages of our Bibles, and wisdom is the action of making a choice. That leaves us with "understanding". And failing to "understand" the parable of the virgins, should concern us that we may be lacking the right kind and amount of "oil."
You wrote: Just some thoughts. It just seems to me like "understanding" is not "important enough" a criteria for being shut outside not let through the door. (1Corinthians 13) What do you think?
Our response: This article was not planned in any way and was written straight through, with very little editing. It was not an article I selected and planned in advance. I was meditating and praying about a related subject, when it "came to me" that the "oil" which I had accepted from others as signifying the Holy Spirit, could not be the Holy Spirit, but was in fact, "understanding". We have previously come to understand the difference between "human reasoning", and "true understanding" which is a gift from our Father. The article discusses other "suggested explanations" for the "oil" because we seek to understand the truth, whatever it may be. In other words, the article wasn't written to prove us correct, but rather to share our understanding with others. We expect that others have already come to this understanding.
Scripture shows that the "oil" is critical to possess if one expects to be admitted to the wedding supper. Therefore it is critical that we "understand" what that "oil" represents. That "understanding", to be correct, must come from our Father through the Holy Spirit. If we obtain any understanding from men, it may be an incorrect understanding of the "oil".
So, we have to emphasize, that if any seek understanding of the "oil" from us, rather than from our Father, they may already be in trouble. Christ directed all toward the Father, through his life, sacrifice, and resurrection, but not "toward" himself (Jn. 7:16; 8:28-29; 10:37-38; 11:40-42; 12:44-50; 14:6-31; 15:1, 9-10; 16:3, 5, 15, 23-28; esp. 17:1-26, and many more) We should also imitate Him in this. If any man or group directs others to look to them, then they are not fully imitating Christ.
How important is "understanding"? Paul prayed for the Ephesians, saying, "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling , and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he has wrought in Christ,..." (Eph. 1:15-20).
Failure to have proper and sufficient understanding is addressed by Paul in Eph. 4, "This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other (worldly people) walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:..." (Eph. 4:17-18).
A lack of proper understanding, or a wrong understanding "alienates" one from God. This is why the foolish virgins are not admitted at the door, even after they "purchase" the "oil" from "those that sell" it. In other words, "purchased" understanding is the doctrinal package one obtains from ministries which are "sellers", (merchandisers, those "false prophets" that "make merchandise of you", i.e. religion is their "business" and you are their "customer", 2 Pet.2:3.) Understanding "purchased" from men, isn't acceptable in God's sight. It will not be of help in your seeking the Kingdom of God. True understanding is a free gift, from God.
Regarding the future fall of "Babylon", John wrote in Rev., "And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buys their merchandise any more:" (Rev. 18:11).
Listed among their "merchandise", in verse 13 we see, "the souls of men", (which is separate from the "slaves" previously listed). "And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." (Rev.18:23-24).
Here, we see deception of "all" nations by sorceries, in other words, by "false prophets". These "false prophets" are called "great men of the earth". Popes, Cardinals, Bishops, Evangelists, and other well-known, popular religious figures are considered "great men of the earth" by millions of worshipers. Scripture says these "great men", are "merchants" who deal in the "souls of men". This would be different from those who, by economics, politics or military rule, make "slaves" of men's bodies. Physical slavery is mentioned separately in the list of "merchandise". Enslavement of men's souls is the business of false religions.
Here, we see "the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride... heard no more at all in thee" because it is the time of the "marriage", "for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready." (Rev. 19:7). "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb...." (Verse 9).
Those "inside", with the "bridegroom" are blessed. Having "oil" in their lamps, they are in the light, i.e. "enlightened" (Eph. 1:15-20). But those "outside", the "foolish virgins" are not blessed. The first part of Rev. 18:23 talks about darkness, saying, "the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee". After the midnight cry is heard, the foolish leave, in the darkness, to seek "oil" from "those that sell". Upon returning, they are refused entry at the door, by the bridegroom. They are shut outside, in the darkness, along with the merchants who sold them their "oil.". They are in the "dark" because of, as Eph. 4:17-18 says, "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God ."
Finally, in Rev. 18, we see that the "buying and selling", the merchandising of religion and of men's souls, eventually stops, but not until Christ returns. Is proper and sufficient "understanding" important enough that a lack of it can prevent one from entering the Kingdom? "The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live." (Psa. 119:144).
You wrote: I really did enjoy your paper. ([my wife]too.) You are very talented! (not just with humor)
Our response: Thank you for the generous compliments and for taking the time to comment.
From Dallas, Texas:" If any have not yet had the time to read and consider what is written in the article being referred to concerning the parable of the Ten Virgins, and their problem with the "oil" in their lamps it is worth your time to do so. I can highly recommend the entire article.
I think that they have essentially identified an important facet of Truth in this examination and discussion of the topic, as was presented in the article. The parable DOES take on a much deeper meaning and a vaster implication when viewed in this light.
I do think you make a good and effective point about the oil as used in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, however. But rather than equating the oil with "understanding" which is given of God, via the Holy Spirit, I think it is more generalized than that.
It appears to me that rather than being the Holy Spirit itself that is being pictured by the oil in the parable, as you pointed out, it is, rather, the FRUITS of the Holy Spirit that is being represented. And certainly, ONE of those fruits would be a real growth in knowledge and understanding, as it is put to use in our "lamps"... producing the "light" or understanding of the Truth of God. "
Our response:
The parable of talents and the parable of pounds show that our individual reward is according to our individual works. Salvation is not a reward for works, but a gift (Mk.16:16; Rom. 6:23) that is not dependent upon our comparative fruits. We do not go to "sellers" to purchase the "fruits" of the Spirit". Please see our responses to the previous comments.
You wrote:
So this isn't so much a challenge about what you understood the oil to represent in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, but rather, an expansion of the symbology to encompass ALL of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives: not only "light" and understanding, but also, peace, joy, hope, faith, and love. Central to the issue involved, is that one cannot experience these fruits unless one goes to God to draw that water of the Holy Spirit... that the production of fruit will NEVER come to a person through another man, or ministry, or church organization!
People DO need to read this article,... Thanks for sending it to me for my perusal and consideration.
From Kentucky:
"Just read the 10 Virgins article and think it to be by far the most accurate explanation existing in print at the present time. I will be sending it out to my email list this coming week and would love to reprint it in the next issue of [our publication]..."
Our response:
Thanks for your comments. The article may be freely reprinted according to the conditions at the bottom of the article.
Someone, on an internet forum, wrote:
"In my lifetime I must have read many thousands of strange and bizarre wrestings and twistings of the parable of the Ten Virgins of Matthew 25.Much of the time would be theological pundits cannot grasp the simplicity of Christ's teachings so they embellish and expound to their own glory.
Here is the most brilliant analysis of the parable of the ten virgins I have ever read; given by a man who taught for many years of his life just a few miles from where I write this morning: "
Matthew 25:113 Parable of the Ten Virgins. This parable means just one thing: that we should keep our minds on the Lord, and be ready when he comes."...Henry H. Halley
Too simple for us today though this parable of readiness. We've got to spin it into complexity and confusion. Isn't it amazing how many of us treat the words of Christ as if they mean something other than what he said? How many of us think that we can find hidden meanings in what Christ said that others cannot?"
Our response:
"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings." (Pro. 1:5-6). Verse 7, "...but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
The word "disciple" (Gk. mathetes; a learner, i.e. pupil) means a "student". When we stop learning, we stop being disciples and, according to scripture, become "fools".
From Georgia:We think your article is great ! This answers many questions we've had about the ten virgins and feel sure it will help others. Our son and daughterinlaw also read it and are also excited about it. We all feel you have hit upon the real meaning of this parable. I'm sure you realize you will catch a lot of flack from the people that will accept nothing but the oil representing the Holy Spirit. But they need to see this article. Some will understand, some won't.
Our response: Yes, as in the previous comment above.
You wrote:
The only thing we have any question about is the following part about when we receive the Holy Spirit. You wrote: "We know the Holy Spirit works with those who are called, until we are baptized, at which time we receive it "into" ourselves so that it now works "in" us (Rom. 8:9). We know that the Father gives the Holy Spirit without measure (Jn. 3:34). So the difference is not that some have less of the Spirit than others."
What you wrote is what the COG's taught. However, where does God say Holy Spirit is given at baptism? I can find where the "gifts" of the Holy Spirit are given when hands are laid on the ones being baptized. But, I can't find where it says "the" Holy Spirit is given at that time. ...
Our response:
In Acts 2:38, Peter gives what seems to be the standard sequence in the actions or events of: being called, repentance, baptism, laying on of hands, and receiving the Holy Spirit. A study of the giving of the Holy Spirit to individuals in the Old Testament and New Testament shows that God has not limited Himself to any particular sequence. In other words, He has given his Spirit both with and without baptism, both with and without the laying on of hands, and sometimes with anointing (although baptism never included anointing).
Scripture indicates that God's Spirit has always been available to mankind (Gen.6:3; Ex. 31:3; Nu. 11:25-26,29 and many more).
The subjects of Baptism and the Holy Spirit are far too extensive to discuss here, and we plan to have articles out soon, dealing with them in depth.
You wrote:
Also John 3:34 is speaking of Christ. Does it also apply to us?Again, we think your article is great.
Our response:
If Jn. 3:34 referred only to Christ, then He had an advantage that we can't have, and therefore, He was not really "tempted in all things as we are" (Heb. 4:15). Since He was tempted as we are, we have equal access to the HS. The difference is whether we have the understanding and faith to make use of it (Mt. 15:16; Jn. 14:12; Mk. 4:40-41; Mt. 17:20). He set an example in using the power of the HS, that few understand, much less follow. He spoke of others doing "greater works than these" (the miracles of the NT), and of "moving mountains" by speaking to them. Now there aren't any literal mountains that need moving, that we know of, at this time, but it's impossible for God to lie, therefore, we have access to far more power than our "teachers" have understood or taught. We are developing this topic at the present time and hope to publish it soon.
From Canada:WOW and DOUBLE W O W !!!! You did an outstanding job on this "Article of Interest" and you are to be complimented on its message. At the same time let us give Praise and Thanksgiving to Almighty God for His delivering of it! My only advice, if I were to be asked, would be to "MOUNT THIS RIGHT AWAY!" [at the Changes website] What a wonderful way to begin the closing of this Sabbath day.
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