I have watched the discussion go on for some time on the issue of the 10
virgins.  Overall, I may be over simplifying it but it seems we are
getting lost in the details of what is a parable.  The story that Jesus
gave relates to reality but is, in and of itself not reality at all.
The question that comes up all the time is the relationship between the
bride and the wedding party.  We could be concentrating on a 1/2 of a
dozen different details - if we take this too literal does it mean that
only virgins get into heaven?   I sure hope not!  And of course I don't
think so at all.  That would be silly to propose it as a viable
theology. It seems that the biggest questions are getting ignored for
the most part.  If you take any of the parables to a great extent, they
eventually break down as not actually being able to be real.  They are
stories to teach a lesson - usually more than one lesson and God can use
them to speak to us several things.

To me, I have no trouble understanding this parable as wedding party
participants being the Christians and at the same time, in reality, us
being the bride being groomed for the wedding.  I have also heard of
Christians arguing that we are not actually the bride at all although I
can't remember what they say the Bride is.  Actually, as long as I am
with Him on the day He returns, I have no trouble calling me something
else - as long as those left behind have to call me LOOOOOOONG
Distance!!   8-)

The bigger questions for me in this parable are:

1.  What is the oil?
2.  How do I get more?
3.  How do I know I have enough?  If I understand this right, I only get
one shot at this when He comes back and I don't want to mess it up.
4.  What is the lamp?
5.  What is the wick?

The most important issue that I see in this is that I need to have more
of Jesus - every day, all day long.  I need to have my wick trimmed, my
lamp full and the oil lit at all times.

  This is the lesson I get from this.  Now as a test, I take the lesson
this parable speaks to me and if I want to apply good theology to it, I
must now take the lesson I pull from this and compare the lesson it
teaches to the test of Scripture.  Is the lessons learned Scriptural?
Yes in deed they are.

Just my 2 cents.  ALWAYS enjoy reading the Doves EVERY DAY!  Thank you
so much to everyone that contributes and of course to John for being the
best board moderator on the net - bar none!

Looking up!

Your brother in Christ
Doug Blakemore
__
Thanks for kind words, Doug. I would like to think I moderate rather moderately. :)
John