Hi,

    I've been visiting here for almost a year and have never ventured to add to the discussion.
I don't assume to know all the intricate things of scripture, but I just had to say something
about the discussion on the 10 virgins in Matt. 25.  I'm sure alot of this has been debated
before but I believe it bears repeating.  The very term "virgin" would denote someone who
has been set apart.  They all had oil in their lamps because the foolish virgins were worried
that their lamps could go out.  The separation of these  virgins becomes evident at the point of
"entering into".  Entering into what- the wedding banquet.  Since this is all prophetic, and we
know that the wedding banquet that the scripture holds in highest regard is the wedding banquet of the lamb, Rev.19:9, let's go back to the "entering into."  In John 3:3 and John 3:5, Christ talks about the difference of seeing and entering into.  Jn 3:3 says "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."  Jn 3:5  says, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."  Where is this kingdom?

Christ is prophesied to have a dual reign during his 1,000 year reign.  His reign is in heaven
and on earth.  There is a kingdom to be ruled from in the heavens and a counter kingdom
to rule from on earth.  The marriage supper of the lamb, inwhich the virgins are expected
 to go to, is in heaven.  Can any unsaved person go to heaven.  I don't think I have ever seen
a reference to any unsaved person being judged in heaven, I believe the judgment is always
done on this earth.  So for the 5 unwise virgins to present themselves at the door of the banquet hall, they would of had to have done as John 3:3 states, or they could never have seen the door to the banquet hall, which is in heaven.  Christ's comment of "I tell you the truth, I don't know you." is in regards to entering into the banquet hall.  I believe it is the same as, "I don't see your name on the list of guests."  Scripture also talks about the fellow that showed up without his wedding garment on. The point is he showed up!  He was there, at the marriage supper, but he didn't belong there and got thrown out.  Could he have been an unsaved individual and be in heaven to do this.  I don't think so.  So I guess it all amounts to how much do you believe God has left these parables for us to be EXACT pictures for us.  Are each of the words  important, are each of the references important or should it be taken with a certain lee-way.

Also, how important is it that we learn to live the spirit filled life that is quaranteed to do a meta-morphis on our old nature by bringing us into a spirit governed life.  I believe there is a risk we can take when we do not allow the spirit to change us and when we entangle ourselves into the things of the world so that God has a very limited place in our lives.  The risk is summed up in with the 5 foolish virgins, the interloper at the marriage supper, the foolish servent.....

They hadn't allowed the washing of the word to bring about change, nor had they allowed much time for interspection and hence the washing of forgiveness guaranteed by Christ upon further confession of sin.  The water hadn't been applied, hence they were unprepared.  There is much to be forfieted in our life yet to come for being "born again"  allows one to see the Kingdom in heaven, but I want to enter into and that takes a life time of work by the washing of the word...