We are still discussing about ten virgins who welcome Jesus' second coming. Not all of them were succeeding, fifty percent able to welcome Jesus' second coming but fifty percent was left.
Matthew25:1-4
25:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
25:2 Now five of them were wise, and five werefoolish.
25:3 Those who werefoolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
The situation of the church of God at the ends of the ages is as ten virgins welcoming Jesus' second coming in glory as King of kings, Heavenly bridegroom.
The ten virgins are divided into two groups as follows:
1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
The daily practice of foolish virgin, having no oil for supply (being spiritually withered), is rejecting the cross of the Lord, meaning being unwilling to suffer together with Jesus in the flesh.This practice is as olive fruit which does not want to be extracted so that it cannot produce oil.
One form of suffering together with Jesus is fasting. Nowadays, many people reject or lighten fasting. This is one example of rejections to the cross of the Lord.
The practice of being wise virgin is bearingthe cross, being willing to suffer in the flesh together with Jesus.
Why do we still have to bear the cross after ministering and sacrificing for God?
People being dismayed = plain salt = life without Holy Spirit.
Plain salt will not be able to prevent rottenness, so as that life will be gnawed by sin worms until decay and be perished forever.
Fasting is acceleration of the tearing of flesh so that we will get a renewal and become a new men, who is strong and of good courage.
Ephesians3:16
3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spiritin the inner man,
A new man is a life whose heart is controlled by the Holy Spirit; being anointed, filled, until overflowed by the Holy Spirit.
The functions of Holy Spirit/salty salt are below:
Matthew25:1-4
25:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
25:2 Now five of them were wise, and five werefoolish.
25:3 Those who werefoolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
The situation of the church of God at the ends of the ages is as ten virgins welcoming Jesus' second coming in glory as King of kings, Heavenly bridegroom.
The ten virgins are divided into two groups as follows:
- Having the oil for supply = five wise virgins.
The lamps burn continually so they can welcome Jesus' second coming, be blessed in God, and may enter the marriage supper of the Lamb.
Matthew25:10
25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. - Having no oil for supply = five foolish virgins.
The lamps are almost quenched, even already quenched, so they cannot welcome Jesus' second coming, being perished forever.
Matthew25:11-12
25:11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
25:12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
The daily practice of foolish virgin, having no oil for supply (being spiritually withered), is rejecting the cross of the Lord, meaning being unwilling to suffer together with Jesus in the flesh.This practice is as olive fruit which does not want to be extracted so that it cannot produce oil.
One form of suffering together with Jesus is fasting. Nowadays, many people reject or lighten fasting. This is one example of rejections to the cross of the Lord.
The practice of being wise virgin is bearingthe cross, being willing to suffer in the flesh together with Jesus.
Why do we still have to bear the cross after ministering and sacrificing for God?
- So that we have a pure faith.
- So that we do not put our trust in ourselves, but we put our trust in Jesus.
- Because suffering in flesh (bearing the cross) results in glory/ renewal of life, from flesh men to spiritual men.
2 Corinthians4:16-17
4:16Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward manis being renewed day by day.
4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding andeternal weight of glory,
- Holding fast the true teaching Word and rejecting the false/erred teaching.
- Not doing sin although there are opportunity, benefit, force/ threat, etc.
If we hold fast the true teaching Word, we will not easily do sin.
The example is Daniel, who was asked to do idolatry. But Daniel did not do it although he had to be cast into the den of lions.
Shadrach, Meshach, Abed-Nego were asked to do idolatry, but they did not do it although they had to be cast into the furnace of fire. - Not being disappointed/dismayed, also not being proud.
People being dismayed = plain salt = life without Holy Spirit.
Plain salt will not be able to prevent rottenness, so as that life will be gnawed by sin worms until decay and be perished forever.
Fasting is acceleration of the tearing of flesh so that we will get a renewal and become a new men, who is strong and of good courage.
Ephesians3:16
3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spiritin the inner man,
A new man is a life whose heart is controlled by the Holy Spirit; being anointed, filled, until overflowed by the Holy Spirit.
The functions of Holy Spirit/salty salt are below:
- Holy Spirit sanctifies = destroys sin worms which gnaw the Gentiles, so that the Gentiles can live in righteousness and purity.
Romans15:16
15:16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Everything we have will be meaningless if we do not live in righteousness and purity. - Holy Spirit is the Helper which gives comfort and strength in facing unreasonable hatred, sorrows, problems, cheat, etc.
John15:25-27
15:25 But this happenedthat the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated Me without a cause.'
15:26 "But when the Helpercomes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
15:27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.
So that we will not disappoint and be hopeless, not murmur nor blame the others, but being strong and of good courage, and able to give testimony to the others.
Giving testimony = giving good taste as salty salt. - Holy Spirit renews us.
Titus 3:5
3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Holy Spirit does spiritual miracle, i.e. transforming our life.
Holy Spirit does carnal miracles and solves our problems.
After being helped by Lord, we also have to help the others, as salty salt is willing to dissolve to give good taste to the others.
Until we will be transformed as glorious as God, becoming God's bride.