I saw someone post that the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is indisputable proof a saved believer can lose their salvation. The person posting this verse was making the point that 5 foolish “believing” virgins (who had their lamps lit by the oil of the Holy Spirit) had been shut out of the kingdom.
He’s in effect saying, because their lamps were lit by The Lord, they had to of been saved PRIOR to being shut out at the second coming.
Let’s start here, who does the Bible define as FOOLISH? The fool says in his HEART, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1
This is exactly what the lamp represents, the heart of mankind. It’s the container of His Spirit. When Jesus returns to gather the saints what do we have to offer Him …. nothing but Himself who dwells in our hearts by FAITH (Eph 3:17; 2 Cor 1:22; Romans 10:10).
We know the oil represents the Holy Spirit, and we know the foolish and wise virgins represent the bride of Christ … so I can see how this person posting would make the assumption that the foolish virgins were initially saved.
First, we know that not all believers are saved. The parable of the sower makes clear that heart types 1 and 2 have received the word, but the message of Jesus (word) had NOT taken root within the heart to bring salvation (James 1:21). So, these believers in heart types 1 and 2 were never saved in the first place. Yes. These are the foolish virgins.
I can hear people scream, but the OIL!!! They were saved! Here is the part of the parable that got my attention for several days:
And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and BUY for yourselves.’
You cannot buy the Holy Spirit, just ask Simon the Magician (see Acts 8:9-25). At this request, Peter tells Simon his heart isn’t right before God.
But, what can we buy (invest in or seek after by faith)?
TRUTH.
“Buy truth, and do not sell it;
buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”
Proverbs 23:23
The oil in this parable isn’t the Holy Spirit, it’s the TRUTH revealed by the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us, “But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth.” John 16:13
YES, this parable is about the sanctification or maturation of the soul with the truth of the word. YES, with truth supplied from The Holy Spirit, this is about the maturation of the soul in wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Jesus even testifies to this as He says, “And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in TRUTH.” John 17:19
Notice that ALL the virgins fell asleep in the delay of The Bridegroom. The wise and the foolish had seasons of doubt, exhaustion, distance, and even possibly faithlessness.
So what’s the difference between the wise and the foolish?
At midnight, at the last second, there was a loud cry from heaven, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then ALL 10 of those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
Trimming the wick of a lamp is important because it prepares the wick to burn brighter. Yes, it’s the cutting away of what gunk prevents the wick from burning at its greatest potential. Yes, it is the cutting away of the YOU part of you. Trimming the wick is the sanctification process of awakening to who you ALREADY are in Christ.
The wise seek truth in excess, despite the cost, and cut away the wick often. Friends, you and I died at the cross with Jesus, and walking from our death apart from self is something we as believers do over and over and over with The Lord to keep the wick burning brightly. We decrease, so He can increase. Yet. The foolish, first begin to cut away at the wick (soul realm) at the announcement of His NOW coming.
How do I know this?
As soon as the announcement was made, there wasn’t enough oil (truth) in the lamp to burn the wick without it already and immediately going out. If there had been truth, the wick (soul) would have been cut away enough to at least grab the sparse truth in the container (heart).
When the foolish went to buy truth from the dealers (teachers) with faith, it was too late. The foolish are heart types 1 and 2. They were never saved. Remember, not all who are sanctified are saved. Paul makes this clear in 1 Cor 7:14. You can be set apart for God, but never receive Him.
The wise have a wick or soul that is continually being consumed by The Lord (Hebrews 12:29). The wise have truth in EXCESS. Yet. The foolish, have head knowledge of Jesus, but have never from the heart made Him Lord.
Peeps. One day, the foolish will want to make Him Lord, and it will be too late.