In the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Matt 25) our Lord mentions that both the wise AND the foolish were considered “virgins” what does this imply, what makes them all virgins?

They are virgins in that they have been sanctified by God, made holy and acceptable to Him through the imputation of the merit of Christ’s righteousness which followed their consecration, thus covered with the robe of Christ’s righteousness they are pure ones (pure in heart) in harmony with God, fit to be betroth to Christ.

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”

“These are they which were not defiled with women for they are virgins.” (Rev 14:4)

The Bible proposition is that the church is a virgin church, viz.: not united to the world or any type of earthly institution, religious or otherwise. There are two women especially mentioned in Revelation; the one the true women, the bride class, the true Church, the other the false woman, the false Church.

However, as we learned from our study on Revelation Chapter 14 Verses 1-5 this verse, Verse 4 specifically refers to those who have not been defiled (corrupted, misled, deceived into error) by either the great harlot (Catholicism) and or any of her harlot daughters (Protestantism).

The true church is a “chaste virgin espoused to one husband, even Christ.” (2 Cor 11:2)

That they (the foolish virgins) do not represent a second death class is confirmed by the statement that although they did not enter in or at the same time as the wise virgins, i.e., to the wedding, they did nevertheless come afterwards (Verse 11); after the wedding was completed, they were invited to the marriage feast that followed. (Compare Rev 19:9)

Also note the Lord’s response when they were turn away from the wedding, viz. “Assuredly I say to you, I do not know you.”

Now note specifically what he did not say to these as in comparisons with what he said in regards to some in (Matt 7:21–23), “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: DEPART FROM ME, ye that work iniquity [lawlessness].”

Although our Lord states he knows not the foolish virgins, he does not chide them to depart from him as he did with this last group.

Who was the Apostle referring to in John 15:6 when he mentions some who fell to abide in the Lord and are cast out as a branch in the vine, who become withered and are gathered and thrown in the fire to be burned?

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch IN ME who bears not fruit (of love, the fruits of the spirit, Gal 5:22, 23), the Father takes away. Every branch that remains IN ME, he prunes that it may bring forth more fruit… Herein is your Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” (John 15:1, 2, 8)

What does it mean to be “in me”, i.e., “in Christ”, who are they who are in Christ?

Being “in Christ” gives the thought of membership in his Body; in the Vine, partaking of the nourishment therefrom; “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col 1:27) While God in Christ has opened up the way and made it possible for us to become members of his Church, yet the joining of that Church is our part, and can be accomplished only by a full consecration. R1301:4, 374:1; Q303:2

“If any man be in Christ, he is a New Creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2 Cor 5:17) In order to be counted a member of the body of Christ at all, it is necessary that the old things, or earthly things–ambitions, hopes, prides, vanities and follies –shall have passed from the will, even though to some extent they may harass us because in a measure attractive to our flesh. It is the new mind that the Lord recognizes as the “New Creature“; it is the progress and development of the new mind that he is interested in and promises to reward.

In order to abide in Christ, the Scriptures clearly show us that more than the mere making of a consecration is necessary. Consecration opens the door and gives us the standing, gives us the relationship, gives us the backing and encouragement of the divine promises, and puts us in the way, therefore, to cultivate the various fruits of the Spirit, and finally to attain joint-heirship with our Lord in the heavenly glory. But to maintain this standing in the body of Christ now requires that fruits shall be produced, evidences of love and devotion, even as the Master expressed in the parable of the vine.” (F78)

We will continue with this discussion in our next post due to character limits.