Have you

Got

OIL?

A study for those waiting for Jesus --Part 2

This is Part 2 of a study on the parable Jesus told about the ten virgins. In this parable, Jesus described five of the virgins as “wise” and five He called “foolish.” We begin by noting that elsewhere in Scripture, those who are called "wise" are described as those who are humble, teachable, honor God and follow after Him. Those who are called "foolish" are those who are prideful, boastful, stiff-necked, short-sighted, and deny or dishonor God.

Since Jesus told this parable to His followers (in hopes they’d choose to be wise), we'd like to visit it in a way that will help us understand just what made the foolish virgins foolish . . . and what made the wise virgins so wise.

This Bible study is a journey. It’s a journey that we pray will lead you to discover more about yourself, your faith, and what the Lord is looking for in your life. Are you willing to go on the journey with these ten virgins? Are you willing to see them as people like you, to look at them with honesty, and then to look at your own life with the same honesty? If so, you’ve already taken a big step toward becoming a WISE virgin! No one but you and the Lord will know the answers you give to the questions in the study (unless you choose to share them with others). Be honest with yourself—and be wiser for it.

Since this is Part 2 of the study, you might want to read Part 1 first. :-)

This Bible study is presented to you free of charge. You are free to print, copy, and share this study AS LONG AS you keep it intact (with the footnotes, credits, and copyright notices at the end) AND you don’t sell or use it for commercial purposes.

All Bible quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

What's important to remember from Part 1 of the study: Jesus said both the wise and foolish in the story were virgins. All went to sleep, all were awakened by the "midnight cry" that the bridegroom was on his way. All of them got their lamps in preparation to go out and meet the bridegroom and be taken to the wedding feast.

It wasn't till the last moments before their departure that half of the virgins realized they didn't have what it took to go out and meet Him.

Here, again, is the parable in its entirety:

The Parable of the Ten Virgins—Matthew 25:1-13 [Jesus is speaking]

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

"At midnight the cry rang out: `Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

The foolish ones said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

"`No,' they replied, `there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.

But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

"Later the others also came. `Sir! Sir!' they said. `Open the door for us!'

"But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

End Quote

This parable—within the context Jesus gave it—is about the last days and His return.

The parable falls squarely in the middle of His discourse about the last days, and He begins the parable with, "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like . . ." Keep in mind the picture in the closing chapters of the book of Revelation of the Bride, the Lamb (Jesus), and the wedding feast.

In this parable about the last days, Jesus speaks of five of the virgins who were wise and five who were foolish. What made the difference between the ones who made it to the wedding feast and those who were shut out of it? Not their looks, or their social standing, or their wealth. It boiled down to just one thing: Oil. Jesus said that those who had enough of it were wise, and those who didn't were foolish. In order to go out and meet the groom, they had to have sufficient oil in their lamps.

Over the years we've heard a number of teachings on this parable and we've heard the "oil" described as a symbol of one of the following:

Salvation (since only those who are saved—those who've accepted Jesus as their Lord—get into the feast). Or,
The Holy Spirit (since the Holy Spirit is only given to those who are saved, and oil is often a symbol of the Spirit in the Bible). Or,
Having the gifts (or "the anointing") of the Spirit

But the foolish virgins don't have oil, and they don't realize it till the last minute. They ask the wise ones to give them some oil. Let's look at the answer that Jesus says the wise virgins give them:

"`No,' they replied, `there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.

TWO big points to make here:

The wise virgins won't share their oil!
The foolish virgins need to BUY some

The problem we found as we considered many traditional teachings on this parable (that the oil here symbolizes salvation, or the Holy Spirit, or the Spirit's anointing, or the gifts of the Holy Spirit) is that these ideas are contrary to Scripture. The Bible says that salvation, the Holy Spirit, and the abilities He imparts are ALL free and CANNOT be bought or sold.

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Galatians 2:16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Romans 3:24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 4:5 But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners—NLT

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.—NLT

Romans 9:30 What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place.—NLT

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!—NLT

Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”—NIV

Acts 7:5-9 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

Acts 8:18-20 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!—NIV

In fact, the more we studied Scripture, the more we realized that, in the parable of the Ten Virgins, the oil couldn't symbolize our salvation, the Holy Spirit, or the gifts of the Spirit. So what is this "oil" and why did Jesus say it had to be purchased? If salvation is "free" and the Holy Spirit is a gift . . . why must anyone calculate a cost? And who is it that makes us pay it?

We both began looking at concepts (in the New Testament in particular) such as buy, sell, and cost. Let us share some of those places with you.

Luke 14:27-33 [Jesus speaking] "And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

“Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."—New Living Translation

Matthew 10:38 "Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (Jesus speaks of this same concept—each person taking up their cross and following Him—in Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:13, Luke 14:27, Luke 14:33)

Matthew 7:21 “ Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”—New American Standard Bible

Matthew 16:25-26 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

The world wants you to "identify" with your race, job, wealth, habits, sexual orientation, your culture, skin tone, nationality, or membership in a clan, gang, or group. To follow Jesus means you are making HIM your life, the One with whom you identify.

Once you begin to follow Jesus, the world's labels should no longer apply to you. If you dare to walk with the Lord in that freedom—the world will find a way to make you pay. Those who only claim knowledge of Him will shrink back into the "cheap grace" that says it doesn't matter what we do.

Romans 8:1-2 & 12-19 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. . . .Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. —New Living Translation

Matthew 10:22 [Jesus speaking] "And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved."—New Living Translation

Matthew 10:32-33 [Jesus speaking] “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

Mark 13:13 [Jesus speaking] "And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."—New Living Translation

Luke 6:22 [Jesus speaking] "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake."—King James Version

Luke 21:17 [Jesus speaking] "and you will be hated by all because of My name."—New American Standard Bible

John 15:18 [Jesus speaking] "If the world hates you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."—King James Version

1 John 3:13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.—New Living Translation

John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”

John 15:8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

2 Timothy 2:10-13 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

1 Peter 2:21-25 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.—New American Standard Bible

Titus 1:16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Matthew 10:22 "And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved."—New Living Translation

Mark 13:13 "And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved."—New Living Translation

Luke 6:22 "Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake."—King James Version

Luke 21:17 "and you will be hated by all because of My name."—New American Standard Bible

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and those who decide to please Christ Jesus by living godly lives will suffer at the hands of those who hate him."— Living Bible

1 John 3:13 So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.—New Living Translation

Some will do just about anything to be identified, accepted, and adored by the world. Whole churches can get caught up in the cult of popularity. They are willing to take on the ways and the appearance of (identify themselves with) the world, and soften or deny the gospel to retain that acceptance. But the world is not a friend of Jesus, and if you place your identity in Him, the world won't be your friend, either.

Other Christians in the Western world are taught to go out into the world with a formula for converting people (to “make the deal” and get people to "pray the prayer" for salvation) without much regard to what "saved" truly means and what expectations we're creating in the person receiving the gospel. Are we telling them to expect a quick sprint to a prize at the finish line OR laying the foundation for a walk that will span a lifetime and bear good fruit? We can't find a single sermon that Jesus preached where He promised an easy life if someone just believed. Nowhere did He indicate that someone could just pray a prayer and then go on with whatever they were doing before they prayed.

Life Example: Many years ago, I (Terry) traveled with a group of Christians to Russia. Communism had recently fallen, but a thick cloud of oppression still lingered over the people. During our travels, we met a brother in the Lord who gave us his testimony: As a young man, Viktor [not his real name] had fallen in with mobsters. In order to survive in hard times, he'd made the mob his life, and eventually was caught, prosecuted as a criminal, and sent to prison. (As horrible as prison in the US might be, prison in many other countries is far worse.) Between the lack of food, violence of guards, and violence of other inmates, one's chances of walking out whole and living any sort of "normal" post-prison life were next to nothing.

Viktor became despondent in prison. Even if he survived his internment, he would be forced back into the mob once he got out. There seemed no escape from a life of utter darkness—or so it seemed. But one day, a man came to the prison and was allowed to preach to the inmates. More than 100 prisoners were crammed into a small space and made to sit on the floor. The preacher stood on the other side of the bars and spoke of a freedom that went beyond the prison walls, beyond whatever years a person on this earth might have left to live. It was a freedom from bondage to sin, a freedom to be loved and to love—a treasure beyond value. The man spoke of Jesus Christ and how, through His death on the cross, He made a way for ANYone to enter into that freedom, to be accepted as God's child, to live in freedom that couldn't be taken away.

In Russia I learned something that the churches in the West might be wise to observe. Over there, when people were asked to accept Jesus as their savior, there was no "while everyone's eyes are closed, slip your hand up," or "pray silently in your seats for salvation." Nobody in Russia was allowed to sneak into the Kingdom. If you couldn't stand up with every eye on you and make a public confession, you weren't serious about accepting the gift that Jesus publicly endured ridicule, beating, and death to give you.

Viktor knew that if he accepted Christ that day, it could very well mean his own death—but the eternal peace and freedom being offered meant more to him at that moment than the threats of the world. When the man preaching said that anyone who wanted Christ had to stand up in that room and be seen by everyone Viktor stood up and prayed.

Incredibly, he made it out of prison, found honest work, married, and had a child . . . but then he was contacted by the mob. They wanted him to return to his life of crime and they told him if he refused, they would kill him. He briefly considered caving in. He had a family, what might happen to them if he were killed? But the more he prayed about it, the more certain he became that he must stick with Christ. He agreed to a meeting with the mobsters in a secret location, and when he got there, they again threatened to kill him if he didn't resume his activities with them. He told them he couldn't and gave them his testimony. He told them he would rather die in Christ than go back to the bondage of his old life with them.

He told us that while he was giving his testimony, the eyes of the men got wider and wider. When he was finished, they looked at each other, then one of them blurted out that Viktor must be insane before they ran away from him!

Viktor was given no guarantees of an easy, healthy, happy life here, but he'd tasted the hope and joy of the Lord and wouldn't go back. He had oil in his lamp that lit up a path through a dark place.

Do you have oil?

Faith overflows with humbled gratefulness to God—even in the face of the rejection, threats, or ridicule of man.

The only way to the Father's house, to the wedding feast, is to accept the offer God makes to us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. You cannot buy this invitation, earn it, or wrangle your way into the feast through religious works. HOWEVER, if you have truly given your life to Christ, there will be opposition. Your willingness to face that opposition is the evidence that shows you are His disciple—that you'll side with Jesus no matter what.

Let this be clear: When you become His disciple, you are agreeing to the death of your old life and allowing God to give you a new one. You are cut off from the wild tree of this world that was your old life and the Lord grafts you into HIS family tree. When you accept Jesus as your savior, this world should no longer feel like your comfy, cozy home. You are called to live as an ambassador of Light in a dark world. You are called—not to represent your own interests—but to be a representative of the King.

HONESTY CHECK:

Have I thought of salvation simply as a one-time prayer? Do I live for Jesus or for myself?

Sample Prayer: Lord, I'm starting to see that there is so much more to Life in Christ than kneeling at an altar or thinking it's all about "someday" going to Heaven. Forgive me, Lord. I'm willing to start, this moment, listening for Your voice, looking at this world through Your eyes. I want to follow You, Lord. Show me the way. In Jesus' name, Amen

As you walk with Jesus, you will face losses, opposition, and darkness . . . but you will have begun an adventure that the "old" you couldn't have taken. As you lean on Him in the midst of it, you will know God's peace, comfort, and joy. You may see interventions, blessings, healing, and wonders as you go but these are not the destination, they are but shelters along the way. Here's what Paul the apostle had to say:

Philippians 3:8-14 Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.

I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.—Paul, The Message

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.— New Living Translation

It's interesting to note that oil is only produced through pressure.

HONESTY CHECK:

Have I called myself a Christian, but sided with the world?
Have I lived for myself?
Have I lived in fear?
Have I told others that if they accept Jesus they can escape the hardships of this world?

Now let us return to the last sentences of the parable:

Matthew 25:10-13

But while they [the unwise virgins] were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

"Later the others also came. `Sir! Sir!' they said. `Open the door for us!'

"But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

The idea that those who are "left behind" can still repent of their foolishness and still make it to the feast is NOT presented here in the words of Jesus Himself.

The foolish virgins of the parable:

Assume they will be at the wedding feast because they prayed a prayer once, or are members of a denomination
Assume they are right with God because they are "good" people (even if they don't follow Jesus)
Think they know God because they read or can quote Scriptures
Figure they'll have time to accept Jesus in a deeper way when they see more proof that He's real or when it's more convenient
Assume that they'll be able to get into the wedding feast later if they miss the "first bus"
Fear the loss of the world's esteem.
Fear the world's retribution
Conform to (find their identity in) the world
Are not allowed into the feast

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes—Proverbs 12:15a, King James Version

The foolish shall not stand in Thy sight—Psalm 5:5 King James Version

Wise virgins:

Have made a commitment to Jesus Christ
Listen for His voice
Know His voice
Learn to find their true identity in Him
Increasingly trust Him in all things
Forgive
Love others with HIS love
Don't shrink back
Don't look back
Have oil for their lamps

Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.— Proverbs 3:18, New Living Translation

Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.—Prov. 24:14, NIV

Have You Got Oil?

Salvation isn't a one-time prayer that will serve as "fire insurance" no matter how we live. Jesus intends for us to walk with Him. If we continue gliding along with the world (yet still think we have our ticket to the banquet), all we really have is a false sense of security—we've taken home a lamp and never put any oil in it. And, unless we follow the one to whom we pledged ourselves, we will hear Jesus say, "I don't know you."

Hebrews 10:32-29

Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.

So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

“For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.—New Living Translation

If you dare to walk with Jesus in freedom from conformity to the world—the world will find a way to make you pay. It's not the Lord, but the world that exacts the price for following Jesus. The willingness to pay it results in oil.

You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows;—Psalm 45:7

" . . . to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning—Isaiah 61:3

You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.—Hebrews 1:9, New Living Translation

"By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise."—Romans 5:1-2, The Message

If God has been speaking to your heart as you studied this—there is no time like the present to pray. If you "said a prayer" as a kid or an adult and then just walked away without much thought about a daily walk with Jesus, maybe you'd like to begin again. Perhaps you're someone who started with zeal and then somehow got hauled back into the world.

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.—Ephesians 5:15-17 New Living Translation

FEAR NOT

Jesus isn't asking you to go it alone. He has gone before all us to open a way where there was none. He will walk alongside us every step of the way.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer* and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

*A pioneer is a forerunner, a developer—one who establishes, prepares, and leads the way.

Choosing to trust Jesus through thick and thin, in the light of day and the dark of night, in sorrow, abundance, or pain, we come to know Him and are able to trust Him more. When we walk with Him, our faith is being built up, we are being spiritually built up, and we are obtaining oil that will light up the darkest night.

Sample prayer:

Lord, here I am.

I foolishly let the world decide who I am, what I am, and what I'm worth, but I want to be made new. I want a fresh start with You. I surrender all that I am and all that I have to You, Jesus. I'm trusting You to wipe away the dirt and the stains that make me feel so ugly inside. I believe that You can break the chains that have bound me. You can create in me a clean heart. I want to get to know You and to know Your voice. Teach me Lord. Help me to fearlessly love, and freely forgive. I want to walk in your ways and leave the past behind.

In Jesus Name,

Amen.

End of Part 2

PREVIOUS: Part 1—Are You a Wise Virgin?

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations were taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked New Living Translation are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scriptures marked Living Bible are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked King James Version are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible and are public domain.

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