Thanks worldcitizen for the questions.
I’m going to focus on the one where you and Tony seem to be perfectly aligned.
Though, this gives us good insight into how our Bahai friends develop their thought process.
For your answer, look at the end of Matt 25 when Jesus is explaining how we love him. Remember - to prepare for God and to love God are the same acts.
But one thing is for sure - every person will eventually know God is, regardless of their acceptance of Him. mike
Mike - Just a follow up - This explanation is given from a different frame of reference. I have posted it from a link for ease and time restraints -
bahai-library.com/friedman_unknown_hour
“Now let’s have a look at what is said in Matthew chapter 25. This chapter runs on from the former chapter, and speaks of the kingdom of God to come at the time of the end. Jesus likens it to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. The bridegroom is clearly Christ. It says that five were wise, and five were foolish. In verses 3-13 it says that the foolish people took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. It says that while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slept. At midnight a cry was heard, saying that the bridegroom was coming, and telling the people to go out to meet him. Then all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish asked the wise for some of their oil, as their lamps were going out. The wise refused, saying that there wouldn’t be enough for themselves and the others. They advised those who didn’t bring oil to go to those who sell, and buy for themselves. While these people went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut. Later the other virgins came, asking the Lord to open to them. But he answers them saying that he doesn’t know them. Finally, those addressed are instructed to watch, as they don’t know the time in which Christ is coming.
This is a parable, and should not be taken literally.
So now we have to determine what the meaning is. Those who took no oil in their lamps are those who didn’t detach themselves from the world. In Luke 12:35 Jesus said, “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning.” This is tied in with being ready for His return. Those who didn’t have oil for their lamps ran out of oil, and thus their lamps, which Luke 12:35 shows to be related to their level of spirituality, were not burning. Those with the oil were not becoming involved with the cares of this world. Verse 5, which says that all the people slept while the bridegroom was delayed, cannot be literal. The wise virgins were obviously ready for the return, and thus were watching, or awake. Mark 13:36 warns the people that if they are not ready, Christ will find them asleep. So the sleep cannot be used here to indicate anything spiritual. The reason for its mention is evident in the following verses. Matthew 25:6 speaks of the cry, telling the people that the bridegroom is coming, and the next few verses contrast those who were ready spiritually, and those who weren’t. Verse 5 says that everyone slept, both those who were and those who weren’t ready. Since the chapter indicates that all mankind are given a chance to be ready, it is clear that the reason why everyone is said to have slept is to show that both groups have equal opportunity. The difference is shown when the bridegroom came, as to who was and wasn’t ready. We then hear of the bridegroom coming, and those who were ready going in with him to the wedding. Those who weren’t ready, and didn’t have oil when the call was made, around the time when the bridegroom was coming, were refused entry. The chapter suggests that those who don’t have light won’t be admitted into the presence of the bridegroom when He returns. Verse 13 says, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Context shows that the “you” who Jesus says don’t know the day or hour in which the Son of Man is coming, refers to the non-believers. In the previous verse, Jesus speaks of those who don’t have oil in their lamps, and refuses them entry to the wedding, saying, “I do not know you.” Verse 13 runs straight on from that, and it would make little sense if the “you” in that verse applied to anyone but those in the previous verse. Those who took no oil obviously didn’t know the hour, but those who had the oil knew the hour. Jesus was aware that most of the world would not watch, and thus admonished the people to watch, as then they would know the hour. It could be suggested from the chapter hat the non-believers will be aware that Christ has returned at the time. However, the chapter is a parable and there is no reason to believe this interpretation. The parable is of the kingdom of heaven, which comes when Christ does, as shown by this chapter and Luke 21:31. Clearly if the kingdom of God does not come with observation, as Jesus said in Luke 17:20, then neither will Jesus”.
In the end it is all relevant to how we choose to look at it all.
Thank you for the chats to date and sorry if the passage was too long, but it was explaining it all.
Regards Tony
