MAP

i'm introducing 2-to-3-and-a-half-year-olds, to the concept of maps recently.  maybe they are a little young.
while thinking about maps and reading maps, i thought again about my non-accepted interpretation of MATTHEW 24 and 25.
i'll see if i can explain my connection of the map-reading idea.
when you hold up a map to try to find how to get someplace, you have to know how the map relates to the real world.  which way is north?  where is that specific landmark that will help you get started?
if you mistake which way is north on the map or in reality, the map will not help you get to where you are trying to go(and could instead send you in the opposite direction from the one you intend.)
in the conventional interpretation of the 5 and 5 virgins (for starters), the story is considered a parable to teach people how to live (in facing the "end times", in particular.)  after studying the story and the Bible leading up to the story, and comparing the story with what Jesus and God taught in other places, i am pretty well convinced that the story of the 5 and 5 virgins is not Jesus telling us how to live, but rather, Jesus warning us about how life will be in the end times.  earlier in His discourse that truly seems to extend to include the 5 and 5 story (and the 5, 2, 1-talent servants with the manager that went away for a time), Jesus said that in the end times people will love themselves more than others.  that sense of self-preservation seems to be the theme of the 5 and 5 story.  later, in MAT 25, Jesus definately judges nations for not caring for those in need.

i need to work on this some more; but i wanted to get started.  that spirit of "i'm going to take care of myself, spiritually" that has historically been the take-away from the 5 and 5 story has bled into all areas of life for christians. i don't understand why bible interpreters have not before this seen how the 5 and 5 story conflicts so much with other passages.  i know it (the interpretations possibilities) does sort of teeter, since there is a story right before about the manager that is lax in caring for employees under him and is judged; but in JAMES, God said said "let he who lacks wisdom ask of God and God will give to him generously, without criticizing."

(to be continued)
continued 10-29-12------

         the reason that this is important is that one can either consider the 5 and 5 story as instructions for how to live or one can consider the story as warning of disapproved-of behavior that will be an indication both of the fact that Jesus could and did see this day and a warning that the end times are approaching. 

when i consider Jesus' words as prophecy-and see that they are indeed accurate words, my faith in His Godship is built up by the value of Jesus' compelling true prophecy. 
Jesus does not expect humans to believe in Him without proof of some kind.  During His time as one of us, He said that the Father testifies to His validity by miraculous signs (and the compelling truth of what He taught.)  i believe that the prophecies that Jesus spoke and that continue to come into reality are proof that Jesus is the One. The first time that i saw where Jesus' words were true prophecy (other than His prophecy of His own death and resurrection) was when it was taught to me that the parables of the kingdom in Matthew 13 are prophecy about what the Church would look and be like in a day future to that day. .  i discussed my ideas about that in post called (something like) "ARE ATHEISTS RIGHT?"   check it out.

love to all.  Jesus, Your kingdom come and Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
                                                            Bye for now.  Joan.