Reasoning The Scr

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The Wise and the Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their
lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Matthew 25:2 And five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
Matthew 25:3 For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them:
Matthew 25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Matthew 25:5 Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25:6 But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to
meet him.
Matthew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Matthew 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are
going out.
Matthew 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us
and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Matthew 25:10 and while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that
were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut.
Matthew 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

There are many interpretations of the parable above, perhaps mine is simpler as I do not
try to make every detail represent something, but rather look to each parable to teach one
overall lesson or specific point. Our Lord Jesus used customs of the time in which He lived
to make these points because this was something with which the people were all familiar.

Russelites generally believe and teach that the wise virgins represent the “Church class’ and
the foolish virgins represent the ‘Great Multitude’ a lesser class in heaven. The main point of
their interpretation of the above parable is again paralleled to the Chronological events
transpired between Br. William Millar’s movement (1829-1844) and Br. Charles Taze Russell
(1874-1914) any one can check what has been interpreted for the parable from the
Expanded Biblical Comments. Every sincere dedicated truth seeker should be always
cautious while heeding their interpretations as well examine them in detail, if not done so;
there are chances to be lost in their labyrinth of false assumptions. On the surface their
seems to be great knowledge in their Interpretations but when dug in deep we come to know
that it is not at all knowledge rather a mere assumption, fantastically proposed to strengthen
their base less Chronology.

Any Bible Student who is brought up by the strong influence of Br Russell’s Chronology will
take it for granted all his interpretations as true, without reasoning it with scriptures and
facts, this has caused many to stumble and fall, because of this, presently we see there are
hundreds of divisions among the Bible Students itself under different banner.

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Bible students should not be driven by any human messenger except the Holy Spirit. We
have seen Angles the Divine messenger do have erred in the plan of God (Job 4:18) how can
be a human messenger be perfect then? Even Apostle Paul has acknowledged that “For
what we know is incomplete and what we prophesy is incomplete but when what is
complete comes, then what is incomplete will be done away.” (1 Cor 13:9 ISV) there is a
saying in English viz ‘If Known is a drop then unknown is an ocean’. Our Heavenly father
for some good propose has concealed certain things in his plan and it is not fair to search
and seek what is actually concealed until the due time. Now let us proceed to unfold the
parables with light of the Holy Spirit.

Facts of the Parable

1. There were an equal number of virgins- five foolish and five wise. – Mat 25:2

2. They were all sleeping when the announcement of the coming of the Lord was
Proclaimed. – Mat 25:5

3. They all heard the cry or announcement that the Lord was coming and they all
awoke to trim their lamps, but the lamps of the "foolish" virgins were going out. –Mat
25:7

4. Only the "wise" had enough oil to refill their lamps because they had taken a sufficient
reserve with them when they went out to meet the Lord. – Mat 25:4

5. The reason that the lamps of the "foolish" virgins were going out was because they
had not taken any reserve oil to refill their lamps. – Mat 25:3

6. The "wise" virgins' answer to the plight of the "foolish" virgins was that they did
not have enough oil to share with them and suggested that they go buy their own
supply. – Mat 25:9

7. While the foolish were away buying more oil, the Lord arrived and the wise
virgins followed him into the marriage banquet and the door was shut. – Mat
25:10

8. The "foolish virgins" returned with their replenished lamps and find the door shut
closed and themselves left outside. – Mat 25:11

9. The Lord's reply to their plea for the door to be opened to them is that “he does
not know them"– Mat 25:12

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Considering the facts:

1. There were an equal number of virgins- five foolish and five wise. – Mat 25:2

If this parable was meant to picture two classes of believers that were different in number,
would it not seem logical that the Lord would have used unequal numbers to convey a
proportional representation of the virgins? We see proportionately equal figures in the
parable where as their spiritual counterpart five representing the bride class i.e. 1, 44,000 and
five representing the Great Multitude which no man can number is not proportionally equal in
the balances of justice. God is always specific when related to the numbers; there is no
variation in it. When certain class or group of members are referred in numbers they are
always specific without variations viz The 12 Apostles, The Twelve thousand in the each
spiritual tribe of the Israel of God (Rev 7:1-7, Gal 6:16) and at last the Bride class is
represented by numbers it is specifically numbered as 1, 44,000 there is no variation in the
above stated groups like ‘more or less’ ‘about’ ‘approximately’ etc.

Now, if the five wise virgins represent the bride class a specific figure numbered 1, 44,000 then
certainly the other five virgins who are foolish, should also represent another specific group of
1,44,000 members, this sounds more reasonable than Br Russell’s interpretation. In this way
the Bride class as a whole is not represented by the wise virgins and the above logical
reasoning convince us to believe, that the Great Multitude which no man can number are
not represented by the five foolish virgins because in our recent studies it came to light that
the Great Multitude or not a Second class in heaven rather they are the redeemed mankind
of Adamic stock.1

I. The Two divisions – Wise and Foolish

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins.”(Mat 25:1) Our Lord throws light on
the meaning of the words “The Kingdom of Heaven” in the parable of the tares (Matthew
13). “The good seed,” He says, “are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the
children of the wicked one.” These are to continue together until the end of the age. Then
“the Son of Man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom (i.e.
Christendom) all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a
furnace of fire.”
Manifestly “the kingdom of heaven” denotes the professing Church in its mixed condition,
consisting of tares and wheat, the children of the wicked one, and the children of the
kingdom, Spiritual and carnal (1 Cor 3:3; 9:11), wise and foolish, or loving and lukewarm
(Rev 3). In the strictest sense the kingdom of heaven, or the kingdom of God, or the
kingdom of Christ and of God, or the kingdom of the Son of His love, consists only of those
who are born again, but Satan has introduced tares amongst the wheat, and hence, during
this dispensation, the professing Church, or the kingdom of heaven, consists of two classes.

1 Read our Article ‘Who are the Great Multitude?’

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(See Mat 7:22 –27; 22:14, Rom 9:6, Rev 2: 9) Now let us consider what our Lord teaches us
in the parable of the ten virgins about the professing Church.

II. The professing Church will consist of two class right up to the moment of His
coming.
The ten virgins consist of those who are wise and those who are foolish. The professing
Church consists, partly, of those who have become “wise unto salvation through faith which
is in Christ Jesus.” They have been led by the Spirit to take heed to Christ’s teachings and
hence they are like a wise man who built his house upon a rock.
On the other hand, the nominal professing Church who, though they have heard Christ’s
teachings, reject them. The Word of His Gospel has not taken root in their hearts. They
neglect His great salvation, and in their hearts they reject the Saviour. Such are like a foolish
man who built his house upon the sand.
These two classes, the wise and the foolish, the real and the nominal, the possessor and the
mere professor, appear also in the parables of the tares and of the draw net and they are
present in the professing Church right on till the Lord’s return. The wise and the foolish
virgins are in outward association until they are awakened by the cry, “Behold, the
Bridegroom cometh.”

III. From the beginning the members of the professing Church have been expecting
His coming.
Both the wise and foolish virgins went forth to meet the Bridegroom (Mat 25:1). The
doctrine of the Lord’s return was prominent in the teaching of the Apostles. Hence the
Corinthian saints were “waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 1:7). So
were the Thessalonians and the Philippians saints (see 1 These. 1:10; Phil. 3:20). The Church
at large, despite its mixed state and its departure from truth, has always professedly expected
the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

IV. There is a vital distinction between the two classes who make up the professing
Church.

“The wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” The foolish “took no oil with them.”
Oil is typical of the Holy Spirit2. The presence of oil with the wise virgins indicated that they
were regenerated, sealed and indwelt by the Spirit. But in this context the oil not only
represent the Holy Spirit but also represent the Oil of Preparedness and Watchfulness
which is another aspect of the work of the Holy Spirit3, because all believers of Christ in
some respect have the Holy Spirit but all believers are not certainly watchful and prepared to

2
Our Lord was anointed with the Holy Ghost and with power (Acts 10:38, Luke 4:18).His people are also anointed and
sealed with the Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21, 22). It is by the work of the Spirit that they are washed, sanctified and justified (see 1
Cor. 6:11; Titus 3:3-7). The Spirit dwells in them.
3
Because the Holy Spirit guide and lead us in to the truth so that we are always watchful and prepared

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meet our Lord keeping their lamps trimmed and burning filled with the Oil of Preparedness
and Watchfulness. Trimming and keep burning of Lamps with oil - denotes watch fullness
and preparedness (Luke 12:35 Mat 25:7), It is this Oil of Preparedness and Watchfulness
enables us to meet our Lord. So the Wise Virgins are those, who diligently prepare
themselves for the Master's coming, heeding the call to grow in the grace and knowledge of
the Lord – Mar 13:33-35; 1Cor 16:13; Col 4:2; 1The 5:6; 1Pet 4:7.

The absence of this oil in the case of the foolish virgins indicated that they were destitute of
the Spirit not prepared and watch full, careless and ignorant. They know the Lord is coming,
but they are not prepared and watchful, they may even be like that evil servant who says
"My master is delaying his coming", and act accordingly – (Mt 24:48-49 Luke 12:47)Yet
Our Lord has warned what will happen to such evil servants - Mt 24:50-51 Are we like the
wise virgins, or the foolish ones?

2. They were all sleeping when the announcement of the coming of the Lord was
proclaimed. – Mat 25:5

Neither group were faithful in respect to watching for they were all sleeping. This would seem
to be a problem if the “wise” represented the1.44, 000 classes. The Authorized Version
reads “they all slumbered and slept” The bridegroom’s delay made both to slumber and
sleep. This would mean, while the bridegroom tarries the whole professing Church will
slumber and sleep. Note that expression “while the Bridegroom tarried.” Evidently the Lord
intended to tarry or delay coming for a long time, our Lord’s coming is unexpected rather
than intimated. He knew this when He told the parable. He has thought us that his advent
would be unexpected. When the predestined moment arrives for Him to come, then “He
that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Heb. 10:37).

“They all slumbered and slept.” This is prophetic of the general condition of the professing
Church, especially in the closing part of this dispensation. Comparative deadness, inactivity,
and coldness will mark the professing Church as a result of abounding lawlessness.
Doubtless there will be exceptions to this general rule. The Virgins (the church) were well
prepared and zealous to meet the Groom (our Lord) at the time of Ephesus which can be
also called the Apostolic Age but as on the time passed and the Church entered the
Laodecian era i.e. the end of the age the Virgins (the church) started to slumber and sleep,
that is why the laodecian church is called lukewarm. So the present state of the Church
worldwide appropriately fits to the parables account All Christians are slumbering and
sleeping remembering not the promise of our Lord’s return. The present state of Christians
is well described by Apostle Paul “For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, uplifted in
pride, given to bitter words, going against the authority of their fathers, never giving praise,
having no religion, Without natural love, bitter haters, saying evil of others, violent and
uncontrolled, hating all good, False to their friends, acting without thought, lifted up in
mind, loving pleasure more than God;

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Having a form of religion, but turning their backs on the power of it: go not with these” (2
Tim 3:1-5) surely we also see the above predicted events in the professing Church. It is well
before we go farther to remark that we are not the bride here. The church is not viewed as
such. If we will make out a bride here, it is Jerusalem on the earth, and that according to the
whole tenor of the gospel; not Jerusalem above (Rev 21). Christians are viewed as virgins
accompanying the bridegroom in to the wedding. We are still virgins espoused and
betrothed, we will be made bride when we are resurrected and unite with our Lord. If the
bride were to be pictured here it would be but "one" wise virgin. In this Jewish scene the five
would represent the wedding party, probably the bride's attendants. It is merely a story of
which the Jews were quite familiar and like many other of Jesus' parables were to teach one
primary lesson

3. They all heard the cry or announcement that the Lord was coming and they all
awoke to trim their lamps, but the lamps of the "foolish" virgins were going out. Mat
25:6-7

4. Only the "wise" had enough oil to refill their lamps because they had taken a
sufficient reserve with them when they went out to meet the Lord. – Mat 25:4

5. The reason that the lamps of the "foolish" virgins were going out was because
they had not taken any reserve oil to refill their lamps. – Mat 25:3

There was a Midnight cry that the Lord has arrived. This midnight cry is certainly not Br.
Barbour’ Magazine or any other Millerite and Russellite movements as some claim. These
respective movements predicted the date of our Lords Second Advent with their calculations
and have failed. They cannot be true because there are certain things God did not desire to
reveal in order to test our faith and to keep us always prepared. Our Lord himself repeatedly
said - “that day and that hour, knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father
only”:-

Matt. 24: 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but
my Father only.

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour
that he is not aware of,

Matt.25: 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of
man cometh.

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So it is not safe to predict dates of our Lord rather be prepared to receive him when he
arrives. When the darkness is thickest (as referred by Paul in 2 Tim 3:1-5) then the cry will go
forth, Behold the Bridegroom cometh! We are not told who will utter this cry. Probably
those believers who have been enabled to keep awake will utter it. They will be aware and
will have seen the ‘signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars (Luke 21: 25), and they
will be fully convinced that now the Bridegroom is really coming and they will feel the need
of being ready for His approach. Then the mere professor (the foolish) will discover what he
was never conscious of before. He will realize that he is not ready to meet the Bridegroom.
He will discover that the wise have something which he has not. He lights his lamp but finds
it is going out because there is no oil to feed the flame. In other words, he is not spiritually
prepared; he is destitute of the Spirit, and therefore destitute of life, and destitute of saving
faith in the Blood and righteousness of Christ. He is therefore not ready to meet the
Bridegroom.

6. The "wise" virgins' answer to the plight of the "foolish" virgins was that they did
not have enough oil to share with them and suggested that they go buy their own
supply. – Mat 25:9

The Oil of Preparedness Is Not Transferable

The wise virgins could not share their oil with the foolish virgins Nor can we impart what
salvation we have received to someone else (they must receive it from the Lord Himself) –
(Ps 49:7; Pr 9:12) Do not think that we can be "saved by association" It did not work for the
Jews - Jer 7:4-7 Neither will it work for us; each of us must have our own name in the Book
of Life –(Re 20:12-15), we have to work out our own salvation, our relations cannot work
for us (Phil 2:12) Are you foolishly trusting in your relationship with someone else for your
salvation (a parent, a spouse, a church, etc.)? Change your mind today or else you will be
forsaken

7. While the foolish were away buying more oil, the Lord arrived and the wise
virgins followed him into the marriage banquet and the door was shut. – Mat 25:10

8. The "foolish virgins" returned with their replenished lamps and find the door
shut closed and themselves left outside. – Mat 25:11

9. The Lord's reply to their plea for the door to be opened to them is that “he does
not know them"– Mat 25:12

Only those who were prepared and ready went into the marriage banquet. The foolish
virgins did not have enough time to enter the marriage banquet even though they now had
obtained enough oil, for the door was already shut. Solomon the wise has said “Boast not thyself of
to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” Pro 27:1, Solders do not
prepare on the day of war. Eleventh hour preparation for the saints is not encouraged by the
Bible; we should be always be prepared and wise as the ant Pro 6:6. Despite their plea and
preparation, the foolish virgins were not permitted to the wedding. When the Lord comes
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again, the time for salvation is gone! The servants should wait for the Lord, The Lord wont
wait for the servants.

All who had oil of preparedness and watchfulness, all His regenerated people the wise will
go in with Him to the marriage. Their title to be welcomed to the feast will not be dependent
on their having kept awake, but upon their being marked as His redeemed people by the
presence of His Spirit in their hearts will go in with Him to the marriage.

Then we read the solemn words, “The door was shut.” So, when the truly righteous shall all
be received into heaven, the door will be closed against all others. There will be no room for
preparation afterward The foolish virgins come and say Lord, Lord, open to us,” but He will
answer, “Verily, I say unto you, I know you not.” These solemn words prove beyond the
shadow of a doubt that the foolish virgins represent merely nominal Christians. “The Lord
knoweth them that are His,” but these He knows not. They are not members of His mystical
body. They are not His sheep.

When the Door Shuts

Christ himself is called a door, (John 10:7), he is the door into the church and into the
blessings of grace, and into heaven itself; and which stands open in the ministry of the word,
to receive sinners, but will now be shut; Christ will be no more preached, and held forth in
the word, as God's salvation: and there is the door of faith, (Act 14:27), which is the Gospel,
so called, because faith is hereby let into the soul, and souls are by it let into the doctrine of
faith; and this is sometimes an open door, when ministers have a fair opportunity of
preaching it, and have freedom and liberty in it; when attention is given to it, and many souls
are gathered in by it; and this will be shut when Christ comes; there will be no more
preaching; and there is also the door of hope, (Hos 2:15), which now stands open, while the
Gospel church state lasts: while Christ is preached, the word and ordinances administered,
and while there is life, and Christ not yet come, there is hope of salvation, pardon, and
eternal life; but when Christ comes, either by death, or at judgment, and finds persons in a
graceless state, there is then no hope: add to all this, that the door of Christ's heart is now
open, to receive all coming sinners into the heavenly Abode ; but then will be shut, against
all their cries, entreaties, and importunities: it will be shut by himself, who opens and no man
shuts, shuts and no man opens.

I know you not!

The forsaken foolish virgins are not acknowledged as guests of the bridegroom nor allowed
to enter the banquet. This is applied to professing Christians, having only a profession of
religion, but no real piety, it means, I do not know or acknowledge you as Christians. I do
not approve of you, or delight in you, or admit that you are my friends. The word “know” is
often used in the sense of approving, loving, and acknowledging as real friends and
followers. See Mat 7:23; Psa 1:6; 2Ti 2:19; 1Th 5:1

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Br. Russell’ interpretation on this parable cannot be accepted, in any way this parable can be
compared to 1, 44,000 and the Great Multitude. Here is some thought provoking reasoning
from a Christian Scholar4

Nowhere in the parable does it specify or even infer that the five wise virgins
represented the bride. In my opinion, this would be merely an assumption and in
totally disregard to the custom of that day. The custom was as follows:

The bridegroom leaves his home accompanied by his friends, walks through the
streets to the bride's home to bring her to the home of the bridegroom all the while
singing, dancing and playing musical instruments as they go. As the joyous procession
returns with the bride to the home of the bridegroom, the virgin friends of the bride
wait for their coming and then they join the bride and the procession and go into the
marriage banquet with all the others which includes the friends of the bridegroom.
Everyone in the procession was required by custom to have a lighted lamp.

Consideration of the facts and the problems that occur when using the
interpretation that the five wise virgins represented the bride of Jesus and the five
foolish virgins represented the great company and that the Lord returned in
A.D. 1874:

1. This being the year 2006 would calculate out that the Lord had returned and has
been present for 132 years and still all the "wise virgins" have not entered into the
marriage banquet. Is that not a problem?

2. Both the wise and the foolish were, alive, present and on the scene and the
wise all went out to meet the Lord. This being so, the question is how can we
harmonize the fact that none of church class of our present day were even born
in 1874 and hence were not there to meet him or to enter into the marriage feast
with him. There are no scriptures that say they entered one at a time over many
years. Also if the door has been still open for 132 years since the Lord returned in
1874, it would seem possible that this would have provided sufficient time for the
foolish virgins to acquire their oil and return and find the door still open.

3. If as some believe the 1000 years of Christ's reign began in 1874, more than 13%
of this period is already past and still there are virgins hoping to go into the
marriage banquet. The scripture which says that the church will reign with Christ for
1000 years in Rev. 20:6 then becomes a problem to those who believe the above.

4. If, as some believe, the great company class, will be given a spirit nature and are
represented by the foolish virgins of Mt. 25:10-13 and also in Rev. 19:6 & 9 and in

4
Elmer Weeks
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Psa. 45: 13-14, a very serious problem exists. In Mt. 25 the foolish virgins were not
allowed into the marriage feast, but in Rev. 19:9 and Psa. 45:14 they are allowed in.
There is a contradiction that cannot be harmonized with this interpretation.

Matthew 25:10-12
"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.' (NIV) If one believes the Lord
returned in 1874, then the door is no longer opened
for anyone else to enter.

Revelation 19:6-9
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters
and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty
reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb
has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was
given her to wear.’ (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the
angel said to me, ‘Write: `Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding
supper of the Lamb!' And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’" (NIV)

Psalm 45:13-14
“All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold.
In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her
and are brought to you.”(NIV)

Conclusion: It was Jesus’ custom to use numerous parables grouped together to

teach ONE particular lesson as he did in the 13th chapter of Matthew. The parable
of the wise and foolish virgins preceded another parable that teaches the very same
lesson that Jesus is making. These parables are all teaching that the day and the
hour that Jesus will return is unknown and that the faithful should be prepared,
waiting and watching for Him to come. Note the lesson that Jesus was making in
Matthew 24:36-51
which precedes this parable of the Wise and Foolish virgins and then the parable of
the Talents that follow which teaches that faithfulness to what the Lord has given us
is all important. In my opinion, this parable applies to the whole Gospel age and is
still in effect today, other interpretations made to these parables go beyond the lesson
that Jesus wanted to drive home and therefore are but speculations.

This parable teaches that a great day is coming, a day in which those in the kingdom today
will find themselves in two different groups...

• Those who prepared themselves and faithfully watched for His coming

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• Those who were not prepared, to whom they will hear the Lord say: I do not know
you -Which one do you belong to?

There are two sides to a door, the inside and the outside. On which side shall we be when
the great Bridegroom cometh?

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour
in which the Son of Man is coming." (Mt 25:13)

Yours in His Service

Y.R.Dinakaran

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