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END-TIME PROPHECY E-NEWSLETTER ... an extension of www.prophecyfulfillment.com ...
ISSUE NUMBER 24
Jesus’ Prophetic Parables– Part 1 The Parable of the Virgins – An Important Warning for All Christians
INTRODUCTION: Some of Jesus’ most profound teachings– including teachings about the last days– were given as parables.
A parable is a brief story which teaches a moral or religious lesson.
In the next few newsletters, I plan to interpret some of Jesus’ parables pertaining to the last days to the best of my knowledge.
THE PARABLE: Jesus’ Parable of the Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is an important teaching about Christians’ behavior now and a prophecy about their future.
BACKGROUND: To understand this parable, consider the First Century Jewish wedding. Jesus would have known and would have celebrated this event, which was the single-most important day in any Jewish couple’s life (example: John 2:1-11). Jesus’ ministry mirrored (was prophesied in) the fourteen steps of the Jewish marriage ceremony Consider these steps in the ancient Jewish wedding ceremony:
• A man journeyed from his village to another village to find a young maiden (a virgin) to marry. (Jesus journeyed from His “village” [Heaven] to our “village [Earth] to court us. See John 15:16a and other Scriptures.)
• When he found a maiden, he purchased her with a price, called the mohar. (Jesus paid a price for us, through His death by crucifixion. See 1 Corinthians 6:20a and 1 Peter 1:18-19.)
• When he found a maiden to whom he was attracted and who agreed to consider his proposal, he invited her to meet with him and his father. The next step was betrothal, a legal agreement between the man and woman, and he, his father, and she met, sitting at a table upon which rested a ketubah and a cup of wine. The ketubah was a small scroll, upon which was written the expectations each partner could expect of the other in a marriage. (The Holy Bible is a Christian’s ketubah. God has outlined in the Bible what He expects of us and what we can expect from Him. See 2 Timothy 3:16-17.)
• After agreeing to the conditions of marriage, the maiden and her future husband sipped wine from the cup on the table. This signaled the beginning of the betrothal. A betrothal embraced all of the legal, societal, and moral implications of marriage, except that consummation of the marriage (sexual intercourse) did not occur. (We seal our betrothal to Jesus, when we drink the wine, or fruit of the vine, during Communion. See Romans 3:25; 5:9; | Ephesians 1:7, 2:13 | Colossians 1:14, 20 | Hebrews 9:12-14; 10:19, 29; 13:12 | 1 Peter 1:19 | 1 John 1:7 | and Revelation 1:5.)
• The bridegroom presented gifts to his bride to show her the high esteem that she was regarded by him and his family and for her to remember him, while he was away from her. (Jesus left the Comforter– the Holy Spirit– to be with us, while He was away. The Holy Spirit gives every believer gifts from God. See John 14:16-17; 16:7 | Ephesians 1:13-14 | 1 Corinthians, chapters 12 and 13.)
• The bride was expected to be free of spot (not to defile herself by adultery), holy (inwardly pure), and be free of blemish (outwardly pure) during her betrothal. She would ceremonially bathe in running water contained in a large basin-like mikvot. (Jesus expects us to remain free of spot or blemish and holy, during His absence. He commanded us to be baptized in water, as a symbol of washing away our old sins and arising as a reborn believer. See John 6:3-11 | 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 | Ephesians 5:27 | 1 Peter 1:18-19 | 2 Peter 3:14 | Revelation 1:5b; 19:7-8.)
• The bridegroom would leave his bride in her village, while he travelled to his father’s village to build and furnish a home for them. He likely told her something like, “I go to prepare a place for you.” He would not see her for approximately one year, as he built their home. (Jesus promised to build us mansions in Heaven, while He is away from us, but He promised to return for us. See John 14:2-4.)
• The bride was expected to be a virgin, when she entered betrothal, and to remain a virgin until her marriage. She placed a veil across her face as a sign of betrothal. The only time a woman wore a veil was when she was a betrothed virgin. This veil signified to potential suitors not to even approach her, because she was promised to another. The bride congregated with other virgins. They kept each other in good spirits, watched that each virgin would remain chaste, and learn household skills for their future marriages. (A Christian is expected to remain faithful while Jesus is away and to spurn any advances of another suitor– Satan. A Christian needs to join a church [Greek: ekklesia– a congregation of the “called out ones.” Here, persons betrothed to Jesus must encourage each other and prepare for our Bridegroom’s return. See Romans 12:2 | Ephesians 5:32 | other Scriptures.)
• After the bridegroom finished building and furnishing a home, four things transpired:
(a) It was the bridegroom’s father who determined whether the house was suitable. (Jesus told us that only His Father knows the day and hour of Jesus’ return– the Resurrection/ Rapture. See Matthew 24:36.)
(b) With the father’s approval, the bridegroom would gather a group of his friends to accompany him to the bride’s village. (Jesus will return for His Bride, the Church, as He left– descending to Earth accompanied by a host of angels. See Acts 1:9-11.)
(c) The bridegroom’s party would arrive in the early morning hour, when the villagers were asleep. The party would make a loud notice, and the bride’s name would be called out with the command to come and meet her bridegroom. (When Jesus returns, there will be a shout, the sounding of the trumpet of God, and the command to “Come up here.” Those who know Jesus’ voice will be resurrected from the dead or translated from life to be evermore with Jesus. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 | Revelation 4:1.)
(d) The bride’s party must ever be ready, because she did not know when her beloved would come for her. The party traveled at night to the new village. The only illumination would be from clay lamps. The lamps must be filled with fuel [olive oil], and the wicks must be neatly trimmed to give light instead of smudgy smoke. (Jesus commanded His followers to watch for His return. Jesus’ followers will be caught up in the air to be with Jesus. See Matthew 24:42-44; 25:1-13 | Mark 13:33-36 | Luke 12:36-40.)
• The bride and bridegroom must come together for the journey to their wedding and life in their new home. (Believers will be raptured in the twinkling of an eye to meet their Bridegroom in the clouds and to be with Him forever. See 1 Corinthians 15:51b-52 | 1 Thessalonians 14:17.)
• A Jewish wedding was not legally binding until it was consummated. The newlyweds were sheltered and lived in a chupah (a “bridal chamber”) for seven days, during which time consummation was expected to occur. (After the resurrection and rapture, believers will be sheltered in Paradise for the seven years of the Tribulation. See passages in Revelation, not re-printed here.)
• The rabbi quoted seven blessings over the newlywed couple. (Seven blessings are recorded in Revelation, chapters 2 and 3 for overcomers who are admitted to Heaven.)
• The final step in the marriage was an elaborate wedding banquet for the newlywed couple. Friends and relatives rejoiced with the couple over a new life started together. The couple shared a cup of wine. Thereafter, they were man and wife. (We will participate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. We will likely each have a goblet of wine, and we will drink it along with our Bridegroom Jesus. Thereafter, we will be eternally wed to Him. This cup undoubtedly will be the Fourth Seder Cup (the Cup of Hallel– the Cup of Praise) of wine that Jesus declined to drink at the Last Supper, stating He would drink it with us in His Father’s home. See Matthew 26:27-29.)
PARABLE’S TEXT: Verses are recorded in Matthew, chapter 25.
Remember as you read these verses: Jesus is our Bridegroom, and He has ascended to His Father’s home. He has promised to return for His bride (the Christian Church). During this absence, His bride– those who believe in Him as Savior– are expected to remain “virgins,” without being seduced by another suitor (Satan). The brides, depicted as virgins in this parable, are expected to remain busy, joyously awaiting that unknown day and hour when the Bridegroom returns.
(v. 1) [Jesus said] “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
COMMENT 1: Among several Biblical uses, the number 10 signifies Divine perfection or revelation. Also, Talmudic authorities indicated that ten lamps were usually used in a bridal procession.
COMMENT 2: In the First Century, the bridegroom and his friends usually came for the bride in the dark of night, when the villagers were asleep. He called out his bride to join him because it was time to leave for the wedding. The bride did not know when he would return. Lamps were kept ready for the nighttime journey. Our Bridegroom, Jesus, will return for His bride (the Church) at a day and hour no one knows. He contracted for a virgin, and she needed to remain chaste in the bridegroom’s absence (as Christians are expected to attempt to remain free of stain, spot, or wrinkle).
(v. 2) Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (v. 3) Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, (v. 4) but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
COMMENT 1: Oil has a double meaning (practical and symbolic) in this parable: • A lamp at that time needed fuel to burn and produce light. Olive oil was the only practical lamp fuel available to the Jews. • Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Oil was used to anoint God’s chosen priests and kings. Jesus bears the title of the “Anointed One [of God],” which interprets the Hebrew HaMashiach (the Messiah) and the Greek Christos (the Christ).
COMMENT 2: The virgins symbolize Christians (believers) in the Church. Some are wise, watching earnestly for the return of Jesus. They fill their lives with oil (the Holy Spirit). Others are foolish, living worldly lives rather than Godly lives. The oil (Holy Spirit) originally given to them has dried up and is no longer effective.
(v. 5) But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
COMMENT 1: Our Bridegroom Jesus has been away from us for nearly two millennia. Only the truly faithful believe He will return. Many “Christians” (even including pastors) have lost belief in His return. They slumber, unaware of the tasks God wants them to accomplish and fail to warn others around them about the need to accept God’s grace and attain eternal life.
(v. 6) And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ (v. 7) Then all virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
COMMENT 1: The bridegroom’s party returned at midnight, with a shout. Our Bridegroom Jesus will return as “a thief in the night.” The trumpet of God will sound, along with the shout “Come up here!” I personally believe that only the redeemed will hear this command. Jesus said (John 10:27) that His sheep know His voice, and they will follow Him.
(v. 8) And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
COMMENT 1: The foolish, lazy virgins sought oil for their lamps from the wise, active virgins. The lazy virgins could not borrow or buy oil, and their lamps remained unlit (dark). Salvation is a personal thing. Paul taught each of us to work out his or her own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12b). I can follow in Jesus’ footsteps by myself and for myself, but I cannot follow in these footsteps for any other person. The Day of Judgment will be a lonely event. Each person will stand before the Divine Judge to give and account for his or her life. No excuses can be offered. Our Judge will ask: what did you do with your life? No oil can be borrowed and no help can be obtained from any person at this time. The Divine Judge will look at each person’s life and works, which must stand on their own merits.
(v. 9) But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
COMMENT 1: This verse could be misleading. We are told to work with others to spread the Gospel, while there is time. When the Bridegroom Jesus comes, there is no additional time to work for God’s Kingdom. Words, deeds, and sins are sealed at that moment.
(v. 10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. (v. 11) Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ (v. 12) But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly. I say to you, I do not know you.’
COMMENT 1: These verses contain a dire warning. How sad and frightening this passage is. People cry out to be admitted to the wedding (Heaven), but the door was shut against them. The Master will say, “I do not know you.” Not everyone who thinks he or she will go to Heaven will go (for example, see: Matthew 7:21-23).
(v. 13) Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
COMMENT 1: Jesus’ command for the Christian is to watch and be ready at any moment for His return. Non-believers laugh at Christians, saying “they” still believe Jesus will return, but it has been nearly nineteen centuries and there is no Jesus. Peter prophesied that non-believers would come in the last days to scoff at Christians’ belief of Jesus’ return (2 Peter 3:3-4). If the Son of Man, Jesus the Christ, never returns, the Old and New Testaments are fraudulent works of fiction. Prophetic signs of His return are appearing daily, and we should confidently approach our future. To the person who believes in and longs for Jesus’ return, he or she will be awarded The Crown of Righteousness for Those Who Love His Return (2 Timothy 4:8).
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS PARABLE? A Christian is betrothed to his or her Bridegroom, Jesus. Jesus is away, preparing a place for us in New Jerusalem (Heaven). He left behind the Holy Spirit. Each Christian is to fill his or her life with this Divine Oil, while waiting for Jesus’ return. Jesus’ return will be sudden and unannounced. The prepared believer can go to the wedding (Heaven). The unprepared believer cannot go.
TROUBLING QUESTION: This parable, as I have interpreted it, raises an obvious, troubling question. Many (most?) Christian denominations teach the Doctrine of Eternal Security of the Believer, which can be summarized as “once saved, always saved.” This parable and other Scriptures have caused some persons to wonder whether there may be a partial rapture. At some time in the future, I will present Scriptures for and against a partial rapture theory. I hope the Doctrine of Eternal Security of the Believer is correct, but I believe it is prudent to continue to seek God’s favor and not to give any reason that Jesus might want to blot out our name from the Lamb’s Book of Life. This question is most important, and I feel overwhelmed even trying to discuss it. I promise to tackle this thorny question in the near future. In the meantime, I ask you to also think about this question and give me your opinions.
INTERNET VERSION: This newsletter can be accessed at www.prophecyfulfillment.com/en024a.html .
DISCLAIMER: I cite only references that you, an email subscriber, can access– The Holy Bible and Websites. I believe information from these Websites is accurate, but Internet sources can contain errors. Exercise discernment, as you read these sites.
CONTACT ME: If you have questions, comments, or especially if you need to know how to become a Christian, please contact me. I will be honored to try to help you in any way possible.
Raymond Finney 2119 Middlewood Drive – Maryville, Tennessee U.S.A. raymondfinney@ymail.com – (865) 984.1424
Unless otherwise stated, Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version.
May God bless and protect you and your family. Maranatha! Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20b)
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