Yeshua often used parables in his teachings to illustrate spiritual concepts. In his parables, he used everyday activities that were familiar to his first century audience, like fishing and sowing seeds.
Yeshua did not interpret the parables to the masses. However, he did reveal the hidden meanings to his disciples in order to help them transition from a religious mindset into an understanding of the mysteries of the spiritual kingdom of God.
In one parable, Yeshua used the betrothal and marriage of a bride and bridegroom as an example of the relationship between himself and his followers.
The disciples certainly would’ve been able to relate, because the wedding tradition was a very common feature in their culture.
In order to fully understand the meaning of the parable, it is necessary to take a look at the ancient Jewish wedding cultural practice.
In a betrothal, a woman was legally bound to a man during a ceremony. Afterwards, the bridegroom would return to his father’s house, and the bride would stay with her father, eagerly awaiting her betrothed’s return.
Typically, the marriage occurred about a year after the betrothal when the bridegroom would arrive to take the bride from her father’s house and escort her to his abode. This is when the marriage would be consummated.
It was during the marriage that a huge feast and celebration would occur to share in the joy of the bride and bridegroom.
So, let’s look at a parable that Yeshua taught called, the parable of the ten virgins.
The kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
The foolish ones had their lamps, but had no oil with them, but the wise took oil in the vessels with their lamps.
While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And, at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go out and meet him.
Then, all the virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And, the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.
But the wise answered, saying, not so, lest there is not enough for us and you. But go, rather, to those that sell and buy for yourselves.
And, while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Afterward, came the other virgins, saying Lord, Lord open to us.
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I don’t know you.
It is clear from this parable that all 10 of the virgins are the ones who have made a commitment to the Lord. They are all believers.
However, all believers are not the same according to Christ’s parable, because half of them had prepared themselves, and half of them had not.
Five of them were called wise, and five of them were called foolish.
What makes one wise, and another one foolish?
Christ gives us the answer in Matthew chapter 7 when he was teaching his disciples.
Whosoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.
And, the rain descended, and the floods came, the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock.
And everyone that hears these sayings of mine, and does not do them, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.
And, the rains descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
The wise get oil in their lamps from studying Christ’s spiritual teachings and putting them into practice. Listening and doing.
The foolish have heard his teachings and do not abide by them.
Notice how this parable is not talking about the people of the world it is addressing believers only. And half of the virgins are shut out of the marriage celebration.
This is where Christians need to take a good look, and evaluate as to who’s teachings they are listening to and practicing.
Are they the teachings of Christ, or the teachings of Paul?
I’m here to tell you, that Paul is the new Moses, and just like Moses led the Children of Israel in the wrong direction, Paul is leading the Christians down a broad and destructive path.
Let’s think this through. Why would we listen to another man’s teachings who came after the Messiah? Doesn’t that show a lack of dedication to the Master?
The wise virgins represent brides who are betrothed and who are completely dedicated to the bridegroom, and wait ONLY for him.
The Church who bases their doctrine on the teachings of Paul, which often contradict the teachings of Christ, is just like the betrothed bride entertaining another suitor before the bridegroom returns.
And what do you think bridegroom is going to say?
“Depart from me, I never knew you.”
This is a word only for the ones who are believers in Jesus.
Church, God has given you a chance to truly know Him through the spiritual teachings of Christ. It is such an honor that has been bestowed upon you, and it is not to be taken lightly.
So, I am here to encourage you, Christians, to stop condemning the “sinners” of the world.
Instead, please focus on what you need to do in order to buy the oil for your lamp before it’s too late.