The Foolish Virgins were initially given the measure of Grace, but they did notgrowin Grace, which is given to all men for the purpose ofobedience(Romans 1:5). Perhaps because of their doctrines, they trusted in the Grace they were once given, but did not cease the behaviour defined in Scripture aswicked:they had forsaken the Law theTorahof Yahuweh (See Psalms 119:53).
This finding of theLightgives us an astonishing new definition, of exactly what it means to Believe on and to Follow Yahushua, as seen in John 8:12 and John 12:46. If we truly Believe Yahushua, and truly Follow Him, then we are allowing Him-in-us to provide our Light allowing Him-in-us to keep the Law or Torah, including Yahuwehs Statutes, Commandments, and Precepts!
Behold, I have taught youstatutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me,that ye should do soin the land whither ye go to possess it.Keep therefore and do them; forthis is your wisdomand your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is awiseand understanding people. (Deuteronomy 4:5-6)And unto man he said, Behold,the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and todepart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28)Thefear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalms 111:10)Praise ye the LORD. Blessed isthe man that feareth the LORD, thatdelighteth greatly in his commandments. Psalms 112:1Thefear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)Scripture reminds us many times, thatWisdombegins with the Fear of Yahuweh. But theFear of Yahuwehis directly related to the keeping of His Commandments. We then note in the above passages thatUnderstandingis the same as departing from evil, and likewiseUnderstandingis the same asknowledgeof the Holy (the One who is Holy).
And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, Take ye from among you anoffering unto the LORD: whosoever isof a willing heart, let him bring it, anoffering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass… Andoil for the light, and spices for anointing oil, and for the sweet incense… (Exodus 35:4-5,8)And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses… The pure candlestick, with the lamps thereof, even with the lamps to be set in order, and all the vessels thereof, andthe oil for light, And the golden altar,and the anointing oil, and the sweet incense… (Exodus 39:33a,37-38a)From the above passages, we see a very clear picture of what Yahuweh requires. First we note in Exodus 35:4 above, that twice Yahuweh mentions that anofferingis to be taken from the people, but then He reveals the offering is only to be taken from those of a willing heart. The willing heart is one which, although not required to do so, brings the offering anyway.
But of him are ye inChrist Jesus, who of Godis made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1Corinthians 1:30)So we see in the above passage that, not only is Yahushua our Righteousness, Sanctification, and our Redemption but He is also ourWisdom.
All who have been set free by the Blood of the Lamb, now have a choice. Are we willing to follow the Lamb, wherever He goes no matter how unfamiliar the path? You may not know the Way, but you must trust Him to lead you on the right path:
and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Rev 3:3)
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,I am the light of the world… (John 8:12a)As long as I am in the world,I am the light of the world. (John 9:5)I amcomea light into the world,… (John 12:46a)We are told in many ways, that Yahushua Messiah Himself is the Light, and that He is the actualsourceof the Light. But notice in the following passages, how that believing on, and following Messiah, results in the Life and Light of Yahuweh within man:
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Characteristics of the Wise Virgins: Part 4- The Scriptures reveal the characteristics of those who are wise, for our instruction
Grace Given for ObedienceAfter they wereBorn Again, and perhaps filled with the Holy Spirit, the Foolish Virgins Lamps flickered a few times, and eventually went out. They were now consideredwickedby their actions.
Those Who Sell Oil- There are many today who Sell the Oil to the Foolish Virgins. A warning to the Bride, so that she might avoid these Dealers who sell the Anointing Oil
Oil is seen throughout the Scriptures. Oil is seen for purposes of anointing, and for fuel for the Lights. It is used to cook with, and is used for baking. It is a necessary ingredient in many foods, as well as in prescribed sacrifices. Our focus, however, will be only on Oil for anointing, and for providing Light. Lets start with the following passage:
– What is the source of our current understanding of the Bible? The pure Truths of Scripture are of highest importance how we understand the Scriptures will affect our eternal condition! To avoid being deceived by man-made doctrines, we must not rely on Preachers, Teachers, Bible notes or commentaries. Instead we must study and understand the Bible for ourselves not looking through the lenses of tradition or man-made Bible study methods but relying only on what the Bible actually says about how to study and understand the Scriptures! Here are 7 Biblical Guidelines that show us the way!
Grace Necessary for OilSince we are not able (in our own strength without His Grace) to keep the Commandments, so that we might haveWisdom,we then see in the following passage, that Yahuweh has made provision for that also:
The Wise Virgins had Oil, but the Foolish Virgins had none at the crucial time it was needed. What is the prophetic meaning of the Oil? The Scriptures tell us, so we must look there to find the answer.
But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: butgo ye rather to them 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. (Matthew 25:9-10)Notice that the Wise Virgins told the Foolish to go tothem that sell,and buy some Oil for themselves. For understanding on who it is today that sellsOilto these Virgins, seeThose Who Sell Oil. It appears the Foolish Virgins were indeed able to go out and buy some Oil, because we see they later returned.
Andthe foolishsaid unto the wise, Give us of your oil; forour lamps are gone out. (Matthew 25:8)Yes, the lamps of the Foolish Virgins had gone out. At one time their Lamps had been giving off Light, when they accepted the Seed of Righteousness, Yahushua Himself, to be planted in their hearts. They had been Born Again.
Characteristics of the Wise Virgins: Part 2- The Scriptures reveal the characteristics of those who are wise, for our instruction
The Hebrew word for get 07069 used in the passage above can have many meanings, including buy, get, or purchase. Likewise, the Hebrew word for heart 03820 used in the passage above has additional meanings of understanding and inclination. Thus from the root meanings of the Hebrew words in Proverbs 17:16, we see the above passage can be read alternately as:
The Foolish Virgins, on the other hand, had no Oil in their Lamps. They had no Wisdom.
Horror hath taken hold upon me because ofthe wicked that forsake thy law08451(Torah). (Psalms 119:53)Thelight of the righteousrejoiceth: butthe lamp of the wicked shall be put out. (Proverbs 13:9)In the above pair of passages, we see a vivid illustration of the result of forsaking the keeping of Yahuwehs Law His Torah. Here we see the result: The Lamp of those that forsake Yahuwehs Torah will go out it will be extinguished! The fulfillment of this Proverbs passage is seen in the Foolish Virgins.
Discovered in Scripture: Oil of the Wise Virgins- In the Parable of Matthew 25:1-13, the Wise Virgins had the necessary oil, but the Foolish Virgins lacked oil when the Bridegroom appeared; Scripture reveals the Oil
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, andgive theefor a covenant of the people,for a lightof the Gentiles; (Isaiah 42:6)Here in Isaiah 42:6, Yahuweh reveals that He will give Messiah for a light. Let us now compare the following phrases from Scripture:
The Wise and Foolish Virgins- Yahushua tells us why many today are not prepared
Thus far we have seen how the Life of Messiah-in-us provides the Biblical Grace, which is simply the strength, or power He gives us, to live His Resurrection Life within us. We have seen how His Life-in-us becomes our Light. But to get a more detailed picture of just what this Light is, we will home in on a few other passages:
This offering of Oil for the Lights is one that Yahuweh requires, but the fact that it is based on willingness of heart tells us this is aNew Covenantparable or picture, rather than anOld Covenantmatter. Under the external Old Covenant, obedience was done from the motive of Fear of Death. However, under the internal New Covenant, obedience to thesameCommandments is to be done from a motive of Love, which is stronger than death, as a motive for obedience.
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 also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matthew 25:11-12)The Bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in, and the door was shut! When the Foolish Virgins returned, they were ultimately told, I never knew you! Why were they told these words? Lets discover the reason in several companion passages:
Thy wordis alamp…and alight… (Psalms 119:105a)…thecommandment is a lamp…thelaw(Torah) is light… (Proverbs 6:23a)Thelight of the righteousrejoiceth: but thelamp of the wickedshall be put out. (Proverbs 13:9)Here we see that the Word is both the Lamp, and the Light. Then we see that theCommandment the Word of Yahuweh is theLamp, but walking in obedience to the Torah, living out the Torah in our daily lives, is the Living Word, or theLightproduced by the Lamp.
Those that will be among the Company of the Bride, are those who are willing to pay the price for the Oil of Wisdom. These are the Wise Virgins. All others, no matter how sincere, are not willing to pay the price for the Oil of Wisdom. These are the Foolish Virgins.
Wherefore is therea price04242 in the hand of a fool03684 to get07069 wisdom, seeinghe hath no heart03820 to it? (Proverbs 17:16)The Hebrew words in the above passage are very revealing. The Hebrew wordm@chiyr,Strongs number 04242, meaning buying price, worth, gain or hire, is seen in the above verse as a purchase price of wisdom. This word 04242 appears 15 times in Scripture. We saw inProphetic Numbers In Scripturethat the number 15 in Scripture speaks prophetically of rest and of My Sabbaths.
Characteristics of the Wise Virgins: Part 3- The Scriptures reveal the characteristics of those who are wise, for our instruction
So how is Yahushua made to be Wisdom unto us? When we first received Yahushua as Messiah, we obeyed the Commandments, and He then became our Wisdom. At that time, our Lamps had Light.
Alas, the Foolish Virgins had been influenced by the popular Theologians and their twisted Doctrines of Sin, Law, and Grace, twisted beyond recognition of all of Scripture. They had become convinced that they no longer needed to keep the Commandments, Statutes and Judgments of Yahuweh. So while the Foolish Virgins were out to buy theirOil, noticed what happened:
I have taught thee in theway of wisdom; I have led thee inright paths. (Proverbs 4:11)And I will bring the blind bya way that they knew not; I will lead themin paths that they have not known: I will make darknesslightbefore them, and crooked things straight.These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16)The paths of Righteousness and Wisdom areways we have not known, but they are theRight paths,and they lead us to Messiah-in-you, who provides the Oil for the Light. It is when we allow Messiah-in-us to walk in obedience to Torah, that He provides further Light, and further Wisdom, and further Oil. Our Light will not go out.
This is exactly in agreement with what we found inRighteousness as the Light, that the Light is the Fruit of Righteousness the works produced by Messiah-in-us as we allow Him to do so. We also saw thatRighteousnessandPeaceare the results that come to those that Hearken to My Commandments. As we keep this thought in mind, we are now ready to see one last piece of the puzzle. Let us now look at the Oil.
Righteousness as the Light- A brief look at the Scriptures that reveal the details of exactly what the Light is, that shines from the lamps of the Wise Virgins. A warning is given for those who desire to have oil in their lamp to provide the Light
I will go in thestrength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention ofthy righteousness, even of thine only. (Psalms 71:16)Unto theuprightthereariseth light in the darkness: he isgracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. (Psalms 112:4)…we have received grace…for obedienceto the faith… (Romans 1:5)Ye are the light of the world…Let yourlightso shine before men, that they may see yourgood works… (Matthew 5:14a, 16a)…by theobedience of oneshallmany be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether ofsin unto death, or ofobedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16)Butif we walkin the light,as heis in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1John 1:7)He thatsaith he is in the light, andhatethhis brother,is in darknesseven until now. (1John 2:9)From the above passages, we now get a clear picture of what theLightis. It is simply the goodworksproduced by Messiah-in-us, works done by His Grace His strength given to us for the purpose of our obedience. To see what this obedience is, lets look at the following Lamp/Light passages:
It is those who walk with Him in His pathway, living by His example of walking in Torah, whoknowHim.
Notice in the Exodus passages above, that there are two separate offerings of oil one for thelights, and another foranointing. This detail makes it clear that the oil for anointing and oil for the lights are twoseparateofferings. Thus we see that oil for the lights is a separate issue, and is NOT related to the anointing provided by the Holy Spirit.
We can see additional significance in the wordm@chiyr,04242, thepurchase price of wisdom, in that we see a double appearing of the number 42 in the Strongs number. As we saw inProphetic Numbers In Scripture, the number 42 in Scripture speaks prophetically of theAppearing of Messiah-in-you,and ofResurrection Life.
Characteristics of the Wise Virgins: Part 1- The Scriptures reveal the characteristics of those who are wise, for our instruction
Walking in Eternal Judgment- One of the Foundation Stones of The Faith in Hebrews Chapter 6 is that we are to walk according to Yahuwehs eternal Mishpatim – His Rules of the House
So our first conclusion is that the Wise Virgins Oil is NOT the presence of the Holy Spirit, as many have speculated. However, we must look further in Scripture before we may conclude what this Oil is.
If therefore thou shalt notwatch, I will come on thee as a thief,
The Wise Virgins, on the other hand, will rejoice, for their lamps are providing the Light of the Righteous. As we saw inRighteousness as the Light, the Wise Virgins had Light in their Lamps. They were producing the Fruit of Righteousness which is seen inkeeping the Torah. But the Fruit produced by the Foolish Virgins is wickedness which we have seen is simplyRefusal to keep the Law the Torah.
Then I saw thatwisdom excelleth folly, as far aslight excelleth darkness. (Ecclesiastes 2:13)Here we see a parallel/contrast, showingWisdom and Lightcontrasted againstfoolishness and darkness. We saw inRighteousness as the Lightthat theLightis provided by Yahuweh Himself. Here we get the idea again thatWisdomis related to the Light, and that foolishness is related to darkness, or lack of Light. So lets look at some more Wisdom passages:
There is…oil in the dwelling of the wise… (Proverbs 21:20a)Logic would tell us that we would findWisdomin the dwelling of the wise. However, in the above passage we are told that there isOilin the dwelling of the Wise. This prophetic hint gives us a clue to search out other Oil/Wisdom passages. Lets notice the following pair of passages:…thathe may bring forth…oil to make his face to shine… (Psalms 104:14a,15b)Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing?a mans wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. (Ecclesiastes 8:1)Here we are told in the first verse above, that Yahuweh brings forth theOilthat makes mans face to shine. But in the next passage, we are told that it isWisdomthat makes mans face to shine. Is this a Bible contradiction?
It is only byabidingin Yahushua that we trulyknowHim. But it is only by keeping Yahuwehs Commandments that weabidein Him. If wetransgress the Law(Sin), we can NOT know Him. (Romans 2:13; 1 John 3:6, 14, 24).
…theprice of wisdom is above rubies. (Job 28:18)Here we see the price of Wisdom is above Rubies. But notice what we see next:Who can find avirtuous woman? forher price is far above rubies. (Proverbs 31:10)We have seen in a previous study that the Woman of Proverbs 31 speaks of the Bride, who is one and the same with the Wise Virgins. Now in the above passage, we are told that the price of this Woman is far above Rubies, telling us that, from her merchandise and her worth, the Virtuous-Woman-Bride is able and willing to pay the Ruby price of Wisdom.
Characteristics of the Wise Virgins: Part 5- The Scriptures reveal the characteristics of those who are wise, for our instruction
…he thatfolloweth meshallnot walk in darkness, but shallhave the light of life. (John 8:12b)…that whosoeverbelieveth on meshouldnot abide in darkness. (John 12:46b)In him was life; andthe life was the light of men. (John 1:4)TheLORD is my light…theLORD is the strength of my life… (Psalms 27:1a)Forwith theeis thefountain of life: inthy lightshall we see light. (Psalms 36:9)Here we see in the above passages, how Believing on, and Following Yahushua, results in the Life of Messiah-in-us, who is our Strength, and our Light.
The wordheartin the above passage is the Hebrew wordleb,Strongs number 03820, and has many meanings, two of which are wisdom and understanding. Remember it was those with a willing heart who bring the offering, implying those who have wisdom and understanding. And this offering includes Oil for the light.
AndGod made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven togive light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and todivide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:16-18)Here we see in this passage in Genesis, that Yahuweh is the originator of the light. It is not until later in Scripture, that we see the following:
But Ezekiel 20:12, 20 reveals to us that theknowledgeof Yahuweh comes only to those that keep HisSabbaths again confirming the idea that Wisdom and understanding are shown by those who keep and observe Yahuwehs Torah!
Steps to Obtaining Wisdom- Scriptures reveal the qualities of Wisdom held by the Wise Virgins and how we might gain these qualities
The Foolish Virgins did not realise that the Scriptures warn us that we, too, can fall in the Wilderness, for the SAME reason the Israelites fell in the Wilderness. The Scriptures reveal that thekeeping of Yahuwehs Sabbathsare thesignorbannerof them thatKnowHim (Ex 31:13; Eze 20:12; Eze 20:20). No, the Foolish Virgins lacked the Oil of Wisdom. They continued totransgress the Law, which isiniquity458, and isSin(1John 3:4).
It is Messiah, living in us, who provides theGrace the ability to keep the Commandments of Yahuweh and so we continue to acquire Wisdom in accordance with the requirements ofkeepingthem anddoingthem, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:5-6, which requirements have not changed. Thus we see again that it is Messiah-in-us who is the source of the Light. But notice what eventually happened:
It is the Oil for the Light, that will allow us to proceed through the Door, to Resurrection, and into the Marriage of the King.
Unless the covenant provisions forknowingYahuweh are met, we can NOT know Him, nor can we know Yahushua. Notice the following Scripture passages. Take careful note in these verses what is required toknowYahuweh. Note also why the Israelites fell in the wilderness:Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. AndI gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. Moreoveralso I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORDthat sanctify them. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness:they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them;and my sabbaths they greatly polluted:then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. (Ezekiel 20:10-13)It is well for us to remember the above passage in Ezekiel. The Foolish Virgins had not read the above passages in Ezekiel, and those in the Book of Hebrews, and other passages that explain, in detail, why the Israelites fell in the Wilderness.
Oil for the LampWe begin our look at the Oil for the Lamp with the following passage:
This is not a contradiction, but a Riddle for the Bride! These two passages together reveal to us that theOilthat makes mans face to shine is indeed theWisdomthat Yahuweh brings forth in man. Our conclusion is that theOilthat allows the Lamps to provide Light is WISDOM.
So the obedience that results inLightis simply the obedience of Messiah-in-us, by His own strength, as we allow Him to keep the Torah in our daily lives.
The Foolish Virgins had a genuine desire to go with the Bridegroom to the wedding. Yet they did not have the heart or inclination to follow Yahushua wherever He went, even intounfamiliarDoctrinal territory.
And then will I profess unto them,I never knew you: depart from me,ye that work iniquity458. (Matthew 7:23)In the Matthew 7 passage above, we are given the exact reason the Foolish Virgins are told, I never knew you. Notice the additional phrase, ye that work iniquity458. Notice that the word 458 is the Greek wordanomiameaning transgression of the Law, which is the Bible definition of Sin (1John 3:4). The Foolish Virgins heard those words because they continued totransgress the Law, and as a result they were notknownby The Bridegroom.
Then all those 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 be not enough for us and you: butgo ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (Matthew 25:7-9)Here we see Oil used as fuel for the Light. The wise had Oil, and the Foolish had none. This is a parable, meant to convey some Scriptural truth to us, in picture form. So we must ask, what does this Oil represent, and where does it come from? Lets look.
Go To Those Who Sell OilThe Foolish Virgins, their Lamps having gone out, had no Oil. Lets look at the following passage:
But we must test our conclusions against Scripture. To establish validity of an idea, there must be two or three confirming witnesses of Scripture. Lets look at several Scripture passages:
The Oil for the Lamps the Wisdom from Yahuweh is available to all who are willing to pay the price for it. But notice the price:
At one time, when they had first received Messiah, the Foolish Virgins had Oil, and their Lamps provided Light. This Light was their Wisdom and understanding, and was in plain view of the Nations. But now the Light of the Foolish Virgins had gone out. Their Lamps remained, but there was no Light to be seen. So, what do the Foolish Virgins do next? Lets look.
ThisGrace for obedienceis given to all, that we might be able to keep the Law the Torah of Yahuweh which includes His Commandments, statutes, and ordinances. Without His Grace for obedience, we would be just like the Israelites, who fell in the wilderness because of their disobedience to the Torah. We are told that the Israelites who fell in the Wilderness areexamples for us, and are for our warning (1Corinthians 10:11; Hebrews 3:12; 4:1, 11).
But after the Seed of Righteousness sprouted within them, the Foolish Virgins heard some bad teaching, which affected their actions. By believing and embracing this false teaching, they actually prevented Messiah-in-them from growing from living in obedience to thesameCommandments Messiah kept 2,000 years ago, when He lived in HisownFlesh. Because this false teaching had convinced the Foolish Virgins to forsake the Law, the Torah, their actions were now consideredwickedaccording to Yahuweh. Notice the result of forsaking the Torah, seen in the following passages:
We see in these passages that if we walk in His Light, and in His obedience, that His Righteousness in us becomes our Light.
So what other clues do we see in Scripture regarding buying of this Oil ofWisdom? Notice the following:
True Grace- by David M Hargis – A Biblically accurate overview of New Covenant Grace as used in the context of the majority of the apostle Pauls writings
Why is there a purchase-price in the hand of a Foolish one to buy wisdom, since he has no heart no understanding nor inclination on his own? (Proverbs 17:16 Authors Paraphrase from alternate word meanings)So we see from the many related Scriptures, that the Oil for the Lamps is speaking ofWisdomthat is lacking among those that areFoolish.
Seven Biblical Guidelines for Studying the Bible: Using Scripture to Interpret the Scriptures
An Offering from a Willing HeartLets begin our quest by looking at a few passages regarding Oil for the Light:
Yahushua Himself kept all the Commandments, precepts, and ordinances of Yahuweh. But the Foolish Virgins refused to allow Yahushua, and all Yahushuas Disciples, to be their example, as we are exhorted in Scripture (Luke 4:16; Luke 22:13-15; 1Cor 5:7-8; Php 3:17; 1John 2:6).
Oil for the LightThe phrase Oil for the Light occurs five times in Scripture, the number 5 telling us immediately that this phrase is a prophetic word-phrase that refers to the Bride, as we saw inProphetic Numbers In Scripture. So it appears we are on the right track in looking at these passages.
The Wise and Foolish Virgins: The Separation of the Wise- The Scriptures reveal a 2-step process of separation from the multitudes, for those who would grow in Wisdom
ConclusionThe Virgins picture all those who have been set free by the Blood of the Lamb. The Wise Virgins had Oil in their Lamps. The Wise Virgins had Wisdom.
Light from the LampThe Oil we are looking for is something that provides Light from the Lamp. So lets look into the nature of Light in Scripture: