Who Are The Wise and Foolish Virgins??

We are walking in today:   Who Are The Wise and Foolish Virgins??

Witness wise throughout the Bible:  H7919 sakal--to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper

1 ​ ​Samuel 18:14 And David behaved himself wisely H7919 in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

The Torah .....................

 Deuteronomy  32:29 O that they were wise, that they understood H7919 this, that they would consider their latter end!

The prophets ..................
 Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise H7919 shall understand.

The writings .............
Psalms 2:10 Be wise H7919 now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise H7919 shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Many today have heard from their Leaders that 'Believers' are the Five Wise Virgins, and that 'Unbelievers' are the 5 Foolish Virgins.

Others have been told by their Pastors that the Foolish Virgins are those who lack the 'Oil' of the Holy Spirit.

But what do the Scriptures reveal? And more importantly, How can we recognize the Wise and Foolish Virgins today? Are we currently among the Wise Virgins, or the Foolish?

Our goal is that we might learn from this parable, and evaluate ourselves, so that we might avoid being found among the Foolish Virgins. So if we look closely in Scripture at the characteristics of both the Wise Virgins and the Foolish Virgins, we can then determine whether we are currently among the Wise, or among the Foolish. Then from what we see in the Scriptures, we can repent as we think necessary.

Let's now look closely at the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins:

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 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. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1-13)

Looking above at verse 1, we notice the following:

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins..." (Matthew 25:1a)

What is the word "then" referring to? We must look at the previous paragraph to find out when:

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, 51 And shall cut<1371> him asunder<1371>, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:50-51)

The above passage refers to time the Master of a servant will come in a day in which the servant is not looking for the Master, nor is the servant aware of the hour of his Master’s coming. The consequence for this servant is that he will be "cut asunder." It is this immediate time frame seen in the previous verses, to which the coming of the Bridegroom refers in our parable.

What is it that will happen? Notice in Matthew 24:51, that the Greek word for this phrase "cutting asunder" is the Greek word 'dichotomeo,' Strong's number <1371>, meaning "dividing into two parts." So we are told there is going to be a division, or separation, right at the immediate time when the virgins are to "go forth to meet the bridegroom." Let us resume now in Chapter 25.

All the Virgins Had Lamps

In Mat 25:1, we see that both the wise and foolish virgins "went forth" to meet the Bridegroom. All ten had lamps. Notice also in verse 3 that the foolish took no Oil with them. What is the significance here? First, let’s look at the Lamps:

For the commandment is a lamp; and the law ["Torah"] is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: (Proverbs 6:23)

We see from Proverbs that one's Lamp speaks of the Commandments, and that the Law ['Torah'] is the light given off from the lamp. This is an important clue as to what our lamp and light should be. Yahushua was the Word of the Father made flesh, and as such, He is our living example of the Torah being lived out in daily life. Thus it is that Yahushua said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12, 9:5).

Not only this, but Yahushua said of His disciples, "Ye are the light of the world" (Mat 5:14). Was this a contradiction — or did Yahushua reveal to us the clue to a great mystery?

The mystery of "Messiah-in-you" that the apostle Paul spoke of in Colossians 1:27 was more than just an idle description. It was a revelation given to the Bride-Candidates, showing us that as Born-again Believers, our allowing "Messiah-in-us" to walk in obedience to the Torah, is our only means of giving off His light, and our only hope of entering in to His glory.

That is, our only hope of entering into glory is for us to allow "Messiah-in-you" to become the Light, as we allow "Him-living-within-Us" to obey our Father's Commandments. Unless we allow "Messiah-in-you" to live, and keep His own Commandments while He lives in us, we have no hope of entering in. All the virgins had the Lamp, the Commandments written in their Bibles. But only the wise had the Light that comes from walking in the Commandments.

Only the Wise Virgins Had Light

So the five wise and the five foolish virgins were all "Bride Candidates" by their own estimation. They all had the Lamp of the commandments. But only the Wise Virgins allowed "Messiah-in-them" to provide the Light of living out the Torah in their daily lives.

Perhaps the Foolish Virgins were told, "That's Jewish." Perhaps they were told, "That's not for us today" or "We’re not under the Law." Perhaps they listened to the many voices of the Blind leaders of the Blind telling them, "Nobody can keep the Law," and so they did not search out the issues in the Scriptures for themselves. They missed out on the importance of the Light of living out the Torah in their daily lives.

So we see now, that not all of the virgins were truly Bride Candidates in their behaviour.

The behaviour, the actions and lifestyle of the Wise Virgins, can be seen further in the Book of Revelation, as the [repentant] virgin Daughter of Zion:

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto The Most High and to the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4)

These virgins were not defiled with women. They had repented of the spiritual harlotry — the idolatry that the other 'virgins' continued to engage in. Instead, they followed the Lamb wherever He took them, even into unfamiliar spiritual territory. They allowed the Lamb to live in them, and to walk in them, in the same obedience that He walked in 2,000 years ago, when He was living within His own body. They allowed the Lamb to be their Light on a daily basis.

Only the Wise Virgins Had Wisdom

In Mat 25:3 we see that the Wise took oil, but the Foolish did not. Many today focus on the Oil, and speculate as to what it means. But we are told that Oil is found in the dwelling of the Wise (Prov 21:20), and so our goal is to be among the Wise. And since wisdom is given by The Most High, and the Oil is related to Wisdom, then we must conclude that the 'Oil' is given by His Grace — the Holy-Ghost power provided by "Messiah-in-us" to accomplish His purposes.

So we need not search for the 'Oil' — we merely need to seek for Wisdom, and the Oil will be there when it is needed. As we increase in the wisdom of allowing the Commandments to shine forth as Light, then "Messiah-in-us" will be there to provide the Oil for the light. As soon as we make an attempt to walk in His Commandments, Statutes and Judgments [walking in the Light], He will supply the Oil, by the Grace He gives us from within, to do His will.

In Matthew 25:5, we see that both the Wise and Foolish Virgins slumbered, and slept. In verse 6, the Messenger cried out at Midnight. Then in verse 7, we see both the Wise and Foolish Virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The lamps of the Foolish had gone out — they had no oil. It is implied that the Lamps of the Wise did not go out, and that they had no lack of oil.

Next, we notice in verse 10, that "...they that were ready [the Wise] went in with him to the marriage..." Then we see in verses 11-12, "Afterward came also the other virgins [the Foolish], saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But he answered and said, 'Verily I say unto you, I know you not'."

Thus far we see that the Wise Virgins were wise [they had Biblical 'wisdom'], and the Foolish Virgins were foolish [they lacked Biblical 'wisdom']. We see that the Wise had oil, and their lamps had not gone out, whereas the Foolish had no oil, and their lamps had gone out. We also see that the Wise were ready to enter in, and the Foolish were not.

Each of these differences can be clearly seen in Scripture, and can be explained as to their prophetic meanings. And so we will now examine in detail the major differences between the Wise and Foolish Virgins, based on what the Scriptures reveal.

The Wise Virgins Were Ready to Enter In

They that were Ready — the Wise Virgins — went in with him to the marriage. The reason they went in, we are told, is that they were 'Ready.' But what does it mean to be Ready?

Let’s examine this first, by looking at those that were NOT ready. These were the Foolish Virgins. The first thing we notice is that these 'other' virgins uttered the phrase, "Lord, Lord."

It is significant that those who call Yahushua their Lord [Master] are those that consider themselves to be His servants, His followers — what many call Christians. But the Master answered and said, "I do not know you!"

It is also significant that this phrase "Lord, Lord" is spoken five times in the New Testament, in the context of disobedience, and in the context of being refused entrance into the Kingdom.

So here we have another clue — that this is a very serious issue, perhaps related to the breaking of The Most High's Covenant — His eternal 'Marriage Agreement.'

We must find out why the Master answered in this way. So in order to further identify the Foolish Virgins, let's again notice the phrase, "Lord, Lord," as seen in Matthew 7:21-23:

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you..." (Matthew 7:21-23a)

In the above passage, we see some additional clues. Notice the following contrast:

"Not every one that saith unto me... but he that doeth the will of my Father..."

In this passage, we see the contrast between merely saying some words, contrasted with actually doing Father's will.

We then see that the Master says not only does He not know them, but that He never knew them, not only now but in time past, as the Greek word indicates.

The last phrase of this passage then gives us further details, showing which part of 'doing Father's will' is missing among the foolish Virgins:

"...depart from me, ye that work iniquity <458>." (Matthew 7:23b)

The Lord's response to the Foolish Virgins, "I never knew you," is very similar to what was said in the Matthew 25:12 passage, but with the one additional clue: "depart from me, ye that work ['are working'] iniquity."

This is the important clue that reveals why He will say He never knew them, and Why He will tell them, "depart from me." Let's see what they were doing.

In the above passage, the Greek word for 'iniquity' is anomia, Strong’s number <458>, taken from <459>, meaning "transgression of the law; contempt or violation of law; condition of being destitute of, and without [the Mosaic] Law; wickedness."

Now notice what the apostle John further tells us:

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the [transgression of the law] <458>. (1 John 3:4)

So we see that the Foolish Virgins are told that they are committing iniquity — they are sinning — they are transgressing the [Mosaic] Law.

The Scriptures are clear: to transgress [disobey] the Law of Moses [the Torah] is the definition of 'sin,' according to the apostle John.

"But the Father's will is to believe on Him whom He has sent" we protest. "All we need to do is 'believe' in Messiah, according to John 6:29, as our Ministers have taught us."

Well, yes, strictly speaking this is true. But the difference lies in whether one's belief or faith is 'Biblical' faith — whether that faith is truly Faith that is according to the Scriptures. But if our 'belief' or 'faith' is only a mental agreement of the facts — but the outworking of that faith or belief is not seen in our actions of obedience to Father's Word — then that 'belief' or 'faith' is not a living faith, but is dead (James 2:17, 20, 26).

This statement, "...depart from me, ye that work iniquity <458>." is the one clue that shows us the point of separation between the Wise Virgins and the Foolish Virgins. But we cannot make conclusions based upon only one witness of Scripture. Let's look at further evidence.

The Bridegroom Answers, "I Know You Not"

Looking at the Bridegroom's response in Mat 25:12, we see that the Bridegroom answered, "I know you not." What does this tell us?

First, we see that the word 'know' in the Greek is 'eido' — Strong’s number <1492> and means "to perceive with the eyes; pay attention, observe, inspect, examine; experience any state or condition; to see, i.e. have an interview with, visit, have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to; see with the mind's eye; signifies a clear and purely mental perception." When we draw near to Father, then He draws near to us (James 4:8). As we spend time together, He begins to know us, and we begin to know Him.

The apostle Paul also tells us, that The Most High knows anyone that loves Him (1 Corinthians 8:3), which according to Yahushua Messiah, this means that The Most High knows anyone who keeps His Commandments (John 14:15).

So the Wise Virgins must have been 'known' by the Bridegroom. He had regard for them. But not so with the Foolish Virgins. They were not known by the Bridegroom. They were said to be workers of 'anomia' — They were "destitute of, and without Law" they were not "do-ers" of the [Mosaic] Law. And they were not 'known' of The Most High, because they did not love Him, by keeping His Commandments. They were considered foolish.

Our result thus far is in agreement with what we concluded above, as we looked at the Lamp and the Light.

What about the Oil? Most discussions of this parable seem to center around the Oil for the lamps. But that is because most today have not an inkling of the Truth that walking in Wisdom is simply walking in obedience to Torah! Most Pastors and teachers today have removed the Torah [the Law] from their New Covenant teachings, and so they grasp at anything to focus on, except the real issues. For a Scriptural look at the 'Oil,' see "Oil For the Light".

The Most High, on the other hand, is establishing the Everlasting [New] Covenant among His people, by writing the Torah [Mosaic Law] on their inward parts, and writing it in their hearts (See Jeremiah 31:33; Heb 8:10). The Most High is likewise 'sealing' His Torah among His Disciples, so that they may 'know' Him - and likewise, so that He may know who they are, by the 'sign' or 'seal' that identifies His Disciples [See this sign or seal discussed in Isaiah 8:16; Song 8:6; Exodus 31:13,16; Ezekiel 20:12, 20].

So in these passages, we again see many links between wisdom, and of knowing the Father. We are told that the 'wise' man is a man of 'knowledge' — that is, the wise man has knowledge of the Father (Prov 24:5).

There is great significance in the statement, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not." (Matthew 25:12b) This statement tells us that He does not know someone from a Covenant standpoint, on the basis of a Covenant requirement.

For example, the passages in Exodus 31:13 and Ezekiel chapter 20 tell us how we may know our Heavenly Father from a Covenant standpoint, so that we may avoid hearing, "I know you not" or "I never knew you." Likewise, the covenant aspect of Exodus 31:16 reveals that this is an Everlasting [New] Covenant issue, concerning the eternal agreement between the Bridegroom and the Bride.

Because keeping the Torah ['Law'] is a New Covenant issue, we can better understand that the Foolish Virgins' refusal to keep this Agreement is seen in Scripture as 'sin,' and as 'lawlessness,' even among those claiming to be Born-Again, New Covenant Believers!
Shema Selah<1371><1371><1371><458><458><459><458><458><1492> we have to fully review what we have been taught is it actually Biblical according to the word of the Most High??
<1371><1371><1371><458><458><459><458><458><1492>