Monday, April 21, 2025

The Betrothed

 


The writing below is a revised version of an article I wrote and posted to my blog on March 15, 2021. It was called The Ten Virgins—A Teaching. I have made many revisions in this article so that it is a clearer read.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps [Or torches] and went to meet the bridegroom [Some manuscripts add and the bride]. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight, there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:1-13, ESV).

If you practice reading the Bible, you likely have read the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew’s gospel.  Many people call this story a parable, but I see it as more of an allegorical narrative. What do I mean? A parable is generally a story fundamental in demonstrating a spiritual lesson, but an allegory suggests that the story has a hidden meaning within the reading. Calling the story of the ten virgins a parable is not wrong because it is a message that gives instruction. However, if you understand that, within this instructive lesson, there is also divine revelation. When you see that hidden pearl, it moves from being just a spiritual lesson to a divine message being revealed. This divine message reveals how those who have received Jesus Christ, and are born again, should be watching and be ready when he (the bridegroom) comes to get those appointed to eternal life (the church). Jesus is coming very soon to take those appointed to eternal life to live in his Father’s house for eternity (Jn. 14:1-3).

Supposed to be Prepared

For those unfamiliar with this parable, it is a story about ten virgins who were supposed to be ready when the bridegroom came for them. There were ten virgins in all. Five were foolish and disinterested, and five were wise and cautious. What made the difference in their behavior was whether or not they were ready when the bridegroom arrived to take them to the wedding feast. The five wise virgins had enough oil for their lamps, so they would not have to buy more—they had extra flasks of oil with them. If their oil ran dry, they could miss the bridegroom's arrival. The five foolish virgins did not have enough oil with them. Therefore, their lamps ran out of oil. The foolish ones had to buy more oil and hope to return before the bridegroom made his appearance. The reason why the virgins had to have lamps with plenty of oil to burn was that the bridegroom might come for them during the nighttime, which he did. He came to receive them at midnight rather than in the daytime. Because the virgins did not know whether the bridegroom would come at night or day, they had to make preparations so they would be ready for whatever time he made his appearance.  

They Fell Asleep

The bridegroom had kept the virgins waiting longer than was expected. This delay caused them to get drowsy and fall asleep. While they were sleeping, an announcement was made at midnight that the bridegroom was coming. Therefore, the virgins had to get up and trim the wicks in their lamps to keep them burning so that he would know they were ready to be received. But the lamps of the foolish virgins were going out. They were so casual concerning the task at hand that they did not even bring extra flasks of oil with them, like the wise ones did. What was their option? Have no lamp burning to indicate they were ready to go to the wedding feast with the bridegroom? Or, try to get some oil from somewhere?

The foolish pleaded with the wise to give them some of their oil. But the wise suggested they should buy some oil from oil merchants, because if they gave the foolish some of their oil, they too might run out. So, off they went to buy more oil. But while they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. He received the wise virgins because they were ready for his appearance—their lamps were burning bright. The bridegroom took the wise ones to the marriage feast. They had plenty of oil to keep their lamps burning on the way to the banquet hall. The virgins not only had to use a lamp in their window to show the bridegroom they were ready to be received, but they also had to use a lamp to light up the path for the wedding procession to the feast. Once the wise were taken into the marriage feast, the door to the venue was shut. And once the door was closed, nobody else was allowed access. After a while, the foolish virgins made their way to the banquet hall. They asked to be let in. But they were refused entry. The man guarding the door would not let them enter. He told them that he did not know them.

It is not revealed if the person who told the foolish ones they did not know them was the bridegroom. Most times, the interpretation of this verse assumes the bridegroom is the one who refused them entry, because the foolish virgins were saying, κύριε, κύριε, ἄνοιξον ἡμῖν (kyrie, kyrie, ánoixon imín) “Lord, Lord, open for us” (Matt. 25:11b, mGNT). But, the Greek term kyrie (lord) can also be used to address someone in a position of worldly authority other than the Lord of lords. Kyrie or κύριος (kyrios) can also be translated as: Sir, mister, chief, and master. So, Jesus may not have been referring to the bridegroom who did not let the foolish ones in, but rather the man in charge of letting people into the marriage feast—the doorman or doorkeeper. The doorkeeper at the wedding venue may have had a list of everyone invited or allowed into the marriage feast. And because the foolish virgins were not ready when the bridegroom made his appearance to receive the virgins at midnight, he may have instructed the doorkeeper to blot out their names from the list. Since their names were not on the list, they were refused entry into the marriage feast.

Jesus told this parable to his disciples because it is similar to an ancient Jewish wedding. It also reveals what it will be like the day he comes to receive his church. I said above that I see this story as more of an allegorical narrative than a parable. Yes, this story does demonstrate a spiritual lesson. But it also reveals that the foolish ones were not ready when the bridegroom came to receive the virgins, therefore, they were not allowed to enter the marriage feast. This, I insist, is a divine revelation. It is a hidden message to the faithful to keep watch and be ready for when the bridegroom comes to receive his church into the eternal realm.   

The Virgins are an Allusion

There are similarities between an ancient Jewish wedding and how the church becomes the Bride of Christ. In the parable of the ten virgins, the bride herself is not specifically mentioned, instead, the ten virgins are substitutions for the church. In other words, the ten virgins are an allusion to the church leading up to the time when the rapture occurs. Why would Jesus use the image of ten virgins, who generally refer to the bridesmaids (attendants of the bride) in an ancient Jewish wedding, instead of just shaping this parable around the bride herself? I will give my opinion on this question later. But first, I will attempt to explain what an ancient Jewish wedding was like. If you want, take a peek at the Messianic Bible Prophecy Project website[1] because it describes an ancient Jewish wedding in the article called: Ancient Jewish Wedding Customs and Yeshua’s Second Coming.[2] Below, I will attempt a brief description of it on my own.

The Procedure

The way an ancient Jewish wedding would happen: The אָב ('āḇ; pronounced, av), father of the groom, would scrutinize another Jewish family to see if their daughter would be a suitable match for his son. Once the father saw a suitable match, he would propose to the potential bride’s father. If they could find mutual grounds for a marriage between their children, the daughter would usually be consulted about the proposal. If she consented to the bonds of marriage, there would be a time of mutual commitment called Shiddukhin.[3]

The Shiddukhin was when the bridegroom and bride prepared themselves for the Erusin.[4] The Erusin is the engagement, or the betrothal. During the time of Shiddukhin, the bridegroom and the bride would partake in a spiritual cleansing ritual called the Mikvah.[5] The Mikvah was a symbolic ritual. The bridegroom and bride would be immersed separately in water. Once the couple partook in this ceremony, they entered and stood under the marriage canopy, called the Chuppot, or Chuppah.[6] 

No Kissing or Smooching

As the couple stood under the Chuppah, it symbolized that they both pledged to build a home together; it was a binding contract that they both legally entered into. While standing under the Chuppah, the bridegroom would give his bride a dowry. Some wine was consumed to seal their covenant of betrothal. Once this ceremony was completed, which was usually a public ceremony, the period of engagement then began. The betrothal normally would last about a year. During the betrothal, the couple was regarded as married, but would not consummate the marriage or live in the same house. There was no kissing and smooching during the engagement or before they consummated the marriage. During this time, the bridegroom prepared a place for them at his father’s house. Typically, he would build a suite for them to live in once the marriage became physical. The bride would continue living with her family until her bridegroom came to receive her. She had no idea when he would come to receive her. She had an idea that it may be within a year according to the betrothal rules, but she did not know exactly what day or hour her bridegroom would come and get her.

Different Lamps

In this ancient Jewish custom, the bridegroom’s father determined the proper time for his son to receive his bride and bring her to his home. Because the bride did not know what day or hour her bridegroom would come and take her to his father’s house, the bride would keep two types of oil lamps and extra oil by her side. She had to have different kinds of lamps available, in case her bridegroom came at night. She had to have one type of lamp in her window so her bridegroom would know she was ready for him. This lamp likely looked like the lamp shown in Perry Stone’s video (Episode 981) at the 12:30 minute mark.[7] This type of lamp was used inside the home in the time of Jesus. But during the journey to the wedding feast, she had to have a different kind of lamp that was used outdoors. This lamp likely looked like the type of lamp also displayed in the same Perry Stone video at approximately the 12:50 minute mark. The bridesmaids would also need lamps to light the way for the wedding procession. Therefore, they would have used the outdoor lamps.

The bride would keep her indoor lamp burning in her father’s house at nighttime to indicate that her bridegroom could receive her, that is, if she was prepared to meet him. He would have to see the light from her burning lamp. If the bride is not ready to meet her bridegroom, she would not have her lamp burning in the window. The bridegroom would come to her home sounding a ram’s horn (a shofar). He would look for the light emanating from his betrothed’s burning lamp. Once he saw the light from her lamp, he would seize her and continue to sound his shofar. He would blow his shofar to his father’s house. Once the bridegroom received his bride from her family home, the marriage would move to the next stage, the physical. The marriage ceremony was established as they consummated their marriage under the Chuppah.

The Body of Christ is Numerous

I said above that I would give my opinion on why Jesus would shape this parable around the bridesmaids instead of the bride herself. Do not be mistaken, the bride is among the bridesmaids, she is among the virgins. They are with her in her father’s home. It is possible that Jesus shaped this parable around the bridesmaids instead of just the bride herself, because the body of Christ is not just one person. The body of Christ, the bride who makes herself ready (Rev. 19:7-8), the wife of the Lamb of God (Rev.21:9), are Jews and Gentiles who put their faith in Jesus during the church age. The bride, the wife of the Lamb, will be found faithful to the bridegroom during their life on Earth during the betrothal period. I believe the Old Testament prophets, the patriarchs, and the people deemed righteous by God are also joined to the Lamb of God, because they put faith and devotion in their pre-incarnate Messiah.

During the Erusin

The church age is similar to the Erusin, the engagement period of an ancient Jewish wedding. The church waits and gets herself ready during the betrothal period for her husband to come and get her. The day of the rapture is the day when Jesus Christ, the heavenly bridegroom, comes to get his bride and takes her to his Father’s dwelling. The Lord’s bride will obey what is written in the Holy Scriptures. This is the litmus test to prove whether or not they love their Lord, their bridegroom. A genuine believer in Christ will do what it takes to truly love Jesus if God is their Father (Jn. 8:42).   

Consider this: Every Jew and Gentile who put faith in Jesus, and are faithful to him and his Word (Jn. 14:15, 21-24; 1 Jn. 5:2-3), are referred to as the Body of Christ in the Holy Scriptures (Rms. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 5:28-32; Col. 1:24). The bride, the wife of the Lamb, is the Body of Christ, and after the rapture occurs will be presented to him as a pure virgin (2 Cor. 11:2). The bride, the wife of the Lamb, must watch, keep alert, and be ready for the day the bridegroom comes. The church does not know what day the rapture will happen; therefore, it must watch and be alert. The church must be ready for the trumpet to sound.   

Created Similar

In chapter twelve of my manuscript Waiting for the Day and Hour, under the heading Preparing a Place, I wrote that some people claim the new Jerusalem is the church, because the way the Scripture calls it the wife of the lamb (Rev. 21:9b). I wrote that, “God did not sacrifice his Son for a city, but for the people who will dwell in that city”. The Christian Standard Bible says that the new Jerusalem is “like a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2c). The city of God is created like a bride. It is made to be as appealing as a bride on her wedding day. It is made that way because the temple of God will dwell there (Rev. 21:3). God the Father and the Lamb of God will have their thrones there (Rev. 21:3b). The new Jerusalem will be adorned with the presence of God Almighty. The new Jerusalem is not the bride of Christ but the city built for the bride of Christ, the wife of the Lamb. The new Jerusalem is a city built by God for his bride. It is the place that Jesus is preparing for those who belong to him (Jn. 14:2). It is the place where Abraham was anticipating: “For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10, ESV).

Wise and Foolish Believers

The parable/allegory of the ten virgins is only in the gospel of Matthew. Luke does record a tiny excerpt of this allegory (Lk. 12:35-38). Matthew inserts this parable right after Jesus’ teaching to the church in Matthew 24:36-51. When Jesus prophesied about the church, it was not yet born. But when Matthew recorded his gospel, the church had been born for nearly twenty years. Because Matthew was in step with the Holy Spirit, he recognized that the prophetic teaching in Matthew 24:36-51 and the prophetic parable/allegory of the ten virgins were about the church. This is likely the reason why he recorded both teachings in sequence. The sequence of his documentation is in harmony with how the final days of the church on Earth will end up. The end of the church age is like the days of Noah (Matt. 24:37-41; Lk. 17:26-27), and the days of Lot (Lk. 17:28-30, 34-35). Then, in an instant, the rapture occurs. It is clear from the parable of the ten virgins that Jesus is prophesying that there will be both wise and foolish believers in his church. He does not refer to the ministry of believers in this parable. Rather, he focuses on the devotion of individual believers as the rapture draws near. This parable is not focused on the church’s performance in the works department. It is focused more on how the church is ready for the day when her bridegroom comes. Will the church be ready when the trumpet of God sounds (1 Thess. 4:16; 1 Cor. 15:52)? Being ready takes effort and commitment. This parable/allegory reveals that when the trumpet of God sounds, there will be both wise and foolish people in the church.

Be Alert, Be Prepared

Some pastors preach that anytime Scripture mentions oil, it refers to the Holy Spirit. In the parable of the ten virgins, they suggest that the oil in their lamps represents the Spirit of God. That is not true. The oil in the ten virgins’ allegory is not allusive to the Holy Spirit, but refers to something else. As I mentioned above, the wise bridesmaids made sure they had extra oil to keep their lamps burning, so that when the bridegroom comes, they can lead the way to the wedding banquet. The bride has plenty of oil so that her lamp burns bright. She keeps her lamp burning so that when her betrothed comes, he will see she is ready to be received. Both the virgins who attend to the bride and the bride herself are responsible for making sure their lamps do not go out. They devote themselves to this momentous engagement; they are committed to it. Having extra oil, in case the bridegroom's arrival is delayed, reveals that the virgins are dedicated to making sure the wedding is a success. This is the message Jesus is saying: When he comes for the church, will the church be found faithful in being devoted to the ἁρπάζω (harpazō) snatch? As you know, he comes to seize the body of Christ out of the world (1 Thess. 4:17b). Is the church committed to walking in holiness and righteousness? This is what the oil in this allegory refers to. It is allusive to being committed to preparing oneself for the rapture of the body of Christ. It is allusive to being committed to γρηγορέω (grēgoreō) keeping watch, being alert, or being awake (Matt.24:42; 25:13). It is allusive to being ἕτοιμος (étoimos) ready, or prepared (Matt.24:44) when the trumpet sounds (1 Thess. 4:16c; 1 Cor. 15:52a). The church does not know the day and hour the rapture will happen. Just as the ten virgins did not know the day and hour the bridegroom would come to receive them. The church, as the ten virgins, is expected to be alert and prepared for when the σάλπιγγι θεοῦ (sálpingi theoú) trumpet of God sounds. The church must be ready for when Christ comes for them.  

Sacred Oil Ingredients

Remember when I wrote above that the lamp oil of the ten virgins does not refer to the Holy Spirit? The oil used to fuel lamps in the time of Jesus was straight olive oil. Straight olive oil does not refer to the Holy Spirit. Rather, anointing oil refers to the Holy Spirit. Anointing oil has four spices with olive oil as its base. Yahweh called it a sacred anointing oil (Exod. 30:25). Straight olive oil was used to fuel lamps and cooking. The four spices used were: 1) Pure myrrh in liquid form; 2) fragrant or sweet-smelling cinnamon; 3) fragrant or sweet-smelling cane; 4) Cassia—resembles cinnamon (Exod. 30:22-24). These spices were measured specifically and added to a certain amount of olive oil to make it officially a sacred anointing oil. Anointing oil had a fragrant smell to it. It was used to consecrate the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the testimony, the table and all its vessels, the lampstand and its vessels, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt-offering and its vessels, and the washbasin and its stand used by the priests for washing. Sacred anointing oil was used to anoint all these temple articles to make them holy, and if it splashed on their priestly garments, it would make them holy too. Anointing oil is emblematic of the Holy Spirit covering these articles. Sacred oil was also used to anoint Aaron and his sons so that they could serve the Lord (Exod. 30:26-30). It was used by the prophets when they anointed the kings of Israel.  

Jacob Pours Oil on His Pillow

The oil used in the lamps of the ten virgins was not sacred anointing oil but straight olive oil. It was similar to the olive oil used by Jacob when he woke up early one morning and poured oil over the stone he used as a pillow the night before—travelers carried olive oil to cook and to burn in lamps. This was the morning after the night the Lord gave him a dream of a stairway reaching heaven from Earth. The angels were ascending and descending back and forth on it. Jacob sees God (the pre-incarnate Messiah) at the top of the stairway, and the Lord makes him promises (Gen. 28:10-22). He tells Jacob he will give him and his descendants all the land he is lying upon. The stone that Jacob poured oil over was used as a pillar to illustrate that he believed the words God spoke to him; it was a sign of his devotion to the Lord (Gen. 28:18). This act was evidence that Jacob was fully committed to the will of God. Consecrating the place where the Lord spoke to Jacob with oil was emblematic of his devotion to God and his will, even though he had not seen this promise come to pass.

Jacob Pours Oil Over Another Image  

And then another time, the Lord appeared to Jacob again (Gen. 35:9-15). This time, God changes Jacob’s name to Israel. Yahweh informs Jacob that a nation (Israel) and more nations will proceed from him. The Lord informs Jacob that the land he gave to Abraham and Isaac, he will also give to him and his descendants. Once this vision ended, Jacob set up another image at the exact location where God visited him. He pours a drink offering over it, then pours his cooking and lamp oil over it—straight olive oil. Once again, Jacob confirms his faith and dedication to the Lord’s word. Consecrating the place where God spoke to him with a drink offering and straight olive oil was again evidence that Jacob was confident that the Lord’s promise would happen.

It is Plain to See

It is plain to see that the olive oil intended for fueling lamps was also available to use in consecrating the ground where God spoke to Jacob. Consecrating the stone he used as a pillow and the ground where God visited him a second time were images allusive to Jacob’s devotion to God and his promises. Although he did not see them, he knew they would happen. The olive oil in the parable of the ten virgins represents more than just oil to keep their lamps burning. It also reveals how genuine, or not, their devotion to the coming of the bridegroom was. Having extra flasks of oil was symbolic of their commitment to seeing the betrothal period through to the end. This image is similar to the church during the church age. Is the end times church committed to believing the rapture will happen as the Scriptures say it will? Is it devoted to Christ enough to watch and be ready for the rapture as he commanded? The church age is the betrothal period. The salvation process and the betrothal period are the same. Once Christ raptures his church, its salvation process comes to completion. The redemption of the physical body completes the procedure. Then comes the wedding feast.   

 

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