0089 - What is the meaning of the passage of the ten virgins

What is the meaning of the passage of the ten virgins

 

In order to understand this passage, we need to figure out the meaning of each element.

 

*1 – LAMP*:

 

Let’s see what the Holy Scripture says:

 

a)   Spirit of man (the eye of the heart) is the lamp that allow the Creator to manifest His light in him and through him, so that all his body can be used as an instrument for people knowing the Creator (Rom 6:13,19):

 

·       Pro 20:27 -> “The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.”.

·       Mat 6:22 -> “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,”.

 

b)  The word of the Creator, that is to say, His commandments, teachings, prophetic words:

 

·       Psa 119:105 -> “our word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”.

·       2Pe 1:19 -> “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,”.

·       Pro 6:23 -> “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life;”.

 

The spirit of those who abide by His word is used by the Creator to make the person a lamp in this world (as it was with John, the Baptist):

 

·       Joh 5:35 -> “He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.”.

 

And should be thus with the descendants of David:

 

·       1Ki 15:4 -> “Nevertheless, for David's sake the LORD his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, setting up his son after him, and establishing Jerusalem,”.

 

Unfortunately, many of his offspring depart from the Creator and His lamp was put out. After all, the lamp of the wicked, that is to say, haughty and proud heart, is sin:

 

·       Pro 13:9 -> “The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”.

·       Pro 20:20 -> “If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.”.

·       Pro 21:4 -> “Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.”.

·       Pro 24:20 -> “for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”.

 

In short, the LAMP is the spirit of those who receive all the word of the Creator in their heart.

 

So, have a good day being a lamp through which the Creator’s glory can issue His light all around the world. After all, as body of Christ, we need to be a lamp like Him:

 

·       Rev 21:23 -> “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”.

 

 

*2 – LIGHT*: the Holy Spirit:

 

·       Psa 18:28 -> “For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.”.

·       Psa 27:1 -> “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”.

·       Psa 36:9 -> “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.”.

·       Psa 118:27 -> “The LORD is God;

·       , and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!”.

 

And His light is sown only for the righteous so that his righteousness can be light where the injustice is working (see Prov 31:8,9):

 

·       Psa 37:6 -> “He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.”.

·       Psa 97:11 -> “Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.”.

 

 

*3 – OIL*:

 

 

Many people think that the oil is the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, observe that the fool virgins went out to buy oil. And, as we well know, the Holy Spirit can’t be procured by money (see Acts 8:20).

 

Furthermore, considering that the lamps of the fool was going out, this means that, in the beginning, they had oil. The difference is that the wise virgins had extra oil. Well, the Creator doesn’t give His Spirit by measure (John 3:34). This would be ludicrous. Either the person has the Holy Spirit or doesn’t. And the worst is that people, misunderstanding Acts 2:4; 4:31; 6:3; 13:52, think that there are different portions of unction: one is 20% full of the Holy Spirit, other 40% and so on.

 

No! What happened in the previous passages is one of two things: either the person was empty and became full of the Holy Spirit or the person was full and His presence in him was renovated.

 

So, although the oil is used in others passages to refer to the Holy Spirit, here, in particular, the oil symbolizes other thing.

 

Therefore, the oil is something that can be bought and stored, and serve to make us full of the Holy Spirit and His light. Let’s see what it is:

 

·       Eph 5:18-21 -> “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

·       Col 3:16 -> “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”.

 

Note that the presence of the Holy Spirit in us is bound to psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, which only can be produced by prayers and meditation on the Holy Scripture. Therefore, behold what we ought to buy:

 

·       Pro 23:23 -> “Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.”.

 

Well, the instruction comes out of the mouth of the Holy Spirit, who is the pure Truth:

 

·       1Jn 2:27 -> “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”.

Nonetheless, if we don’t have understanding to discern His will for us and fear of the Creator (which is the beginning of the wisdom – Prov 9:10; Job 28:28), all this seed of the Holy Spirit will be “eat by the birds”, “burnt by the persecutions of Ha-Satan” or “choked by the riches, delights, cares of this life and other ambitions” (Luke 8:14; Mark 4:19) and, thereby, the flame of the Holy Spirit will be burnt out.

 

So, buy OIL (Jesus’ wisdom and understanding):

 

·       Eph 5:17 -> “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”.

 

How? Praying and allowing all His teachings to be engrafted in our heart (James 1:21), giving ourselves in to His washing of regeneration and renewal, with all fear:

 

·       Jas 1:5-8 -> “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”.

 

So, have alacrity in hearing of good will Jesus’ word so that, to you, can be imparted the grace of being more and more full of His ken and wisdom:

 

·       Mat 13:11,12 -> “And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”.

 

Those who has love for the truth, will receive more and more revelation and never will be confounded (Rom 10:11).

 

 

*4 – FLASKS (vessels, jars)*: people that Jesus put in our life:

 

·       Jer 18:3-6 -> “So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. Then the word of the LORD came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.”.

·       2Co 4:7 -> “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”.

 

 

*5 – VIRGINS*: people who were uncontaminated physically (in sexual intercourse) and spiritually (with other gods).

 

 

*6 – FOOL*: there are two types of fool:

 

1 - those who deny the existence of the Creator:

 

·       Psa 14:1 -> “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.”.

·       Psa 53:1 -> “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.”.

 

In virtue of this, they:

 

a)   conceal hatred, have lying lips and utters slander to provoke anger:

 

·       Pro 10:18 -> “The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.”.

·       Pro 27:3 -> “A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both.”.

 

b)  delight in doing wrong:

 

·       Pro 10:23 -> “Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.”.

·       Pro 20:3 -> “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.”.

 

c)   despise the instruction of their parents and, of course, of anybody else:

 

·       Pro 15:5 -> “A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.”.

·       Pro 23:9 -> “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.”.

 

d)  didn’t accept reprehension:

 

·       Pro 17:10 -> “A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.”.

·       Pro 27:22 -> “Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.”.

 

e)   only look at what is far from them instead of loving the neighbor:

 

·       Pro 17:24 -> “The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.”.

 

Based on this, we can conclude that the fool doesn’t deserve honor and never will be able to get wisdom, not even if they gain money:

 

·       Pro 17:16 -> “Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?”.

·       Pro 24:7 -> “Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.”.

·       Pro 26:1 -> “Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.”.

 

But, worst than this type of fool are those who believe in Jesus, hear His words, but insist in live like a fool, without comply with His commandments:

 

·       Mat 7:26,27 -> “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”.

 

 

*7 – Wise*: those who believe in Christ, fear Him, tremble before His words and abide by all His will for them. Like Job, they always veer from all appearance of evil (Job 1:1; 1Thess 5:22­):

 

·       Job 28:28 -> “And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.”.

·       Psa 111:10 -> “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!”.

·       Pro 1:7 -> “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”.

·       Pro 9:10 -> “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”.

·       Pro 10:8 -> “The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.”.

·       Pro 10:14 -> “The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.”.

·       Pro 12:15 -> “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”.

·       Pro 13:16 -> “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.”.

·       Pro 14:16 -> “One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.”.

·       Pro 29:11 -> “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”.

·       Mat 7:24,25 -> “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”.

 

 

*8 – NIGHT*: apostasy.

 

See these verses:

 

·       1Th 5:5-8 -> “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.”.

 

Here, night is related to revelry, crimes and drowsiness.

 

·       Isa 60:1,2 -> “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.”.

·       Luk 11:33-36 -> “ “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.””.

 

Here, the darkness is related with spiritual murkiness.

 

·       1Jn 2:8-11 -> “At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”.

 

And this spiritual darkness makes people to hate each other.

 

All of this, together, misguides people in such a way that, even though many of them believe in the Creator and His Holy Scripture, in the end, they finish twisting the Holy Scripture for the perdition of them and people around them (2Peter 3:16).

 

And this desire of molding the Creator in the mind and heart as it is convenient is called apostasy.

 

*9 – NUMBER TEN*:

 

The number ten is related to the time of probation, tribulation and temptations that the man needs to have in all ordeal and predicaments so that they can be approved in their evaluation.

 

For instance:

 

I)           Rebekah, when chosen to be Isaac’s wife, was invited to stay for more 10 days in the house of her parents so that she could appraise her real alacrity and willingness in accepting this calling.

 

·       Gen 24:54,55 -> “And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.””.

 

II)         Jacob, for 10 times, was cheated by Laban in order to be proved until the last consequences so that he could experience a change in his character. In virtue of having clung to the Creator in the desert, he overcame the probation, reached his freedom and became prosperous.

 

·       Gen 31:7 -> “yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.”.

 

III)       10 was the number of brothers who hated Joseph and put him in a situation of great probations, pains, sadness and trial. Nonetheless, the fidelity and compliance of Joseph to the Creator enabled him to surmount this and contributed to his exaltation, honor and acknowledgment:

 

·       Gen 37:4 -> “But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.”.

·       Gen 42:3 -> “So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.”.

 

IV)        The Creator sent 10 plagues on the Egypt to afflict the Egyptians and prove His power and fidelity to Israel.

 

V)          10 was the number of years that Naomi lived in Moab, coming to lose her two sons and husband. This was a great probation. Nevertheless, as she stayed firm with the Creator, she gained a friend who was better to her than her husband and sons together:

 

·       Rth 1:4 -> “These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years,”.

·       Rth 4:15 -> “He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age, for your daughter-in-law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.””. 

 

VI)        The Creator imparted to Moses the 10 commandments which denounced the 10 malignity that most entices the man in order to make him to fall in apostasy and, thereby, put him apart from Jesus and His purpose for him. In other words, these 10 commandments manifest the 10 more temptations which put the man in assessment before the Creator.

 

·       Exo 34:28 -> “So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.”

 

VII)     Jesse sent 10 loaves to David’s brothers (who were only 7) and 10 cheeses to the commander of 1000 when they were probed by the Creator through Goliath. The aim was to appraise the value of David for himself and all Israel:

 

·       1Sa 17:17,18 -> “And Jesse said to David his son, “Take for your brothers an ephah of this parched grain, and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. Also take these ten cheeses to the commander of their thousand. See if your brothers are well, and bring some token from them.””.

 

VIII)   10 days was the time that David had to bide until he could experience the judgment of the Creator against Nabal, when he refused to help David. This was a proof to David:

 

·       1Sa 25:38,39 -> “And about ten days later the LORD struck Nabal, and he died. When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed be the LORD who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The LORD has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head.” Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife.”.

 

IX)        10 was the number of concubines of David who were violated by Absalom in order to proof to all Israel that he had made himself a stench to his father:

 

·       2Sa 15:16 -> “So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house.”.

·       2Sa 16:21,22 -> “Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house, and all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench to your father, and the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.”.

 

X)          The temple, which was a place of sacrifice in order to fathom and probe the heart, had: 10 lampstands; 10 basins; 10 lampstands; 10 tables.

 

To each one of the 10 commandments that was broken there was:

 

ü  One lampstand to put light in the situation that the person is living so that they can be convinced of the sin, justice and judgment (John 16:8);

ü  One basin of bronze to wash and clean the sin committed;

ü  One table with bread to be eaten in order to strength the person so that they can overcome the sin and help others who are undergoing the same ordeal (2Cor 1:3-5; 1Peter 5:8,9).

ü  One stand so that the person can escape from the temptation that this sin induces in their life (1Cor 10:13).

 

·       1Ki 7:37 -> “After this manner he made the ten stands. All of them were cast alike, of the same measure and the same form.”. 

·       1Ki 7:38 -> “And he made ten basins of bronze. Each basin held forty baths, each basin measured four cubits, and there was a basin for each of the ten stands.”.

·       2Ch 4:6 -> “He also made ten basins in which to wash, and set five on the south side, and five on the north side. In these they were to rinse off what was used for the burnt offering, and the sea was for the priests to wash in.”.

·       2Ch 4:7 -> “And he made ten golden lampstands as prescribed, and set them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north.”.

·       2Ch 4:8 -> “He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north. And he made a hundred basins of gold.”.

 

XI)        10 times people tried to dishearten Nehemiah of his work in behalf of Jerusalem:

 

·       Neh 4:12,13 -> “At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.” So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.”.

 

XII)     10 were the sons of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, who put their faith to proof:

 

·       Est 9:10-14 -> “the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, but they laid no hand on the plunder. That very day the number of those killed in Susa the citadel was reported to the king. And the king said to Queen Esther, “In Susa the citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed 500 men and also the ten sons of Haman. What then have they done in the rest of the king's provinces! Now what is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what further is your request? It shall be fulfilled.” And Esther said, “If it please the king, let the Jews who are in Susa be allowed tomorrow also to do according to this day's edict. And let the ten sons of Haman be hanged on the gallows.” So the king commanded this to be done. A decree was issued in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged.”.

 

XIII)   10 was the people who helped Ishmael to struck down Gedaliah, putting Israel to proof (for fearing the wrath of the king of Babylon – Jer 40:15,16):

 

·       Jer 41:2 -> “Ishmael the son of Nethaniah and the ten men with him rose up and struck down Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, with the sword, and killed him, whom the king of Babylon had appointed governor in the land.”.

 

XIV)    10 were the men who could escape from the slaughter of Ishmael. This because they were appraised as worthy of living:

 

·       Jer 41:8 -> “But there were ten men among them who said to Ishmael, “Do not put us to death, for we have stores of wheat, barley, oil, and honey hidden in the fields.” So he refrained and did not put them to death with their companions.”. 

 

XV)      10 days was the time that Israel had to wait until the Creator sent His word. This served to prove their hearts, if they would conserve their disposition in obey the word of the Creator as they promised (Jer 42:5-6):

 

·       Jer 42:7 -> “At the end of ten days the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah.”.

 

XVI)    10 days was the time that Daniel and his three friends asked to the chief of the eunuchs so that they could be proved to, thus, get the privilege of shun from the defilement of the king’s food (Dan 1:8):

 

·       Dan 1:12 -> “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink.”.

 

In virtue of their fidelity to the Creator, they became 10 times wiser:

 

·       Dan 1:20 -> “And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.”.

 

XVII)  The beast has 10 horns, which will give to the beast all his power to try everyone that is on the Earth (Rev 3:10).

 

·       Dan 7:20 -> “and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions.”.

·       Rev 13:1 -> “And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.”.

·       Rev 17:3 -> “And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns.”.

 

XVIII)  When the woman lost one of her 10 drachmas, this was a probation to her. She had to clean all her house until find the lost drachma. This shows that everyone needs to present themselves approved (2Tim 2:15).

 

·       Luk 15:8 -> “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’”.

 

XIX)       10 was the quantity of leprous who went healed by Jesus to prove to us that the gratitude came from where we can’t imagine:

 

·       Luk 17:12 -> “And as he entered into a certain village ten leprous men met him, who stood afar off.”.

·       Luk 17:15,16 -> “And one of them, seeing that he was cured, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and fell on his face at his feet giving him thanks: and *he* was a Samaritan.”.

 

XX)      Jesus’ followers in Smyrna would go to undergo a tribulation of 10 days:

 

·       Rev 2:10 -> “Fear nothing of what thou art about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give to thee the crown of life.”.

 

XXI)    The number 10 is used to number the troops which would cause tribulation in the Earth:

 

·       Rev 9:16 -> “The number of mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand; I heard their number.”.

 

XXII)  Fire came down from heaven 10 times:

 

1.   Upon Sodom (Gen 19:24);

2.   About the first offering (Lev 9:24);

3.   About Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10.2);

4.   About the murmurers at Taberah (Num 11.1);

5.   About Korah and his companions (Num 16.35);

6.   About Elijah's offering in the Camel (1 Kings 18:38);

7.   On Elijah's enemies (2 Kings 1:10);

8.   On Elijah's enemies (2 Kings 1:12);

9.   On David's sacrifice (1 Chronicles 21:26);

10.   On Solomon's sacrifice (1 Kings 1:26; II Chr 7.1).

 

 

*10 – NUMBER FIVE*: Indicates Jesus’ grace and the responsibility of the man in regard to it.

 

I)           Joseph gave to Benjamin 5 times more blessings than to his other 10 brothers. With this, Joseph was proving to his 10 brothers the importance of being committed with the love in order to receive his grace.

 

·       Gen 43:34 -> “Portions were taken to them from Joseph's table, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.”.

·       Gen 45:22 -> “To each and all of them he gave a change of clothes, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five changes of clothes.”.

 

II)         During 5 years Joseph proposed to grace his kinfolk, being responsible for him them:

 

·       Gen 45:11 -> “There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’”.

 

III)       In order to receive the grace of the pardon, the sinner should be responsible enough to confess his sin and making full restitution adding the fifth part of it.

 

·       Num 5:6,7 -> “ “Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.”.

 

IV)        In order to do the dedication of the altar (considering that the tabernacle with all its furnishings had been anointed and dedicated, therefore, the altar, here, is the altar outside the tabernacle). Note the presence of the number 5 in almost all animals in the sacrifice of peace offerings (the offer which confirms the grace that they received of the Creator and the responsibility of keeping His commandments in order to conserve this peace with Him):

 

·       Num 7:11 -> “And the LORD said to Moses, “They shall offer their offerings, one chief each day, for the dedication of the altar.”.

·       Num 7:17 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.”.

·       Num 7:23 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar.”.

·       Num 7:29 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.”.

·       Num 7:35 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.”.

·       Num 7:41 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.”.

·       Num 7:47 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.”.

·       Num 7:53 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Ammihud.”.

·       Num 7:59 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.”.

·       Num 7:65 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Abidan the son of Gideoni.”.

·       Num 7:71 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.”.

·       Num 7:77 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Pagiel the son of Ochran.”.

·       Num 7:83 -> “and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahira the son of Enan.”.

 

V)          5 was the kings quashed by the Creator through His grace which He poured on Joshua so that he could fulfill the responsibility which he assumed before the Gibeonites:

 

·       Jos 10:16,17 -> “These five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. And it was told to Joshua, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.””.

·       Jos 10:22,23 -> “Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.” And they did so, and brought those five kings out to him from the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.”.

·       Jos 10:26 -> “And afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees. And they hung on the trees until evening.”.

 

VI)        5 was the men who receive the responsibility of spying out the land and explore it so that they could see if the Creator gave to them the blessing of possess that land:

 

·       Jdg 18:2 -> “So the people of Dan sent five able men from the whole number of their tribe, from Zorah and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land and to explore it. And they said to them, “Go and explore the land.” And they came to the hill country of Ephraim, to the house of Micah, and lodged there.”.

 

VII)     5 was the number of the golden tumors and mice that the Philistines was instructed (held responsible) to send to the Israelites in the expectance of reaching the grace of the Creator.

 

·       1Sa 6:3,4 -> “They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand does not turn away from you.” And they said, “What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him?” They answered, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for the same plague was on all of you and on your lords.”.

 

VIII)   5 was the quantity of stones that the Creator used to grace David with the defeat of the giant, whose downthrow he became responsible for.

 

·       1Sa 17:40 -> “Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.”.

 

IX)        When one of the servants of king of Israel thought to survey the camping of the Syrians in order to see if the Creator graced them, he suggested that 5 of the remaining horses was used to this responsibility (the Creator pour His grace and it is responsibility of the man to confirm it):

 

·       2Ki 7:13 -> “And one of his servants said, “Let some men take five of the remaining horses, seeing that those who are left here will fare like the whole multitude of Israel who have already perished. Let us send and see.””.

 

X)          Each wing of the cherubim of the Most Holy Place (where the high priest, once a year, had the responsibility of coming in so that he could get the Creator’s grace), measured 5 cubits.

 

·       2Ch 3:11,12 -> “The wings of the cherubim together extended twenty cubits: one wing of the one, of five cubits, touched the wall of the house, and its other wing, of five cubits, touched the wing of the other cherub;  and of this cherub, one wing, of five cubits, touched the wall of the house, and the other wing, also of five cubits, was joined to the wing of the first cherub.”.

 

XI)        In the temple there was 5 basis, lampstands and tables on the south side and 5 on the north side:

 

·       2Ch 4:6-8 -> “He also made ten basins in which to wash, and set five on the south side, and five on the north side. In these they were to rinse off what was used for the burnt offering, and the sea was for the priests to wash in. And he made ten golden lampstands as prescribed, and set them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north. He also made ten tables and placed them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north. And he made a hundred basins of gold.”.

 

XII)     In the statue of Nebuchadnezzar, the fifth kingdom was the kingdom of the Creator, a kingdom of grace and responsibility.

 

XIII)   Jesus Christ, to carry out our gracious redemption, received 5 wounds: two in the hands, two in the feet, and one in the side. See how great is our responsibility in manifesting His truth and love. After all, He died for all the world (John 3:16).

 

XIV)    To perceive the outside world, God granted us 5 senses.

 

XV)      To execution of practical work, it was given us hands and feet, which in 5 fingers in each.

 

XVI)    In Leviticus, we have 5 offers which shew the responsibility of the priest in arriving to the Creator to receive His grace for the Israelites, to wit: burnt offerings (Lev 1), meal offerings (Lev 2), peace offerings (Lev 3), sin offerings (Lev 4,5:1-13), guilt offerings (Lev 5:14-19).

 

XVII)  The unique miracle which was quoted by the four evangelists was the multiplication of the 5 breads of barley and two fishes for 5 mil people. In it, the disciples could see the multiplier grace of the Creator. But, for this, they had to assume the responsibility of apportioning breads and fish and gather the leftovers:

 

·                 Mar 8:19 -> “When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.””.

 

XVIII)  Elizabeth, after receiving the grace and responsibility of being mother of the major prophet of all times, she hid herself 5 months (Luke 7:28):

 

·                 Luk 1:24 -> “After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying,”.

 

XIX)       When Jesus shew the impact of His grace and the responsibility that this would imply in the life of those who received it, He quoted the division that this would cause in a family of 5 members:

 

·                 Luk 12:52 -> “For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.”.

 

XX)      When someone desired to be excused of the responsibility of partaking of the feast of a certain man (or, better, the grace of enjoying a delicious banquet), He said that he had 5 yokes of oxen.

 

·                 Luk 14:19 -> “And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’”.

 

XXI)    There were five the brothers of the rich who, in hell, begged for their brothers to be more responsible for the law of the Creator and, thus, receive the grace to go to the same place Lazarus was.

 

·                 Luk 16:28 -> “for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’”.

 

XXII)  The 5 husbands that the Samaritan woman had shows that she was responsible and full of grace:

 

·                 John 4:18 -> “for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”.”.

 

 

*11 – THE VIRGINS*: those who are known by Jesus at this dispensation, that is to say, the members of the Church. After all, see what the Bridegroom answered to the 5 fool virgins:

 

·       Mat 25:12 -> “But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’”.

 

*12 – THE BRIDE*: the Church.

 

Perhaps you are asking: what is the difference between the 10 virgins and the bride?

 

The 10 virgins are each member of the Body of Christ:

 

·       Rom 12:5 -> “so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”.

 

Although, together, all the believers form Jesus’ body, they still keep on being individuals. That is to say, although in spirit they are united, the manner of thinking and feeling is different in virtue of the knowledge of each one. Although there are many verses in the Holy Scripture that instruct us to be outright united (for instance, Col 1:10; Phil 4:2), unfortunately, our poor comprehension of Jesus and His Word (1Cor 13:12) preclude us of being perfectly united.

 

So, at this moment, we are being built to be spiritual house (the Creator’s building) and planted to be His field:

 

·       1Co 3:9 -> “For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.”.

·       1Pe 2:5 -> “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

 

Nonetheless, when Jesus raptures His Church (three and a half days after the half of the seventieth week), first all the believer will appear in the judgment seat of Jesus:

 

·       Rom 14:10 -> “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;”. 

·       2Co 5:10 -> “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”.

 

After this, when the believers are a few minutes away from the return of Christ, after the falling of the Great Babylon, finally will come the marriage of the Lamb:

 

·       Rev 19:7 -> “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;”.

 

From this moment on, instead of several buildings or fields separated, the Church will become one city, perfectly united with each building and field in the right place:

 

·       Rev 21:2 -> “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”.

·       Rev 21:9,10 -> “Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,”.

 

In other words: today each believer is the Body of Christ insofar as each person, individually, is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 3:16; 6:19; 2Cor 6:16). After the marriage of the Lamb, every believer will know Jesus perfectly (1Cor 13:12) and, thus, everyone will think and feel the same.

 

From this moment, instead of each one being the temple of the Holy Spirit, we will have this:

 

·       Rev 21:22 -> “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.”.

 

That is to say, all believers will stay together and the Creator will be seen on all of them in set. Every one will find the Creator, not through one person individually, but personally, seeing and hearing Him directly while they walk in the middle of the believers. We can talk to some believer and, at the same time, see and hear the Creator live.

 

·       Eph 5:31,32 -> “ “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”.

 

ISRAELITE MARRIAGE

 

After chosen the bride, whether it is by the parents or by the son, it started a period before the marriage which was similar to engage. This period was about 1 year. This period was to boy and girl know each other better and so that the boy could get the money for the dowry (mohar – Gen 34:12; Exodus 22:16; 1Sam 18:25), which was deliver to the father of the bride.

 

The father of the bride stipulated a value which the boy should pay in order to:

 

·       Prove that he was really interested in the bride;

·       Indemnify the parents in virtue of he was taking away from the family something very precious.

·       Show that he was sufficient responsible and able to afford a family.

Since then, the girl was espoused with the boy before the law, but he couldn’t have sexual intercourse with her.

 

After one year, it came the ceremony of marriage. Usually it was chosen the Autumn, which was the season for crops and fit for feasts.

 

One day before, the bridegroom come out of his house in procession with his friends in order to take his bride from the house of his father-in-law. During this, the bride farewell of her father, who blessed her and gave her a box with some coins as a special gift for her marriage.

 

Bride and bridegroom were specially ornated.

 

The procession of the bride was guided by his friend. His friend was someone who stay close to the bridegroom all the time and partook of his joy.

 

The cortege of the bridegroom arrived at the beginning of the night around the house of the father of the bride. As preparation, a group of young virgins (friends of the bridegroom who really love him – Song 1:3) should go to receive the bridegroom at the door of the city (or village) and enlighten his way toward the house of the bride’s father.

 

The bride had with her a cortege prepared to follow the cortege of the bridegroom. And the illuminating virgins should go with her after leading the bridegroom to his bride.

 

When the two corteges got together, the bride went in a litter or mounted on an ornated animal pulled by the bridegroom and his friend. The remain of the guests go on foot singing until the place of the feast with the virgins ahead enlightening the way.

 

When the two corteges reached the house of the bridegroom their parents pronounced a blessing to the couple, which was accompanied by gifts which expressed votes of relish.

 

So, the feast started, which endure several days. The bridegroom was with the guests, while the bride go to one of the bedrooms with her maids, which was prepared specially for her. There would happen the consummation of the marriage.

 

MESSAGE

Observe carefully how Jesus concludes this passage:

 

·       Mat 25:13 -> “*Watch* therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”.

 

Note that the focus of this excerpt is vigilance. But wait, these 10 virgins were very dedicated to Jesus and His word. So much so that, all of them knew when Jesus would come (they only didn’t know the hour) and believed in it (to the point of staying in the street at night when there wasn’t electricity). Nonetheless, what Jesus said to the apostles?

 

·       Mat 25:13 -> “Watch therefore, for *you know neither the day nor the hour*.”.

 

So, these virgins will be more clarified than the apostles. So, what is the point in this passage? Many people think that the only problem is the lack of oil. Nonetheless, there is other problem:

 

·       Mat 25:5 -> “As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.”.

 

As Paul said:

 

·       1Th 5:4-8 -> “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation”.

 

The order is to stay awake. You can argue: “but the five wise virgins were saved”.

 

Yes, by Jesus’ mercy:

 

·       1Th 5:9-10 -> “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.”.

 

However, pay attention carefully to what the wise virgins answered to the fool ones:

 

·       Mat 25:8,9 -> “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.’”.

 

So, although the wise virgins had oil in their vessels, the portion of it the vessel was a modicum. So much so that these virgins couldn’t share with the fools.

 

Be careful! Although these virgins were saved, but, and about you? Do you have sufficient oil in your vessels? By the way: do you have any vessel?

 

If yes, have a good day filling your vessels with many ken and wisdom. Otherwise, seek out to find some ones.

 

Remember of the miracle that the Creator made in the life of the widow:

 

·       2Ki 4:3-7 -> “Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”.

 

See that the widow should get as much vessels as she could. The more the vessel, the greater the multiplication of the oil. In addition to this, Jesus said:

 

·       Joh 15:8 -> “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”.

·       Joh 15:2 -> “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”.

 

So, don’t think, as many counterfeit believers, in seek Jesus only for themselves. Do you recollect the promise of Psalm 23?

 

·       Psa 23:5 -> “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”.

 

The Creator anoint us with His wisdom and knowledge so that we can share them with people around us and all of them can be enlightened with the Holy Spirit. Jesus call us to be instrument of His salvation (reconciliation with Him – 2Cor 5:18-20). It isn’t for us to stay with His salvation only for us.

 

The problem with the fool virgins is that, although they respected Jesus’ name (and all wisdom and knowledge contained in His identity), they didn’t love His name to the point of convey It to their vessels.

 

So, the bridegroom delayed so that the heart of the virgins could be tried. Hence to be “10” the virgins: to show us that Jesus only come to us when our fidelity toward Him is verified.

 

However, only the 5 wise virgins could see the preciosity of His grace to the point of assuming the responsibility of convey it to her vessels.

 

Hence the number 5. Five virgins (fools) weren’t responsible in manifest His precious wisdom and ken with her vessel and, for this, they lost the grace.

 

So, first of all, seek Jesus’ love so that you can be full of Jesus’ vessels. And, when you get them, follow the advice below:

 

·       1Jn 1:3 -> “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”.

 

Next, follow Jesus’ calling for you:

 

·       Mat 28:19 -> “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”.

·       Mar 16:15 -> “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”.

 

Make disciples filling them with Jesus’ wisdom and ken. And don’t think that the oil in your vessels is sufficient. The problem with the fool virgins was that they thought that their wisdom and knowledge was sufficient to keep the flame of the Holy Spirit burning amidst all the apostasy that will take hold of the world when the seventieth week of Daniel starts.

 

Nonetheless, at this time, the Holy Spirit will be taken away of the world (there won’t be any revelation of Him and, for this, the love of many will grow cold, to wit, of the fool virgins – Mat 24:12). People will seek out a genuine word of the Holy Spirit, but there won’t be any one:

 

·       2Th 2:3 -> “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 

·       2Th 2:7 -> “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

·       Amo 8:11-13 -> ““Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it. “In that day the lovely virgins and the young men shall faint for thirst.”.

 

At this time, the correct should be:

 

·       1Th 5:11 -> “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”.

 

Unfortunately, all the genuine members of the Body of Christ, instead of persisting on increasing in wisdom and ken through the flame of the Holy Spirit that is still burning in them, they will prefer sleep (probably trying to sort out, by physical ways, the problems that will come in the seventieth week of Daniel).

 

Resulted: they will stop praying:

 

·       Rev 8:1 -> “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven *for about half an hour*.”.

 

For almost all the first half of the seventieth week of Daniel (“about half an hour” above), they won’t pray.

 

Understand: when the night starts (the seventieth week of Daniel), the ten virgins (the believers in Christ) will see that Jesus is about to come. In the beginning, they will stay awake (praying). After some “minutes”, they will stop praying and increasing in knowledge and wisdom coming from the Creator in virtue of the severity of the persecution promoted by the antichrist, as well as the plague sent by the two witnesses (Rev 11:10).

 

Only three and a half days after the half of the seventieth week, when Jesus comes to rapture the Church, the ten virgins will awake with the calling of Jesus directed to the two witnesses (Rev 11:12) and his resurrection (note a brief enlivenment):

 

·       Rev 11:13 -> “And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons: and the rest were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.”.

 

At this time, the ten virgins will try to keep alive the presence of the Holy Spirit in them, but there is no time to seek more knowledge and wisdom from the Creator, specially directed by that moment.

 

So, the time to arrive to the throne of grace is now, so that, at the right time, we can get the necessary assistance:

 

·       Heb 4:16 -> “Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.”.

 

When the tribulation reaches us as a river, hardly ever we will find disposition and peace of spirit to concentrate in faith, in order to pray correctly (see Romans 8:26):

 

·       Luk 18:8 -> “I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth”.

 

And, even if we have wise and understanding believers close to us, they can’t increase our ken and wisdom in faith in a jiffy. When Jesus comes, each one only will have time to pray individually (after all, the intimacy with the Creator is individual). It is thus that the wise virgins will trim their lamps:

 

·       Mat 25:6,7 -> “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.”.

 

Recall: although we need to pray for each other (James 5:16), we only can receive the benefit of the prayers done for us if we, personally, pray. Recollect that the Creator don’t have grandsons, but sons; and it doesn’t exist salvation hitchhiking.

 

In short: when Jesus comes, only those who has had intimacy with Jesus and being filled of His truth, instruction, ken, wisdom and faith will be able to do what is necessary to retain the Holy Spirit lighting and leading them at that terrible moment, when the seventh trumpet is about to be sounded (1Cor 15:52; James 4:16).

 

Therefore, let’s be careful so that we don’t fall in this case:

 

·       Isa 64:6,7 -> “For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee; for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us by means of our iniquities.”.