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 recognise 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:

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 God 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 Yahuweh, 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 Yahuweh’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>. (1John 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 God knows anyone that loves Him (1Corinthians 8:3), which according to Yahushua Messiah, this means that God 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 God, 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” [see link below].

Yahuweh, 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). Yahuweh 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!

The Wise Virgins Identified in Scripture

The Psalms and Proverbs both have much to say about those who would be wise, and those who are foolish. Notice the frequent relating of ‘wisdom’ with Commandments and Torah [Law]:

Psalms:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalms 111:10)

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. (Psalms 119:98)

Proverbs:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)

My son, hear [hearken to; hear and obey] the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law [Torah] of thy mother: (Proverbs 1:8)

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6)

The wise shall inherit glory (Proverbs 3:35)

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get [acquire; purchase] wisdom (Proverbs 4:7)

My son, keep [guard; observe; watch; obey] thy father’s commandment, and forsake [forsake; cast off; reject] not the law [Torah] of thy mother: (Proverbs 6:20)

Hear [hearken to; hear and obey] instruction, and be wise, and refuse [refuse; let go; neglect] it not (Proverbs 8:33)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)

The wise in heart will receive [seize; lay hold of; fetch; marry] commandments (Proverbs 10:8)

A wise son heareth [hearkens to; hears and obeys] his father’s instruction (Proverbs 13:1)

The law [Torah] of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. (Proverbs 13:14)

A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil (Proverbs 14:16)

There is Oil in the dwelling of the wise (Proverbs 21:20)

Whoso keepeth [is guarding; observing; watching; obeying] the law [Torah] is a wise son (Proverbs 28:7)

Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father (Proverbs 29:3)

All these verses hold the promise of being wise in our ‘latter end’ (Proverbs 19:20). The ‘latter end’ is that most-waited-for time, that glorious time, when we shall hear the midnight cry, saying, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him” (Matt 25:6).

Gaining wisdom is the key — the secret to having that precious Oil that the five Wise Virgins had. Having the Oil is merely a by-product, a result of being wise, and of being known by the Bridegroom. As Born-Again Believers, being wise, and avoiding being foolish, is the real issue. It is a New Covenant [Eternal Covenant] issue.

Yahushua confirms again and again what we have been seeing here. Yahushua was exhorting His Bride, when He said, “…O fools, and slow of heart to believe ALL that the prophets have spoken” (Luke 24:25). When Yahushua spoke those words, He spoke them as a warning to His Bride. In saying this, He revealed to us that the foolish are ‘slow of heart,’ because they are not “DO-ers” of all the Prophets have spoken.

What was Yahushua referring to? For one thing, He was Referring to the Israelites in the Wilderness, who are another picture or ‘type’ of the Foolish Virgins. The Prophets tell us exactly what prevented the Israelites of that generation [all except for Joshua and Caleb] from entering in to the Promised Land.

Let’s look at just a few passages from the Prophets, to see what the Prophets have to say about the Israelites, and by extension, what the Prophets say about us today:

Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know…I am the LORD that sanctify them. 13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. (Ezekiel 20:12-13)

I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; 20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. (Ezekiel 20:19-20)

Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant [“owlam berith”]. (Exodus 31:16)

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:46-47)

In the above passage in John 5:46-47, Yahushua clearly tells us that if we do not believe Moses’ words [if we are not a ‘DO-er’ of Moses’ words], how can we say we believe Messiah’s words [how can we say we are a ‘DO-er’ of Messiah’s words]? For Moses’ words ARE Messiah’s words — it was Messiah, as the WORD of Yahuweh, who gave the Commandments to Moses!

So if we are disobeying Moses’ words, we are disobeying Messiah’s Words!

And so Yahushua is telling us today, “If ye love me, keep MY commandments” (John 14:15). Messiah is telling us that “if” we love Him, we will choose to go outside our own comfort zone, in order to seek out, and learn to keep, His commandments.

Messiah is further telling us, that those who truly know Him [who know that He is the WORD of Yahuweh who gave the Commandments to Moses] are those who show their love for Him, by keeping all of His commandments — including those He gave to Moses on Mount Sinai.

When the Foolish become “DO-ers” of all that the Prophets have spoken, by keeping Messiah’s commandments, they will become Wise. Messiah further tells us that these will not be among the least in His Kingdom, but among the great (Matthew 5:19).

Those who become Wise will also be among those who make their calling and election sure, and will be found among those who become partakers of the Everlasting Covenant.

Many today do not realise that the ‘New Covenant’ is the very same ‘Everlasting Covenant’ spoken of in the Book of Hebrews, and also in the Psalms:

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

“…Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: (Psalms 105:9-10)

In the Psalms passage above, we see that transgressing the covenant made with Abraham, is transgressing the very same covenant confirmed unto Jacob for a law, and is also transgressing the Everlasting Covenant ratified in the Blood of Yahushua.

If we want to avoid breaking the Marriage Covenant, we should look intently at the Scriptures, to see what else the Foolish Virgins were doing, for our warning.

The Foolish Virgins Break the Marriage Agreement

Most of the original generation of Israel that came out of Egypt, were prevented from entering in to the Promised Land, because of their disobedience, their “transgression of the law.”

The Foolish Virgins likewise will be prevented from entering in with the Bridegroom, for the very same reasons. As we have seen above, Messiah has told us that it will be anomia, the same “transgression of the law” that the Israelites practiced, that will prevent the Foolish Virgins from entering in with Him.

But why is this true?

It is because obedience to the Torah [‘Law’] is a vital part of the New [Everlasting] Covenant, and because the Torah spells out the details of the ‘Ketubah’ — the eternal Marriage Agreement that the Foolish Virgins continue to rebel against.

Notice how the Foolish are described in Scripture:

The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. (Psalms 5:5)

Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. (Psalms 107:17)

In the above passages, we see that the Foolish are defined not by their lack of intelligence, nor by their lack of achievements. The Foolish are defined by their continued iniquity and transgression, by their continued disobedience to Father’s Commandments.

Now let us look again at the Matthew 7:21-23 passages, to gain further insight into the identity of the Foolish Virgins:

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. (Matthew 7:21)

In the above passage, we see that many say with their words, that Yahushua is their Master, but they say, yet do not do Father’s will. Those who say that Yahushua is their Master, are known today as Born-again Believers.

Now notice what Yahushua tells us next:

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? (Matthew 7:22)

In the above passage, we see that there will be many who mention some of the actions they have done. Notice that each action is identified as having been done “in your name,” signifying again that these are what we would call Born-again, New Covenant Believers.

Now notice the Matthew 7:23 passage again:

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity <458> anomia [transgression of the Mosaic Law]. (Matthew 7:23)

Who will Messiah profess unto? He will profess unto them.

To whom does the word ‘them’ refer? The word ‘them’ refers to the Born-again Believers in the previous two verses, in Matthew 7:21-22.

All that remains is for us to further confirm in Scripture, that the workers of iniquity are the Foolish Virgins. Notice again, the following passage:

The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. (Psalms 5:5)

And so again we see that the workers of iniquity represent the Foolish Virgins, who happen to be among the Born-again Believers!

What else do we see in Scripture about the Foolish Virgins?

Throughout Scripture, we see two opposing pictures of the Virgins. First, there is the [repentant] Virgin Daughter of Zion, picturing the Wise Virgins. Second, there is the Virgin Daughter of Babylon, also called the Daughter of the Chaldeans, and the Virgin Daughter of Egypt. These names speak of the many prophetic pictures of the Foolish Virgins, as we see below:

Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. (Isaiah 47:1)

Those of the Company of the Virgin Daughter of Babylon were called ‘Virgins,’ but were not aware that they were still part of the Babylon Religious system. They had gone back into captivity, and were in bondage to Babylon. To see why this is true, we will look at the similarities between the Israelites in the wilderness, and the Foolish Virgins.

Similarities Between the Israelites and the Foolish Virgins

There are striking similarities between the Israelites, after having left Egypt, and the Foolish Virgins:

Like most of the Israelites of that generation [except for Joshua and Caleb], the Foolish Virgins will be refused entry for the very same reasons, as given in Ezekiel 20:

The Book of Hebrews speaks a clear message for us to heed today. Like the Israelites, we too may have come out by the Blood of the Lamb. Like the Israelites, we too may have been baptised in water, and in the Holy Spirit. However, we are warned greatly in the Book of Hebrews, and throughout the New Testament writings, that we too may not be allowed to enter in to the Promised Land, for the very same reasons the Israelites were refused entry!

The Foolish Virgins failed to heed these many New Testament warnings!

Much of the New Testament centers around various exhortations and warnings, regarding various points of Torah that followers of Messiah are called to keep today, just as Messiah did, and just as His Disciples did.

It is important to note, however, that all these exhortations and warnings are directed only to those who are participants of the Everlasting [New] Covenant, which we are told are limited only to those of the House of Israel, which includes all of Israel’s sons — the twelve tribes of Israel (Jeremiah 31:33).

So, we must ask the question, “How do the ‘gentiles’ become participants in, and partakers of, the New Covenant?”

Partakers of The New Covenant

The apostle Paul [in referring to the Prophet Ezekiel’s words in Ezekiel chapter 37], tells us in Romans 11:17-24, that whoever ‘Believes’ in Messiah, is as a branch ‘grafted in’ to the tree of Israel, and thus becomes home-born citizens of Israel. Paul gives us further details of this new citizenship in Ephesians 2:11-22. As part of Israel, the new Believers become partakers of the New Covenant provisions, and as well as the New Covenant promises made to Israel through Messiah. Thus the provisions and the promises that apply to Israel, now apply also to those ‘grafted in’ to Israel through Messiah.

The Foolish Virgins, however, chose not to heed the instructions in Torah spoken to Israel, and also chose not to heed the many New Covenant exhortations and warnings spoken to Israel. They failed to lay hold of the New Covenant provisions written throughout the ‘Old’ Testament writings, and after having been allowed a time for repentance, were sent back into captivity, in bondage to the prophetic ‘Babylon’ religious system.

We cannot speak much of this here, except to say that the Prophets of old have much to say about those of our day who, because they choose to continue in disobedience to Torah, are sent back into bondage to the prophetic Babylon.

The conditions for receiving the promises, however, still apply for all Israel, which includes those grafted-in to Israel by faith in Messiah! This is why the Grace of Messiah, on the one hand, as well as the instructions in Torah, and the exhortations and warnings in the New Testament writings on the other hand, are both so vitally important! The Foolish Virgins failed to lay hold of the Grace necessary to serve Yahuweh acceptably (Hebrews 12:28), and they failed to heed the Torah instructions, as well as the New Testament exhortations and warnings.

Now if the Foolish Virgins failed to lay hold of some of the New Covenant provisions and promises, and also failed to heed the warnings, what is it that they had been taught?

What Were The Foolish Virgins Taught?

Perhaps the Foolish Virgins had been taught that Messiah’s commandments in the ‘Old’ Testament writings are ‘Jewish;’ and that as Born-again Believers, they need not obey the Mosaic Law to be acceptable to the Lord.

Perhaps the Foolish Virgins were taught the a modern heresy called “dispensationalism” — which is actually an old heresy we are warned of in Scripture, called “The Doctrine of Balaam.” This man-made doctrine teaches that the ‘earlier’ commands of God have been nullified, and that only the ‘later’ commands are relevant today.

This false doctrine goes on to teach that the ‘church’ is separate from, and not a part of Israel. This notion, however, contradicts the apostle Paul’s teaching in Romans 11 and Ephesians 2, that gentiles who become Believers in Messiah are grafted-in, and become citizens of Israel.

The false doctrine further says that the eternal[!!] commands of Yahuweh recorded in the ‘Old’ Testament writings are null and void for Born-again Believers of today!

Dear Reader, we would do well to remember the following:

And so by the many man-made doctrines being taught by the ‘False Witnesses’ today, the Foolish Virgins learned to shun the ‘Mosaic Law,’ and failed to read the Scriptures for themselves, as did the Bereans, to see whether these teachings were true, or false.

By shunning the Mosaic Law, the Foolish Virgins did not allow the Lamb to live in them fully. In refusing to observe the Mosaic Law, they refused to observe ‘My Sabbaths,’ as Messiah calls them, and in doing so, they refused Him. They prevented “Messiah-living-in-them” from obeying many of His Father’s Commandments.

By refusing to observe the Mosaic Law, the Foolish Virgins refused to keep the Passover, thus they refused the Passover Lamb Himself.

By refusing the Passover meal, they refused to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood of the New Covenant, eating instead a counterfeit passover put forth by Rome. But by refusing the Blood of the ‘Cup of the New Covenant’ after the Passover meal, they failed to ratify the Marriage Covenant on their own behalf, in their own person. And in their failure to do so, they gave testimony that they did not have His Life living within them (John 6.53-56; Mark 14:16-24).

Instead of the true Passover, the Foolish Virgins practiced a man-made, substitute Passover of initiated by Rome, calling it ‘Communion’ and the ‘Lord’s Supper.’ Their spiritual Leaders could not explain the Passover meal without practicing the Torah they rejected, thus they taught the people to embrace a substitute of the true — which substitute is the basic definition of an idol.

In this way, these spiritual Leaders changed the true ‘Lord’s Supper’ to an occasion for their followers to eat a substitute or idol sacrifice, which the apostle Paul calls ‘the table of devils’ and ‘the cup of devils’ (1Corinthians 10:21), and which Messiah calls ‘eating things sacrificed to idols‘ (Rev 2:14, 20).

The company of Foolish Virgins can also be seen prophetically in Scripture as the ‘Virgin Daughter of Babylon’ and ‘the Strange Woman,’ because they continued to remain in the Babylon religious system, and refused to come out of her (Rev 18:4).

And because they chose not to come out from among today’s popular religious system, the Foolish Virgins continued to embrace the false teachings of Rome, and continued to refuse becoming a “DO-er” of all the Words of Messiah, which include the words Messiah spoke to Moses.

But by rejecting Messiah’s commands given to Moses, the Foolish Virgins continued to embrace many forms of idolatries and abominations forbidden in Scripture to Yahuweh’s people Israel.

For example, the Foolish Virgins continued to have forbidden graven images and idols in their homes, in violation of the Second Commandment (Ex 20:4; Deut 4:16-18; Deut 7:26).

Their Pastors and spiritual Leaders reassured their followers, however, by telling them, “If you don’t bow down to it, it is not an idol.” The Foolish Virgins did not do as the Bereans, to seek out the truth in the Scriptures for themselves, and so they believed everything their spiritual Leaders told them (Prov 14:15).

The Foolish Virgins also continued to remain abominable, by the abominations they continued to embrace in their diet (Lev 11:1-47; Isaiah 65:4), giving testimony that they were refusing to walk in a lifestyle of holiness [separated unto Yahuweh through obedience to His words] (Lev 11:44-47; 1Pet 1:15-16).

But because their Pastors and spiritual Leaders walked in the Way of Balaam, and practiced the Error of Balaam, they reassured their followers by teaching them the Doctrine of Balaam. They continued to tell their followers, “Those are ‘Old’ Testament commands, which have been nullified, and done away with.” “They do not apply to us today — they are only for the Jews.” “We are set free, so we may do as we please.”

The Foolish Virgins also continued to observe religious abominations, such as Christ-mass, Easter, and Lent; and continued to practice myriads of other ancient, pagan religious rites, wrapped in modern religious packaging to deceive many.

Their Pastors and spiritual Leaders continued to reassure their followers by telling them, “God doesn’t see your sin — He sees the Blood of Jesus.”

But notice what Yahuweh says about that idea:

They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless [they ‘commit sins’]. 7 Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. 8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? 9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? (Psalms 94:6-9)

For thou hast trusted in [‘trusted’ in Yahuweh, while remaining in] thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom [your so-called ‘wisdom’] and thy knowledge [what you ‘think’ you know], it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me. (Isaiah 47:10)

For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle <05216> [‘lamp’] of the wicked shall be put out [extinguished]. (Proverbs 24:20)

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not [do] the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:6-9)

First notice in the last passage above, in 1John 1:6-9, that the blood of Yahushua does indeed cleanse us from all sin [unrighteousness]. This cleansing occurs, however, only “if” we confess our sins, as we see in verse 9.

Then in the Psalms and Isaiah passages above, we see a prophetic picture of Yahuweh’s people today.

For example, notice in the context of the above Isaiah 47 passage, that Yahuweh is addressing His own people, who say they trust in Yahuweh, while continuing in the midst of their own wickedness.

But what is this wickedness that Yahuweh’s people continue in today?

The answer is found when we recall that the actions of righteousness and holiness, and of sin and wickedness, are all defined in Scripture as being relative to obedience to Father’s Commandments!

We then see in the above Proverbs passage, that it is the ‘wicked’ whose lamps shall be put out, the ‘wicked’ whose lamps shall be extinguished!

Might these wicked ones be the Foolish Virgins, whose lamps will have gone out before the Bridegroom returns?

So we must ask, “Who are the wicked?”

Who are the Wicked?

The word ‘wicked’ in Scripture means ‘departed’ from Father’s prescribed ways. To illustrate this truth, the English word ‘wicked’ [wick’d] was used to describe something that is twisted like a candle wick.

The word ‘crooked’ [crook’d] is similar, and describes those whose ways have a ‘crook’ in them, whose ways have been turned, twisted, or bent away from the prescribed path, and whose ways are no longer straight nor upright.

These terms all describe those who have ‘departed’ from walking in Father’s prescribed, eternal ways, and who refuse to return to walking His ways.

What Does it Mean to Walk in Father’s Ways?

In order to walk in Father’s ways, we must first know what they are. We must then ask, “What are Father’s ways?”

The Scriptures tell us:

For I have kept [guarded; watched; heeded] the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 23 For [‘because’] all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. (2samuel 22:22)

We see in the 2Samuel 22:22 passage above, that to ‘keep’ or ‘watch’ is to heed Father’s ways; and that to be ‘wicked’ is to depart from Father’s ways — which is to depart from Yahuweh Himself (2Sam 22:22).

We must then ask, “What does it mean, to walk in Father’s eternal ways?”

Again, we see the answer to this question in the 2Samuel 22:22 passage above, that to ‘keep’ [guard; watch; heed] the ways of Yahuweh, is to not depart from His statutes and His judgments.

Messiah living within His people is the WAY. By living within His redeemed people, He leads them, and guides them into the Way of Peace (Luke 1:79; Romans 3:17), which is the way of walking in [doing; obeying] the Truths of Scripture (John 16:13). He then enables them, by His Grace, to walk in obedience to His Word.

As the initial fulfillment of His Everlasting [New] Covenant promises, the Father gives His people His Holy Spirit; He then leads them by His Spirit, to seek out in Scripture, and to find and obey, Father’s statutes [His prescribed commandments and ordinances] and His judgments [the family ‘house rules’] — exactly as described by both Jeremiah and Ezekiel! (See Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 36:25-27).

The life Messiah lived while on earth 2000 years ago is for our example of how we are to walk today, just as He walked two thousand years ago — in obedience to Father’s eternal ways. Just as Yahushua learned obedience, even to the point of suffering, we too are to follow His example of obedience to Father’s will, the obedience of walking in Father’s ways. (John 14:6; Hebrews 5:8; 1Pet 2:21).

We walk in Father’s ways, when we ‘abide’ [remain; dwell] in Messiah — when we walk as He walked, by obeying His eternal statutes, commandments, and ordinances that He, as the WORD of Yahuweh [Messiah], gave to Moses! (See Ex 18:20; Num 15:31; 1Kings 3:14; Prov 23:26; John 1:1, 14; John 14:15; John 15:10; Hebrews 3:10; 1John 2:6; 1John 3:24.)

So we see that the wicked are those who have departed from Father’s prescribed, eternal ways — who refuse to walk in His ways, thereby preventing Messiah, who lives within them, from obeying our heavenly Father.

The above verse in Proverbs tells us that it is the lamps of the wicked that shall [eventually] be extinguished, if they continue to refuse to learn and follow Father’s eternal ways. We also saw above in Matthew 25:8, that it is the lamps of the Foolish Virgins that are gone out, and extinguished.

Thus we see that the wicked whose lamps are gone out, are none other than the Foolish Virgins, whose lamps are gone out! Taken together, these stand as a warning to all who would be wise!

The Bride Makes Herself Ready — By the Bridegroom’s Ability

In view of the above warnings, let us come out from the practice of the Babylon religious system. Let us be men and women fashioned after Yahuweh’s own heart, as was King David, who cried out, “O how I love thy Law [‘Torah’]! it is my meditation all the day” (Psalms 119:97).

Let us delight in Messiah, and in all of His Words, just as the apostle Paul, who said, “For I delight in the Law of God, after the inward man” (Romans 7:22).

Let us begin to allow Messiah-in-us, to walk in all the provisions and promises of the New Covenant, by keeping, observing, and guarding [the Hebrew word is ‘watch’] all His ways, keeping His Commandments — including those He gave to Moses. Messiah will enable us, by His Grace — the Holy-Spirit power and ability He gives us from within, to keep His Commandments.

As a reminder, let us recall what the New Covenant promise includes:

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:31-33)

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (Ezekiel 36:27)

And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh…” (Matthew 25:13)

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:35-37)

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not Watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Revelation 3:3)

In the above passages, we see that under the New Covenant, the Mosaic Law is not to be done away with — it is simply written in a different location — on our hearts!

We also see that when His Spirit is within us, it is for the purpose of leading us into [doing of] all truth, the keeping of His statutes and judgments that Yahuweh has written on our hearts.

We then see that Yahuweh will forgive our iniquity, and remember our sin no more, as we begin the process of repentance — as we cease our iniquity and sin, and begin to ‘watch’ — to walk in His Commandments, Statutes and Judgments, enabled by His Grace.

For those inclined to do so, let us who are among the Foolish Virgins, repent, so that we may become wise.

Finally, we will see the fruit of our repentance, when we begin to heed Messiah’s warning to ‘watch’.

The Bridegroom will soon arrive — let us make ourselves “Ready!”

Let us decide whether we would be among the Wise Virgins — or among the Foolish!