Yes, we are all busy, but do you have sixty seconds?
Just one minute?
I’ve been told by a number of people that they are ok with being least in the kingdom, as a result of them rejecting Torah instructions.
We could study much on this topic, but let’s just look at one parable today.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matthew 25:1-13
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Many people assume this parable deals with five believers and five non-believers. To do so is a mistake, and twists the scripture to match the mainstream church doctrine that all who believe will be included in the kingdom.
We see in verse 1 that the ten virgins are representative of the kingdom of heaven. All ten are part of the kingdom, not just half of them. All ten are expecting to be the bride.
When the bridegroom comes, five of the virgins are well prepared, having enough oil to light their way at night, and five are unprepared. Why does this parable use lamps and light as an example for being prepared for the coming of Yeshua?
Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp,
And the law a light;
Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
Psalm 119:105-106
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
106 I have sworn and confirmed
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:129-130
Your laws and precepts are wonderful.
Therefore my soul obeys them.
130 The unfolding of Your words gives light,
giving understanding to the simple.
The virgins who know and honor Torah are the ones who are prepared, and they are welcomed into the wedding.
The five virgins who did not have light, did not have Torah, were locked out, and Yeshua tells them He never knew them.
But wait…
We are also told in scripture that Yeshua Messiah is the light.
John 8:12
Yeshua spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. The one who follows Me will no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
So, the virgins just need to have faith in Yeshua, and therefore have His light, and they should be good, right? So… the mainstream message is correct, right?
Am I just stretching the scriptures here to promote Torah?
Is there a second witness in scripture to support the idea that knowing and keeping Torah might be important in order to be included?
Yes, there is, and it is a direct quote of Messiah:
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, and drive out demons in Your name, and perform many miracles in Your name?’ 23 Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’”
This is a parallel passage, where Messiah is telling people He never knew them. It shows us that workers of lawlessness will not be known by Him, and they will be told to depart, just as the five foolish virgins are locked out of the wedding.
Back to the idea of being least in the kingdom…
What if being least in the kingdom makes you virgins #6 through #10?
You get locked out of the wedding.
Being least in the kingdom does not mean you get to remain in the kingdom…