In looking at the Song of Solomon (Song of Songs), when one reads chapter 1, verse three, the latter part says “your name is like purified oil; therefore the maidens love you.” (NASB used throughout, unless otherwise noted.)
    One is immediately drawn to the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew, chapter 25, verses 1-13, which when understood correctly, is speaking of maidens. Obviously these ten virgins are bridesmaids, as the bridegroom isn’t going to be marrying ten women at the same time. Let’s look at the account:
    Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Master, Master, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour, Matthew 25:1-13.
    The moral of the story, is that we should make the most of the time and opportunities we have now. We are not going to slide into the Kingdom with the bare minimum.
    Now is the acceptable time for those called to the wedding. Yahweh, through the prophet Isaiah, is quoted by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:2: “… AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION.” (See also, Isaiah 55:6, and Hebrews 4:7)
    Another area of Scripture that points to bridesmaids, specifically alluding to coming into the wedding feast of the Kingdom, with Yahshua being the King, is Psalm 45:10-15:
    Listen, O daughter (Bride), give attention and incline your ear (for those who have ears to hear): Forget your people and your father’s house (love Yahshua more than father or mother, Luke 14:26); then the King (Yahshua) will desire your beauty. Because He is your Master, bow down to Him (all will kneel before Yahshua). The daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; the rich among the people will seek your favor. The King’s daughter (Bride) is all glorious within; her clothing is interwoven with gold. She will be led to the King in embroidered work; the virgins, her companions who follow her (Bride), will be brought to You (King Yahshua). They will be led forth with gladness and rejoicing; they will enter into the King’s palace. (Revelation 7:9-17, especially the verse 17, is applicable for the wise virgins).
    It is amazing to see the imagery pointing to both the bridesmaids and the Bride. We find this in Song of Solomon 6:8-10, There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, and maidens without number (Rev 7:9); but my dove, my perfect one, is unique: she is her mother’s only daughter (Gal. 4:26); she is the pure child of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed, the queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying, “Who is this that grows like the dawn, as beautiful as the full moon, as pure as the sun, as awesome as an army (Rev. 7:4) with banners?’
    Think of the bridesmaids seeing the glorified Bride! Imagine what they will see, as Yahshua is they will be like Him. Yahweh will be magnified through the glorification of His people, changed in the twinkling of an eye.
    The bridesmaids follow the Bride into the Kingdom, and the ones who are ready are provided for. The others, like goats, are removed. We will look more closely Revelation chapter seven, verses 9-17 … especially, verse 17 as it relates to the wise virgins. But first, let’s consider the five foolish virgins and five wise virgins with another parable taken from Matthew, chapter 25.

Goats And Sheep Separated
     But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, “Master, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” The King will answer and say to them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” Then He will also say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.” Then they themselves also will answer, “Master, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?” Then He will answer them, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life, Matthew 25:31–46.
    Note well: This discourse follows immediately after the parable of the ten bridesmaids, and illustrates a connection Yahshua is drawing to them. They (the five wise virgins) which are ready to meet the bridegroom are not only vigilant, but diligent in doing such of those things which will have pleased Him upon His return … like, showing compassion to the least and to the last, including such traits that are mentioned in Luke 6:27-36.

Oil Is Important
     In the first 13 verses of Mathew chapter 25, we had read that “the foolish took their lamps but took no oil with them, while the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.” We also read, “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came.”
    For these latter, it was too little, too late. And that is the moral of the story, but what is the oil? This returns us to the Song of Solomon 1:3, which says, Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your Name is like purified oil; therefore the maidens love you. (See also, John 17:26).
    This is a direct reference to the oil and the maidens of Matthew 25:1-13. Note the emphasis on the Name of Yahweh, expressed as, “purified oil.”
    It is also noteworthy, in other areas of Scripture, that the Spirit of Yahweh is poured out like oil. Romans 5:5 says, And hope does not disappoint, because the love of Elohim has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
    The oil is related to Yahweh’s love. However, though the virtuous virgins remarked that the oil could be bought, we can’t buy the Spirit, as Simon Magus found out (Acts 8:18-20). But, what about the pearl of great value?
    Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it, Matthew 13:45-46.
    The Kingdom of Heaven is the exchange one might receive for relinquishing the Self to Yahshua through contrite repentance, confession, and immersion in the Name of Yahshua the Messiah. And the Holy Spirit is not a commodity one can purchase. For it is the Gift of Yahweh to those who obey Him.
    Love also cannot be bought, but is freely given just as the Spirit is. The Spirit is noted as a seal, as we are sealed by It, just as we are the Name.
    Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Name and the Name of His Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to Elohim and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless, Revelation 14:1-5.
    (Incidentally, the Name also cannot be purchased, but is more of an inheritance freely given. Just as Yahshua inherited a better Name than the angels themselves (Heb. 1:3-5).
    We read in Isaiah 43:4-7,
    Since you (Israel) are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life. Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, “Give them up!” And to the south, “Do not hold them back. Bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by My Name, and whom I have created for My Glory, Whom I have formed, even Whom I have made.”
    We see that while His Name cannot be purchased, it is by His Name we are called. But being called is not enough. As Yahshua points out to the Laodicean Assembly, in Revelation 3:14-19, saying,
    To the angel (messenger) of the Assembly in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of Elohim, says this: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.”
    What makes us rich? Is it physical gold? What is more precious than gold refined by fire? Symbolically, what would that be? We find actions are important, like those attributes aforementioned in Matthew 25:35-36.

What Can Be Purchased?
     The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of Yahweh are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of Yahweh are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward, Psalm 19:7–11.
    While the Name, the Holy Spirit, and Love cannot be physically purchased, Bibles, Biblical study guides, and online resources can all be purchased to obtain understanding of His instructions. Merchants sell these tools which can help us better understand how to draw close to Yahweh.
    Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom and instruction and understanding, Proverbs 23:23.
    So, buying Truth comes at a cost! When we come to Yahweh and strive to learn and do His will, He doesn’t put a price tag on it, other than His will shall cost us time, and can cost us family and friends and at times, even our own will.
However, monetarily, there may be no cost. We can obtain some resources at the local library and check out for free. Or, we might go online and download study resources, oftentimes with no charge.
    And in living by the Word of Yahweh, one can’t count tithing a cost, as it is a commandment. (Read our free booklet on, The Temple Tenth.)

Walking on Higher Ground
     We find the free gift of grace given by the Father through our faith and His Son’s Sacrifice.
    Yahshua taught deep truths that focused on the spiritual economies rather than the physical. He taught tithing; he gave commandments concerning murder and adultery, as a few examples of walking on higher ground. He still came to do Yahweh’s will, which was His Father’s Way of Life, exhorting us to repent, that we might become heirs to Kingdom Life, both now in the life that is, and that which is to come.
    Yahweh is the fountain of Living Waters (Psa. 36:9; Jer. 2:13), and Yahshua is the Dispenser or Distributor of Living Waters (John 4:10, 7:38), as it is written:
    Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Yahshua stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Yahshua was not yet glorified, John 7:37-39.
    Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David, Isaiah 55:1-3.
    Is the Word contradictory? We can’t buy the Spirit, but we can buy the Spirit? Meanings can be figurative at times, rather than literal. While there is a physical promise of life, even eternal life accomplished through the Spirit of Yahweh and the Sacrifice of Yahshua the Messiah, there is also the figurative purchase of the Spirit.
    Besides the Spirit there is Truth. We are, in fact, in need of both! This may help clarify what the oil consists of: oil may be a combination of both the Spirit and Truth in abundance.
    Yahshua Himself said, But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. Elohim is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and Truth, John 4:23-24.
    So, what two things can be within True Worshipers of Yahweh? Yahweh’s Spirit and Yahweh’s Truth, but it is the Former that is listed as a figurative type of (anointing) oil.

Figurative Anointing by the Spirit of Yahweh
     Oil is usually thought of in anointing, but we find that the anointing we receive is by the Spirit of Yahweh. This was also true for the Messiah Who came in the flesh. The Spirit of Yahweh Elohim is upon Me, because Yahweh has anointed Me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners, Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18.
    We also receive confirmation through the Apostle Peter:
    You know of Yahshua of Nazareth, how Elohim anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for Elohim was with Him, Acts 10:38.
    Those in the Messiah, though a portion is given in measure, it is not a different anointing, according to the Apostle Paul.
    Now He who establishes us with you in Messiah and anointed us is Elohim, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. The Apostle John also testifies, “you have an anointing from the Holy One,” 1 John 2:20. He says further, in verse 27, As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
    Psalm 45 is a song of love, verses 10-15 particularly, alluding to Yahshua and the Bride, and mention is figuratively made to oil in verse 7: You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore Elohim, Your Elohim, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your fellows, Psalm 45:7; Heb. 1:9.

The Bridesmaids Follow the Anointed Bride into the Kingdom
     After these things (referring to the 144,000 first-fruits Saints in Messiah), I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our Elohim who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (They know Whom they serve, not the beast nor its image). And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped Elohim, saying, “Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our Elohim forever and ever. Amen.” Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” I said to him, “My master, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of Elohim; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb in the center of the throne will (now, from this time forward) be their shepherd, and will (then) guide them to springs of the water of life; and Elohim will wipe every tear from their eyes,” Revelation 7:9-17.
    Prior to this, the 144,000 are said to have the seal of Yahweh (verse 4), which is both the Spirit being granted within them, and His Name inscribed on their foreheads and who have been, no doubt, obedient to the Truth.
    After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living Elohim; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our Elohim on their foreheads,” Revelation 7:1-3.
    It is after the sealing of the Saints, called bond-servants here, is accomplished that the four angels who are holding back the winds of wrath will then release the three-and-a-half-year tribulation period to begin. After the tribulation, Yahshua returns to the earth and, specifically, to Jerusalem.
    Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Name and the Name of His Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth. These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. (symbolically meaning, no false worship) These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to Elohim and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless, Revelation 14:1-5.
    Those who come into the Kingdom having washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14), did so, after the Saints were already sealed prior to the winds of wrath being released. This means that those following the Bride into the Kingdom learned during the tribulation, most likely by the testimony of the two witnesses and the angel in the midst of Heaven (Rev. 14:6) declaring the Truth to everyone still alive. Knowing that they had before been lied to (Jer. 16:19), they probably immersed themselves into the True Name of the Messiah, calling out to Him (Acts 22:16), due to the chaos and utter destruction all around them (called the Great Tribulation, the Day of Yahweh, Joel 2:1-10). Imagine the utter destruction occurring on the earth, and you found out that things you believed were salvational were actually not true at all. What would you do? (See our Mini-Study, Why Be Baptized into the Name of Yahshua?).
    Revisiting the idea that the five good bridesmaids told the five foolish bridesmaids to go to the merchants and buy some oil, it may they just needed to study more to fully get an understanding of what Yahweh teaches in His Word about salvation; about the Law; and about the Messiah Who walked perfectly, and didn’t sin at all.
    People, today, hear the Word preached, but cannot really understand what they hear, because they are not willing to surrender their lives that they might understand. They may be superficially involved with their local church and community, but they really lack an understanding of what they should be doing according to Yahweh’s Word.
    Others, on the other hand, are very dedicated toward doing what they have learned and not wanting in diligence putting forth effort, but still lacking a true knowledge of the Truth, not understanding the True Names, and obligations of eating clean food, and keeping His weekly 7th Day Sabbath and the Feasts of Yahweh. Yet, to their credit, some of these same people express compassionate love toward their fellow man and hence, to Yahweh better than we who have this knowledge, do at times.
    Remember, the Saints are said to be blameless, with no lies and no false worship of any kind. Saints also to strive to love and be compassionate toward all people, especially to the household of faith.
    Given the gravity of what we’ve already gleaned from Scripture, maybe we all should reexamine what we believe, and how we believe!

The Word Provides Light, Like Oil Can Supply
     In recalling to mind Matthew 25:1-13, we notice that the wise bridesmaids had an extra flask or container of oil for their lamps which suggests they had an abundance, of both the Spirit and the Word.
    Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path … The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:105, 130. The way the Word is unfolded is by reading the pages of Scripture and giving attendance to Its preaching.
    Let’s read these verses from Psalm 119, again … but now, in light of Proverbs 6:23:
    The commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; and reproofs for discipline are the way of life.
    The commandments and laws of Yahweh are true altogether, and in obeying them, we get understanding and wisdom which, incidentally, follow from nurturing the fear of Yahweh (Psa. 111:10; Prov. 9:10).
    For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Master Yahshua Messiah, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from Elohim the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with Whom I am well-pleased” – and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your heart, 2 Peter 1:16-19.
    The testimony and word of the letters written in the first century as eye witness accounts of Messiah Yahshua and inspired to be written as a record for us, is as sure to provide us light as well as the Torah, Prophets, and previous Writings to the first century believers of the Common Era. It is a lamp shining in a dark place, the dark place being this world.
    Oil is necessary for the light to shine forth.

Yahshua Is Light, as a Perfect Example of How to Live by The Word
     In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with [the] Elohim, and the Word was [an] Elohim. He was in the beginning with [the] Elohim. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it, John 1:1-5. We’ve added the articles, “the” and “an” to differentiate Yahweh from Yahshua, Who is subject to His Father. (Read our In-Depth study on, Did the Savior Pre-exist?).
    Then Yahshua again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life,” John 8:12.
    Yahshua the Messiah, meeting Paul on the road to Damascus, told him He was going to use him as an instrument to reveal Himself to both Jew and Gentile:
    We read in Acts 26:18, that He sent the Apostle to the Gentiles, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to Elohim, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.
    Today, we have this light within as we walk in the Word of Yahweh and Messiah, in the Holy Spirit.
    The Apostle Paul warned his contemporaries then, and warns us today, in Ephesians 5:6-8,
    Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of [the] Elohim comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Master; walk as children of Light.

Yahweh’s Spirit Provides Light, Just Like Oil Can Supply
     But when He, (“It,” as there is no neuter gender in the Hebrew) the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come, John 16:13. The language in which the disciples and Yahshua spoke, was eloquent and to the point. (See our Mini-Study entitled, Hebrew, The Original Language).
    For Elohim, Who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of Elohim in the face of Messiah, 2 Corinthians 4:6. It is through the True Name of Yahshua Messiah, in Him, and through His shed blood, that we are granted access to the Spirit which comes and emanates from the Father above.
    We must repent, and be obedient to the truth of Yahweh’s Word.
    As Peter said in Acts 5:32, And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom Elohim has given to those who obey Him. (Read our Mini-Study on, Why Biblical Law?).
    In all of this, we can conclude that while the Word of Yahweh, the Spirit of Yahweh, and Yahweh’s Son provide us with light, it is only the Word of Yahweh which can be purchased with physical money through merchants who supply materials which can be studied.

Revisiting the Parable, Again
     Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Master, Master, open up for us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour, Matthew 25:1-13.
    The emphasis, once again, is to be ready; be alert; and study to show yourself approved. And, if you won’t consider what’s written in the Old Testament, what good will the New Testament do you?
    On the other hand, eating clean foods, keeping the Sabbaths and the Feasts, and obeying the Ten Commandments are not the only requirements, as we must obey from the heart whatsoever has been commanded us.

Living According to the Word of Yahweh, Helping the Poor
     The parable of the rich man and Lazarus speaks of those who end up in the lake of fire. Abraham is pleaded with to warn others of the death that awaits those who reject the Truth. Here is the conclusion of the parable:
    “I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house – for I have five brothers – in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.” But Abraham said, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” But he said, “No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!” But he said to him, “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead,” Luke 16:27-31.
    Earlier in this parable, mention is made how well-dressed and how well off the rich man was. He didn’t care about the poor. Otherwise, he would have helped Lazarus who was at his gate wanting to be fed. If he paid attention to the Word of Yahweh, he would have known that he should have helped the poor. But he only evidently cared for himself … which is contrary to what Scripture teaches, as it is written in the Torah:
    If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which Yahweh your Elohim is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks. Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,’ and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing; then he may cry to Yahweh against you, and it will be a sin in you. You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing Yahweh your Elohim will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings. For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land,’” Deuteronomy 15:7-11.
    Scripture, by way of a warning, goes even further than this: He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, but he who is gracious to the needy honors Him, Proverbs 14:31.
    He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses, Proverbs 28:27. Could one of these curses be, that the offender is deprived admittance into the coming Kingdom?
    This might have been troublesome to the foolish bridesmaids, but it may also be part of the problem they have.
    While we may not fully appreciate what having extra oil means – per the parable of the ten virgins – we should consider what’s been presented in this discourse.

Take Away Points

    • The ten virgins are not the Bride, but are bridesmaids to the Bride.

    • There is an emphasis on making use of the time given.

    • Half didn’t have enough oil. The other half had an extra supply.

    • Oil can be representative of the Word of Yahweh and of the Spirit of Yahweh, but love and Yahweh’s Name can also be related.

    • For the Bride, the Messiah provides anointing by the Spirit, leading them as they follow.

    • The multitude, not associated with the Bride, coming into the Kingdom, will then be led to living waters, and Shepherded by Yahshua the King.

    • Just like the sheep and goats are separated, the ten bridesmaids are separated into two groups.

    • Only one is allowed to enter and stay.

    • We also learned, those who don’t fully believe (i.e., live accordingly) to the Torah and the Prophets, might not be persuaded otherwise. Not now, neither in the future.