Matthew 25:1-13 NKJV - Then
the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their
lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. "Now five of them were wise,
and five were foolish. "Those who were foolish took their lamps and took
no oil with them, "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their
lamps. "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and
slept. "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is
coming; go out to meet him!' "Then all those virgins arose and trimmed
their lamps. "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your
oil, for our lamps are going out.' "But the wise answered, saying, 'No,
lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those
who sell, and buy for yourselves.' "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. "Afterward the other virgins came also,
saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly,
I say to you, I do not know you.' "Watch therefore, for you know
neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
The Jews are the virgins.
Both groups revered the Torah.
Both groups stated they love Yahweh.
Both groups thought they were blameless. Paul stated, before he believed, that he was Philippians 3:6 NKJV - ...concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [Emphasis is mine]
One group believed.
One group did not believe.
One group was wise.
One group was foolish.
Finally, the day arrived. It was the threshold.
Those who believed God entered the city.
Those who did not believe God did not enter.
Those who did not believe realized too late.
The Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’s day for the most part did not believe.
They died. They realized they had made the wrong decision, regarding that Jesus, Yeshua, was Messiah. Now it was too late.
Hebrews 9:27 NKJV - And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
Matthew 24:44 NKJV - Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Matthew 25:13 NKJV - Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Hebrews 3:16-4:2 NIV - Who
were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out
of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with
those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom
did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who
disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us
be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we
also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the
message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share
the faith of those who obeyed.
