JACOB'S LADDER

TEN VIRGINS and TRUTH

Jesus told his disciples that, “Unto you it is given to know the MYSTERIES of the KINGDOM OF GOD, but unto those that are without “Christ” ALL things are done in parable.”

Now first of all I want to point out two things.

Jesus did NOT say the things of God, or the Kingdom of God are easily, literally, and intellectually understood, quite the opposite. – Jesus said these things are a MYSTERY.

Let’s look at that word mystery, some other words for it are enigma, riddle, secret, puzzle. Mysteries cannot be taken at face value, they must be REVEALED. Now let’s look at the definition.

The literal definition of MYSTERY is: 1.Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain 2.The condition or quality of being secret, strange, or difficult to explain — and I believe the best definition is the one they give for the MYSTERY of Christ 3.A religious belief based on divine revelation, esp. one regarded as beyond human understanding

Now those that were being discipled by Christ. Those led by the spirit of Truth, Christ (The Power and Wisdom of God) is given the UNDERSTANDING of these things. This of course, is NOT done by their intellect or soulish comprehension. This is also explained clearly in scripture.

2 Peter 1:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old-time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

The word PROPHECY is a word few truly know the meaning of. People think of Nostradamus when they hear that word, they think of future events, and predictions. But a “PROPHECY of SCRIPTURE” is a true understanding of the mystery of it. And always the understanding (the prophecy) speaks of the CHRIST WITHIN YOU. Your true life which has been hidden, which some have come to realize and others have not. This in essence is what the “parable” of the Ten Virgins which I will soon get into.

So I hope by now you know, PROPHECY is merely the revelation, and true understanding of God’s Glory (hidden meaning of things, and scripture) – Remember it is the GLORY OF GOD to conceal a thing. And this hidden thing is the TRUTH that has been hidden WITHIN US, in his own SPIRIT OF TRUTH. And it is only be realizing the Christ Within that you can have prophecy to begin with, and know all things.

1 Corinthians 13:2
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge

SIDE NOTE:
I do get a kick out of all the Pastors, Bishops, Rabbi’s, Guru’s, Evangelists, and “Prophets” who give themselves these “Titles” by the way, or proudly wear them because other men have given them to them. A side note: If anyone has a “Title” before their name, Like Bishop, of The Evangelist so and so, or Prophetess or Prophet so and so, it’s a good call they haven’t received the “PROPHECY OF THE TRUTH”. No person who has a firm understanding of God’s grace, and truth, exalts themselves. Instead they humble themselves. They don’t make themselves out to be something greater, or seemingly more important than others. Scripture is clear on this as well.

Galatians 6:3
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself

As a former Catholic (as a young child) I was forced to call the Priest Father, Kiss the Ring of the Bishop, Cardinal, etc… and when I understood that scripture forbid such actions I was quite shocked no one picked up on it. But such is the way of religion.

Matthew 23:9
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven

But I’m not simply pointing out problems with the Catholic Church. This problem is everywhere. Every religious leader it seems, wants to be called Pastor, Bishop, Evangelist, Prophet, Imam, Master, Teacher, etc and etc… I cringe when people write me and call me some of these things, and I immediately reply, “I am nothing but a simple guy who loves to seek, loves the mystery of life, and loves to love and encourage others.” And this IS NOT OF MYSELF! I didn’t give myself this desire, it was placed in me. I thank God for it.

In any event, common sense should dictate to these men and women, that it is pride that makes them believe they need to attach a “title” or “name” to themselves to be taken seriously as a “man of woman of God” – There is no need for such pride. It sends the wrong message to those listening, and corrupts the man. As the scripture verses surrounding the above verse dictate. Carry the burdens or others and prove your understanding of God with your humility, love, compassion, forgiveness, patience, and true wisdom.

Galatians 6:2-4
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Not only do these men and women, boast a title, they also wear collars, outfits, and fancy jewelery, long chains, etc, to “set them apart from the people who listen”.

1 Peter 3:3-4
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Now I’m not saying it’s not okay to wear nice clothes, dress up, wear makeup, GOD FORBID you think that. I am saying those who claim to know the things of God should not DRESS UP FOR SHOW, there is no need for the fancy robes, gold chains, Bishop’s collars, etc… There is nothing wrong with wearing “your Sunday best”, so long as your Sunday best doesn’t set you above the rest. Meaning, if you are one people look to for understanding the things of God, wear humility, let compassion be your collars, and charity your jewelery.

There was nothing that set Jesus apart from his followers with the exception of his WORDS OF WISDOM. He didn’t look grand that we should be attracted to him, he didn’t have people wait on his hand and foot, in point of fact the opposite was true. The Greatest of All Is Servant to All.

Now that I got all that out-of-the-way. Let’s get back into what this paper is REALLY about.

“Unto you it is given to know the MYSTERIES of the KINGDOM OF GOD, but unto those that are without “Christ” ALL things are done in parable.”

POINT TWO:

Notice, Jesus said “to those” that DIDN’T KNOW THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD “ALL THINGS” I will repeat that, ALL THINGS ARE DONE IN PARABLE.

Notice the scripture verse did not state SOME THINGS, but ALL THINGS. Which means, EVERYTHING you read in scripture has more than one way to PERCEIVE it. The Literal which most likely will keep you in chains and KILL your wisdom/life, and the SPIRITUAL which will bring you LIFE (ENLIGHTENMENT).

Now many will say, “NO, SCRIPTURE IS LITERAL. God wouldn’t try to confuse us.”

But please consider, if scripture was easily understood than carnal mankind would have no need for God. And he could then justify himself in killing others, raping others, stoning others, condemning others, keeping slaves, beating women, and worse. NOW DOES THAT SOUND LIKE A GOD OF LOVE TO YOU?

You see every time we see something in scripture, we must SEEK the deeper meaning. By prayerfully considering it, and allowing God to reveal it. In fact, you should EXPECT God to reveal it, if he put the desire in your heart to know a thing, you will know the thing.

Proverbs 1:5-7
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The respect and reverence of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

If this literal book “The Bible” wasn’t sealed up, MANKIND will never humble themselves. If our Book of DNA wasn’t sealed up, we would become immortal terrors walking the earth as well. This is an unveiling process we are all going to take part in.

Have ever done something really dumb, but at the time you thought you were in the right and had every reason to do what you did; But then, found out the truth of the situation and felt terrible that you had acted that way? Well this is why scripture has been sealed.

The good news is, the TRUTH of IT ALL, is already right inside each and every one of us. Not one single person on the planet earth doesn’t already have all the answers within them. WHICH IS WHY WE DON’T NEED TO GO DOOR TO DOOR TEACHING PEOPLE TO KNOW GOD!

Hebrews 8:11
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

But for now, ALL things are done in PARABLE. Now let me explain what that means.

A PARABLE is a story that needs to be interpreted; it is one whose moral can only be found by uncovering the mystery hidden between the words written. To understand a parable, one must understand the SPIRIT of which the story is trying to convey. The STORY doesn’t need to be literal, it can be, but the point of the PARABLE is not that it literally happened, but WHAT IT MEANS!

As I wrote earlier, “No scripture is of private interpretation”, which means no one can read it at face value and declare the meaning of it. Our interpretation or understanding of a thing is much different from the interpretation given to us by the inspiration and revelation of it from God. (which once again, I must add, is what PROPHECY is! Not predicting future events)

The good thing is Christ has given his church the keys to unlocking these mysteries, and many of them are found in scripture itself. And when the meaning is uncovered, understanding what the parable means will indeed set you free.

The question is what are we set free from? The answer is our ignorance, our own misunderstanding. You see the reason we suffer, is because we DON’T KNOW ANY BETTER! It’s like we’re walking around in the dark bumping into things, we can’t seem to get anything right, we suffer, we cry, we DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY!!!!! If only we had a SPIRITUAL LAMP to guide us through the darkness of our ignorance, that would be something wouldn’t it? 🙂 Well the truth is, WE ALL DO INSIDE US!

And nothing speaks this better than the parable Jesus gave about the five wise and five foolish virgins. But to truly understand this parable WE HAVE to allow God to reveal it’s deeper meaning. The way I came to understand this, was not any great effort on my part. Not even close!

One day I was thinking, I wonder what that story really means. And then one day, IT SIMPLY CAME TO ME. It started with the though, “go in scripture and see what a lamp is compared to in scripture”, and “what is oil compared to” and “what does a virgin represent”… You get the idea.

So I began digging.

Ezekiel 8:7-9
8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door. 9 And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here.

When the SPIRIT OF LIFE AND WISDOM with us, brings us to DIG DEEPER we uncover how corrupt the false teachings of the day are. We are amazed and shocked, but we are filled with JOY for all we have begun to understand.

SO LET’S TAKE A DEEPER LOOK SHALL WE?

Matthew 25
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

So who are these Ten Virgins, what does their LAMP represent, and who is the bridegroom? The Bible speaks many times of a Virgin, the Virgin daughter of Zion, the Virgin of Israel, the Virgin of Babylon, the Virgin who gives birth to Immanuel (The Lord).

A VIRGIN is a symbol of someone who has not BECOME ONE WITH another, sexually, which can result in offspring. So spiritually, a VIRGIN is one who has not become ONE with a BELIEF SYSTEM that would produce a bunch of ideas about God, whether true or false. Offspring are symbolic of what we create within us when we become one with an IDEA.

For example, someone tells us, it is a SIN to eat meat on Friday. Now if we take what that person says as Gospel Truth, then we produce a CHILD (thought/belief) within that will condemn us IF we do eat meat. Get it? Remember we are dealing with ALLEGORY, PARABLE, MYSTERIES here, that MUST be looked at with SPIRITUAL EYES (UNDERSTANDING).

SO, the Virgin is US before we become ONE WITH IDEAS! Once we take on a bunch of false beliefs and traditions as Gospel Truth then we are no longer VIRGINS! We become like the woman at the well, who has many husbands, and not one of them produced good seed within her. Now, unlike the natural world, we can become VIRGINS again, when we get rid of all our LOVERS (RELIGIOUS VANITY)

For those who think this is still speaking of literal virgins, let me show you in scripture that this is a PARABLE, speaking of how we MUST BECOME AS VIRGINS ready to become ONE (marry) the TRUTH. Look at what Paul said to Corinth.

2 Corinthians 11
1 I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure VIRGIN to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

It should be clear by now, that a VIRGIN is one who has NOT BEEN deceived.

The reason we must be AS VIRGINS is, IF we are holding onto the LOVERS OF LIES, TRADITION, AND RELIGION then we will NEVER RECEIVE TRUTH. We can only receive the TRUTH when we ARE divorced from the lies. Which is a clever way of saying, we don’t want lies no more, we want a relationship with the TRUTH.

Jesus said “he is the TRUTH” now lots of people think that “the man Jesus” is their HUSBAND. These people would be wrong. This is symbolic language, his words were TRUTH, the TRUTH was revealed IN THE MAN JESUS, as it is revealed in those God quickens today.

Truly it is the CHRIST (the power and wisdom of God), the WORD of God that was WITHIN JESUS the MAN that is our HUSBAND. The same spirit of Life that ruled Jesus the man, as he said “I can do nothing of myself” is the same spirit that is within us. This WORD is our true husband, and the HEAD OF THE BODY (BELIEF SYSTEM IN US, AND BELIEVERS AROUND THE WORLD)

This “Husband” talk is not literal, it is speaking spiritually (allegorically). Think of it this way, OUR THOUGHTS rule our lives, essentially OUR THOUGHTS in this case are the HUSBAND. This is why we must put on the MIND OF CHRIST, so we are ruled by the TRUTH, and so the HUSBAND (Christ) will lead the BODY (us). THE HUSBAND WE MUST MARRY (become one with) IS THE TRUTH OF GOD.

2 Corinthians 11:2
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.

Christ is not a SINGLE MAN. But the SPIRIT OF LIFE within ALL MANKIND! And when we marry ourselves to it. (become one with this truth) we are led by our HUSBAND and submit ourselves to our HUSBAND (truth) IN ALL THINGS.

So indeed THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS is about humanity as a whole. And it speaks of the TWO NATURES in mankind that are obedient to the truth, and carnal (disobedient).

FIVE WISE – FIVE FOOLS

Remember, the WISE are those that trust that God is in control of all things. And the Fool are those that don’t believe in God being in control. And each of us, have these natures within.

Who we think we are in this world, and who we truly are IN CHRIST.

Now that we know who the Virgins are, let’s move unto the OIL AND LAMP.

The Bible is also clear also about what the LAMP is… It is not a literal Lamp.

Psalm 119 tells us that GODS WORD is a LAMP unto our feet.

So it clear that this LAMP that WE carry is GODS WORD.

And what is GODS WORD? The answer is found in John 17, Gods WORD is TRUTH. (Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.) It is This TRUTH that saves/sanctified us. And of course the BRIDEGROOM is GOD.

1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
But five of these were WISE and five were FOOLISH.

So now the PARABLE becomes clearer. The Kingdom of God is like HUMANITY who hold unto God’s TRUTH and waits to find God.

Let’s again who the WISE ARE: Ecclesiastes 8:5: Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment

So you see a WISE person can DISCERN, he or she can understand. They have the REVELATION of THE TRUTH hidden in parable. They have the interpretation and the understanding.

Now if these VIRGINS are ALL OF HUMANITY and their LAMPS are the TRUTH, Well this parable is teaching us that HALF can understand the TRUTH God pours out upon all flesh, while the OTHER half does not. But this is NOT about literal people here, but natures in man.

James 1:8
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Within each of us, are two NATURES at war. The Flesh and the Spirit. The EGO and the Christ. The Virgin parable speaks of these natures in man. The EGO may have the LAMP within, but will never understand it. Only the SPIRIT can ALLOW THAT LIGHT TO SHINE. As five virgins left the other five to go WITHIN and get MARRIED (BECOME ONE WITH THE TRUTH)… WE TOO, must leave our ignorant EGO in the world to be free. Our carnal mind can NEVER hear the call of the BRIDEGROOM. Because our EGO is simple, worldly, earthy (the first man = death = ignorant = unable to understand the PROPHECY of truth)

Proverbs 9:13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

So we begin to see that this is not a literal story of ten literal virgins with literal lamps, instead it is a story about us. And which category we fall into.

Now watch what those with no understanding do with GODS TRUTH that is poured upon them. For it is written, his TRUTH is poured out upon ALL FLESH, but not all have the UNDERSTANDING, not all ARE WISE and become Sanctified WITH IT.

3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

There are some of us, that are unable to take the TRUTH of GOD and because they don’t have the proper interpretation, and don’t truly understand what it means. They don’t have the very fuel (revelation/wisdom) that gives that TRUTH LIGHT! They don’t have the very ESSENSE NEEDED to LIGHT the path, to LIGHT the way around them. They don’t have the understanding and so, they don’t have the SALVATION that comes with knowing and believing in the WORD of GOD, Gods TRUTH.

4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

But those who DID understand what God was teaching them, they were saved FROM THEIR IGNORANCE and their TRUTH was ready to BURN BRIGHT to show the world just who THEIR HUSBAND really IS. They had the OIL which you will see is WISDOM to see the truth for themselves. The others went off to try to buy it. (Sound like people in church tithing and such, doesn’t it?) But God wants us to SHINE THE TRUTH CONTINUALLY!

Leviticus 24
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. 3 Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations.

Isaiah 61:3:
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Indeed the Oil, is something that takes time to produce in all of us. It is a process, a difficult one, but one never the less that causes our face to shine with the interpretation of Gods word. As it did with Moses and Christ.

Psalm 104:15: And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and OIL to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

So this OIL that we have in our VESSELS (Hearts/Spirits/Life) is the JOY and it causes our face to shine… WHY? Because we know THE TRUTH, that GOD IS IN CONTROL OF ALL THINGS, so we can rest in that salvation. And we know this GREAT SALVATION only comes through the UNDERSTANDING the TRUTH of GOD. So is there a scripture that says that UNDERSTANDING TRUTH causes our face to shine? SURE THERE IS:

Ecclesiastes 8:1:
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a MAN’S WISDOM maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

So is it any wonder that after Christ was transfigured before them, that he was seen with ELIJAH and MOSES… Could it is be, that this was to show the disciples AS HIS FACE SHINED BRIGHT that he indeed HAD THE INTREPRETATION and TOTAL UNDERSTANDING of GOD. Both of the LAW AND PROPHETS.

Matthew 17:2: And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

So now we can easily see, that the parable of Oil, Lamps, and Virgins. Deal specifically with TRUTH, UNDERSTANDING, INTERPRETATION, JOY, AND ULTIMATELY SALVATION.

OIL causes a man’s face to shine (ps 104) – Wisdom (which is a tree of life) causes a man face to shine (ecc 8) – OIL = WISDOM gained through understanding the revelation of the Word of GOD, which is TRUTH.

Now you may not be able to receive this, but isn’t it OIL that is supposed to be LIBERALLY APPLIED to the SICK? Aren’t we supposed to ANOINT OURSELVES WITH OIL… each day. WASN’T EVERY KING IN ISRAEL ANOINTED WITH OIL, BEFORE HE BECAME KING?

Of course WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING (oil) should be liberally applied to our thinking. How else can we inherit the KINGDOM OF GOD, unless we know his TRUTH and understand the PARABLE which is a MYSTERY to those that are without.

The sad thing is both sets of virgins were waiting for God. Both thought they were going to MARRY God, BOTH THOUGHT they would become ONE with GOD. But only those who understand the TRUTH, only those who had the proper INTERPRETATION are brought in to the KINGDOM.

Only those who had LAMPS with OIL, only those who had the RIGHT INTERPRETATION of GODS TRUTH, Only those WITH WISDOM which causes our face to shine… enter in.

But too many people today, are not able to hear the things that the Lord is speaking. Too many people are unprepared. This has nothing of course to do with WORKS, as many teach, but it has everything to do with UNDERSTANDING THE TRUTH!

There is a part of you that will accept the truth and become greater than the part of you that cannot. That part IN you will INCREASE and the part that has no OIL will decrease. So even if you don’t understand it all, don’t worry, it is my firm belief that ALL WILL ONE DAY!

Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

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Jacob
http://JacobIsrael.org
http://www.jacobIsrael.org – Check out THE CALLING, a GREAT PARABLE and a great ride!
“The Truth Will Change You”