In the parable of the 10 virgins, there were 5 wise virgins and 5 foolish virgins. Jesus was giving this parable to his Disciples while they were still under the Law of Moses.
I believe the virgins were being depicted as bridesmaids instead of as brides because under the Law, the hoped-for marriage of Israel with God would only be consummated in the NT era. And so, the wise virgins would only succeed in becoming wives when they are portrayed in a NT context, and ultimately when that marriage is consummated at the resurrection.
I say this because some Christians furiously insist that the Law had only a negative connotation, telling us we're sinners and can't do anything good apart from Christ. Well, before Christ came, the Law was designed precisely so that Israel could do good, despite the fact they could not elude the curse of sin, which is death. The Law had a good purpose in providing Israel with righteousness and with the accompanying hope of achieving Eternal Life when Messiah came.
The Law, specifically, was designed to enable a continuing relationship between God and Israel. Without Law, Israel could not please God and could not long remain in His presence.
And so, the Law had a very good purpose in providing temporary covering for Israel's sins while they followed God's standard of righteousness. Though the Law reminded them of their sin and that they cannot overcome the curse of sin, they did have hope that they would eventually arrive at the Messianic Kingdom and live forever.
So the wise virgins were only servants under the Old Covenant, slavishly following God's laws and rituals to keep themselves connected to the bridegroom until they could qualify as brides. In the OT era, these serving virgins were portrayed as Israel waiting for their Messiah at his 2sd Coming, because In biblical prophecy, Israel is finally restored as a nation at his 2nd Coming.
Matt 25.“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep."
Under the Law both wise and foolish grow "drowsy," because all are afflicted with the Sin Nature. But the wise actually do business on behalf of their work for the bridegroom, which is obedience under the Law.
It is the "oil" of faith, demonstrated in works of faith, that enables them to overcome the effects of their drowsiness. In the NT era, this "oil" has become a deposit of the Spirit, guaranteeing our inheritance at Jesus' Coming. It is the Spirit who enables us to live in Christ and do the works of Christ.
But the aim for these serving virgins was not simply to do business, or to buy oil, but rather, to see the marriage consummated. For Israel it was the establishment of a better and final covenant that enables the virgins to become "brides."
Getting oil was merely to remain focused on the need for a lasting covenant. In the OT that was by obeying the Law in faith. Under the NT it is obeying the commands of Christ and "staying ready."
I believe the virgins were being depicted as bridesmaids instead of as brides because under the Law, the hoped-for marriage of Israel with God would only be consummated in the NT era. And so, the wise virgins would only succeed in becoming wives when they are portrayed in a NT context, and ultimately when that marriage is consummated at the resurrection.
I say this because some Christians furiously insist that the Law had only a negative connotation, telling us we're sinners and can't do anything good apart from Christ. Well, before Christ came, the Law was designed precisely so that Israel could do good, despite the fact they could not elude the curse of sin, which is death. The Law had a good purpose in providing Israel with righteousness and with the accompanying hope of achieving Eternal Life when Messiah came.
The Law, specifically, was designed to enable a continuing relationship between God and Israel. Without Law, Israel could not please God and could not long remain in His presence.
And so, the Law had a very good purpose in providing temporary covering for Israel's sins while they followed God's standard of righteousness. Though the Law reminded them of their sin and that they cannot overcome the curse of sin, they did have hope that they would eventually arrive at the Messianic Kingdom and live forever.
So the wise virgins were only servants under the Old Covenant, slavishly following God's laws and rituals to keep themselves connected to the bridegroom until they could qualify as brides. In the OT era, these serving virgins were portrayed as Israel waiting for their Messiah at his 2sd Coming, because In biblical prophecy, Israel is finally restored as a nation at his 2nd Coming.
Matt 25.“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep."
Under the Law both wise and foolish grow "drowsy," because all are afflicted with the Sin Nature. But the wise actually do business on behalf of their work for the bridegroom, which is obedience under the Law.
It is the "oil" of faith, demonstrated in works of faith, that enables them to overcome the effects of their drowsiness. In the NT era, this "oil" has become a deposit of the Spirit, guaranteeing our inheritance at Jesus' Coming. It is the Spirit who enables us to live in Christ and do the works of Christ.
But the aim for these serving virgins was not simply to do business, or to buy oil, but rather, to see the marriage consummated. For Israel it was the establishment of a better and final covenant that enables the virgins to become "brides."
Getting oil was merely to remain focused on the need for a lasting covenant. In the OT that was by obeying the Law in faith. Under the NT it is obeying the commands of Christ and "staying ready."