Is Your Lamp Lit?

In Old Testament times, people used lamps made from small clay saucers that were filled with olive oil.  These lamps typically had a single wick that provided illumination when lit.¹  Prior to a Jewish wedding ceremony, a bridegroom would leave his house and travel to the house of his bride.  This was a celebratory procession that included the groomsmen, musicians and singers, and people holding lamps.^1,2 

Lamps and oil also have symbolic meanings in Scripture:¹  

• Leviticus 8:10-13:  ¹⁰And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.  ¹¹And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.  ¹²And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.  ¹³And Moses brought Aaron's sons, and put coats upon them, and girded them with girdles, and put bonnets upon them; as the LORD commanded Moses.

• 1 Samuel 10:1: Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

• 1 Samuel 10:6: And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

• 1 Samuel 16:13: Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.

These Old Testament passages tell us that oil is symbolic of receiving the Holy Spirit.¹  Now see what Scripture tells us about lamps.

• 2 Samuel 22:29: For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.  

• Psalm 119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

These passages tell us that a lamp is symbolic of God’s Word. 

The importance of having oil

Jesus often spoke in parables, a style of teaching that was very common among Jewish rabbis who lived during his time.³  When the disciples asked why He spoke in parables, Jesus said in Matthew 13:11 (NIV):  "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 

Knowing that the Word of God is a lamp, and that the Holy Spirit is the oil that keeps a lamp burning, helps us understand the meaning of Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins. 

Matthew 25:1 tells us: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  The bridegroom, of course, is Christ Jesus. 

In Matthew 25:3, we learn that the foolish virgins took their lamps, and took no oil with them.  The other five virgins were called wise because they took oil in their vessels with their lamps (Matthew 25:4). 

Then something happened to all the virgins: While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept (Matthew 25:5).  It is my opinion that this parable describes many believers who are sleeping today because they are not eagerly anticipating the Lord’s return. 

Yes, the virgins are believers!

Mathew 25:3-4 states: ³They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: ⁴But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  These passages say that the five foolish virgins did not take any oil.  They do not say that they did not have any oil to begin with (the Amplified Bible reads that they did not take any [extra oil]).  It would be impossible for the five foolish virgins to take something they did not already have. 

The five foolish virgins clearly understand the importance of having oil — and the consequences of being unprepared.  Matthew 25:8 reads: The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'  This is an important distinction because many assume that the five foolish virgins are unbelievers.  But if they were unbelievers, they could never have had any oil (the Holy Spirit) to begin with!

If you have doubts about this, do a word search using the terms “harlot” and “virgins” to see what Scripture says about both.  Never rely on man’s interpretations because humans (myself included, and may God forgive me if I ever err here) are fallible.  Always use Scripture to interpret Scripture, praying for guidance and wisdom.

When the Lord returns

In Matthew 25:6, Jesus says: And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  According to Jewish tradition, the friends of the bridegroom usually traveled at night to bring the bride and her bridesmaids to the home of the bridegroom. 

This was a celebratory procession marked by the shout of the bridegroom: "Behold the bridegroom cometh!" (see Jeremiah 7:34; Revelation 18:23).  The procession occurred at night so that those who worked during the day could attend.⁴  It was also customary for the bridal procession to carry lamps with them. 

When the cry went out, Matthew 25:7 tells us that Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  But something tragic happened to the five foolish virgins when they were on their way to buy oil.  Matthew 25:10 warns us about it: And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Sadly, when the foolish virgins shout for the bridegroom to open the door in Matthew 25:11, saying Lord, Lord, open to us (and if they were unbelievers why would they call the bridegroom Lord?), he tells them, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matthew 25:12).

References: 1. Merril F. Unger and R.K. Harris, ed.  The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary  (Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1988), 253, 753, 818, 819, 937.  2.  Alfred Edersheim.  Sketches of Jewish Social Life.  (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.,1994), 143.  3.  Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg.  Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus.  (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009) 30.  4.  Eager GB.  “Marriage.”  The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.  Orr J, ed.  http://www.searchgodsword.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?action=Lookup&word=marriage&search.x=0&search.y=0&search=Lookup.  Accessed June 17, 2010.

The Eve of the Wedding

On the eve of her wedding, a Jewish bride was led from her family’s home to the home of her bridegroom.  Surrounded by her companions, the bride was covered by a bridal veil.¹  The tradition of a Jewish bride donning a veil appears to stem from a subtle yet significant event that occurred when Abraham’s servant found a bride for Isaac. 

In Genesis 24:65, when Rebekah firsts sees Isaac, she takes her veil and covers herself.  In later times, the Jewish bridegroom would let down the veil over his bride’s face (called a bedeken ceremony) so that he could clearly identify his bride.²  This tradition may have resulted from an unfortunate event that occurred when Jacob desired to marry Rachel, which is detailed in Genesis 29:23-25:

²³And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.  ²⁴And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.  ²⁵And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

  

Although Scripture does not say this, it is likely that Leah was wearing a veil.  This would certainly explain why Jacob did not realize that Laban had deceived him. 

Brides in Scripture are often types 

Throughout the Old Testament we see people, things, and events (called types) that foreshadow people, things, and events that are fulfilled in the New Testament (called antitypes).³   

Old Testament types reveal God’s plan for the ages.  When the Holy Spirit opens your eyes to types, reading the Bible from start to finish becomes a much richer experience and you begin to understand passages that previously were just a mystery.  Scripture is no longer a random collection of stories.  You realize that there is only one way that 40 different authors of 66 books could write such a cohesive narrative; the Gospel of the Kingdom being the thread that links them all together.  It is, and can only be, the work of God.  Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him (Proverbs 30:5, NIV). 

One of the few things that theologians seem to agree upon concerning types is that Adam is a type for Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the last Adam in 1 Corinthians 15:45:  

So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.

Keeping types in mind, there is something very important to learn about Adam in Genesis 1:26: 

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 

Does it surprise you to learn that God created man to rule over the earth?  Hold on to that thought as you read Scripture.  It is crucial for understanding the significance of the Gospel of the Kingdom and how Jesus will establish His kingdom when He returns.  Right now Satan is doing everything he can to prevent believers from turning to God’s Word to learn the truth about it.

In Genesis 2:18 the Lord God says:  It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  Scripture then tells us that God created a woman to help Adam rule the earth.  He does this by causing a deep sleep in Adam and by taking one of Adam’s ribs (Genesis 2:21-23).  Genesis 2:24-25 further reveals that the relationship between Adam and Eve is as husband and wife.  Adam’s bride was taken out of his body, another important thought to hold on to as you begin to understand the significance of types throughout Scripture. 

In closing, here is a question for you to consider.  Knowing that Adam is a type that represents Jesus Christ, when our Savior returns to earth to establish His kingdom do you think that He will rule alone?  

References: 1.  Howard F. Vos, ed.  Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Manners & Customs.  (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.), 449.  2.  Ronald L. Eisenberg.  The JPS Guide to Jewish Customs.  (Philadelphia, PA: The Jewish Publication Society, 2004), 38.   3.   Typology of Scripture.  William G. Moorehead.  The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, ed. James Orr (Chicago: Howard-Severance Co., 1930), Vol. 5, pp. 3029-3030.  4.  Merril F. Unger and R.K. Harris, ed.  The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary  (Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1988), 12.

The Bride of Christ

Christ’s second coming has much to do with marriage (the bride of Christ) and the establishment of His millennial kingdom.  In the coming months we will explore both.

 

To gain a deeper meaning of the bride of Christ, it helps to understand a little about ancient Hebrew marriage customs. 

In Genesis 24:2-4, Abraham tells his servant: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.  During the time when Abraham was in Canaan, a father typically arranged a marriage on behalf of his son.¹   

Betrothal was the first step in the marriage process, which involved the giving of a gift (called the mohar) from the prospective bridegroom to the father of the future bride, usually in the presence of witnesses.^2,3   

In addition to the mohar, it is likely that the bridegroom presented several gifts to the bride’s father at the time of the engagement.³  In Genesis 34:12, Shechem tells Dinah’s fathers and brothers: Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I'll pay whatever you ask me.  Only give me the girl as my wife."  

• In Genesis 24:53, Abraham’s servant gives Rebeka jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment

• In Genesis 29:18, Jacob offers Laban the bride-price of seven years of servitude.

• In Joshua 15:16, Caleb’s bride-price for marriage to his daughter Acsah is the slaughter of Kirjathsepher.

• In 1 Samuel 18:25, Saul instructs his servants to tell David that the bride-price for his daughter Michal is one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

These passages show us that the bride-price does not always have to be paid with a financial gift.  A deed or service may be acceptable as a substitute.⁴   

This raises a very important question: Was Jesus’ suffering for our sins on the cross at Calgary the greatest dowry ever paid? 

The Jewish betrothal process also included a written contract (called shetar erusin).^2,3  This document detailed the mutual obligations of the bride and bridegroom.  It also included points that both of their families would negotiate and agree upon, such as the date and place of the wedding and the financial gift, or dowry, to the bridegroom.⁴  Once all the details of the marriage were settled, the bride and bridegroom would drink a cup of wine.  Then the bridegroom would leave his future bride to prepare a home for her; sometimes building another room upon his father’s house.⁵ 

Only the father of the bridegroom could determine when it was time for the bridegroom to fetch his bride.⁶   In John 14:2-3, Jesus says:

 ²In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

While the bride and bridegroom did not live together during their time of preparation, they were legally married.  This is illustrated in Matthew 1:18-21, when Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph.  In verse 19 Joseph is referred to as Mary’s husband.  The length of time between the betrothal and the wedding ceremony was typically up to a year.  For Jacob and Rachel, however, it was as long as seven years.  During this time the bride was busy preparing herself for married life.⁴ 

We read in Revelation 19:7:  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Where are you in your walk with Jesus at this moment?  Are you making yourself ready? 

References: 1.  Howard F. Vos.  New Illustrated Bible Manners & Customs (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), 38-39; 137.  2.  Alfred Edersheim.  Sketches of Jewish Social Life.  (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.,1994), 137.  3.  Ronald L. Eisenberg.  The JPS Guide to Jewish Customs.  (Philadelphia, PA: The Jewish Publication Society, 2004):33.  4.  Isaac Landman, ed.  The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia.  (New York, NY: Universal Jewish Encyclopedia Co. Inc., 1948),Vol. 7, 367, 369, 372.  5.  Alfred Edersheim.  The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. (New York, NY: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1912), Volume 1, 150, 502.  6.  Fruchtenbaum AG.  The Footsteps of the Messiah.  (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Press, 1982): 143-144.

A Special Promise

In John 14:2-3, Jesus tells the disciples:

²In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  

Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus has promised to return for those who have placed their faith and trust in Him as their Savior?  It is our blessed hope, the one thing we can be sure of.  Yet we hardly ever hear about it.

The religious leaders of Jesus' day knew the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) by heart and were well aware of the signs of the coming Messiah.  But they either missed it completely or outright rejected Him.  

Today we have the benefit of having the full counsel of God's Word.  Every book in the Bible points to the return of Jesus to establish His kingdom here on earth as Lord of Lords and King of Kings.  But even many believers are missing that too. 

I should know.  I was one of them.  

When I became a Christian I read every book my "pastor" strongly suggested (most were mainstream Christian books).  Unfortunately, he never strongly suggested that I read the Bible from cover to cover.  But the fault was mine for relying on man's word rather than God's Word.   

Romans 10:17 tells us: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

But please don't take my word for it.  Read His.