So Far – Amazing
UPDATE 1: Well, apparently some readers are concerned that I have suggested that Sunday is the Sabbath. This happened because you received this post on Sunday. But I wrote it on the Sabbath/Saturday – not Sunday. I’ll try not to be so mixed up next time. God didn’t change His mind about Sabbath just because the computer sent the message on Sunday. 
Skip
UPDATE 2: I (Patrick) was on the phone with Skip for 90 minutes Sunday morning going through Quickbooks, a new accounting package that he just switched to. He is soooooooooo overwhelmed right now and just needs to catch up. So it’s going to take probably another week (he’s travelling/teaching Wednesday and Thursday) before he can answer all the comments and questions that are directed at him.
Thanks for your understanding and patience.
– Patrick (Skip’s Tech Geek)
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It’s Sabbath. I am connecting with the tribe early this morning – all of you who are taking this journey with me. Many of you have been friends, at least by email, for years now. It is quite apparent that there was a willingness to step up to a new level of interaction because now that we have this new site, the comments demonstrate just how involved all of you are. I am so blessed. Every time I see someone write to help another, the thrill of being in the Kingdom is so wonderful.
We have grown. In our effort to become a smaller, committed group, we have almost doubled in size. Isn’t that amazing. When we tried to get smaller, God added to our tribe. I should have known. He does things backwards all the time.
This morning I just wanted each of you to know how much you mean to me. Your emotional encouragement is my greatest reward because it shows me that God really is using these struggles of mine. Forty years of preparation. I could never have guessed it would turn out like this. He’s full of surprises, isn’t He?
Dear Jan,
Let me say that I’m no expert when it comes to interpreting the Scriptures! I would like to think, however, that the LORD is pleased that I diligently seek Him through His Word…and yes, HE is our Rewarder as we give Him due diligence!
Having said that, you asked my thoughts on the Parable of the Ten Virgins. I must say that there are various views and some of my teachers that I closely follow don’t agree on who The Bride of Christ is or who the Ten Virgins are!
One thing we can all agree on is that it is FOOLISH TO BE UNPREPARED as if what Christ said about His sure return is not true! Like Noach, we will be PREPARING because WE TRUST WHAT HE HAS TOLD US….albeit for His 2nd coming and not another flood! Our preparation will be evidenced in our daily lives/actions!
Just like Elisheva (Elizabeth) spoke over Miriam (Mary)…”BLESSED is she who BELIEVED that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the LORD” (Luke 1:45)
And BLESSED are we who believe…now my measly two cents on who the virgins are:
I believe the Bride of Christ is Israel (not the Church as I’ve always been told). I believe that the Ten Virgins (Gk. ‘parthenos’ can mean virgins or maidens) are Gentile Faithful Followers of Christ (prepared for His Word that He is returning) and (the other five) Unbelieving/Unsaved or False Disciples.
It seems to me that the BELIEVING (in Mashiach Yeshua) Bride Israel goes into the Marriage with the Bridegroom (Yeshua HaMashiach) and the bride’s maidens (the 5 prepared virgins) follows to the wedding/marriage (Gk. ‘gamos’) ceremony/celebation as wedding customs hold for the Jews.
The Gentile Believers are guests/bridesmaidens, if you will, at the Marriage Feast just as matthew 22 depicts the King making a marriage for his son and sends out servants (prophets) to call in guests (first set of guests didn’t respond)…so he sent the out again…this time some responded…and some came but weren’t dressed (prepared!).
I am a Gentile follower of our Messiah who has been exploring our Hebraic roots for a few years now…I am still growing and learning as I seek Him!
Regardless of the widely held views on this passage, the message is clearly that the BELIEVING PREPARED will enter into the Marriage Feast in celebratory fashion!!
Shalom aleichem b’Shem Yeshua Adoneinu! (Shalom be upon you in the Name of Jesus, our Lord!)
I agree that Israel is the bride, but we who have been graftd in are part of that Bride, so who do the 5 virgins represent? (they have to have “light”, and they help to prepare the bride)
Romans 11
11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.
12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!
15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,
18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith Do not be conceited, but fear;
21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?
Your devotionals have made an enormous difference in my walk and my talk. They have inspired me to bring our Hebrew roots to the attention of my home sudy group. I search more for Hebrew idioms and cultural implications and i love what the Lord reveals! Thank you and God Bless.
I’m increasing my giving.