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...friends of the Bridegroom
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the Who Is Israel? series
tChildren of the Bridechamber
by haRold Smith
a citizen of the Commonwealth (Ephesians 2:19)
"Then came to Him the disciples of John, saying, 'Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but your disciples fast not?' And Yeshua said unto them, 'Can the
children of the bridechamber
mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast'." Matthew 9:14-15
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and
went to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose 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, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready
went in with him to the marriage feast,
and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us.' But He answered, 'Truly, I say to you,
I DO NOT KNOW YOU.'
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:1-13
"And the angel said to me, 'Write this:
Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'
And he said to me, 'These are the true words of YaHoVeH'." Revelation 19:9
I don't have all the answers - just questions. The way my questions are answered is to ask
YaHoVeH (click on highlighted words to view content)
for His guidance into all Truth that He promises and then to read the Book just for what the words on the page say and mean - not what I or anyone else may "think" it says or what temptation there might be to "shoehorn" something in that isn't there. The purpose of these articles are to inspire you to ask questions of the Source of Life and to research the scriptures for yourself to see if the things advanced here are true. If there is something you find in these words that cause you to draw closer to the Father - then "Baruch YaHoVeH" (Hebrew, bless YaHoVeH). If not, then, "Yevarech Otka YaHoVeH" (may YaHoVeH bless you). So, a question I have had before the Father has been: if those who have embraced the example of Yeshua's Life constitute
His Body
and ethnic Israel is
the Bride
- then, who are the "children of the bridechamber" mentioned in Matthew 9:14-15 and the "ten virgins" of Matthew 25:1-13 at the start of this article? The passage in Matthew 9 plainly tells us that Yeshua was answering a question put forth about His disciples. He was, obviously, referring to Himself as the bridegroom that would soon be taken away from them, but He did not call His disciples, "the Bride." He called them "the children of the bridechamber" or the "friends of the bridegroom". Various versions translate this word "children" differently as guests, attendants, children, friends - but, they all come from the same Greek word
huios
which is more appropriately translated "sons" of a family (i.e., ones born of the same father).
Hebrew Betrothal Customs
tells us that, once the betrothal with the bride has been made, the groom goes to prepare a habitation, a "bridechamber", for them to reside in. Traditionally, the friends of the bridegroom assist in that preparation until "like a thief in the night" the groom comes for his bride to take her away to the place prepared for them. Standing outside the door, when the friends of the bridegroom hear the voice of the bridegroom coming from the bridechamber, they know the marriage has been consummated and the wedding feast begins. So, when John the Immerser says in John 3,
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"He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the
friend of the bridegroom,
which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: In this my joy therefore is fulfilled." John 3:29
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He is describing himself as a friend of the Bridegroom, Yeshua. This word "friend", from the Greek word
philos,
would be more appropriately defined as he who associates familiarly, peculiarly favored with his intimacy. This is the same word used in
John 15:14-16
where Yeshua says He no longer calls His disciples servants, but "friends." John the Immerser's joy is fulfilled because, upon hearing the Voice of the Groom, he knows he has become a participant in the consummation of this marriage. The Hebrew word for "one" is
echad
and is associated with
fulfillment of joy.
This is the same word Yeshua used when He prayed to the Father that all those who believe in Him to be (or may become) one in the Father as He is one with the Father - that His joy might be fulfilled in them
(John 17:13-21).
It is this oneness, in an intimacy with the Father, that our relationship with Him is fulfilled, the same as Yeshua's. But that oneness, or intimacy, is not given to us simply because we have been given descendency or mouth acquiescence
(see what it means To Believe).
To enter into that intimacy with Yeshua, we must choose to become One with Him, to become as He Is
(1John 4:17,
see Flesh and Blood).
But it is a choice we make to enter into that intimacy with Who He Is - not Who we think Him to be. This is why Yeshua said there will be many who will say to Him, "Lord, Lord" to whom He will say,
"I never knew you"
because, even though they had access to His Power they never made the choice to know Him in the Truth of Who He is. They were wanting to fashion Him after their own image instead of being fashioned by Him.
They settled for less than His Excellence.
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A Wedding Celebration
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Matthew 7:21-27
is the culmination of a dissertation Yeshua began speaking to His disciples beginning in
Matthew 5:1.
There are many called to come to the wedding feast, but only those who are clothed in the proper garment of righteousness will be allowed to attend
(Matthew 22:1-14,
Isaiah 61:9-11.
Garments are something
scripture tells us
we "put on" and "take off" by the choices we are empowered to make through
ruach ha kodesh
(reading right to left is Hebrew for "the holiness of spirit") which many have incorrectly come to believe is simply a substitute for the English "Holy Spirit" appearing in their bibles.
Genesis 15:6
tells us that Abraham simply believed the Father for Who He said He Was and it was accounted to him as righteousness. This English word believed is translated from the Hebrew word
aman
and means to support, confirm, to be faithful, to establish by standing firm. In the parable of
the ten virgins
the English word virgins comes from the Greek word
parthenos
and means someone who has abstained from all uncleanness and whoredom attendant on idolatry, one remaining chaste. These virgins are not gender specific. We commonly think of virgins as being female, but
Revelation 14:4-5
and 1Corinthians 7:37
clearly show us that they can be male as well. In this parable, the Bride is never mentioned. These people are not the bride - as has been commonly perceived. Nor or they labeled as "bridesmaids". In fact, the word "bridesmaid" does not appear in scripture - this is a Western concept. That modern Hebrew wedding ceremonies have embraced this western concept does not mean that it was a part of the culture in the day of Yeshua. These people in the parable of the ten virgins are "friends of the Bridegroom", whose function it is to prepare the bridechamber for the Bride. They are waiting for the Groom's appearance for His Bride. In this parable, this perception of choice continues. All ten of these individuals are virgins. All ten have each kept themselves chaste and they are all waiting for the appearance of the Bridegroom.
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"While the bridegroom tarried, they all
slumbered and slept." Matthew 25:5
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The Greek word translated as the English
slumber
in this verse is
nustazo
and means to nod in sleep, to be negligent, careless - but it has its origin in the root Greek word
neuo
which expands that definition to mean to give a nod, to signify by a nod, to beckon. Notice that both the wise and the foolish virgins are pictured as having fallen asleep as they waited for the long overdue bridegroom - but there is a critical difference between the two. This verse has been grossly mistranslated, and the translation is misleading. This parable thus far has provided two antithetical groups of people (i.e., wise and foolish virgins). There is a difference in the reactions between these two, but the translators failed to see this. A correct paraphrase of this verse would be:
While the Bridegroom tarried in His coming, all of the ten virgins either beckoned (translated slumbered) for him to return or they fell asleep.
An accurate, literal word-for-word translation of this verse is as follows:
While the bridegroom tarried, they all beckoned or slept.
The Greek word that has been translated "slumbered" literally means to nod in signaling or beckoning for what one desires to be done. This Greek word neuo is translated correctly as the English beckoned in
John 13:24
and Acts 24:10
meaning to signal or summon, as by nodding or waving. The five wise virgins are beckoning for Yeshua to return to redeem His Bride and, in her redemption, to complete
the restoration of His Kingdom
but the five foolish virgins have fallen asleep. They have become negligent and careless in their knowledge and understanding of the vital role of the Hebrew Bride due to the delay of the return of the Bridegroom. He does not know them because they do not know Him as Hebrew. To "wake up" to the knowledge that He is in Love with Israel and is coming to redeem her to a rightful place at His side only when it becomes apparent, simply acknowledges their treatment of the "least of these", His brethren the Hebrews, in the following parable of the sheep and the goats - thereby placing themselves in the category of those who will not make it into His Kingdom
(Matthew 25:32-45).
In the world of everyday wedding feasts, not being ready when the bridegroom comes, though socially awkward, does not automatically exclude someone from the joy of the celebration. Usually, they would graciously be allowed to enter after a humble apology. But this parable is not speaking of a simple tardiness, it is in the manner in which they are waiting that marks the difference between them. When the Bridegroom finally comes, which will be the occasion of the fullness of His Joy, those having not demonstrated a readiness to follow His embrace of the Hebrew Bride (Israel), will never be allowed into that feast at all. If believers constitute the Body of the Groom, how can they be expected to marry someone they don't care for, have not attended to or do not even acknowledge the presence of? Remember that all ten of those waiting were virgins. Those not willing to embrace the Hebrew Bride, Israel, will lose out completely even after remaining pure because they have not become intimate, become One with Him, to know and understand His Love and Compassion for His Hebrew Family of Israel.
My friend, Robert, asked me, "What was the oil the foolish virgins did not possess, had to go purchase to obtain, and who are they that had oil to sell?"
(Matthew 25:1-13).
He went on to explain that scripture tells us the oil that keeps our
lamp burning is the law of righteousness contained in Torah
(Psalm 119:105-106).
Psalm 141:5
tells us the way we obtain that oil is from a "smiting" or a reproof from the righteous.
Hebrews 1:8
tells us a "scepter of righteousness" is the scepter of His Kingdom. The English word translated "scepter" comes from the Greek word
rhabdos
and means a "rod of the most rigorous rule". His rule out of His righteousness, contained in
Torah,
is what "smites" our heart and causes us to be reproved. The Hebrew word for smite is
halam
(meaning a breaking) and is the same Hebrew word used in
Judges 5:22
for the English translated word "broken" in describing the effects of the hoof of a horse striking the ground. This is the same word picture painted in
Revelation 19:11
to describe the "white horse" (the righteousness of YaHoVeH) that YaHoVeH will ride in upon to judge all of mankind, "...and His Name is called,
the Word of God"
(v13). Although the virgins had enough oil to make it to the Bridechamber - they did not have the "extra" supply of Righteousness required to be invited into the wedding because they did not recognize Torah as being legitimate for them.
Torah is where we learn of His Righteousness,
the Life of Yeshua
teaches us how to apply that Righteousness in our lives. To whom, then, did the five foolish virgins go to purchase more oil? To begin with, we must remember that these are virgins - believers waiting for the return of the Bridegroom. But, who are these merchants that sell?
2Peter 2:1-3
tells us to beware of false prophets, false teachers among us who, "...through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you." How many are there today holding conventions that charge admission to come hear them speak? And how many are there in those venues advertising the sale of their books, tapes, and videos purporting to teach some aspect of their "righteousness"? Where does it say in scripture Yeshua ever charged admission to hear Him speak? And who was it that He became so infuriated with that
He chased them from the Temple?
There are many masks these merchants wear to sell you a diluted lamp of oil whose flame it feeds quickly blows out with the first gust of wind
(Ephesians 4:14).
There are many who, at the last moment will realize they have not been prepared in His Righteousness - not understanding that to do so necessitates time in His Presence. This impartation of His Life into ours is not something that comes through verbalization. It is not something that once confession is made we are then granted a seal of immunity allowing us to participate in avarice and greed with distain for the results of those actions upon the brethren. The Words of YaHoVeH are truly a
born again
way of living that is pleasing to YaHoVeH. That Life is not acquired overnight or in a day. The ones that have it will come to realize they have not the time to help lay a foundation to build a home for the foolish when no oil is found in their lamps in the last of the day. For, even though they involve themselves in "good", they refused to go on unto perfection
(Hebrews.6:1-3,
Luke 13:22-28,
see Perfection & Presumption).
While the foolish virgins slept, their readiness to follow the bridegroom was depleted, consumed by time and the accompanying fire. The wise virgins' lamps burned, too, but their readiness to follow was not depleted, for they had a whole other flask of oil,
the Torah,
that had not been consumed. Thus, they were able to refill the vessel that had been depleted by the same time and fire as had affected the other five. Why does Yeshua issue such a warning? Because He knows that His coming will be delayed. It is easy to be ready if the bridegroom comes quickly. It is so much harder to be ready if he is delayed. And he will be delayed for before He can come, all the nations of the earth will have to be arrayed against His Hebrew Bride - Israel
(Zechariah 14:2).
Those who have their "extra oil" will be those who are willing to stand alongside Hebrew Israel, Yeshua's Bride, embracing her in her time of trial with the same intimacy with which He has embraced her and, while waiting, clothing her, adorning her,
covering her
with their righteousness - even as they have been adorned and clothed by Him.
(Revelation 19:8,
1Peter 4:8).
Presently, many are able to say, "Sure, we will stand with Israel" because the usual price for that statement today doesn't cost much - just sending a check off into the ether. But, how committed will we be when the price becomes higher - your property? How long will we stand when the stakes are moved closer - your life and the lives of your family? How much extra resolve will we have prepared for our lamps when the Bridegroom tarries and the world outrage toward Hebrews in every corner becomes intolerable - as it now rages in Europe with an intensity not seen since the beginning of World War II and, most recently, in Charlottesville, Virginia right here in the good 'ole USA? If we are wise, we will know and understand the nature of YaHoVeH's promise. YaHoVeH will inevitably keep His promise to both sides of His Family (the Body and the Bride) - but He will not keep it quickly. The Kingdom of YaHoVeH will come in all of its Glory as He said it would, but it probably will not be soon - remember, all the authors of the Messianic Writings were expecting it in their day. Can it happen overnight? Surely - but exactly when He will come
no one knows - not even the Son.
Knowing that uncertainty, we who are wise will do what we must do to be and to remain ready to follow the Bridegroom to the feast when finally He does come and, in the meantime - attend to His Bride. But, if we are not aware of who the Bride is, we will find ourselves unprepared for the onslaught that is to come until it is too late. What does it mean, then, for us to have oil in reserve, for us to be ready to follow the bridegroom? YaHoVeH requires one and only one thing of us: He wants us to want the coming of His Kingdom more than we want anything else in this life - more than life itself. It's little to ask, and it's a lot to ask because it will cost us every thing we have and everything we desire of this world. But it's the only thing He asks.
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...words of righteousness
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At the end of this age, if He finds that we want from the core of our being to be His Kingdom He intends to establish here on this earth through the one new man born of the consummation of the marriage of the Body and the Bride - then citizenship in that Kingdom is ours. But if He finds our eyes, our desires, and our affections fixed on the stuff that is passing away, our own desire to not suffer the wrath of the world due to an open affiliation with our brethren, Israel - then we are
unworthy
of His Kingdom, and His words to us will be, "I do not know you."
???Questions???
Please feel free to email me at harold@hethathasanear.com.
While not claiming to have all
the answers, it would be an honor to partake with you of what Spirit is uncovering.
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