The Parable of the Ten Virgins & Old Covenant “Types,” David, Nabal, and Abigail, Matthew 25:1-13 and 1 Samuel Chapter 25
Hello and good day.
I’m continuing the theme on the latter days.
The five wise virgins of Matthew 25 are on a journey. Some are buying oil for their lamps waiting for the bridegroom.
Others, having responded to the call of God, are being prepared by the Lord for intimacy in the deep waters of his Spirit. (Matthew 25:10; John 21:18; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Peter 1:13)
Much is written about the promises of God after we die.
Many writers look forward to the Millennium, the resurrection, and beyond, for the fulfillment of Christ likeness.
But the Scriptures teach the fullness of Christ this side of heaven, “… I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV, John 10:10)
“until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (NIV, Ephesians 4:13)
“… Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, … to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (NIV, Ephesians 5:25 – 27)
“When Christ is manifested, the life of you, then also you with him will be manifested in glory.” (The New Greek English Interlinear New Testament (a), Colossians 3:4)
We need the gospel of Christ now. Now is the time to be cleansed, healed, and restored, in “preparation” for heaven.
Just because the church experiences bits and pieces of the gospel here and there, does not mean the promises of God are wanting.
Rather, God’s sons and daughters are still being initiated, growing, and maturing, not yet ready for the full mantle of Christ’s glory and sonship.
The Scripture cannot be broken – the baby in the womb of the church will be birthed, brought to fullness, matured, and used by God to usher many into the kingdom of God in the final hours of the church era. (Revelation Chapter 12:1-5)
Path of Life
Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” (NIV)
God has revealed the path of life through the revelation of Christ in grace. (1 Peter 1:13)
Most artists love the joy of sharing his or her creation, drawing others into their masterpiece.
Think about the joy and bonding of hearts at the transfiguration of Christ – the experience etched on their hearts forever.
Peter, James, and John, witnessed the treasure of Christ, the glory of a fully restored man, the prize they were ultimately commissioned to apprehend for themselves and others.
Today, God is lifting many into the realm of the Spirit to see with Eagles eyes grand vistas of his masterpiece, Christ, and the details of the path to him.
Is God sharing with you deep things he has planned for you, and for the church in the years ahead?
Patterns
God created patterns and designs – paths filled with signs and guideposts – in Scripture, through “types,” parables, metaphors, stories, structure, and much more.
He draws our heart to spark interest, adventure, and discovery – creating wonder and awe, a hunger and thirst only filled by him.
To those spiritually minded, it is unmistakable there is a designer behind the design – one who is connecting us to him through the varied connections he has outlined in the path of life.
The call to be made into Christ’s likeness, the path he pioneered, measured against our sins and brokenness, is impossible to traverse, excepting Christ coming to you and me to work the work of God in our lives.
The Lord uses the patterns and designs in Scripture to let us know the journey is not impossible, we are his handiwork, and he can work the impossible in our life.
God is taking his sons and daughters deeper today, into his “shop,” showing the inner workings of his kingdom.
Four Rivers, Four Gospels, Four faces
In Genesis Chapter 2 we are told there are four headwaters flowing out from the garden of Eden.
The number four speaks of universal; the four winds of heaven, the four points on the compass, and the universal message of the gospel to the ends of the earth.
It is interesting there are four Gospels, each having a certain uniqueness, according to many writers.
Matthew speaks of Christ’s kingship, the Messiah, the heir to the throne, fulfilling the promise of God to the covenants made with Abraham (Genesis Chapter 12) and David – a son on the throne of David forever. (2 Samuel Chapter 7)
Kingship, the face of a lion, is heralded by Matthew in his account of Christ.
Mark focuses on the acts of Christ, his miracles, the ministration of grace and love – the work of the Son in the Father to the lost, broken and sick.
The heart of a servant, the face of an ox, is revealed by Mark in his record of Christ.
Luke traces the lineage of Christ back to the first Adam, the first son of God. Luke connects Christ’s humanity to you and me and everyone born of the flesh.
The perfected work of God, completed and fulfilled in Christ, revealed in Luke. Twice Luke records the growth and development of Christ, Luke 2:40 and 2:52.
Humanity, the face of a man, is portrayed by Christ in the account by Luke.
And John, the one to whom we owe much, writes of Christ partaking fully of the divine nature, the Word made flesh, the only begotten of the Father.
His writings reveal the deep spiritual life of Christ in God, his connection and union with the Father, an open heaven, the spiritual life of God manifest on earth.
The tree of life walking in the midst of fallen man.
Spiritual life, made alive and walking in the Spirit, carried on the wings of the Spirit, the face of an eagle, is written by John of Christ in his gospel.
Unsurprisingly, the faces of the four living creatures revealed in the book of Revelation, the bride, are the face of a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle (Revelation 4:6).
The four living creatures, radiate the likeness of Christ, revealing and fulfilling different aspects of Christ’s glory.
Unlike Christ, no one living creature has all four faces of “the” Son of God.
It takes the body of Christ to reveal Christ in his fullness.
When you view a precious jewel, you see its beauty from different angles, each reflection showing another aspect of its treasure.
The four living creatures, the four faces of the bride, show different aspects and characteristics of the beauty of the one who purchased them and “cast” his image and likeness in them – partakers of the divine nature.
Lion
The lion represents kingship, authority, and the power to enforce its authority. It symbolizes dominion and rule.
Others submit and bow in the presence of the King. His word and will are the rule of the land.
His subjects both admire and reverence him. Honor, respect, and love are the hallmarks of godly kings and endear those they rule.
His countenance strikes fear in the heart of his enemies and comfort, confidence, and trust, in those who know his love.
The bride learns the ways of the King, his authority and power, as she travels in the adventure and journey to Christ likeness.
An aspect of her nature is changed from glory to glory, receiving her inheritance in Christ, the face of a lion, kingship.
In her sojourn of being readied, completed, and matured, she learns how to rule with Christ, to exercise authority over principalities and powers in high places.
And how to be loved and love, to know and be known, a true king.
Ox
The ox represents those submitted and committed to the adventure and journey of the gospel; plowing one step at a time, enduring and persevering through the hardships of ministry, preparing hearts for Christ.
The strength of the ox flows from the feed and care of its master.
Its life is held in the care of the one who directs its path and future.
The ox carries the weight of ministry, trained to work the fields for its master.
The bride has learned to advance the kingdom of God in measured, steady, and trustworthy advances, staying within the boundaries and path the master has laid out in advance. (Psalm 16:6, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” NIV)
She is a hearty soul, diligent, and perseveres through the guidance and strength of her Lord and Savior.
The Lord has imparted into his bride a stout heart, healthy and strong, for the journey in him.
Man
Oh, the face of man, you and me, uniquely made, formed and designed.
Fallen man, redeemed and purchased, a miracle of God, resurrected to walk in new life.
The cherished descendants of Adam and Eve cleansed, healed, and restored.
Man and woman, the apple of God’s eye.
The centerpiece of God’s handiwork, the men and women he will share all things with, even himself.
The bride has learned her true humanity. The secret and hidden parts of her heart are open to the one with whom she has to do.
Humanity, through and through, made alive by the Spirit of God, partaking of the divine nature only available in Christ Jesus.
She has no shame, no fig leaves, fully exposed, without fault, blemish, or stain, in the eyes of her beloved, washed clean by the water of his word.
Perfected man and woman, covered by the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, found in the likeness of Christ to those she encounters.
Eagle
If you know the story of Eagles and how they learn to fly its quite an event.
The Eagle represents spiritual intimacy and sensitivity, moving in accord and union with the Spirit of God – the lift of God’s Spirit above the cares of this life.
It represents rest and peace in the care of the creator and sight far beyond the natural eyes; discerning insight and wisdom.
The bride has learned to walk and move in the Spirit, the things of God, experiencing the unimaginable.
To the discerning, she will be captivating, dignified, of royal and noble lineage, the lineage of Christ.
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The four faces of the bride, her inner beauty, the restoration of Christ in you and me, will not be an outward beauty and majesty the naturally minded will witness.
Thankfully, the beauty of Christ in many ways is largely hidden, revealed and unveiled to those who hunger and thirst for Jesus.
Just as Christ had, “… nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.” (NIV, Isaiah 53:2), so to, the bride of Christ.
She will be in the midst of the church in the last days of it season, and only those who have discerning eyes will capture the beauty of her presence, mandate, and commission.
When the bride is fully formed, completed, and matured, manifesting the four faces of Christ, know the end of an era is upon us and a new one is about to begin.
Together, let’s respond to the call of God to go deep in him.
Let’s choose to do our part and permit Christ to fill our lamps with oil, overflowing oil, so that, when he “comes,” to us we’re ready to be taken deep in him, and “readied,” for the journey to Christ likeness.
Blessings, Drake
(NIV) Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblical, Inc.™
(a) The New Greek – English Interlinear New Testament by Translators Robert K. Brown and Philip W. Comfort, Editor: J. D. Douglas. Copyright © 1990. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
