FROM:The Parable of the Ten Virgins Mt. 25:1-13
THE FOOLISH VIRGINS had oil, but the oil burned out and the flame diminished. They wanted to borrow the Wise Virgin’s oil, but they were told to go and buy for themselves. While they went to buy their oil, the bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage and the door was shut! The foolish Virgins came saying; “Lord, Lord, open to us,” But He answered and said; “Verily I say unto you. I know you not!”
According to the Ancient Hebrew Wedding, if the lamp was not lit in the window when the Groom arrived, it was a sign that the Bride-to-be had changed her mind! It was evident that she wasn’t longing for him. In other words she wasn’t a love-sick bride anticipating His return! God forbid if our lights are out when our Lord returns!
Typically, what does the oil represent in this parable? The oil portrays the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. How can we run low on oil? Our oil is obtained by spending intimate time with the Lord while desiring to be led by the Holy Spirit according to His Written Word. Profession is on-going...though we make a profession of believing in Jesus Christ, we can quench the Holy Spirit, by; living a sinful and unholy lifestyle; compromising our faith; being lukewarm about the Lord’s Word and His truth; and living carnally(worldly, by our own opinion) and not by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Apparently these Foolish Virgins were “religious”, they believed in Jesus, waited for his return but were not fit for marriage in the end. Their lights went out, they had no oil left in their lamps! Note: The lamps reservoir is small and needs continual replenishing. Especially during the night(perilous times)when they need to be lit continuously. Though they were among the professed, they weren’t baptized in, or empowered by the Holy Spirit when he returned.
What could have been the cause, and how does this message apply to believers today? A foolish virgin may profess his/her belief in Him but doesn’t abide in the Lord or His Written Word, in other words, not much time is spent with Him intimately, who is in fact the Anointed One and the oil provider! The very oil that their Groom paid for with His blood is bought by having a devout relationship with Him. Foolish Virgins quench the Holy Spirit so much that they are not even aware that their oil is running out. They may religiously attend church and get involved in ministry however they are not filled daily with the Holy Spirit. They don’t have a reverential fear for their Lord nor the things of God because they lack power; wisdom, knowledge; counsel, and understanding in the Holy Spirit. They have no conviction or confirmation concerning His Word or His return. Or perhaps they were never Born Again of the Spirit. The Foolish Virgins could also be compared to having the mindset of the Laodicean Church. They were a Church of the “peoples rights” and “peoples opinions”, much like the American Church Today...Many have a tendency to Carnally follow the Rich and Famous, the successful Pastors, and personalities that they admire over Jesus who is suppose to be their “first Love”. They even choose their beloved books and narratives by their renown personalities over the Living Word of God, which “is” the Lord Jesus Christ. Many are vexed in spirit by prevalent Movements that focus on "carnal" gain, that in essence says we can buy our oil for ourselves from “our Pastors”. We can be anointed like them if we tithe to their ministries and benefit financially. This system of belief can indeed be compared to the mind-set and character of The Laodicean Church written in Rev. 3:15-18.
Keep in mind that according to the Hebrew Wedding, the Groom would return during the evening hours around midnight, because the “Common folk” couldn’t afford fans for the heat of the day. Returning during the late evening hours assured the groom that his bride longed for him so much that in her excitement and anticipation she couldn’t stay asleep.
Who are named among the Laodiceans? Many are neither cold nor hot, and say; “ I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing”, however, the Lord says; “you know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked”, and counsels them to buy from him, gold tried in the fire, that they may be rich; and have white raiment, that they may be clothed, and that the shame of their nakedness would not appear; and that their eyes would be anointed with eye-salve, to “see”. In order to “see” we must abide in Christ, live with Him daily. Going to church once a week or even three times a week, is not going to keep oil in our lamps. The Holy Spirit was given to the New Testament Church to lead and guide us into all truth and understanding. We are a Spiritual Church seeking Holy Spirit guidance according to the Written Word. We are not of this world but under a different Government, with Jesus Christ being our King. Acts 17:28 says; “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being”.
So, what is the meaning of gold tried by fire? Learning to die to selfish carnal desires, like worldly gain, often comes with firey trials in our Christian life, “if “ we choose to pursue the Lord and His ways by taking up our cross and following Him. In Phil 3:10. The Apostle Paul says; “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;...” The word “know” in this scripture is taken from the greek word ginōskō... Meaning to know intimately as husband and wife.
What will we choose?
We can lay down our cross and pursue the things of the world and forsake obtaining the oil for our lamps, or take up our cross and pursue heavenly things, having our lamps filled with oil, keeping our lights lit, while waiting for our Groom to return and take us home with Him. In essence, the wise are concerned about their future with their Lord, the foolish live for themselves today.
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2Cr 4:6,7
By Cindy Hartline
Founder
Seed Of Hope Ministries Inc
CLA-Network, Christian Leaders Association Network
