Matthew 25:1-12 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent).3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them;4 But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps.5 While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep.6 But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him!7 Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order.8 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. 9 But the wise replied, There will not be enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves.10 But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.11 Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us!12 But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you].
As all ten virgins waited for their bridegroom. It appeared they had waited and waited and in their wait, they got a little sleepy and all had dozed off. This is to illustrate that the Lord's return may appear long for us as it has been for every generation since He ascended. And as many had waited and as many continues to wait, how many Christians will wait having extra oil in their flasks and how many will only have oil in their lamps expecting He is to return very shortly or imminently?
Many are waiting and those who have their oil in the lamps appear to be ready. What does the oil represent? They say oil represents the Holy Spirit. In this parable, what is the function of the oil? The function of the oil is to sustain the light so they may see the Lord when He comes.
When does the shout come? The shout comes at MIDNIGHT! The Lord will come when the world is in darkness. And when the world is in darkness, if we are not filled with the Holy Spirit using Grace to overcome the things of the world and our flesh NOW, then how are we to overcome the darkness that will be overcoming the world during the time when He returns? Am I saying this is the Great Tribulation? I am not saying it one way or the other.
Why do they need more oil to meet HIM? If they do not have more oil for their lamps to be lit, then they will not be able to meet HIM in the darkness. The oil is the fuel for FIRE to give Light! We need more of the Holy Spirit and HIS Fire to sustain our wait until His return. And when He does return, if our Fire has gone out because we have run out of oil, then we may not be able to meet HIM because we will be lost in the darkness of the world.
As the foolish virgins went to buy more oil, Jesus came and the door was shut. At the midnight hour when the world is in darkness, they tried to overcome by trying to catch up on their praying, reading, worship and knowing HIM more at that time but it was too late. Why were they not ready before the midnight hour with more oil? Many today spend frivolous time looking at nonsense. Many Christians get involved quarreling over Babylon's politics, entertainment, and over foolish controversies rather than getting to know the Lord more on an intimate level.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers’ tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit].8 For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.
Psalm 119:105 (AMP) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
His Word is a lamp to our feet and LIGHT to our path. If the light goes out then we either do not have His Word or not enough to keep us going.
We need to pray, read, and worship more NOW while we have freedom and our bellies are full. We must accumulate the extra oil now. This is to be READY!
So how do you prepare yourselves now? While you are in your comfort, you must use this time to get to know HIM more NOW receiving the Holy Spirit and His POWER by spending more time with HIM. We are to accumulate our prayers, reading, and worship NOW. We are to separate ourselves from the world. We need to fast from the things of the world such as sports, TV, secular movies/music, bars, lust, idolatry of the world, and the likes. WE need to be properly tithing 10% to God. We need to be keeping Sundays HOLY keeping the 4th commandment by not spending money or working on His Day for our own profit and pleasure. It is not a day for our recreation. WE NEED TO PUT GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS INCLUDING OUR FUTURE, MONEY, CAREERS, GOALS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND EVERYTHING. When you put God above all things then you are His sacrifice and He can send FIRE down to burn the offering!! May you be living sacrifices for HIM living lives worthy of HIM.
It is simple but not so simple since we are a people who need to be remolded, retrained, and renewed in the mind. We will receive more of the Holy Spirit when we make room for HIM in the temple. The temple is now YOU . If you remove the things of the world and "self" from the temple, the Holy Spirit can move in and take up more space in you. He is our rest and we are His rest.
This is why as we wait for our Lord, we are to acquire more of HIM to possess His Power to go possess more land and increase His Kingdom. If all we do is look up gazing at heaven, we will miss HIM because we were not looking at HIM. The days will become more darker so His Light can shine more brighter. His Light will shine from His sons and daughters who are and who have overcome the world and who are led by the SPIRIT!
Revelation 2:26 And he who overcomes (is victorious) and who obeys My commands to the [very] end [doing the works that please Me], I will give him authority and power over the nations;
Fire of God Ministries
Steve Yong Kim
July 17, 2012
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