While reading Mattew 25 recently, I was struck by the thought that all mentioned there were virgins, (those set apart exclusively for the bridegroom). All took their lamps, and all went forth to meet the Bridegroom. Proverbs 20:27 says that the spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, so when we are born again by receiving Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit does His work, lighting our lamps. Our spirits come alive unto God, born in His image, and we are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His Light, the Kingdom of His Son, the Kingdom of God. (Colossians 1:12-14) What an awesome thing! Born of God!
In the part of us that is eternal.
Jesus goes on to declare some were wise and some foolish virgins. The foolish took their lamps, but none took no oil with them, while the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit throughout Scripture. So, half of those born again did not take the Holy Spirit Oil along with their lighted lamps. While the Bridegroom tarried, all slumbered and slept. It seems this is exactly where the church is at present. There is a call to all to be filling their vessels with the Spirit of the Living God, to be about the business of the Father, seeking FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, (Matthew 6:33), getting to know Him more intimately than ever before.
Only those virgins who had sufficient Oil were able to meet the midnight cry, and have enough oil to see through the thick darkness of the midnight hours in which the Bridegroom came. They kept on walking toward Him, while the others were in panic, realizing they did not have the oil required to keep their lamps burning brightly in that dark hour. While the foolish went to buy Oil, He came for His Bride. When they returned to knock on the shut door, crying for the Lord to open it, He declared I don't know you. This word know means: merely mechanical, passive or casual in knowledge. Would you marry someone like that? I wouldn't. A truly sobering thought. God, help us all! |
