The Necessity Of The Oil: Oil is used for many purposes, and in this parable, is it used in connection with a lamp. However excellent a lamp may be, it is only an instrument.
A lamp is useless without the oil. No lamp is an end on its own. Lamps are to give light for progress, duty and comfort. The trimming with fresh oil is necessarily to remove clogging from the wick.
This then is applied to the Christian journey in this parable.
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The five virgins who have the extra oil represent the truly born again who are looking with eagerness to the coming of Christ. They have saving faith and have determined that, whatever occurs, be it lengthy time or adverse circumstances, when Jesus returns, they will be looking with eagerness. The five virgins without the oil represent false believers who enjoy the benefits of the Christian community without true love for Christ. They are more concerned about the party than about longing to see the bridegroom. Their hope is that their association with true believers (“give us some of your oil” of verse 8) will bring them into the kingdom at the end. This, of course, is never the case. One person’s faith in Jesus cannot save another.
May we not be found “going away to make the purchase” (v. 10) when Christ returns. Take the time now to fill your lamp with oil and take extra along.
Title: THE EXTRA OIL FOR THE LONG JOURNEY
– GBILE AKANNI
Size: 30MB
Duration: 2:12:15
