Song: Have oil in your vessels

 

(Matthew 25:1)  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

 

“Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God” are synonymous, it describes, a course of events, whereby God governs as king or Lord, an action, therefore, by which God manifests his being-God in the world of men."

 

The kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God is being described in this parable through the action of these ten virgins.

 

The virgins in this parable represent the church. The church has a duty to do in the meantime.

 

The lamps symbolize the container that holds the items that they need to perform their duties.

 

These virgins duties of the virgins in this parable were to provide light for the wedding party. The church today is to provide light for the world, in preparation for the coming bridegroom.

 

Lamps represent the container that gives light. Light is an enemy to darkness. In Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

 

The Lord said that these ten virgins took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

 

These ten virgins thought they were ready; they were waiting in expectation for the arrival of the bridegroom.

In my opinion they were all saved. They were believers, clean living girls. Time is an enemy to patience. (Luke 21:19) In your patience possess ye your souls.

 

(Matthew 25:2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

Half of these virgins were wise, and the other half were foolish.

 

The Lord describes the actions of the five foolish ones first. (Matthew 25:3) They that were foolish took their lamps, the container that gives light, and took no oil with them:

 

Just like these five foolish virgins; you can have a form of godliness and not have the power. The lamps represented the container that gives light, but without the oil there was no power. You couldn’t tell the difference between these virgins just looking at them. They all had lamps or the apparatus to produce light, but only five of them had the oil to make the light shine.

 

You can know what your duty is as a Christian and still not have what is necessary in your lamp, the container that gives light, for you to perform the job. (1Co 12:3) Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

 

These virgins didn’t have what they needed for their lamps the container that gives light. They needed to have more oil with them.

 

The oil for the lamps is the fuel, the energy, the power, which produces the light. The oil needed for our lamps is the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

 

Let’s take a look at this parable with a different perspective. As the church we have been given a lamp or a light so to speak. Our lamp is the container that holds the oil, and the oil is fuel, and the fuel      is the word of God.

 

We can have the lamp the container that gives light, but it is of no use to the world, unless we have the oil of the spirit, which is the Holy Ghost the fuel, for the light to shine.

 

Let's look at these foolish virgins individually. The parable didn't break them down the way that I am going to show them to you so don't try and find their description in the scripture.

 

Foolish Virgin #1 we'll call her Freida.  Why didn't Freida have any oil for her lamp? Yes, she started out with some oil, she became a believer. But Freida liked the crowd. She was busy trying to be liked by those she spent time together with. They took up her time. She wanted to get ready for the coming of the bridegroom but when the time came for her to go and get her vessel filled, that's the time for being at prayer meeting, Gloria would show up with her little bag of marijuana, and they stayed home toking, and having their girl-talk about all the happenings in the town; and her vessel never got filled. (2 Corinthians 6:17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, But Freida’s choice was to spend time with her girlfriend instead of spending time with the saints getting oil for her lamp the container that gives light.

 

Foolish Virgin #2 we'll call her Heidi.  Why didn't Heidi have any oil for her lamp? Just like Freida she too was a believer being numbered among the virgins, but Heidi was pretty, and all the boys let her know it. When it was time for her to get oil for her lamp the container that gives light; she would go to the merchant where the oil was sold but she'd get side-tracked looking at the new robes, and the pretty headscarves he had for sale. She'd pick up item after item until she got to the make-up aisle and instead of getting the necessary oil for her lamp the container that gives light she picked up some of Jezebel's face cream, a new robe and a beautiful headscarf for wrapping her head. This kept her in fashion and skin soft and pretty, but Jezebel’s cosmetic line was an exclusive, expensive line of makeup. So, she spent her money, her time and her energy on something other than the oil for her lamp or for seeking for the Holy Ghost she sold out to worldliness. So now Heidi is unable to get the oil for her lamp the container that gives light, because she stayed home from the meeting, primping and she never got around to filling her lamp the container that gives light with oil. (1 Peter 3:3-5)  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price, For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Heidi was too busy primping until she forgot to fill her lamp the container that gives light with oil. I’m not preaching against having new clothes and using make-up, some of us could use some make-up, but don’t let it get in the way of your service to God.

 

 

Foolish Virgin #3 we'll call her Betty. Betty was a little on the heavy side. Betty was self-conscience, and she wanted to look like her friend Heidi, so in what she called her free time, (that's the time for Sabbath Day School) she would find herself at Samson's Gym, working out on all the different weight lose equipment. By the time she finished the hour had grown late and the oil merchant had closed his door, church service was over, so that kept her from being able to get the oil for her lamp the container that gives light. (Hebrews 10:22-25) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; (like Betty that foolish virgin, spending time at Samson’s Gym instead of  the church meeting) but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Like Betty, foolish virgin #3, we can see the day of the Lord approaching, but we continue to spend time at Samson’s Gym, puffing up ourselves up with pride, stiffneckness, haughtiness, and rebellion, forsaking the house of God for self-satisfaction. That’s why Betty failed to fill her lamp the container that gives light.

 

Foolish Virgin #4 we'll call her Sadi. Sadi was an introvert. She just spent her time looking through the daily news scrolls that she loved to read. Had she been living in our day and time she would be spending her time on Facebook or TikTok. They contain ads about vacation trips to Babylon. She would sit and daydream about going there someday.  She would spend her money on those trinkets that she saw in the scrolls that would make her house cleaning faster and easier. But item after item she purchased they didn't do what the ad said it would do. So, when time came for her to be in synagogue, we know it as church time, she found herself cleaning up her apartment, doing other things instead of going to church and getting the oil for her lamp the container that gives light. She knew the bridegroom was on his way, but she kept putting off getting her lamp the container that gives light filled. She kept saying, “I’ll do that tomorrow.” She knew that she needed the oil, which is the Holy Ghost, but she was too busy to receive it right now. And just like Sadi, You say as Sadi did, I'll fill my lamp the container that gives light I’ll seek for the holy ghost later. (Isaiah 55:6-7) says, Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye  upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and  the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. A good saying says Don’t put off until tomorrow what you SHOULD do today. (Proverbs 27:1)  Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Sadi thought she had plenty of time, but her lamp the container that gives light never got filled.

 

Foolish Virgin #5 we'll call her Lucy. Lucy was one of the golden girls. Her time was filled with going to feast and going to dinner parties. Lucy was also a talebearer. Running from house to house seeking the latest gossip. If you want to know what is happening in town, just ask Lucy.

 

Whenever a dinner party was planned, Lucy was the first name on the list because she brought life to the party. She had an outgoing personality and instead of filling her lamp, the container that gives light, with oil she filled it with the wine of gossip and the strong drinks of talebearing and tattling; she continued to put off getting her lamp the container that gives light filled with oil, not knowing the day or the time that the bridegroom was coming.

(Luke 12:45-46)  But and if that servant (that foolish virgin) say in his or her heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord (the bridegroom)of that servant  will come in a day when he or she looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. The Porter will close the door to the wedding feast, and it will not re-open. With procrastination you let it be said too late. Don’t let the football games and banquets come before spending time at the Lord’s table. He may come before half-time or before the meal is over.

 

The fool has said in his heart that I still have time. (Hebrews 3:15) While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (Ezekiel 18:30-32) Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

 

Let’s go back to

(Matthew 25:4) But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

 

Let’s look at the next five virgins who took their lamps, the container that gives light, along with more oil for their lamps.

 

Wise virgin #1 we'll call her Susanna. Susanna was always watching and listening to the sermons she heard at synagogue or church. Not only did she listen she applied what she heard to her way of life, and with each new application her lamp the container  that gives light kept filling up. (James 1:22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. And when Susanna heard that the bridegroom was coming; she gladly lit her lamp and went into the place rejoicing in the Holy Ghost.

 

Wise virgin #2 we'll call her by the name of Rhoda. She was a church usher, the greeter, or the doorkeeper. She was usually the first person at synagogue, and she greeted all comers with a smile. By being in church she heard the preach word. She received it with joy and thanksgiving. With each time she attended service she would get her blessing of free oil. Just for the asking. (Ephesians 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 

Wise virgin #3 we'll call her Martha. Martha was full of hospitality, mission, and good work. Martha not only attended service but she went out into the community with her lamp the container that gives light full of oil. She gave to those in need of what she had. Martha did as (Romans 12:9) says, she Let love be without dissimulation. Her actions were real and from her heart.   Martha Abhor that which is evil; and she cleave to that which is good. Martha was as it says in (Romans 12:10-13) Be kindly affection one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another. Martha was Not slothful in business; she was fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Martha went forth Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Martha continued Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Martha had her lamp, the container that gives light, full of oil and when the announcement was announced that the bridegroom was coming; she went in to provide light in the wedding hall.

 

Wise virgin #4 we'll call her name Maggie. I can hear Maggie repeating (Psalms 34:1) A Psalm of David, I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Maggie was a praise leader as she waited on the bridegroom. I can hear her repeating (Psalms 42:4) When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Maggie went in leading the praise team.

 

Wise virgin #5 I call her Sally. Sally is a lover of the word.

(1 John 3:18) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. While Sally was waiting on the bridegroom to show up her lamp the container that gives light kept getting filled because she kept receiving the word of God in her heart. When the cry came; Behold the bridegroom cometh, she ran with her lamp the container that gives light, full of oil.

 

Sin will keep you from getting your lamp the container that gives light, filled with oil.

 

Matthew 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. There is nothing wrong with sleeping. If you don't do it while you are in church. While in (Acts 20:9) And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. You put yourself in danger when you fall asleep in church.

 

(Matthew 25:6) And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

 

At midnight, the foolish will be surprised that the death angel came by and smote their firstborn because they were not covered by the blood.

 

At midnight, the thief may come and steal away your goods because you were not watching.

 

At midnight you may wakeup an find a woman lying in your bed because you fell asleep after a night of hard partying and festivities. Like Boaz did.

 

At midnight you may wake up and find that your child is missing or has been replaced with a dead baby, like in Solomon’s time.

 

At midnight, trouble can be lurking about.

 

At midnight, the wise will be watching, singing, and praising God, even in your time of trouble, like with Paul and Silas.

 

At midnight, a friend may come and knock at your door needing help.

 

In our parable today the cry came at midnight; Behold the bridegroom is coming. Go out to meet him.

 

All the virgins arose and began to trim and light their lamps the container that gives light. Really it shouldn't have come as a surprise that the lamps had gone out because the lamps had been burning while they slept.

 

(Matthew 25:8-9) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

 

Freida one of the foolish virgins woke up after hearing the announcement and she saw that her lamp had gone out, she went to Suzanna and asked her for some oil. She tried to explain. She said I know I should have been in the prayer meeting getting my lamp the container that gives light filled, but I was enjoying the company of Gloria toking and talking, and I was just too busy. Suzanna said if I give you some of my oil there won't be enough for the both of us and both of our lamps will go out. Go buy some from those that sell oil.

 

Heidi the foolish virgin went to Rhoda, seeing her lamp burning, but her’s was gone out and she didn’t have any other oil to fill her lamp, so she said Rhoda give me some of your oil. Rhoda said no I can’t do that; you had time just like I did to get oil for your lamp the container that gives light. Go and buy some oil for yourself.

 

Betty the little fat foolish virgin, went to Martha and said give me some of your oil for mine has gone out. Martha said girl you had better run down to the store and buy some oil for your lamp the container that gives light, because I don’t have enough for your vessel and mine.

 

Sadi went to Maggie, Lucy went to Sally and they both received the same reply. Get your own oil. Now they see the urgency of having the oil which is the Holy Ghost. I can hear some of you saying, I don't need that oil, I don't need the Holy Ghost. But here is what is said to those that say that. It's better to have it and not need it, than it is to need it and not have it.

 

(Matthew 25:10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

 

When the bridegroom comes and you find yourself sleeping in the grave, you hear the cry, the voice as of an archangel, and you now get up out of the dust of the earth and you see that your vessel is empty. While you were living you didn't get the oil for your lamp the container that gives light, the Holy Ghost. Now it's too late. You don't have the power necessary for your light to shine.

 

Just the other day I was talking to this man, and he knew that I believe in the Holy Ghost. He rubbed my hand and said if you got the Holy Ghost give some of it to me. I can't give it to you, you have to receive it from the Lord for yourself. You have to have a desire to get it from the Lord. (Luke 11:13) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? You have to be hungry and thirsty for it. You have to ask for it from the Lord himself. If you don't receive it immediately, do as the disciples did. Go down on your knees and tarry.

 

And when he come into your body it will be as the apostle Peter said in (1 Peter 1:8) ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Paul said in (2 Corinthians 9:15) Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

 

When you receive the Holy Ghost, nobody will have to tell you, you got it. It will be like fire, shut up in your bones. You'll be as David was in (Psalms 18:29) For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

 

When you receive the power of the Holy Ghost, you won't be able to keep it to yourself. The world will know that a change has come over you. Once you have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, you will long for re-filling. While you live in this world your lamp should be burning, and every now and then you'll cry Lord fill me again.

 

Jesus, Mary’s baby, the son of God, God in the flesh, who lived and died and is alive for evermore. He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

 

Come to Him now, before the door is closed to you. Get your vessel filled right now.