By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Matthew 25:1-4 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps…" - NIV
Jesus had given a lengthy talk on the signs of the end, and the need to be ready. He now relates the state of those waiting for His return to ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. All were virgins pure enough to meet the groom, they were aware of His coming but didn’t know the time, they all slept as they waited. At midnight, an unexpected hour, the bridegroom came and took in only the ready ones.
The Lord’s coming was expected since His ascension. When it seems to have delayed and the mockers doubt it, His pure ones keep waiting. The only sustenance and assurance for those waiting to be found ready to go in with the bridegroom, is the oil keeping the lamp burning. The oil made the difference between the wise and the foolish, those who were ready and went in, and those who were left out!
To the believer, having both the lamp (the word of God) and the oil (the Holy Spirit) as we wait for the Lord’s coming is fundamentally key. The Holy Spirit will keep us on truck, and our lamps burning bright till He comes however long it takes. Some believers will not be found ready just because they lost communion with, not walking instep with, or have grieved away the Holy Spirit from their lives.
We are to be filled with the Spirit always and the lamps of our testimony ever burning. This requires our willing submission and obedience to the Spirit, not living self styled Christian lives our way, puffed up by knowledge in the word and self confidence in our works. Be filled with the Spirit, not the many things of this life.
Luke 12:35-36 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him."
Galatians 5:16 "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
Shalom children of God.