Posted by 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, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.”
Are you prepared for a visitation from heaven? Whether it is the Lord’s return or a visitation from heaven opening a door of opportunity, you need to be prepared. Preparation is the point of this parable. Successful people are simply those who are prepared to answer the door when opportunity knocks. The wise in heart stand ready to answer the door when opportunity knocks, are you prepared to answer the call?
The foolish virgins in the parable failed to prepare their heart for the visit, not so with the wise virgins. The two groups are contrasted by the words “foolish” and “wise.” The word foolish here means “stupid” or “dull,” while the word “wise” means “sensible” “prudent” or “thoughtful.” The foolish virgins lacked oil to keep their lamps burning through the night. Keep in mind that oil has always been a symbol of the Holy Spirit and His anointing. The lamps in ancient times were often small bowls made of pottery filled with oil, with a wick floating in the oil.
Be Prepared
The application is obvious; you need the Presence and anointing of the Spirit to walk in the light as God intends for you to do. It also takes thoughtful preparation to remain filled with the Spirit to be ready at any time of day or night for a visitation of God’s choosing. Someone once said “failure to prepare is to prepare for failure.” How important it is for believers to be ready.
The wise virgins were not only prepared for the bridegroom’s visit, they went out to meet him with a full supply of oil! The foolish virgins were unprepared and asked to borrow some oil. The Church has always had those who were like the foolish virgins who do not remain filled with the Spirit. Lacking the Spirit’s anointing they miss many visitations, and their opportunities to fulfill their assignments pass them by.
Be Always Being Filled
We have ample illustrations from the Old Testament which you can apply to always being anointed. “Let your clothes be white all the time, and let no oil be lacking on your head” (Ecclesiastes 9:8), and “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psalm 23:5). Think of the joyous occasion the bridegroom’s visit would have been if the ten virgins were on the same page, it would have been “like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore” (Psalm 133:2-3).
The apostle Paul told the Church as Ephesus; “…do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord…”(Ephesians 5:17-19). The present active tense here conveys the idea of “always be being filled.” The wise virgins had a supply of oil to fill their lamps at any time. Like the foolish virgins, many believers are unaware of the hour they’re living in, and that the anointing cannot be borrowed!
Be Anointed
As the wise virgins in the parable always had enough oil with them, you must always be living a life burning bright with the fresh oil of the Spirit’s Presence, anointing and power. Letting light from above fill your prayer life, so you may be ready at a moment’s notice is invaluable. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit that keeps the light of the Kingdom of God burning bright within your heart. Continued fellowship with the Holy Spirit will bring enlightenment to your bible reading, transformation to your character and powerful manifestations of His Presence into your life.
The Spirit’s anointing brings a keen intuitiveness into your life when you always have your lamp burning. You’ll be prepared when you sense an open door of opportunity in the Spirit. You’ll not only be ready for the visitation, you will be among those who were already praying and waiting for it!
So ask for continual fillings of the Spirit daily, learn to walk in the light that He provides, Be filled with fire from above, Be anointed, Be ready, and Be Encouraged! -JSP
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