Part 3 of 7"They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps" (Matt 25:3-4).
What are these lamps in which the oil is deposited? I believe them to represent one’s soulish man: “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness” (Matt 6:22-23). Scripture tells us to “cast off the works of darkness and…put on the armour of light” (Rom 13:12). This occurs in the soul (Lk 21:19).
The lamp's degree of shining is determined by one’s sanctification, that is, the daily trimming of the wick and the presence or lack of oil. In the Old Testament, the priest was responsible for the lamps burning. The seven lamps on the golden lampstand had to have oil supplied morning and evening (Exod 25:31-40; Num 8:1-4; Exod 30:7-8). So it is with the saints today; the believer needs a constant supply of the Holy Spirit (oil), in order for his lamp (soul) to shine and function properly in the world. He needs not only to be born of the Spirit but also to be constantly filled with the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; Phil 1:19; Eph 5:18). Of the Psalmist it is said, “My soul is continually in my hand"(Ps 119:109).. Our personal sanctification and "lamp-tending" is our choice. We must choose whether or not to trim and acquire oil for our lamps, in order to keep them ablaze.
Simply said, our lamps reveal how much the Lord Jesus has worked His image in us. The brightness of our lamps is to be increasing from day to day, and from glory to glory: “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor 3:18). Eventually, the brightness of our lamps (souls) is to be in the likeness of the King: “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Gal 4:19). Of course, this requires oil, of which the foolish virgins neglected. This is why they were refused at the marriage chamber.. because Jesus longs for a like-minded bride, one with His very image (Eph 5:25-27).
Do you want to be a "burnt-out" Christian? It is indeed possible to have a lamp that is not burning, as is evident from the parable. Scripture admonishes us to “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning” (Lk 12:35). This passage implies that we have the choice. “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Eph 5:8). We must choose to walk as children of light. We must choose to acquire oil. The Bible goes on to tell us, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thess 5:5-8). Friends, let's put it on.
Those virgins who do so will be counted wise! They will have made themselves bright and ready (Rev 19:7), and glory will be their inheritance!
To be continued..
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