“1 Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 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.
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.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” Matthew 25:1-12
It is the midnight hour. The time for slumbering and sleep has well past. The religious activities may trim the lamps of the religious but it will not fill them with oil.
Doing many wonderful works, prophesying and casting out demons in Jesus Name does NOT mean our lamps are filled with oil.
“22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? and in Your Name have cast out devils? and in Your Name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23
The preacher can’t effectively preach and the teachers can’t effectively teach if our lamps aren’t filled with oil…no matter how trim that wick may be.
There are too many foolish virgins slumbering at the midnight hour while the other Marthas are busy zealously trimming their wicks.
We need some Mary’s; some wise virgins – those who know how to touch God because their faith is placed solely and exclusively in the Cross of Christ to supply all of their needs according to His riches in glory to stand up and declare to the people the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified; to lift HIM up to the people so the oil will began filling their lamps. HE is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus Christ paid the price of your Redemption AND theirs if they too will just choose to believe. Lift HIM up to the congregation so that He may draw all men to Him, both the Saved and the sinner.
It is midnight. There are many asleep while others are zealously trimming their wicks. The door will soon shut. Seeing they see not. Hearing they hear not and neither do they understand. Nevertheless, Go and Tell. Eternal souls are at stake.
There is but ONE WAY to fill our lamp with oil and that is faith in the Cross of Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit will not operate with our faith in the sincerity of our wick trimming – just ask Cain. He will not fill Martha’s lamp as she scurries about doing many wonderful works.
“38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that He (Jesus) entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard His Word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
Choose that good part. Keep your lamps full. Be determined to know nothing else among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 