STAY FULL BY BEING POURED OUT

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. —Matthew 25:1-9

There are principles in scripture that we must consider to understand what kept the oil flowing in the wise virgin’s lamp. All these truths are wrapped around this one great truth: We are called to be bond slaves of the Most High God. As such, we are vessels through which Jesus truly lives as he continues the one great work for which he came: To seek and save that which was lost. The oil that kept their vessels full was the oil that was steadily being emptied out! These virgins knew the Lord, they had eternal light. Their concern was for those in darkness; they burned so that others could see.

The first principle is: We have “little oil.” (See 2 Kings 4:1-6)The vessel God uses is one who has little strength: “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8). The Lord is not looking to use “super beings” in this hour. There simply are none!

The second law to learn is this: The way to stay full of oil is to stay poured out—stay empty. God will not fill a vessel that is full of self. The oil that kept the wise virgins lamps burning was the oil that the Good Samaritan poured into his neighbor:

And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead …But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. — Luke 10:30-34

A third principle that we must see is the five wise virgins are the church that ends in one heart and one accord with Heaven. This is the church that is walking in the first love demonstrated in the book of Act’s: A manifestation of obedience in shining as lights in a perverse and crooked world, holding forth the word of life! The true last day’s church will be a fearless harvester. May God grant us boldness as we go forth to meet the bridegroom, compelling all who will listen: Come to the marriage supper of the Lamb, ALL THINGS ARE NOW READY!! Stay full by being poured out!