Aurel Gheorghe Supporter

According to Bible scholars, a woman in the bible represents a church (Rev 12) while a virgin represents a pure church (Rev 12:1-6). All ten were pure, but five were foolish and five were wise. 

A lamp represents the word of God (Ps 119:105).

Oil represents the Holy Spirit (1 Sam 16:13; Zech 4:2-6).

The five foolish virgins although they have lamps (the Word of God), did not have oil (the Holy Spirit) to last them till the end. They knew the Scriptures but were not truly born again (John 3:5) and did not really love the Lord (Matt 22:36, 37; John 14:15; 15:10; 1 John 4:8).

The parable shows that the ‘oil supply’ is personal – one cannot give it to others – your relationship with God cannot be transferred. Salvation cannot be borrowed.

November 09 2020 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

To me, the oil in the cited passage (Matthew 25:1-13) represents a continual state of anticipation and spiritual readiness (along with appropriate preparations or actions reflecting that readiness) for Christ's return, which (as Jesus said in Matthew 25:10) will occur when it is not expected. The point being made is similar to that of His previous parable of the faithful and wicked servants (Matthew 24:45-51).

November 09 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Terry Finch Supporter

The answers given before all add value and meaning to the passage. One must have the Holy Spirit and through the Holy Spirit (only through the work of the Holy Spirit) are made ready. (1 Corinthians 2). I'd like to add an approach that observes context about this oil as well. Somehow, the elect (5 virgins who made it through the dark hour to the wedding) had to participate in something. They had to buy the extra oil before it got dark. This buying may say something more about what the oil is.

The passage inevitably brings our attention to the end of the age and Christ's return. Thus, Revelation (an end of the age book) may bring our awareness to what it is about this oil the elect must buy. Revelation 3:14-21 says we are lukewarm or naked if we do not buy from the Lord His discipline. To many believers God saves us for the easy road but instead, the Bible makes it readily apparent He actually brings us out of our darkness by crossing our paths with deliberate upsets in order to strengthen our trust in Him. (James 1:2-4). Yes, God leads us as He did his disciples directly into storms so that before we panic the next time we begin to learn He is near, not by our strength but by His. He tells His disciples, "Don't worry about what you will say before Judges when you stand trial in the last hour because My Spirit will speak through you at the right time." (Mark 13:11) "If it were possible in the last days the Elect would be fooled, but it is not possible because of His covenant with His Elect," He forecasted. (Matthew 24:24) We won't learn to trust the supernatural if we are not driven by His Spirit like the prophet Jonah to trust God when He leads us through the valleys of the shadow of death.

In conclusion, so what is the oil, specifically the reserve oil we need to purchase for the darkest hours while we wait on Christ? Perhaps, quite likely, it is to remain in the trials God's Spirit LEADS us into until God comes Himself and takes us out. Christ Himself demonstrated this for us when He was lead into His first recorded trial. (Mark 1:12-13 and Matthew 4:1-11) and in doing these things, was made ready for His final hour when it arrived. "If it is your will Father, remove this cup from me, but if not Lord, your will be done."

March 30 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Daniel Veler Supporter

This is concerning the parable of the ten virgins. Five were wise and five were foolish. All ten had lamps but the five foolish lamps no longer had oil. The lamp represents the word of God. All ten possess the word of God but the five foolish no longer had oil.
The oil represents the Holy Spirit. As it is today many call theirselves the children of God. But not everyone who says Lord, Lord are the sons of God.
The five foolish had a form of religion but are not the children of God. 
You might ask how I can say such things. The answer is in what Christ tells the five foolish virgins.
Matthew 25: 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.
When the five foolish virgins came to gain entrance they were told by Christ that he did not know them. 
The mystery to understanding this parable is why the Lord told them I know you not.
The answer is in understanding what eternal life is. This to is told to us in the scriptures. In John chapter 17 Christ gives us the definition of eternal life. If you read it you will see it is defined as knowing the Father and the Son.
John 17: 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
Anyurism apostle asked him how will you make yourself known unto us and the rest of the world will not know.
John 14: 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
You see the five wise possessed eternal life but the five foolish did not. That is why Christ told them he did not know them.
Everyone who proclaims to be saved needs to examine themselves to see if the Lord truly abides in them.

March 31 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report