How Much Oil Is In Your Lamp? [CAUTION:SCRIPTURES)

[Reg]

I realize that this is not the place to go into a Bible study. Yet when I read this it reminded me of what we have discussed here before.

I also have a question from all of you. What does this say to you? I've always speculated about who were the wise and who were the foolish. Since coming here and talking about what our impressions are about what has happened to us and how we view institutionalized Christianity, my views have been altered. How about yours?

How Much Oil Is In Your Lamp?


In the parable of the "Ten Maidens," or "Ten Virgins," and their lamps, Jesus Christ described "five who were foolish and five who were wise." All ten had lamps, but the wise ones had plenty of oil to make their lamps do what they were created for, while the unwise ones had nearly-empty lamps that did almost nothing to overcome the darkness.

Lamps The lesson of the parable is that Christians should be diligently preparing for The Return Of Jesus Christ, regardless of when that happens from their own perspective (see Resurrections), and not wait until "the last minute" (i.e. later in life, or if Christ's return actually seems imminent) to become serious about their religion. The "oil" is the study of God's Truth (see The Holy Bible and 52-Week Bible Reading Plan) and the good behavior that makes the "lamps" of the five wise maidens "shine," while the five foolish maidens had lamps (i.e. they claimed to be Christian) but very little oil (i.e. they didn't diligently study or live according to Christ's teachings).

The Parable Of The Ten Maidens

"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept."

"But at midnight there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'"

"Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'"

"But the wise replied, 'Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.'"

"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut."

"Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.'"

"But he replied, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.'"

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." (Matthew 25:1-13 RSV)
http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/20020706.htm

[hornblower]

Reg unreal that you are placing this scripture out here. Over the years Ive had with the Lord Ive often asked what the oil is? Many and in fact all of my charismatic friends of course say that it is the Holy Spirit,.......... meaning???????????? what exactly???????? was my silent question, daring not to ask them for fear of that look like why are you not spiritual enough? They might have said, speaking in tongues, studying the word, going to church, prayer, giving to the poor, and the all pervasive 'OBEDENCE' and so forth.

The other day when I was crying so hard to my stephens minster and she was telling me how Im being hit and on and on so sweet she is to me by even listening and sitting there with me. Oh what a total blessing to be able to have someone in a time like this, still wish they had arms to hug you with, but I must be like the plague, so hard to even look at.
Anyway what a coincidence 'as if' it is to say to her also what does that scripture mean to you?
For me God seemed to be saying to me and Im taking this as His only answer in this world. Take it or leave it ok? Many people do not have bibles and getting into the word makes them sick because of the abuse, many cannot worship any longer. So does that mean we are out? Does that mean we are in the dark?
NO I feel God said to me. It is the relationship with Him. That can be many things, whatever He says it is, He alone knows what that relationship is at the time. He knows who are His and who are not. He knows and is working for us and with us always. He never gives up on us even when we give up on Him. He is the OIL! He is the power source. He is the LiGHT! Many go to church read the word do all of these things and I have known many that study study study and still I cannot see this relationship in theri lives unfortunately. Many are in seminary schools studying night and day and know much more than i but do they know him intimately?
Have they suffered with Him?
The word calls us to suffer whether we realise we are called to do that is another matter. We, many of us are so disoriented and so deceived by do good preachers, false shepherds out to kill the sheep. But my God He knows me and I keep seeking to know him but it is He that KNOWS me not the other way around. Scripture profoundly backs this notion up for it is He that sought us out. Was it Paul that said Not that I have to come to know Him but that He has known me. I am known by Him. Meaning he 'searches our hearts' another scriptiure, right?
These pains that i suffer that we all suffer they are not for nothing! He knows our hearts.........He is searching us out...........He is growing Himself inside of us in the highth and depth of Himself.

He is our oil! Relationship!