“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight a cry was heard: “Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him! Then all those virgins arose 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 answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matt 25:1-13

When my Dad helped me buy my first car, I was thrilled. I had something of my own to drive without having to drive a Lincoln the size of a train. Unfortunately, I was foolish because I didn’t know I was supposed to check the oil on a regular basis. Daddy always took care of that kind of thing; I didn’t know I was supposed to check it now.

However, the oil was checked before it was completely used up and blew the engine. After that, I made sure to check the oil regularly. I had been foolish like the five virgins who took no oil in their lamps, and it had almost cost me a car.

Today, most people seem to be as one of the five foolish virgins.  The oil of their faith is enough to maintain them, but just barely. The devil has definitely been doing his work. We stand on the precipice of total destruction and, foolishly, we are out of oil. We have let the world encroach into everyday life so that we barely recognize the evil for what it is.

It is time we fill our vessels with the anointing oil of faith and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is coming. Is your lamp filled?