Be Ready! Have Oil In Your Lamp

Ten Virgins Parable Matthew 25:1-12
The cry was made, Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet Him!

Matthew 25:1-12 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
25 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 

6 "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom [a]is coming: go out to meet him! 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 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.' 10 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."

11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'

There were 5 wise virgins and 5 foolish virgins. They all slumbered and slept as they awaited the return of the bridegroom. They all had their lamps. They all began to trim their wicks when they heard the cry! Only the foolish virgins had not enough oil in their lamps. In the Word of God, foolish servants are those who do not obey the Lord's instructions (ie: the house built on sand, the 5 talents)

Verse 9 suggests that there is a price to be paid for the Oil. "go and buy for yourselves."  You might ask as I did, "how is that possible?"  Look at Isaiah 55:1  "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.  The wine of Holy Spirit, the Milk of the Word of God! ?  

If not filled with the Holy Spirit, our Lord says we can simply ask him to fill you.
 "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who as him!" Luke 11:13
Of course we know that time with God keeps the oil supplied. 
We must have our lamps filled with oil, the Word of God mixed with faith! It is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path!

In the natural, candle wicks must be trimmed 1/8 inch at all times to control the amount of soot, and allow for a brighter flame! In the spirit, the oil of Holy Spirit, 'the oil of gladness', burns brightly as we rid ourselves of all ungodliness and hindrances. Allow the anointing and power of Holy Spirit to spawn obedience to do the work for which the Lord has ordained and created us! The Wise Virgins were found having their lamps trimmed and full of oil. This says to me that they were able to present works of righteousness, joyful praises, and intimate worship. They walked in continual communion with the savior, lover of their souls, as they awaited his return.

Believers must not run out of oil. Men aught always to pray, that your faith fail not, let not your heart be troubled, let your joy be full. This is another teaching for another time, but remember that our Lord has afforded us many re-fillings after that initial infilling of Holy Spirit.  As they slumbered/slept, the 5 foolish were not watching or did not have enough to last the long delay. Perhaps they did not discern that the wait would be so long?  Made their own plan without consulting the bridegroom or the father, were not ready as instructed to be ready at all times. Imagine hearing your bridegroom say "I don't know you!" These things were written as an example to us.

Have your wick trimmed to get rid of the soot that would make a bright flame impossible.  In other words, get all residue of sinfulness and excess out of your heart by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Stay in the presence of God.  

Be full of joy, anticipating His return, joy of obedience; oil of joy for mourning.

Isaiah 12 therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.