(Matthew 25:1-4)……“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.” It was the lack of oil which caused these foolish virgins to be met with the words, “I do not know you” (24:12). Oil in the Old Testament is frequently used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and the supreme ministry of the Spirit is to impart to men the knowledge of Jesus Christ (John 16:13-14). The Spirit’s task then is to take the Word of God, and through it reveal Jesus Christ. But He even works in the heart of the unbeliever before conversion (John 16:8).
What is required in the true conversion of the wise? Read: (Proverbs 9:10-11) (Acts 2:38-39) (Romans 10:9-10) (Hebrews 11:6). Why do some say they are converted when they are not? (Romans 8:5-8) (Luke 8:11-14). In our text why are some called “foolish”? Read: (Ephesians 2:1) (Matthew 18:3) (Matthew 7:13) ( Matthew 25:11-12). Notice – that the foolish virgins make their appeal to the wise ones, “Give us some of your oil.”
One striking feature of the parable occurs when the foolish virgins ask the wise virgins to borrow some of their oil, their refusal may seem selfish unless we understand the situation. To loan the oil would mean that no one would have enough oil. And the larger point is clear here, that no one can “borrow” another person’s faith. You can’t get into heaven by living near a saved person. Ones faith cannot work for another, one must go to the One who can supply the oil, God (Isaiah 55) (Matthew 11:28-30).
So it is with these five foolish virgins – they have no oil – to their dismay – and there is a panicky rush to get some as they see the Bridegroom coming. Notice in (25:10), the final movement of our Lord is one of denial, “I do not know you.” When the foolish finally arrived the door was shut. Are we surprised at that? Today, many would probably feel that these five were unjustly treated. Why should they not be allowed into the wedding even if they had no oil or weren’t ready? What the Lord did was right, our Lord’s words are faithful, and this is an honest revelation of what He said He would do. “I will come as a thief in the night, be ready!