The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
On the other hand we have the wise virgins. They had relationship and religion. They had real power, not just the appearance of it. They were prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom. So much of modern seeker friendly theology is focused on this life and gaining material blessings and comfort now, that rarely do people hear anything about being prepared for the coming of the Bridegroom. What is interesting here is that both sets of virgins became drowsy and fell asleep. God is acknowledging that our walk can grow tedious. He knows that life can sometimes dull us with the mere passing of time. We can start out on fire for God only to watch as we get spiritually tired. The difference however is in what we have packed for the journey. What we have prepared ourselves for. Because one day, the trumpet will sound:
"At midnight the cry rang out: "Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
At midnight. At the last hour we might expect. Here is the Bridegroom! Come out and meet Him! Alas, that is when it will become evident to us if we were truly ready or whether we had just been playing religious games:
The foolish ones said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' No,' they replied, "there may not be enough for both us and you.
Beloved, we will not get into heaven based upon what other people have done. We will not get into heaven based upon our mother. We will not get into heaven because of our spouse. We will not get into heaven because of our pastor. What is in our other hand that we could not bear the thought of holding a jar of oil? What is it that we refused to let go of? Do we hold our pride and self sufficiency in our open hand; preventing the oil of the Holy Spirit from indwelling? Do we hold a secret sin? Do we hold the knowledge of being OK with the superficial changes religiosity asks of us while refusing to deal with the deeper changs that require true regeneration? Whatever it is - at this point it will be too late. We cannot borrow oil when we stand before the Bridegroom.
Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.
During the building of the first transcontinental railroad, Chinese workers were the first to sell snake oil to their European counterparts. The claim was that when rubbed on sore areas, the snake oil would bring relief. The claim however was false and the relief was an illusion. Through history after this, a "snake oil salesman" was someone who offered remedies that were false in nature, fooling their customers into thinking they had bought something useful. We see here the wise virgins almost mock the unwise telling them to go buy the oil they needed. Why not? They had spent their walk buying snake oil to begin with. Buying a false conversion and a false salvation. Buying the lies of the snake oil salesman, who only wanted their money. A true man of God will always point you to God and a deeper relationship with Him. To the true oil of the Holy Spirit because it alone has the power to save. We cannot buy our salvation. We cannot buy it with money. We cannot buy it with service. When Simon the Sorcerer saw the true power of the Holy Spirit he offered the disciples money for the same power and Peter rebuked him harshly. We cannot buy it because it is a gift freely offered unto us. We must however be willing to accept it. We must do so expeditiously because as we see here; while they were off trying to buy more oil - the Bridegroom arrived!
