Tending to the Oil
- Apostle Dr. Premla Mahadevan
- Jan 15, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: May 13, 2024
During the current times, there is no guarantee of normalcy or ease, but Christ remains steadfast and provides protection, preservation, and strategies for those seeking Him. He remains steadfast in His presence, and those who seek Him will be able to navigate through the current and future seasons with confidence and strength.
Despite the uncertainties, Christ remains the only guarantee for those seeking His protection and guidance.
Questions arise about the direction of the world and the end of Covid-19. Prioritizing oil is more important than predicting future events.
Matthew 25:1-13, NKJV | 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.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming.
Oil/Fuel Availability
Nearly half a million people call roadside assistance annually due to running out of gas. Other issues include flat tires, dead batteries, and misplaced keys. Modern technology has improved warnings about low fuel and estimated miles of driving left. Most people running out of fuel are "without excuse." But, why does it continue to happen?
The text in Matthew focuses on olive oil, not gasoline, as the fuel burned in Jesus' lamps.
The five foolish virgins may have had lamps but not the oil.
Context for Understanding the Last Days in Matthew 24:3
Jesus explains the end of the age will not be immediate (see Matthew 24:4-31).
He warns of many interlopers who will distract from Jesus.
Jesus explains what His disciples can and cannot know. He provides specific instructions regarding the last days based on these understandings. (see Matthew 24:32-51).
Matthew 24:32-51, NKJV | The Parable of the Fig Tree - 32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that [a]it is near—at the doors!34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
No One Knows the Day or Hour - 36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of [b]heaven,but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will begrinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what [c]hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what [d]hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant - 45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food [e]in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying [f]his coming,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The fig tree's sprouting leaves signal summer's nearness. Jesus' description of desolation, including the abomination of desolation, signifies the season of His return.
The season is one generation in length (Matthew 24:34).
Recognizing the season is not about knowing the exact time, as seen in God's past dealings.
Genesis 7:12-17, NKJV | 12 And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights. 13 On the very same day Noah and Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered the ark— 14 they and every beast after its kind, all cattle after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. 15 And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. 16 So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lordshut him in. 17 Now the flood was on the earth forty days. The waters increased and lifted up the ark, and it rose high above the earth.
Noah's Ark Building and Divine Judgment
Noah knew the season, as seen in Genesis 7:23. Noah built the ark for years, unaware of the exact day of divine judgment.
God ordered the ark to be boarded, closing the door and sending the flood.
The people of Noah's time had no early warning of the flood.
Judgment came quickly and without warning, leaving no opportunity for change.
Last Days and Judgement
No dramatic signs of judgment. Two men will be in the field. One will be taken, the other left. (see Matthew 24:39)
Two women will be grinding grain. One will be taken, the other left. (see Matthew 24:40-41)
Application of Jesus' Teachings in Matthew 24: 42-44
Emphasizes constant alertness and readiness for the Lord's arrival.
Jesus uses the example of a burglary to illustrate this point. The burglary occurred when the owner was unaware of the hour, resulting in his loss.
Jesus' Return and Preparation
Firemen are trained and equipped to fight fires. They are constantly ready, even when asleep. Their clothing is prepared for quick response. Firemen often carry portable radios in the store, ready to respond to fire alerts.
Jesus warns of a time unknown, including His return.
The actual return may appear trouble-free, similar to Noah's ark entry.
People will resume their routines without imminent danger.
The need for readiness is emphasized, emphasizing the need for constant readiness.
Matthew Scripture Analysis (Two types of people with similarities but significant differences.)
Similarities:
They were all virgins, and they all had lamps, and they all took their lamps with them to meet the bridegroom.
Difference:
5 were wise and 5 were foolish—a huge difference there. The wise took extra oil for their lamp, but the foolish didn't.
See Matthew 7:24-27: Wise vs Foolish
Both men heard the word. One was a doer, the other wasn't. One house survived the storm; the other didn't.
Lamps are Essential in Dark Times
Provide light in darkness.
Essential in a fallen world.
Expected darkness to increase until the Lord's coming.
The Parable of the Holy Spirit
Parable emphasizes the importance of oil in maintaining the lamp's light.
Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit.
Parable also highlights the significance of a lamp in the darkness.
Aside from the more obvious reference about ‘a lamp to my feet’ and ‘a light shining in the darkness,’ implying, of course, that without the good lamp (the Light of the World), these ten virgins had no hope of going anywhere. If they wanted the bridegroom, they had to have a lamp.
Understanding the Importance of Oil and Wick in Worship
A lamp requires both oil and a good wick for effective functioning.
A wick is a strip of porous material that draws liquid fuel to the flame.
The wick, or the Word, is the part that makes the light, but it's useless without oil.
Jesus' teachings emphasize the need for 'Spirit and Truth' in worship.
Without the Word, the Spirit can be deceived and a focus on the Spirit can lead to destructive mania.
The Importance of Soaking the Word in Oil
The Word needs to be thoroughly soaked in oil to burn effectively.
Treating the Word like a 'dry wick' can lead to inflexible religious rituals and doctrine.
The Word and Spirit work together, with the Word empowered by the Spirit.
The Word is inspired by the Spirit, and removing the Spirit leads to dry rhetoric.
Both extremes are prevalent in the body of the Bride.
"Trimming the Wick" Parable Analysis
The act of 'trimming the wick' symbolizes complacency with the Word.
Complacency refers to a stale, commonplace knowledge of Scripture.
This complacency can lead to a lack of spiritual growth and understanding.
The 'flame' of familiar knowledge can become smoky, leading to a slow slide into deception.
The act of 'trimming the wick' can compromise discernment and lead to deception.
Wick Maintenance & Sharpness in God's Word
Many users avoid cutting wicks, preferring to rub off the charred end for smoothness.
This practice relates to our relationships with others, challenging those who challenge us.
It's essential to keep the flame burning, keeping the wick clean and efficient.
Consistently, a wick trimmed to a sharp central point produces the best flame. This shape creates a clean, round flame, resembling a two-edged sword.
It's crucial to keep the Word clean and free from accumulated encrustations. Regular checks are needed to avoid collecting incorrect or unfit elements that compromise the flame.
Christian Worship: The Importance of Balance
The wick should never be turned too high, as it burns oil at a faster rate but diminishes its effect.
Believers should walk in the right balance between Word and Spirit. Excessive spiritual energy can lead to more problems than intended.
Balance in our Christian walk keeps the flame burning constantly, dispelling darkness and staying the distance.
The Secret to Waiting: Oil and Wick Care
Christ eagerly awaits His bride.
The Church should care for lamps, fill them with oil, and trim wicks.
Oil and wick work together; neither should be excluded.
Excessive attention to either is detrimental. Future depends on both.
Importance of Oil Supply
Each individual must bring their own oil for lamps.
Dependence on others' oil supply is not acceptable.
Tanks should be full to minister and pour out.
The Bridegroom's arrival is unexpected, at midnight. Absence of oil lamps can lead to missed timing.
For the five who missed the bridegroom's coming, the door to the wedding was shut, and the bridegroom said, "I do not know you.".
See Matthew 7:21-23: Jesus' Warning on Lawlessness
Jesus warns those performing miracles in His name but practicing lawlessness.
See Matthew 25 - The message has both end-time significance and present-day application.
Essential for ensuring oil supply: alertness and readiness for natural disasters or weather changes.
Provides guidance on how to ensure oil supply.
Intimacy with the Lord, i.e., knowing Him (John 17:3 says that: eternal life is knowing Him). So we have to know him; we have to know His voice, and this can only be cultivated through a relationship with Him—intimacy with the Lord in a secret place—that's the only way you can know someone.
And what does it take to know him? Is there a hunger to really know Him? Or do we just want something from Him, i.e., there’s a difference between seeking His face and seeking His hands only (See Psalm 103:7, He made known His ways (face) to Moses and His acts (hands) to the children of Israel.
Being wise (fear God for the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom—fear as in reverence)
Doing the Word, not just hearing it or even teaching it to others, but not doing it ourselves
Spending time in the Word and in prayer, regular or daily devotion, must be a priority.
Praise, worship, and thanksgiving.
Forgiveness towards others, being merciful.
Pleasing an audience of one instead of seeking accolades from men.
Ministry doesn't substitute for relationships with God (love our God with all our heart...) and relationships with others (love our neighbour as ourselves).
See Revelations 2:4-5 (repent and do the first works, coming back to our first love)
Prayer
Dear Lord, I come before you today to ask you to refresh me and renew me. To anoint my head with the oil of your Holy Spirit. Pour not just over my head, Lord, but into me and through me. To fill up those cracks that have been made through spiritual dryness. Teach me to be prepared and to wait on you according to your word. Lord, I pray that you will fill my lamp with oil and keep my wick burning steadily. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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