Oil-Less Virgins; Matthew 24 & 25
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
April 1, 2004

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ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

April 1, 2004

Oil-Less Virgins
Matthew 24 & 25

WORD GIVEN, MARCH 27, 2004, 7:20 A.M.
"Thus saith the Lord God, those foolish, unwise, 'oil-less' virgins, spoken of in Matthew, were accustomed to merchandising their oil. They knew where the oil merchants were and were not concerned about their supply. The foolish virgins were sent to purchase their oil, because they had bought the merchandised oil before and knew where the outsourced supply of oil was stored. The wise virgins received their oil from its true source and were full in supply. The unwise virgins were acquainted with the path to the purveyors of merchandised oil. There are many merchandisers today, who proffer their wares as sufficient for the coming of the Bridegroom, but their assurances will leave the unwise lacking and alone in My Day."

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

Matt 25:1-13 25:1 "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 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 in which the Son of Man is coming". NKJV

Recognizably, this text is positioned toward the "parable" end of Jesus' teaching on the second coming. He has been answering some "last minute" questions and instructing His Disciples about the events leading to His death and how they must prepare for His going away and His return. A review of the subject matter is quite revealing, for in Matthew 24:3, the disciples initiated the discussion with a very probing question involving spiritual history beginning with them and going to the end of time. Jesus answered them concisely.

Jesus' first resolve was "don't be led astray." Another "Christ" will present himself and some will follow him. (One of the greatest examples is recently portrayed in the screening of a current movie.) False prophets will arise and lead many astray. (With the advent of mass media, there has never been a time in history with so many who fall into this category.) Matthew 24:23-24 uses the word MANY which is the key word tied to the FALSE Messiahs and prophets. Jesus then uses a variation of pronouns, which boils down to the "you" versus "they" spectra. The "they's" are the false ones who supply information which ends up leading many astray. The reason this is significant is clear, because there is a spiritual division always between those who walk intimately with God and those who receive their commands from other sources. Matt 24:26, "If therefore they shall say unto you, 'Behold, he is in the wilderness; go not forth: Behold, he is in the inner chambers;' believe (it) not."

In other words, no matter what you see or hear, "don't be led astray." Be like Noah, have your preparations made by the Spirit and don't follow popular opinion or social custom. Be sealed in your mind "with Him who is the sole supplier" and be ready to be sealed away "with Him" when the end comes. Don't listen to those who speak about "delay" or "purpose driven lifestyles." Listen only to the voice of the Lord and do exactly what He alone says to do.

Jesus then used the example of the foolish and wise virgins. The wise virgins did exactly as they were told by the Lord. Wisdom comes only from the Lord (James 1:5). The Lord alone was the supplier of their oil (the oil of anointing and the Holy Spirit) and they were full. They did not adhere to the lax methods of the unwise virgins, though they were housed with them. They recognized the preciousness of their supply and were unwilling to barter it away with the merchandisers. They knew their lamps must burn brightly even in the end times and always stayed close to the supplier of fresh and plentiful oil. They realized they were "different" than the merchandising virgins and, therefore, kept themselves differently. They could not share their oil with the unwise virgins any more than those who recognize today's perils and are close and sensitive to the leadership and supply in the Spirit can share with those whose lives are defined as "religious," for such would constitute a "mixture." All ten were virgins, meaning they were morally uncorrupted, but there is a difference between prepared virgins, whose only desire is to be sealed up with Him, and those who are accustomed to the merchandisers.

A short view of the current religious scene will recognize the plethora of "merchandisers" who occupy the stage of media blitz. Their wares leave the "unwise" dependant upon them and their supply of an inadequate anointing and oil-less lamps. Again, the dichotomy is between the "us" and the "they's." In verses nine and ten of the quoted passage, a clear line of demarcation is apparent. The "wise," knew they were wise and knew they were different than the "unwise." The "unwise" spoke as a group and the "wise" answered them as a group...there is a separation. The reward for "spiritual stupidity" is a locked door.

The wise virgins will enter in with Him and be sealed, because they, like Noah, already have entered in and been sealed in their spirit.

Jesus said (in paraphrased terms): "Get ready for the weeping and wailing. Prepare for the tears of those robbed, as they become aware of their unsealed state (the man whose house was burgled), and observe half of the virgins, who wail outside the door."

The foolish had one desire in the end, "give US, of YOUR oil." Alas, the time of understanding that passage is fast approaching! Those who have gone to the "market place" recognize that the wise have a sufficiency they do not possess. "Market place" Christianity will not do for "end time" preparation, nor will it be reliable when the real word is given, "Arise, trim your lamps, the bridegroom has arrived."

The Spirit of God is cautioning in these last days (the day and hour of His coming is "sealed" with the Father) that what is being purveyed on television, mass media (internet and Hollywood), along with "success oriented" ministries (large and small) will be an inadequate source in the final hour. Market place Christianity depends on bartering, measuring, and responding to supply and demand economics. It purveys that which can be bought and paid for and/or sold in the open demand marketplace. Its prices fluctuate and are dependant upon the value placed upon its wares by its constituency. Market place Christianity depends on merchandising its crowds in order to build greater market places. Market place Christianity does not depend on the true source of oil, the Holy Spirit, because the two are anti-thetical in nature and manner.

The Holy Spirit is speaking to those with ears to hear. He is saying clearly, "Check the source of your supply"... "My oil has never been 'for sale.'"... "Whether it is the oil supply for the lamp in the heavenly temple, or the one in the temple of your heart, it simply is not 'for sale.'"

Until Next month,

Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD.

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