It is evident in the parable of the ten virgins of Matt. 25, that the "foolish" virgins, or bridesmaids, had no intention of watching and waiting for the Bridegroom. The parable states that they, along with the "five… wise" companions, "went forth to meet the bridegroom." By the fact that they "took oil in their vessels with their lamps," the latter showed that they wanted to watch and wait till the bridegroom appeared. This preparation indicates their true wisdom, and also that they were true-hearted.

Yes, "They all slumbered and slept," wise and foolish alike. Yet there was a difference after all, even in this. The former grew weary of watching, and fell asleep under the soporific atmosphere of the world around them. But it was their intention to watch, and they had prepared themselves to do so. This reveals the purpose of heart they had. On the other hand, the "foolish" ones purposely omitted from their outfit the oil which afterwards they found so indispensable. This omission shows that they did not have a purpose of heart to watch for the Bridegroom, but were ready to sink down into slumber with the world. Ostensibly they "went forth to meet" Him, but they were going out under false colors. It was not mere forgetfulness, it was heartlessness.

The waking-time brings out this fact clearly. "At midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh! Go ye out to meet him! Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps." Then it is that consternation and alarm rested on the five foolish virgins, whereas the wise are found calm and prepared. All they needed was to have their hearts stirred with the cry of the bridegroom's near approach. They awake and are ready to meet him. Not so the foolish ones, for their lamps have no oil to keep them burning. "Give us of your oil," is their frantic plea to the wise ones, who reply:"Lest there be not enough for us and you; go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves." When it is too late they discover what a fatal error it was for them to attempt to go forth without taking the oil with them. But since it was a deliberate omission, they are left to the sad results of their own choice. "While they went to buy the bridegroom came, and they that were ready (they who had the oil) went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut."

There is no doubt that oil, when used figuratively in Scripture, represents the Spirit of God. Here, then, is a class of people who by their profession, being outwardly identified with the family of God, are looking for Christ's return. But they have no reliance on the power of the Spirit; their boast is rather in what man is, or has, according to nature. It is a religion of the flesh, in which there is no real heart for Christ, nor any desire to have Him come back. Least of all do they know Him in the character of the BRIDEGROOM, in the joy of a known redemption, and in the hope of the glory of God with Christ. Their hearts are in the world, and they deliberately leave out of their Christian profession that which is designated by the oil. We repeat, it is not a mere mistake, which might be rectified. It is something definitely purposed in the heart. They "took no oil with them." The one great essential for those in their position, as going out to meet the bridegroom, is refused at the beginning, and at the end they find themselves refused. "Verily, I say unto you, I know you not."

There could not be this state of heart with anyone who had any sense of need before God. If we realize, even in a small degree, what our need is before Him, we look to Him to supply that need for us. And that is the very thing which the oil suggests. It is God's bountiful and gracious provision through His Spirit for all man's need. And since it is the provision of His grace, it fits us for meeting Christ at His return. We are then prepared to meet Him. It is not a kind of preparation which some believers may have and others not have. It is what all must have to go in "to the marriage," and without which one must be shut out. But it is what all have who look to God for their supply. Without this provision, we are "foolish" indeed; a provision rejected by those who know nothing at all of their need, but who regard themselves, like the Laodiceans, as "having need of nothing." W. M. Huss