When Jesus told the parable of the 10 bridesmaids, he was speaking in the context of the his return to the earth. The season of his return will be filled with great global upheaval and he will be looking for those who are ready to partner with him during these chaotic times. The bridesmaids in this parable represents not the church in the role of the Bride, but the ministries and individuals who's role it is to help prepare the Bride to meet her Bridegroom, Jesus. When the call came out to go meet the Bridegroom, this was the call to those in this role, to partner with the Bridegroom and gather the Bride to him.

 

They were to be lights in the darkness and show the way to the Bridegroom in the days of His return. The wise bridesmaids had extra oil, this oil is the relational history they had with the Bridegroom. In the time of great trouble, their history with Him, allowed them to keep their light burning. The light is their testimony of how they know Jesus. Before this time of crisis, however, the foolish had not spent the time deepening their relationship with Jesus and now were unable to be a light. Their lamps, that when lit, gave testimony of how they knew Jesus were now empty and unable to provide light to others. As a result, they were unable to participate, but rather needed to spend time gathering oil in a time when they were needing to be a light.

 

What the world is experiencing today is but a foretaste of the trouble to come. This is really the mercy of God to the Church to wake up and get oil! If your faith is shaken in this time, if your testimony of Jesus is dimming, take this time to know Him better. Don't keep filling your mind and heart with the crisis, but rather fix your eyes on Jesus. Seek to know Him as your provider, as your comforter, as your leader. Learn his voice better. Take the time you have been given now to know His heart deeper. Get more oil. Jesus called this wisdom.