In the parable of the ten virgins the question is asked, what might the oil in the vessels be that some had an adequate amount of and yet others did not. One thing we can determine is that whatever it is, it is not transferable. One cannot receive it from another just because your supply has dwindled. The first thing that stands out to me is that these women have LAMPS. In Mark chapter four Jesus said, “is a candle brought to be put under a bushel or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick”? Other translations use the word lamp and lamp stand. Being that we’re talking about a parable of the kingdom, which is often intertwined, with others, might the lamp being talked about be the condition of the heart and the degree to which we are letting our lights shine? “So let you light shine before men that they may see your good works”? In Luke Jesus says that “the light of the body is the eye, if you’re eye be single your whole body will be filled with light”. This eye that Jesus is talking about is the spirit, the part of us that retains spiritual vision. And it’s also the place where the word is supposed to abide and operate from (a lamp stand). Then might the oil in this parable be the oil of the abiding word? Darkness, which represents a spiritual climate of deception, has an adverse affect on the shining of these lamps. Why might that be? Well, if the truth is light then the spirit of error (lies) or darkness, is going to be diametrically opposed to the light. Hence, if we’re not founded on the TRUTH of god’s word, the deceptive anti-Christ atmosphere will challenge our inner beliefs causing many to loose their faith. Doesn’t that sound like the day that we’re living in? The word says that there would come a time when evil would be esteemed as good and good for evil. If people believe that we’re living in the last days then wouldn’t you have to also say that were living in the darkest, most deceptive spiritual climate that has ever been? Notice the differences in thinking between the Europeans and the Americans. France sent an envoy to Israel and said we don’t believe that Hamas is a terrorist group. Dear lord, the deception has started and is rising to flood tide. But hang on; this world hasn’t seen anything yet in way of deception. We’re about to call upon ourselves the mother of all deceivers. All because we harbor not the truth in our hearts. Our only defense in the day being talked about is to have the Word richly abiding in us. All of us should be in the prayer closet “speaking in the ear’ (out loud) the promises of God. Cultivating faith rich in visual clarity not falling for the ploys of the adversary. Though the thought could be troubling I choose to fear not, for at the midnight hour the Lord shall come. And his reward is with him.