Analysis of Oil from the Perspective of the Wise Virgins: Needing vs. Containing vs. Carrying vs. Having vs. Buying Oil

 

Analysis of Oil from the Perspective of the Wise Virgins: Needing vs. Containing vs. Carrying vs. Having vs. Buying Oil

Matt 25:9-10 "The wise answered, saying, Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. And as they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came"

Matt 25:4 "But the prudent took oil in their vessels with their lamps"

Prov 20:27 "The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah"

Rev 3:18 "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire that you may be rich" 

Category	Needing Oil	Containing Oil	Carrying Oil	Having Oil	Buying Oil
Type	Basic Need	Indwelling Spirit	Filling Spirit	Possessed Spirit	Paying Price for Spirit
Meaning	Recognition of need for Holy Spirit	Holy Spirit dwelling in believers' spirit	Holy Spirit saturating all parts of the soul	Having received basic Holy Spirit	Paying price for more Holy Spirit
Distinction	Initial cognitive stage	Beginning of regeneration	Further filling	Basic life possession	Process of deeper pursuit
Description	Expressing thirst for Holy Spirit	Having God's presence in spirit	Being saturated in soul	Basic condition of salvation	Paying price for more
Example	Virgins recognizing need to buy oil	Oil in the lamp	Oil in the vessel	Holy Spirit received at salvation	Forsaking world, dealing with self
Application	Recognizing lack and seeking fullness	Preserving presence in spirit	Letting Spirit fill whole being	Experiencing basic spiritual life	Paying price for more
Related Verses	2 Cor 11:2 "For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband to present you as a pure virgin to Christ" Matt 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before men"	Rom 8:16 "The Spirit Himself witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God" Rom 12:11 "Burning in spirit, serving the Lord"	Rom 9:21,23-24 "Has the potter... that He might make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy" 1 Pet 2:25 "The Shepherd and Overseer of your souls"	Rom 8:9 "But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not of Him" Phil 2:15-16 "As luminaries in the world, holding forth the word of life"	2 Cor 5:10 "For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ" Dan 5:27 "You have been weighed in the scales and found wanting"

 

Supplementary Notes:

Needing Oil

l   Represents the basic cognitive stage

l   Understanding that without the Holy Spirit, one cannot be the Lord's testimony

l   The starting point of all spiritual pursuit

 

Containing Oil

l   Refers to the Holy Spirit dwelling in the believers' spirit

l   Like oil in the lamp, preparing for shining

l   The basic experience of salvation and regeneration

 

Carrying Oil

l   Indicates extra preparation

l   Not only having oil in the spirit, but also preparing oil in the soul

l   Represents deeper spiritual experiences

 

Having Oil

l   Refers to the possession of basic life

l   The basic grace received at salvation

l   The foundation of all spiritual experiences

 

Buying Oil

l   Requires paying a price

l   Represents deeper pursuit

l   Includes various spiritual costs

 

Note: Each aspect progressively reveals a deeper dimension of our experience with the Holy Spirit, from initial recognition to the deepest pursuit.

  

*Please refer to International Training for Elders and Responsible Brothers October 2024

General Subject: Living in the Reality of the Kingdom of God

Week 6: Being Watchful in Life and Faithful in Service