In our charismatic Christian "concerts" that we call worship, I believe that this story in Matthew 25 is paramount. I don't mean to call names, nor do I mean to point fingers, but I must admit that I see this more in the Pentecostal and charismatic scene than anywhere else. During Sunday services, we play music for the worship time. This isn't wrong in any way. What is wrong, however is that we will rev up our amplifiers and crank up the bass in our sound systems to try and make an atmosphere that is separate from the anointing and presence of God. In our loudness, we hype up the audience. Even in the preaching, by saying certain words or phrases, such as, "I can really feel the Holy Ghost tonight," we deceive those listening who are either ignorant, or naive enough to believe that all words spoken are of truth. It is obvious that by attending a few meetings and revivals, any good actor could become an evangelist and make millions.
In Matthew 25, starting in verse 1, these 10 virgins have oil in their lamps. 5 of them have enough oil to last until midnight, and the others have an abundance. The 5 without ask the 5 with to share their oil. They are denied, and so the 5 without oil must go buy more. While they are gone, Jesus returns. The 5 return and see a door. The other 5 had already gone through this door, and so the remaining 5 knock and ask to be let in. They are told, "Depart from me, I never knew you." And, of course, this is our Lord Christ Jesus answering.
I believe the oil is the anointing of God to be able to minister with His Holy Spirit, and the power that comes from it. This oil is obtained from anything that requires a cross to bear, such as prayer, accepting rejection from those you speak to, denying yourself pleasure of this world, etc. Essentially, its a suffering that is born in obedience to the Lord. Now, the fact that Jesus said, "I never knew you," begs the question of what kind of oil did the 5 without have? Was it some kind of synthetic, "surrealist" oil? Or, and this is my belief, maybe they had gotten the oil in prayer and petitions that were only for their own need.
The "residue," or abundance, of oil would be those prayers that go beyond our need and to the needs of God. They would be the offerings to not ask God to sacrifice of Himself for our behalf, but for us to offer ourselves as sacrifices on God's behalf. A perfect display of this is to listen to testimonies. Most of the time, it is a testimony of how God has done something for them, and they not only expect, but require God to keep doing things for them. This is self-centered, whereas we should be God-centered. The true testimony is not of what God has done, so that we almost say that He is the giver and never asks of anything. It is true, and I've been a recipient of God's giving, but when our whole Christian viewpoint is upon what God not only has done, but will continue to do for "me," it is a surreal authenticity. It is a copy of the real, but is in the end a mirage.
What is sad is that even when believers pray for revival, what they really mean is a hype, or a shot in the arm that would benefit and bless them. They are willing, and desperately hungry enough, to allow anything that seems "real enough" to be brought before them so they may obtain this blessing. If people are falling down, if there are shouts of tongues, if there are testimonies of healing and miracles, then we equate that with God, when we can read in Matthew 7 that that might not be the case. "Many will say to me in that day, 'Have I not prophesied in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and done many wondrous works in your name?' And my response will be, 'Depart from me, I never knew you.'" Now, that is not to discredit healing or miracles, but to say that we need to use a bit of discernment. If the person praying over you is embedded in carnality, that which he/she has can, and will, be imparted unto you. What kind of shows were they watching the night before the "revival?" What kind of music do they listen to? What kind of character do they emit when outside of the church arena? If it is not authentic Christianity, according to the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5, don't let them touch you.
I must admit, there is a lot more to be said, but I have nothing else to write. I hope that this is something you can ponder over and enjoy digesting while celebrating the Christmas and New Years.
