The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of being spiritually prepared for Christ’s return. The presence of oil in the lamp symbolizes spiritual readiness, faithfulness, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Those who had oil were welcomed into the wedding feast, while those without it were shut out. This parable raises a critical question: How can we be assured of our salvation and readiness for Christ’s return?

1. The Necessity of Oil: Spiritual Readiness

The oil in the lamp represents the Holy Spirit’s presence, faith, and perseverance in Christ. The wise virgins kept their lamps burning, while the foolish ones were unprepared and left outside. What does it mean to have oil in our lamps? The following points outline biblical assurances of salvation and the characteristics of true faith.

2. Biblical Assurances of Salvation

A. We Are Saved by Grace, Not Works

📖 Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

• Salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn through good deeds or religious rituals.
• The oil in the lamp does not represent striving or human effort—it symbolizes receiving the Holy Spirit and walking in faith.
• Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”

✔ Key Takeaway: We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone, and not by our own works.

B. The Fruit of the Spirit Confirms Our Faith

📖 Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

• A true believer will bear spiritual fruit as evidence of salvation.
• If someone’s lamp is empty (meaning they lack spiritual transformation), they must examine their faith.
• 📖 2 Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

✔ Key Takeaway: True salvation produces spiritual transformation that results in love, faithfulness, and godly living.

C. A True Christian Perseveres in Faith

📖 Philippians 1:6 – “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

• The wise virgins persevered by keeping oil in their lamps, representing ongoing faith and obedience.
• A true believer continues in faith because God Himself preserves them.
• 📖 Hebrews 10:39 – “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

✔ Key Takeaway: True faith endures until the end, proving its authenticity.

D. The Inner Witness of the Holy Spirit

📖 Romans 8:16 – “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

• The Holy Spirit confirms to believers that they are truly saved.
• This inner witness manifests as peace, conviction, and assurance.
• 📖 John 14:26 – “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

✔ Key Takeaway: The Holy Spirit reassures believers of their salvation and keeps them spiritually awake.

3. The Danger of Empty Lamps: False Assurance vs. True Salvation

Some believe they are saved but lack the oil that proves their faith is genuine. The Bible warns of false assurance:

A. Calling Jesus 'Lord' Without True Relationship

📖 Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and cast out demons in Your name, and do many mighty works in Your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

• Many will profess faith but will be denied entry because they never truly knew Christ.
• The foolish virgins thought they were ready, but they were shut out.
• 📖 John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me.”

✔ Key Takeaway: Salvation is about a personal relationship with Christ, not religious activity.

B. A Warning Against Lukewarm Faith

📖 Revelation 3:16 – “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.”

• The foolish virgins were careless about their spiritual lives.
• A lukewarm Christian acknowledges Christ but does not live for Him.
• 📖 James 2:17 – “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

✔ Key Takeaway: Halfhearted faith is dangerous—it must be active and genuine.

4. Final Assurance: Confidence in Christ

While we must be spiritually ready, we should also have confidence in our salvation.

📖 John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

📖 1 John 5:13 – “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

✔ Key Takeaway: True believers can rest in the assurance that their salvation is secure in Christ alone.

5. Conclusion: Keep the Oil Burning

To have oil in your lamp means:

✔ Being filled with the Holy Spirit.
✔ Maintaining a genuine, active faith in Christ.
✔ Walking in obedience and perseverance.
✔ Living with expectancy for Jesus’ return.

The wise virgins were prepared, while the foolish were caught off guard.

Are you ready? Is your lamp full?

📖 Matthew 25:13 – “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”