We have come to our last study of this parable and it is my last School Assembly of this year.

That is what you call good timing.

I said at the close of our last study that the church will again be taken up with a watching and waiting for the coming of Christ.

1. It is as a result of that stirring that the five foolish virgins, or those who make a profession of being Christians but who are not truly saved, discover that they have no oil!

This is an evangelical move by the Lord. How careless they had been! Is not 'oil' the most vital thing for someone with a lamp!

Please children hear the Saviour's words: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," John 3:3. The new birth is what is symbolised by the oil. Oil brings life to the lamp and the new birth brings life to our dead souls!

2. See how they still would profess that Christ is their Lord! "Lord, Lord, open to us," verse 11.

Many today sit amongst the people of God and consider themselves to be truly saved. In His great mercy, the Lord will yet cause many to examine themselves, 2 Corinthians 13:5. But still there will be those who refuse to accept that they are not truly saved.

3. The sad end of those not ready. "But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not," verse 12.

Entrance to heaven depends upon us "knowing" the Lord. Meaning of the word.
Matt 2:2 - 'seen'. 2. Matt 2:11 - 'saw'. 3. Matt 6:8, 32 - 'knoweth'. 4. Matt 9:2 - 'saw their faith'. Note that God can see whether or not you believe in the Lord Jesus!

Please read John 9:35-38.