My Lamp

In the parable of the ten virgins, it's worth paying attention to the fact that the lamps that all participants in the events had are called their own. It's not about simple lamps that can be passed to another person, but specifically about what belongs strictly to me.

And what is "my lamp" in the Biblical understanding? Does the Word of God give an answer to this question?

Here's the first thing we see. A lamp is a vessel in the form of a lamp or candlestick, into which oil is poured, which, when ignited, gives light in dark times or in a dark place. The Sun and Moon are also called lamps. But the Moon doesn't have its own light, it can only reflect it. But all these symbols also have a spiritual meaning.

God and His Word are also called Lamps. And when I become God's by the fact of adoption or birth, then God's "Word becomes a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" Psalm 119:105, and "The Lord is my light" Psalm 27:1.

"For the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light" Revelation 21:23.

We read Proverbs 20:27: "The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart." In this verse, we see that my lamp is God's device inside my consciousness for correct orientation in everyday concerns and spiritual matters. And this device has a direct connection with the Most High.

In Matthew 6:22 we read: "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light."

Knowing the correct answer that oil is the Holy Spirit, which somehow fills a person, let's consider the Biblical definition of a lamp. God produces something new and special for me in me. This is called a new heart and mind, which begin to reflect God's glory and be a light to this world.

Darkness is the natural state of space in which there is no light source. Where the light goes out, darkness comes, which is called night. The same applies to my soul.

The parable of the ten virgins describes the culmination of events - midnight, when it was completely dark around, and the only source of light could only be my lamp. But it began to go out. And where can you go in the dark? To the first obstacle or the first pit. It's difficult to navigate in pitch darkness. And in this state, the foolish virgins went to the sellers and bought something, but it was too late. And they didn't acquire what the Bridegroom wanted to see.

My lamp has a vessel in which I can collect small reserves of oil. The source of God's light is limitless, and at any time I am able to receive everything necessary to reflect and store this light in my life. But there will come a period of trial when I will have to turn only to my own reserves and shine only with what will be in my vessel. No one will give me theirs, and I won't be able to share anything of mine with others. But something sad can also happen. We read Psalm 31:12: "I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel." My vessel may turn out to be empty. How could the Holy Spirit allow such a thing?

Let's now translate into our language what we've learned. In John 3:34 we read: "For God does not give the Spirit by measure."

My life with God forms my character in accordance with the light I receive. This knowledge becomes mine and helps me navigate without making mistakes or wrong steps. The Holy Spirit forms my character in the likeness of God's. This work of the Spirit is called bearing fruit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love..." Galatians 5:22.

My experience, my knowledge, my character, my relationship with Jesus, and many other things that I acquired in God's family - all this fills my vessel, forms my lamp, and makes me the person who is led by God's Spirit. I am God's, and this is my choice.

Love is the passport of a citizen of the Heavenly Kingdom, with which he can freely move through all God's possessions and dedicate himself to any service.

What has become part of me and my character, I cannot pass on to others. I cannot fill your vessel with my experience or my attachments. I can love you, I can tell you about the power and depth of love, I can treat you with love, but it's impossible for me to make it yours with all my desire. My experience, my obedience to God are not transferred to other people. My feelings and thoughts remain with me. But during a favorable time, I can form my habits and my thoughts according to the pattern that the Lord gives me.

My relationship with Jesus will remain ours and will not be passed on to you, even if you ask for it very much. My breath nourishes my lungs, and my bread satisfies my stomach.

My lamp is my life with God, my mistakes and victories, my influence and attitude towards you. My vessel for oil is my mind, which stores an understanding of God's promises and the experience of victories of God's love in my life. The Holy Spirit teaches me to apply my knowledge and discoveries in practice so that I can be established in love and in difficult times turn to it, continuing to shine to this world, even when I will be left by everyone for testing.

My choice to love will support me in difficult times in the spirit of this love and show me the way to solve any problem.

Love is that light in me that Jesus will accept when He comes for His bride. He will see His fire in the darkness of this world, which He once lit in me, and with joy will take me into His arms, never to give to anyone else. And we will forever rejoice each other with our love and our light to other people.

To be unwise means to look at all the abundance of God's blessings offered to you, which you can have in any sphere of your life, and leave with nothing, thinking that someday you will definitely come to acquire all this.

Once in our city there was a fair where every resident could sell what they didn't need. My ten-year-old daughter and I attended this event. One woman was selling a book, a children's encyclopedia, which gave explanations to many subjects in an accessible language with pictures. I asked my daughter if she wanted this book, knowing her interest in such things. She said she would think about it, and we went on. After a short time, Daniela declared that she really wanted to have this book and we returned for the purchase. But, to our great regret, our book was sold. My daughter cried, and nothing else interested her. And I couldn't help in any way. We had to go home and spend the rest of the day in bitter tears. But if earthly losses are forgotten, what will happen to those who realize that they have lost the right to Eternal life? Now God's goods lie in abundance and with their brilliance and light gladden the hearts of all buyers and passers-by. But they will soon be sold to all who wish and the doors of the Heavenly store will be closed. Midnight will come. And the oil that was offered without restrictions to everyone in a row will become inaccessible to anyone, and for a short time one will have to be content with reserves. What will turn out to be in my heart? And if this vessel is broken by my unbelief, you can't fill it with anything. Everything will be lost irretrievably. Is this what the Lord wants? And He has a plan: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" Matthew 5:16.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Zechariah 4:2-6; Luke 11:34-36; Matthew 25:1-12; 2 Samuel 22:29; Psalm 18:28; 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19; Proverbs 6:23; 13:9; 20:20,27; 24:19-20; 31:18; John 5:35; Revelation 21:23 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. How do you understand the expression "my lamp"? What does this mean in your life? Can it have several meanings?

4. What relation does love have to your lamp?

5. What should be the character and will of a person in the last time?

6. Do you think the parable of the ten virgins is written for our time, or is it the past century, or is it only relevant in the distant future?

7. Do you see a connection between this parable and the message to Laodicea?

8. How can I determine if my lamp is burning, and if I have enough oil?

9. Is it important to understand the meaning of symbols from the parable of the ten virgins and the message to Laodicea?

10. Why did the Lord divide the ten virgins into only two groups?

11. Are you interested in studying these lessons?

12. Do you have personal revelations on this topic?

13. How to understand that our research is not leading us astray?

14. Or could it be that what we are studying is not so important, and we only need to do deeds and have our faith in our soul?

15. Have you tried telling others about your revelations received in this school?