Light in the Lamp

A man invented a flashlight that worked on solar batteries. And when it was light, this device joyfully glowed, illuminating all the space around it. Something similar happens with many of God's children. During favorable times, they are ready to work and bear witness to all nations, telling the world through any available means the message of salvation and the love of the Redeemer. But we know that the day will not last long, and night will come. It is approaching. It will cover all nations. Then all the lamps that were fed by the sun's rays will go out and disappear into the darkness. Everyone will fall asleep for a short time because work is tiring. But some will fall asleep having a supply of batteries, while others will expect that the Sun will somehow charge their lamps, and they will again become a light to this world.

I think that additional light from lamps during the daytime doesn't bring much benefit, except perhaps for car headlights, which attract attention and warn of an approaching vehicle.

Now we possess an abundance of truth and knowledge. Therefore, the light of our lamps seems very strange and even foolish to many. While the Sun shines, our presence in the world seems absurd. But this is the period when I can prepare for the night and without much effort stock up on everything necessary, which will be very useful in dark times.

In summer, it's very difficult to distinguish evergreen plants from seasonal ones. But autumn comes, and then winter, and the difference between them becomes obvious.

Having a lamp is good, having a supply of oil is excellent, but you also need fire that will make this presence useful. I think that if some wise virgin, having everything necessary, doesn't take care to have a fire burning in the lamp, her supplies will not be of use. Darkness will swallow her, and she will turn out to be foolish.

I remember a case when at one of the spiritual gatherings, many candles were prepared to decorate the room with their glow. And when it came time to light these lamps, it turned out that none of those present had matches or lighters. And we were glad that there were no smokers among us, but the candles couldn't light up because of this. This problem was solved from outside. But imagine that sometime the time will come, and darkness will cover the nations, and I will understand how good it is to have a lamp, a supply of oil, and fire. Then everyone will see the difference and pay attention to me. This light will greatly irritate some, and it will bring a lot of joy to others.

Fire in Biblical symbols represents either the visible presence of God or a reminder of Him. The burning bush in the desert, the Pillar of Fire in the Israelite camp, Fire from heaven, and other supernatural manifestations testify to the Most High, Who has not left us, but with tender care accomplishes our salvation.

The light in the lamps of the ten virgins is not a random fire, but the presence of God Himself in the lives of these people. And the darker the night, the brighter the lamps will burn. "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever" Daniel 12:3.

During the abundance of light that we are now experiencing, it's worth remembering that night will also come. It will come. And night is dangerous because the forces of evil will come into action and under the cover of darkness will begin to do their destructive work. And the prophecy from Isaiah 60:2 will be fulfilled: "For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you." Who will be the light in this dark time? The Lord Himself.

By buying oil, I acquire the love of God the Father, the grace and righteousness of Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit. And this is all that the Faithful and True Witness offers us in the message to Laodicea.

In 2 Samuel 22:29 it is written: "For You are my lamp, O Lord; The Lord shall enlighten my darkness."

We also read in Psalm 27:1: "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?"

The Bible teaches us that darkness will come, night is approaching, collision is inevitable. Humanly, I really don't want to enter this time, but with my mind I understand that this will be an extremely severe trial by fire. And if I am thrown into a foreign fire, then in my lamp there will be God's fire, Which will become my protection and comfort.

It's good to understand the meaning of all these prophecies and symbols, but one should also prepare, prepare diligently.

When I go to a new site to work with my hands, I always first think about the work process and collect the necessary tools and materials so that upon arrival I can immediately start working. Or, when I'm going on a long journey, I think about what might come in handy. I pack suitcases, taking the most necessary things, but for some reason my wife always ends up with 3 times more necessary things than I do. But we prepare in advance, and this helps to make the trip without much worry about forgetting something. This approach embodies everyday wisdom and foresight.

Now the Lord warns all of us that it's necessary to have vessels for dark times and oil in them. It's worth taking care these days to have lamps and to have them burning. While it's light and everything is accessible, you can make purchases and collect Heavenly treasures for yourself without much effort. But this preparation requires my time and calls me to an equivalent exchange. I can't get ready carelessly and at the same time not forget to give and buy everything. This is a very meaningful process that requires my special concentration of attention. And God notes my interest and applies His power to my needs. Although my salvation is God's Work, it's worth remembering that without my effort and desire, no one will save me against my will.

Love is the best and correct light in my lamp. And although the time of tribulation has not yet come, someone's life has already plunged into darkness, and many souls are sitting in prison, dreaming that someone would lead them out of there. Love has lit my heart, and it is capable of lighting other souls to warm the frozen and heat the lukewarm.

Do you want problems in your life? Start begging for love and give it to your neighbors. And you will see how many enemies you have. But these are pleasant problems. These are the concerns of a winner who doesn't know what to do with those he has conquered and won. And you have to love everyone and ask for even more love so as not to surrender your positions to the enemy.

And when in the last time the angels release the winds of human passions, and the Spirit of God will no longer restrain anyone, then God's love will be that very necessary oil in me that will support the fire in my lamp and grant me another victory among the universal gloom and darkness. If the Lord is with me, whom shall I fear?

In 2 Corinthians 6:2 we read: "For He says: 'In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Will there ever be another better time for preparation? Decide for yourself, but don't put it off until tomorrow. It may never come.

Questions for reflection on this chapter:

1. Please read Matthew 5:14-16; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Exodus 13:21; Numbers 6:24-26; Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3; 2 Kings 8:19; Psalm 27:1; 142:7; Proverbs 29:13; Ecclesiastes 4:13-14; Isaiah 42:6-7; 60:1-3,19-20; 61:1; Micah 7:8; Matthew 25:34-46; Acts 13:47; Revelation 18:23; 22:5; Hebrews 12:28-29 in light of this chapter.

2. What did you understand from this chapter?

3. Is the meaning of light in the lamp clear to you?

4. Is it important to have fire in the lamp in addition to oil and the lamp itself?

5. How do you understand the presence of fire in your life? How should this manifest?

6. Can it be that you accumulate oil in your vessel, but will not be able to use it and will not understand its purpose?

7. Is it important in the last time to have a combination of prayer, knowledge, and practical experience?

8. Is the presence of fire in your lamp the main factor? Or is something else needed?

9. What should my lamp illuminate, and what does this look like in life?

10. Is being a light to the world an assignment for the time of darkness and tribulation, or is it also valid in our days of light?

11. What does an extinguished lamp mean?

12. How can you light what has gone out or has not been burning?

13. Is prison a jail, or something else? Who is now in this place?

14. Do our lessons help you understand something very important?

15. How do you understand the verse from 1 John 1:7: "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin"?