HI EVERYONE AT FIVE DOVES!
 
Thank you Doug for your wonderful posts. On your question pertaining the oil and how to know whether one has enough, i think the answer is quite long but i would also like to remind you my Brother and all the Doves that some parables still have literal meanings while others require a digging in, in order to understand. Unlike the pharesees of Jesus' days, God has opened our eyes and ears so as  to understand them. The Holy Spirit who is our Counsellor teaches us all things when we depend on Him. Amen!
The parable of the 10 virgins is not an exception, but requires a lot of understanding, but even if taken on the face value still a clear picture comes out and it is that of a BRIDE WAITING FOR HIS BRIDEGROOM to fetch her and take her to the wedding feast. But here preparedness is required and is what matters whether one goes to the wedding or not. As per your question of what the oil is and when to have enough and still how to have enough of it raises even more other much discused topics as to whether once saved always saved, whether Christians do backslide and whether Salvation is a continuous process. When we read on the life of the Israelites right from the time they left Egypt until they arrived in Canaan alot happened on he way. There was trusting in God, there was abandoning God and there was returning and reconcilling back to God after stumbling. But we see not all who stumbled or abandoned God or moreover backslide did return to God. There were those who backslide and perished. In the same way having enough oil is trusting wholy in Jesus Christ, keeping His commandments and being led by the Holy Spirit, and this is enough to know that you are ready. IT IS VERY SIMPLE KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD OF "LOVE." Therefore if you are born-again and hate your Brother or Sister you are the same as those murderers in the streets and i think we all  have to read  the whole book of Matthew and all the answers lie there. Unless our righteousness exceeds that of the pharesees and the hypocrites then we shall by no means enter the Kingdom of God. Therefore when we keep God's commandment and have Jesus in our hearts we then know we have enough oil But when we start hating one another and breaking the commandment of God which is "LOVE", no matter how many times we claim we are saved will not help. Anyone who hates his neighbour is similar to a murderer, and the place of the murderers, the liars, the fornicators and all those who practice magic and do shameful things is hell.
 
We also see the place of the lukewarm and backsliding christians so as to say in the book of revelation. They are about to be spit out by Lord Jesus Christ. Many are told to repent and do the first works. This means they used to do those works when they fully trusted in Jesus and gave Him a 100% place in their hearts but on the way they stumbled but instead of waking up dusting themselves and going on, they remained down and never bothered to wake up. Salvation is a continous process and when we fall, we dont get discouraged and remain down but we wake up and go on, because we know salvation is by THE GRACE OF GOD AND OUR GOOD DEEDS CANNOT SAVE US, AND IF THEY COULD, THEN THERE WAS NO NEED FOR CHRIST TO DIE FOR US. God knows we cannot make it by our good works that is why Christ died for us but now after accepting Christ goods works are required because we cannot claim we follow Jesus and again we lead a wicked lifestyle. These Christians are entangled again by the world and become even worse than they were at first. Even Christ spoke about an evil spirit leaving a person. It goes around looking for a place to settle and if it fails it decides to return back and if that person is not strong enough as in Having the Holy Spirit that person is entangled again by the same spirit and becomes even worse than he was before. SALVATION IS NOT A ONE DAY THING BUT A DAILY CARRYING OF THE CROSS AND FOLLOWING JESUS IN EVERY ASPECT, IN DOINGS SPEECH AND SERIOUS WORK. Therefore the foolish virgins  may be compared by only those Christians who say the repentance prayer but continue with their old lifestyle and therefore are left at the rapture.
 
THEREFORE BRETHREN HAVING ENOUGH OIL IS TRUSTING, WATCHING AND WAITING FOR OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALWAYS, MEANING BEING READY EVERYDAY AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO WATCH!
 
Therefore Brethrens, be sober and watch even unto prayer!
Maranatha!
 
Please Brother John if it is possible please pplace the pictures that am sending concerning the 'CROSS.'
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See the link, Samson & Doug: http://powella.multiply.com/journal/item/4/Whatever_Your_Cross
John