Faith and endurance are two foundational elements for navigating the trials and challenges of life, especially when considering prophetic times like the Great Tribulation. For those who believe in the soon return of Christ, faith becomes more than a theological concept—it is the essential “oil” that fuels the endurance required to remain steadfast.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins: A Picture of Faith

In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins. Five wise and five foolish virgins take their lamps and go out to meet the bridegroom. The wise bring oil with them, while the foolish do not. As they wait, the bridegroom is delayed, and all fall asleep. When the call comes at midnight, the wise virgins light their lamps and are ready, but the foolish are left scrambling to find oil and miss the bridegroom’s arrival.

Many interpret the lamp as the Word of God, based on passages like Psalm 119:105, which states, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” But what fuels the Word? Faith is what we “put in” the Word to make it come alive. Without faith, the Word remains an empty lamp—something that can be held but not fully utilized.

In this sense, the oil represents faith, which ignites and sustains the believer’s spiritual light. Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” It’s this unseen, internal conviction that allows believers to endure even when external circumstances become overwhelming.

Jesus’ Intent in the Parable

It is important to understand that Jesus would never suggest that the wise could tell the foolish to “buy more of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is not something that can be purchased or obtained through human effort or transactions. The notion of buying oil in the parable should be interpreted symbolically, representing the need for personal faith and preparation. The Holy Spirit is a gift given freely by God, and no one can sell or distribute it. As Acts 8:20 shows, when Simon the sorcerer tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter rebuked him, saying, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!”

Therefore, the command to the foolish virgins to “go and buy oil” emphasizes personal responsibility in spiritual matters. Each individual must cultivate their own faith and relationship with God. The wise virgins couldn’t transfer their oil (faith) to the foolish because faith is a deeply personal attribute that cannot be borrowed or traded.

Faith: The Power to Endure the Great Tribulation

The coming Great Tribulation, as outlined in Revelation and the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21), will be a time of unprecedented trial for all humanity. Many Christians believe that those who remain faithful will need great endurance to withstand the physical, emotional, and spiritual pressures during this period. Matthew 24:13 says, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”

Endurance in the biblical sense isn’t just passive waiting; it’s an active perseverance that stems from a strong, living faith. Romans 5:3-5 links faith and endurance, stating, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” This process—where suffering leads to perseverance and hope—illustrates how faith fuels the endurance to continue, even when trials become unbearable.

The wise virgins’ preparedness with oil shows that endurance through faith doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intention, preparation, and a deep, ongoing relationship with Christ. When the cry comes at midnight, only those with faith will have the endurance to meet the bridegroom.

How Does Faith Sustain Us?

Faith sustains us by keeping our eyes fixed on the promises of God, even when the world around us seems to crumble. The Great Tribulation, with its trials and chaos, will test the faith of many. But scripture repeatedly assures us that God is faithful to those who endure:

• James 1:12: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
• Hebrews 10:36: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

Faith is like oil—it’s the reserve that keeps our spiritual lamps burning bright, even in the darkest nights of tribulation. Without it, even the Word of God can feel like an unlit lamp, full of potential but devoid of life.

Faith and Endurance in the Last Days

As we approach the fulfillment of prophetic times, it becomes even more critical for believers to fill their “lamps” with the oil of faith. The Great Tribulation will require the kind of faith that doesn’t waver under pressure, that continues to trust God’s promises even when the world seems to be spinning out of control.

In Luke 18:8, Jesus asks, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” This question highlights the central role faith plays in enduring the trials to come. Those who cultivate faith now—by trusting in God’s Word and walking in obedience—will be like the wise virgins, prepared and ready to meet Christ when He returns.

Conclusion: Faith as the Oil of Endurance

In the end, faith is not just about intellectual assent to biblical truths. It is the vital “oil” that fuels the endurance necessary to persevere through the darkest times, including the Great Tribulation. As believers, we must continually fill our lamps with faith by investing in our relationship with Christ, immersing ourselves in His Word, and trusting in His promises. This faith will empower us to stand firm, enduring until the end, when we will meet the Bridegroom face to face.

In the words of Hebrews 12:2, let us “fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Just as Christ endured through faith, so must we, knowing that the same faith will bring us through the trials ahead.

This faith is not passive; it’s the oil that keeps our lamps burning, providing light and hope as we await the return of our Savior.