PARABLE OF TEN VIRGINS
Chap.25:1-4: "Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened
unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the
bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were
foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in
their vessels with their lamps."
The twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth chapters of Matthew are one
connected discourse. The parable of the ten virgins of chapter 25, is a further
illustration of the great subject of the second advent, treated in the previous
chapter, especially of the action of the wise and the evil servants, given in
the closing part of it. "Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened
[compared, Campbell's translation] unto ten virgins." At the very time
when both these classes of servants are manifested, may the kingdom of Heaven
be compared to an eastern marriage. The parable, then, does not have a general
application; but illustrates the kingdom of Heaven at a particular time. There
can be no mistake on this point.
Some have desired to obtain a correct account of an eastern
marriage, that they might better understand this parable. But let it be
understood that our Saviour has here given the desired history, and testifies
that the kingdom of Heaven shall be likened, or compared, unto it.
The kingdom of Heaven is not the future kingdom of glory. The
parable can in no wise illustrate that kingdom. The term here, as in many other
places in the New Testament, applies to the work of grace; or, more definitely
expressed, it refers to the great second advent movement, caused by the power
of the word and Spirit of God upon the minds and hearts of men.
The ten virgins illustrate those who professed faith in the
evidences of the soon coming of Christ, based upon fulfilled and fulfilling
prophecy, and the signs of the times. Their lamps represent the word of God.
Ps.119:105; 2Pet.1:19. The oil may illustrate abiding faith, produced by a
thorough work of the word and Spirit of God upon the hearts and lives of men.
The difference, then, between those illustrated by the foolish, and the wise
virgins, is that one class rest in that faith which alone is the result of
theory, while the other class have that abiding faith which results not only
from theory, but also from the work of grace wrought by the word and Spirit of
God. And in the great advent movement, these two classes have been clearly
manifested.
Verses 5-7: "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered
and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh;
go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their
lamps." The bridegroom in this parable represents Jesus Christ, and the
tarrying of the bridegroom clearly shows a disappointment on the part of those
looking for his second coming, and a consequent delay. The first point of
expectation, as expressed in the title page of Wm.Miller's nineteen lectures,
was "about the year 1843." This time passed, and believers, for as
time, sank into a position which is well represented by the words, "They
all slumbered and slept."
In the summer of 1844, it was seen that those evidences which had
been relied upon as proof that the 2300 prophetic days of Dan.8, would end in
the year 1843, proved that they would terminate in 1844. The entire body of
believers had been united, agreeing with Wm.Miller that the 2300 days dated
from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, B.C.
457. This point settled, the figures 1843 were readily found:
From
2300 Take 457
_______
And there remains 1843
But it was seen that it would require 457 full years before Christ,
and 1843 full years after Christ, to make 2300 full years; so that
if the 2300 years commenced with the first day of B.C. 457, they would reach to
the first day of A.D. 1844. It was also seen that this prophetic period did not
commence with the year 457, in the spring, but in the autumn of that year;
consequently, 2300 full years would terminate in the autumn of 1844. In
connection with this view of the subject, a most forcible application of the
parable of the ten virgins, and other scriptures, was made, and a most solemn,
searching cry went forth to Adventists everywhere, "Behold, the Bridegroom
cometh; go ye out to meet him." This appeal to professed believers went
with astonishing rapidity and power, and all were aroused to search the
Scriptures with greater care and deeper interest, fitly represented by the
words, "Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
CHARACTER OF THE WORK
As to the character of the work which resulted from giving what
was called the midnight cry, it evidently was the special work of God. It was
not, as many supposed the result of fanaticism.
Because it bore the marks of the especial providence of God. It
was not characterized by those extremes ever manifested where human excitement,
and not the word and Spirit of God, has the controlling influence. It was in
harmony with those seasons of humiliation, rending of heart, confession and
complete consecration of all, which are matters of history in the Old
Testament, and are made matters of duty in the New.
Because it was subversive of all those forms of fanaticism which
had made their appearance somewhat in connection with the second-advent cause.
These were at once swallowed up by the solemn power of the midnight cry, as the
rods of the magicians were by the rod of Aaron.
Because the work was marked with sobriety, humility, solemnity,
reverence, self-examination, repentance, confessions, and tears, instead of
lightness, exaltation, trifling, irreverent expressions, self-justification,
pride in spiritual things, voluntary humility and will-worship, which generally
characterize the conduct of fanatics.
Because the work bore the fruit of the Spirit of God, as set forth
in the New Testament. It was evidently guided by wisdom from above. The apostle
James declares this wisdom to be "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and
easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy." Chap.3:17. Paul says that the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance. Gal.5:22,23. These are the good fruits of the work and Spirit of
God, and these did all appear in an eminent sense as the results of the
midnight cry.
Of all the great religious movements since the days of the first
apostles of our Lord, none stand out more pure and free from the imperfections
of human nature and the wiles of Satan, than that of the autumn of 1844. In
fact, after looking back upon it for more than twenty-six years as the greenest
spot on all the way in which God has led his people, we do not see how it could
have been better, at least so far as the direct providence and work of God is
concerned. It was beyond the control of human hands, or human minds. Men and
demons sought to hinder and to mar this work; but the power that attended it
brushed away their influence as you would remove a spider's web, and there
stood the work of God, free from the print of a man's hand.
The Advent Shield published
in January, 1845, bears testimony to the character of that work, in words of
truth and soberness. And let it be borne in mind of truth and soberness. And
let it be borne in mind that the Shield
was a standard work, of 440 pages, for all Adventists at that time, and that
the following testimony from it was not published till about three months after
the seventh-month movement, when Adventists had taken time to review the past,
and settle, as was supposed, upon a firm, united position: "It produced everywhere the most deep
searching of heart and humiliation of soul before the God of high Heaven. It
caused a weaning of affections from the things of this world, a healing of the
controversies and animosities, a confession of wrongs, a breaking down before
God, and penitent, broken-hearted supplications to him for pardon and
acceptance. It caused self-abasement and prostration of soul, such as we never
before witnessed."
Verses 8,9: "And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of
your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so;
lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell,
and buy for yourselves." Those who had no part in the great advent
movement can scarcely form any idea of that work. But those who took part in
that work know that the burden of testimony to believers everywhere was that
the preparation was an individual work. All were faithfully warned to look to
God, and obtain an individual experience. The urgent requests for help from
those in whom the work had been superficial, and the faithful responses of
those who had the work at heart, are well illustrated by the above conversation
between the foolish and wise virgins.
*******
Continued from yesterday's study….
This study is on an
article written 147 years ago. So much
has happened in our world since then. Some of the things in here will sound
strange to us, and some may not seem relevant now. Time and place truly are
necessary in all things. May God forever and always guide us ONLY to HIS truth
in all we read, in all we study, all through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!
*******
The Second Coming of
Christ BY ELD. JAMES WHITE.
"What shall be
the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?" - DISCIPLES.
"When ye shall
see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." - JESUS.
*******
TO BE CONTINUED….
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