But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept...Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them. Matthew 25:5, 3.
The husband delayed more than expected. As it was late the ten virgins slumbered and slept.
And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. Matthew 25:6, 7.
As we saw in the series, The Last Night, the Lord manifests himself in the darkest, most desperate, most unexpected moment.
But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him," many are unready.*
Before proceeding, let us keep in mind that the parable begins by making a distinction between the virgins.
Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them. Matthew 25:2, 3.
Who do the five foolish virgins represent?
- The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. *
- They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth... *
- This class is represented also by the stony-ground hearers. *
- They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. *
- Its influence is not abiding.*
- The Spirit works upon man's heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature…*
The five foolish virgins were also waiting for the husband. Remember everything the 10 virgins shared in common. (Here Comes The Bridegroom! - Part 1)
But they lack:
- Really Knowing God
- Studying His character.
- Surrendering completely to the Holy Spirit.
- Falling upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitting their old nature to be broken up.*
- Examining their character.
- Maintaining communion with the Lord.
- Knowing how to trust in Jesus.
What Really Happens With The Foolish Ones?
- The class represented by the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work.*
- Their service to God degenerates into a form.*
So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Ezekiel 33:31.
The apostle Paul points out that this will be the special characteristic of those who live just before Christ's second coming. Because of such a condition we must be prepared.
In the last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their own selves; . . . lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
The Foolish Ones Of Our Days
The first reaction of the foolish, seeing that the husband was coming, was to ask the 5 wise ones for oil.
And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ Matthew 25:8.
This is the class that in time of peril are found crying, Peace and safety. They lull their hearts into security, and dream not of danger. When startled from their lethargy, they discern their destitution, and entreat others to supply their lack; but in spiritual things no man can make up another's deficiency. The grace of God has been freely offered to every soul. The message of the gospel has been heralded.*
… And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17.
Most of us have already received this invitation. The work is individual, salvation is a personal issue.
But the character is not transferable. No man can believe for another. No man can receive the Spirit for another. No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of the Spirit's working.*
Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it [the land], as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. Ezekiel 14:20.
I cannot overemphasize how important our daily preparation is. If only we realized how close the coming of the Lord is.
It is in a crisis that character is revealed. When the earnest voice proclaimed at midnight, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him," and the sleeping virgins were roused from their slumbers, it was seen who had made preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares; but one was prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without preparation. So now, a sudden and unlooked-for calamity, something that brings the soul face to face with death, will show whether there is any real faith in the promises of God. It will show whether the soul is sustained by grace. The great final test comes at the close of human probation, when it will be too late for the soul's need to be supplied. *
At the final day, many will claim admission to Christ's kingdom, saying,
We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets. Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? Luke 13:26, 27.
But the answer will be,
"I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me." Matthew 7:22.
Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal ear are those words of doom, "I know you not." The fellowship of the Spirit, which you have slighted, could alone make you one with the joyous throng at the marriage feast. In that scene you cannot participate. Its light would fall on blinded eyes, its melody upon deaf ears. Its love and joy could awake no chord of gladness in the world-benumbed heart. You are shut out from heaven by your own unfitness for its companionship.*
Terribly sad words. But the Lord will pronounce them. The question is, is this what Jesus will say to us?
We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom!" and then gathering up our empty lamps to have them replenished. We cannot keep Christ apart from our lives here, and yet be fitted for His companionship in heaven. *
In this life they have not entered into fellowship with Christ; therefore they know not the language of heaven, they are strangers to its joy. *
He who does not know Jesus in this world and has not learned to walk with Him now will not do so in heaven. Salvation is available today. The light we receive must now shine in our lives. Only when we receive the power of the Holy Spirit can we be light to a dark world.
But no man can impart that which he himself has not received. In the work of God, humanity can originate nothing. No man can by his own effort make himself a light bearer for God. It was the golden oil emptied by the heavenly messengers into the golden tubes, to be conducted from the golden bowl into the lamps of the sanctuary, that produced a continuous bright and shining light. It is the love of God continually transferred to man that enables him to impart light. Into the hearts of all who are united to God by faith the golden oil of love flows freely, to shine out again in good works, in real, heartfelt service for God. *
What We Need Now
Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with the commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character will not be transformed. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan. *
The work is not ours and salvation is a gift, a gift from God.
So the followers of Christ are to shed light into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God's word is a light as it becomes a transforming power in the life of the receiver. By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His glory--His character--is to shine forth in His followers. Thus they are to glorify God, to lighten the path to the Bridegroom's home, to the city of God, to the marriage supper of the Lamb. *
* Christ’s Object Lessons, "To Meet The Bridegroom", Ellen g. White
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