Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1914 — BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLS STUDY ON [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BROOKLYN TABERNACLE BIBLS STUDY ON

THE TEN VIRGINS. Matthew 25:1-13—Sept. 13. “TVa/clk therefore; for ye know not the dat nor the hour." — Verse ts. CnE parable of today's Study is supposed to have been uttered by our. Lord about three days before Ills crucifixion, as part of His response to the question, “What shall be the sign of Thy Coming and of the end of the Age?” In the preceding chapter the Master traces various experiences of His people down to the time of Ills Second Coming. This parable has not been applicable at all times and under all conditions. This is shown by the first word, “Then” —at that time—"the Kingdom of Heaven will be likened unto ten virgins.” The parable does not describe the world in general, but merely the virgin class the Church—the pure ones who

have left the world, have come to God through Christ, have been Justified by faith in His blood, and thus have been made prospective members of the Kingdom class, the Bride class. This parable slio ws, then, that in the end of tills Gospel

Age a separation, division, will take Place in the true Church of Christ. With the Jews, a betrothal took place between Bride and Bridegroom about a year before marriage. During that year any unfaithfulness to the Bridegroom annulled the contract, which was usually mado through intermediaries. So, during this Gospel Age, a Church is being betrothed lo Christ, and covenant obligations are being entered Into. These agreements are made through brethren, ministers, servants, of the Lord and the Church. Parousia and Epiphania. Many Bible students hold that this parable began to have Its fulfilment In the Mlllerite Movement, which In 1841 culminated In disappointment. For some fourteen years prior a cry had gone forth throughout the Church that the Second Coming of Christ was at hand. History tells us that many noble characters of all denominations believed the Messngo and went forth to meet tlio Bridegroom. But the Bridegroom tarried. Then all the virgins slumbered and slept. Later, nt midnight, the Bridegroom came apparently; and announcements were made to that effect An Increasing number of Bible students believe that this latter cry sounded forth Just thirty years after the disappointment of Wm. Miller’s followers; namely, In 1871. They do not claim that Jesus came In tile-flesh then; on the contrary, they hold that He will never come In the flesh—that He Is flesh no longer, that He lias ascended to the spirit plane—far above angels. They call attention to the fact that the Bible distinctly differentiates between the Pflrousla of Christ and Ills Epiphania, at His Second Coming.' The word I’arousla signifies presence, without in any sense indicating that the presence is visible. The word Eplphnuia signifies the revealing of one already present. These Bible students claim that In the end of this Gospel Age Christ will be present. Invisible to men, during a period of forty years, doing a work especially in Ills Church —rewarding the faithful servants, as shown In the parables of tlie Bounds and the Talents, and receiving the wise virgins, as in this parable. The Lamps and the Oil. The oil of the parable evidently represents tlie Holy Spirit, while the lamps represent the Bible. In response to the Message, the wise virgins trimmed their lamps—searched the Scriptures. Thus they had light in their Lamps, as well as oil. the Holy Spirit, in their hearts. Then the foolish virgins said. “Give us of your oil.” However, there Is but one way to get the Holy Spirit—from the Lord Himself and upon His own terms. In order to

receive a fresh supply we must look well to our Covenant with the Lord and to our loyalty to the principles o f righteousness. This costs something of time and study, perhaps of neglect of the things of this life. It means to forego strife for fame and wealth.

and to live close to God. Tills is the cost of the precious Oil. lienee the wise virgins declared, in no ungenerous spirit, that they had none too much of the oil of the Holy Spirit for themselves. Then they advised their brethren who were deficient to go to God, and to seek it by obedience to His Word, by searching the Scriptures and by close following of the Master's leading in the narrow way. Meantime, the. wise virgins went in. one after another—passing beyond the veil. Then the door was shut. Once in our misunderstanding we thought that tills represented that the foolish virgins and all the remainder of mankind were banished to eternal torment. Now, however, we notice that the door shuts in the Kingdom class. While Others will never enter that Kingdom, God lias other blessings for them, to come through the Kingdom class—Christ and His Bride.

The Wise Virgins.

The Foolish Virgins.