Music...
00:00:01.40\00:00:20.55
Let's pray...
00:00:20.58\00:00:21.92
"Father in heaven, as
we study our last topic
00:00:21.95\00:00:26.99
during this Series,
00:00:27.02\00:00:28.82
we ask as we have before,
00:00:28.86\00:00:31.53
that You will be
present in our midst.
00:00:31.56\00:00:34.10
Give me a clear mind,
00:00:34.13\00:00:36.23
humble heart
00:00:36.26\00:00:38.03
and give all of those who
are watching this Presentation
00:00:38.07\00:00:42.27
the willingness
to follow Your will.
00:00:42.30\00:00:45.17
We thank you for
the privilege of prayer
00:00:45.24\00:00:48.04
that we can approach the throne
of the King of the Universe.
00:00:48.08\00:00:52.01
We know that You
have heard this prayer
00:00:52.05\00:00:54.58
and You will answer
00:00:54.62\00:00:55.95
because we ask it in Jesus'
most precious name, amen. "
00:00:55.98\00:01:01.52
As I mentioned in my prayer,
this is the last Presentation
00:01:01.56\00:01:07.06
in this Series on
Matthew chapter 24.
00:01:07.10\00:01:10.60
This is actually
Presentation Number 24
00:01:10.63\00:01:14.37
and we want to begin
by reading Matthew 25
00:01:14.40\00:01:18.14
and verses 1 to 13.
00:01:18.17\00:01:20.21
It's the famous
parable of the ten virgins.
00:01:20.24\00:01:23.75
Now, as I read this parable,
00:01:23.81\00:01:26.28
I would ask you to
try and place yourself
00:01:26.31\00:01:29.82
in the environment
where this parable took place.
00:01:29.85\00:01:33.79
It's not only a parable...
00:01:33.82\00:01:37.19
Jesus actually told the parable
00:01:37.23\00:01:39.39
when He was observing the
details before His very eyes.
00:01:39.43\00:01:43.80
There was a wedding
about to take place.
00:01:43.83\00:01:46.47
So, I'm going to begin
at Matthew 25 and verse 1.
00:01:46.50\00:01:50.47
"Then the kingdom of heaven
shall be likened to ten virgins
00:01:50.51\00:01:55.91
who took their lamps
00:01:55.94\00:01:57.85
and went out to
meet the bridegroom.
00:01:57.88\00:02:01.62
Now five of them were
wise, and five were foolish.
00:02:01.65\00:02:07.09
Those who were
foolish took their lamps
00:02:07.12\00:02:10.33
and took no oil with them,
00:02:10.36\00:02:12.99
but the wise took oil in
their vessels with their lamps.
00:02:13.03\00:02:17.97
But while the
bridegroom was delayed,
00:02:18.00\00:02:21.44
they all slumbered and slept.
00:02:21.47\00:02:24.74
And at midnight a cry was heard:
00:02:24.77\00:02:27.61
'Behold the
bridegroom is coming;
00:02:27.64\00:02:30.45
go out to meet him!'
00:02:30.51\00:02:32.48
Then all those virgins
arose and trimmed their lamps.
00:02:32.51\00:02:36.95
And the foolish
said to the wise,
00:02:36.99\00:02:39.75
'Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out. '
00:02:39.79\00:02:44.39
But the wise answered, saying,
00:02:44.43\00:02:46.93
'No, lest there should
not be enough for us and you;
00:02:46.96\00:02:51.87
but go rather to those who
sell, and buy for yourselves. '
00:02:51.90\00:02:57.11
And while they went to
buy, the bridegroom came,
00:02:57.14\00:03:01.81
and those who were ready
went in with him to the wedding;
00:03:01.84\00:03:06.92
and the door was shut. "
00:03:06.95\00:03:10.42
Verse on screen.
00:03:10.49\00:03:32.61
Now, the coming of the
bridegroom in this parable
00:03:32.64\00:03:37.88
is not the second
coming of Jesus Christ.
00:03:37.91\00:03:41.42
We studied this in
our previous presentation
00:03:41.45\00:03:44.95
on wedding customs
in the times of Christ.
00:03:44.99\00:03:48.42
The context makes
it absolutely clear
00:03:48.46\00:03:51.89
that the bridegroom
comes to the wedding chamber
00:03:51.93\00:03:55.56
for the wedding
00:03:55.60\00:03:56.93
and that this
wedding takes place in heaven
00:03:56.97\00:04:00.40
where Jesus will receive
from His Father... the kingdom
00:04:00.44\00:04:04.21
and Jesus will marry His bride
00:04:04.24\00:04:07.08
which represents the
totality of faithful believers.
00:04:07.11\00:04:12.08
We must link the
parable of the ten virgins
00:04:12.11\00:04:16.02
with the previous context
00:04:16.05\00:04:18.69
at the end of Matthew chapter 24
00:04:18.75\00:04:21.22
and verses 36 to 44.
00:04:21.26\00:04:24.69
So, let's read those verses now
00:04:24.76\00:04:26.73
which is the context that
appears immediately before
00:04:26.76\00:04:31.27
the parable of the ten virgins.
00:04:31.30\00:04:33.20
Matthew 24 verse 36,
00:04:33.23\00:04:35.94
"But of that day
and hour no one knows,
00:04:35.97\00:04:40.18
not even the angels of
heaven, but My Father only. "
00:04:40.21\00:04:44.85
And now comes an
example of this idea
00:04:44.88\00:04:48.35
that the wedding
takes place in heaven
00:04:48.38\00:04:51.79
and then afterwards,
00:04:51.85\00:04:53.19
Jesus will come to
take His bride to heaven.
00:04:53.22\00:04:55.62
It says in verse 37,
"But as the days of Noah were,
00:04:55.66\00:05:00.36
so also will the
coming of the Son of Man be.
00:05:00.40\00:05:04.53
For as in days
before the flood... "
00:05:04.60\00:05:07.47
notice... "as in the
days before the flood,
00:05:07.50\00:05:12.31
they were eating and drinking,
00:05:12.34\00:05:14.64
marrying and giving in marriage,
00:05:14.68\00:05:16.91
until... " this
is the first until...
00:05:16.95\00:05:19.81
"until the day that
Noah entered the ark,
00:05:19.85\00:05:22.68
and did not know... "
00:05:22.72\00:05:25.25
that is... those
who were outside...
00:05:25.29\00:05:26.62
"did not know until the flood
came and took them all away,
00:05:26.65\00:05:31.03
so also will the
coming of the Son of Man be. "
00:05:31.06\00:05:36.73
So, there's a coming here...
00:05:36.77\00:05:38.83
which is at the
closing of the door
00:05:38.87\00:05:40.87
and there's a coming
when actually Jesus comes
00:05:40.90\00:05:45.57
and the wicked are destroyed
00:05:45.61\00:05:46.94
and the righteous are
spared inside the ark.
00:05:46.98\00:05:50.81
We find in verse 40
the following words,
00:05:50.85\00:05:54.68
"Then two men
will be in the field:
00:05:54.72\00:05:57.35
one will be taken
and the other left.
00:05:57.39\00:06:00.02
Two women will be
grinding at the mill:
00:06:00.06\00:06:03.93
one will be taken
and the other left.
00:06:03.96\00:06:07.76
Watch therefore,
00:06:07.80\00:06:09.90
for you do not know what
hour your Lord is coming. "
00:06:09.96\00:06:14.40
This is not the coming
at the second coming...
00:06:14.47\00:06:17.27
this is the coming
of Jesus to the Father
00:06:17.31\00:06:20.61
to marry His
kingdom... to marry His bride
00:06:20.64\00:06:23.91
when the door of
probation closes.
00:06:23.95\00:06:26.45
Verse 43, "But know this,
00:06:26.48\00:06:29.28
that if the master
of the house had known
00:06:29.32\00:06:32.02
what hour the thief would come,
00:06:32.05\00:06:34.52
he would have watched
00:06:34.56\00:06:36.32
and not allowed his
house to be broken into.
00:06:36.36\00:06:39.39
Therefore you also be ready,
00:06:39.43\00:06:43.00
for the Son of Man is coming
at an hour you do not expect. "
00:06:43.06\00:06:46.80
So, it compares the
coming of Jesus for the wedding
00:06:46.84\00:06:50.21
with the coming of a thief.
00:06:50.24\00:06:52.14
Now, as I've mentioned before,
00:06:52.17\00:06:53.98
the coming of the thief has
two specific points of time.
00:06:54.01\00:06:57.95
One... is when the
thief actually comes.
00:06:57.98\00:07:01.28
Everybody's sleeping and
doesn't know that the thief
00:07:01.32\00:07:05.12
has come
00:07:05.15\00:07:06.49
and then the people
wake up in the morning
00:07:06.52\00:07:09.59
and they realize that the thief
has come... but it's too late.
00:07:09.62\00:07:12.26
When Jesus comes
to take His kingdom...
00:07:12.29\00:07:14.83
when Jesus comes
to marry His bride
00:07:14.86\00:07:17.33
which is the totality
of His faithful people,
00:07:17.37\00:07:20.64
people will be oblivious
00:07:20.70\00:07:23.30
that the wedding has
taken place in heaven...
00:07:23.34\00:07:25.77
that the door of
mercy has closed.
00:07:25.81\00:07:28.31
People will not know
that the door has closed
00:07:28.34\00:07:32.28
until Jesus comes
to receive His saints
00:07:32.31\00:07:36.28
to take them take them
to the heavenly reception
00:07:36.32\00:07:38.12
and the wicked are destroyed.
00:07:38.15\00:07:41.02
So, the previous context
indicates that this coming
00:07:41.09\00:07:46.33
is not the second
coming of Jesus to the earth
00:07:46.39\00:07:50.07
but the coming of
Jesus to His Father
00:07:50.10\00:07:53.17
for the marriage to His kingdom.
00:07:53.23\00:07:55.84
This is why these verses
compare the coming of Jesus
00:07:55.87\00:08:00.78
to the coming of a thief.
00:08:00.81\00:08:03.75
So, you have a comparison
between the days of Noah
00:08:03.78\00:08:07.62
and the parable
of the ten virgins
00:08:07.65\00:08:10.59
and the close of probation.
00:08:10.62\00:08:11.95
So, let's draw a few parallels
between the days of Noah
00:08:11.99\00:08:17.29
and the coming of the
Son of Man to the Father
00:08:17.33\00:08:21.26
to receive the kingdom
00:08:21.30\00:08:22.63
and then, the ensuing
destruction afterwards.
00:08:22.66\00:08:25.40
So, here are the parallels.
00:08:25.43\00:08:27.24
If we remember the
closing of the door of the ark
00:08:27.30\00:08:31.91
and the
destruction of the wicked
00:08:31.94\00:08:34.84
and the saving, of course, of
God's people during the flood,
00:08:34.88\00:08:37.98
were two related
but separate events.
00:08:38.01\00:08:41.65
In a similar way,
00:08:41.68\00:08:43.89
the closing of the door
of Probation for the world
00:08:43.92\00:08:47.66
is related to the
second coming of Christ
00:08:47.69\00:08:51.36
but they are
two separate events.
00:08:51.39\00:08:54.56
The door closes
and then after that
00:08:54.60\00:08:57.70
comes the second
coming of Christ to the earth.
00:08:57.73\00:09:01.17
Second, the preaching of Noah
00:09:01.20\00:09:05.01
under the power
of the Holy Spirit
00:09:05.04\00:09:07.74
inviting people to
gather into the ark to be saved
00:09:07.78\00:09:13.48
is represented by the
five... by the ten virgins
00:09:13.52\00:09:19.15
lighting the way
to the bridal chamber
00:09:19.19\00:09:22.32
which symbolizes the
preaching of the gospel
00:09:22.36\00:09:25.43
under the power
of the Holy Spirit
00:09:25.46\00:09:27.13
inviting people to come
as guests to the wedding.
00:09:27.16\00:09:31.30
Number 3: The midnight cry
00:09:31.33\00:09:35.14
represents Noah's last
call at the door of the ark
00:09:35.17\00:09:39.54
for people to come into the ark.
00:09:39.57\00:09:42.58
The midnight cry in the
parable of the ten virgins,
00:09:42.61\00:09:46.51
represents the
final call to the living
00:09:46.55\00:09:49.82
to accept the invitation
into the wedding chamber.
00:09:49.85\00:09:55.02
Number 4: The closing
of the door of the ark
00:09:55.06\00:10:00.00
represents the
close of probation.
00:10:00.06\00:10:01.73
The closing of the door in
the parable of the ten virgins
00:10:01.76\00:10:06.03
represents the closing
of the door of probation
00:10:06.07\00:10:09.50
for the world.
00:10:09.54\00:10:10.87
Five: When the
door of the ark closed,
00:10:10.91\00:10:14.44
the kingdom of the
faithful was complete,
00:10:14.48\00:10:17.81
Noah and his
family... the saved were inside
00:10:17.85\00:10:21.12
whereas the wicked were outside.
00:10:21.15\00:10:25.15
In other words,
00:10:25.19\00:10:26.52
Noah's preaching divided
the world into two groups.
00:10:26.55\00:10:29.46
Those who were saved
and those who were lost...
00:10:29.49\00:10:32.63
those who were inside the ark
00:10:32.66\00:10:34.70
and those who
were outside the ark.
00:10:34.73\00:10:37.13
Likewise, when the door of
probation closes for the world,
00:10:37.17\00:10:42.00
the righteous will be
inside the wedding chamber
00:10:42.07\00:10:45.41
whereas the wicked will be
outside the wedding chamber.
00:10:45.44\00:10:49.94
Pause...
00:10:49.98\00:10:52.41
Next: Number 6...
00:10:52.45\00:10:53.78
The time of trouble for
Noah and his family in the ark
00:10:53.82\00:10:57.15
which lasted seven days
00:10:57.19\00:10:59.09
represents the time of trouble
00:10:59.12\00:11:01.06
that God's
people will go through
00:11:01.12\00:11:03.56
during the time
of Jacob's trouble
00:11:03.63\00:11:05.96
before the
second coming of Christ
00:11:05.99\00:11:08.13
and after the
close of probation.
00:11:08.16\00:11:10.27
And finally, the return
of Jesus from the wedding
00:11:10.30\00:11:14.50
to take His subjects to
the wedding reception in heaven
00:11:14.54\00:11:19.91
is represented in Matthew 24
00:11:19.97\00:11:22.28
by the angels coming
and receiving the elect...
00:11:22.31\00:11:26.51
catching up the
elect into the clouds
00:11:26.55\00:11:29.38
to take them to
heaven for the reception.
00:11:29.42\00:11:32.19
So, you'll notice that there's
a parallel between what happened
00:11:32.22\00:11:36.06
in the days of Noah and
the parable of the ten virgins.
00:11:36.09\00:11:38.93
And the coming of the
groom to marry his bride
00:11:38.99\00:11:44.07
represents the coming of
Jesus to His Father in heaven
00:11:44.10\00:11:48.00
to receive the kingdom...
00:11:48.04\00:11:49.54
to receive His bride...
00:11:49.57\00:11:51.24
to be married to His bride
00:11:51.27\00:11:52.87
the totality of
His faithful people
00:11:52.91\00:11:55.18
after which, the door
of probation closes...
00:11:55.21\00:11:58.41
the tribulation comes
00:11:58.45\00:12:00.22
and then Jesus comes
for the second time...
00:12:00.25\00:12:03.49
takes His bride to
heaven for a thousand years
00:12:03.52\00:12:06.32
and then brings His
bride back to the earth
00:12:06.35\00:12:09.12
for the permanent home
00:12:09.16\00:12:10.69
in a new
heavens and a new earth.
00:12:10.73\00:12:12.83
Now, let's take a look at
the symbols of the parable.
00:12:12.86\00:12:17.30
We have ten virgins.
00:12:17.33\00:12:19.40
They represent those who profess
to have accepted Jesus Christ
00:12:19.43\00:12:25.51
as Savior and Lord.
00:12:25.54\00:12:27.38
All of them accepted the
gospel invitation to be guests
00:12:27.41\00:12:32.21
to the wedding.
00:12:32.25\00:12:33.58
The lamps
represent the Scriptures.
00:12:33.62\00:12:37.25
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
00:12:37.29\00:12:41.16
and a light unto my
path. " Psalm 119:105.
00:12:41.19\00:12:45.59
The oil that they have in their
lamps represents the Holy Spirit
00:12:45.63\00:12:50.60
according to
Zechariah chapter 4.
00:12:50.63\00:12:53.13
The lighting of the
way to the wedding chamber
00:12:53.17\00:12:57.01
with the lamps that have the oil
00:12:57.04\00:12:59.11
represent the
preaching of the gospel
00:12:59.14\00:13:01.88
in a dark world
00:13:01.91\00:13:03.61
inviting sinners to
come to the wedding chamber
00:13:03.65\00:13:08.02
and be inside for the wedding.
00:13:08.05\00:13:10.29
The wise virgins represent
the genuine followers of Jesus.
00:13:10.32\00:13:15.96
The foolish virgins represent
superficial followers of Jesus.
00:13:15.99\00:13:21.60
They had oil in their lamps
00:13:21.63\00:13:23.97
but they did not have an extra
supply of oil in their vessels.
00:13:24.00\00:13:28.67
They are represented in
the parable of the sower
00:13:28.70\00:13:32.37
by the stony-ground hearers.
00:13:32.41\00:13:35.44
The stony-ground
hearers started well.
00:13:35.48\00:13:39.08
The plant
sprouted and began to grow.
00:13:39.11\00:13:42.65
However, when the sun rose...
00:13:42.68\00:13:45.05
which represents
tribulation and persecution...
00:13:45.09\00:13:48.29
the plant dried up
00:13:48.32\00:13:51.29
which means that these
are fair-weather Christians.
00:13:51.33\00:13:54.66
When everything goes
well, they follow Jesus
00:13:54.70\00:13:57.80
but when a delay
comes and trial comes,
00:13:57.83\00:14:01.14
they fall away.
00:14:01.17\00:14:03.47
The bridegroom in the
parable represents Jesus
00:14:03.51\00:14:07.54
and the bride represents
the totality of the believers
00:14:07.58\00:14:13.52
in Jesus Christ.
00:14:13.55\00:14:15.45
What does the extra supply
of oil in the vessels represent?
00:14:15.48\00:14:20.62
Well, those who have
accepted Jesus as Savior
00:14:20.66\00:14:25.36
receive the early rain
00:14:25.39\00:14:26.73
but if you do not
persevere in the Lord,
00:14:26.76\00:14:31.27
you will not
receive the latter rain.
00:14:31.30\00:14:34.14
In other words, the
five foolish virgins
00:14:34.17\00:14:36.97
started well
00:14:37.01\00:14:38.34
but the delay in the coming
of the groom for the wedding
00:14:38.37\00:14:44.18
discouraged them.
00:14:44.21\00:14:46.51
They allowed the
early-rain experience to die
00:14:46.55\00:14:50.89
and the latter rain
could not benefit them.
00:14:50.92\00:14:55.22
When the plant dies
00:14:55.26\00:14:57.26
it's no avail for the latter
rain to fall on the plant.
00:14:57.33\00:15:02.10
The delay in the parable
represents the coming of Jesus
00:15:02.13\00:15:06.74
to the wedding in heaven which
delayed longer than expected.
00:15:06.77\00:15:13.17
The slumbering represents
the length of time that passes
00:15:13.21\00:15:18.88
where God's people are expecting
the groom to come to the wedding
00:15:18.91\00:15:23.55
but he delays in his
coming to the wedding.
00:15:23.59\00:15:26.32
The midnight cry
is the clarion call
00:15:26.35\00:15:29.82
for the
beginning of the judgment
00:15:29.86\00:15:33.29
first of the dead in 1844
00:15:33.33\00:15:35.96
and then, the
judgment of the living
00:15:36.00\00:15:38.83
shortly before probation closes.
00:15:38.87\00:15:41.64
The request for oil on the
part of the foolish virgins
00:15:41.67\00:15:45.74
from the wise
00:15:45.77\00:15:47.58
represents the fact that
character cannot be shared.
00:15:47.61\00:15:52.28
The character that is formed
by the power of the Holy Spirit
00:15:52.31\00:15:56.32
by the oil cannot be
shared with others...
00:15:56.38\00:15:58.99
they must develop their own.
00:15:59.02\00:16:01.52
The coming of the bridegroom
00:16:01.56\00:16:04.03
represents Jesus going to His
Father in the Most Holy Place
00:16:04.06\00:16:08.60
to receive the
kingdom or to marry His bride.
00:16:08.63\00:16:12.17
Now, this happens in two stages.
00:16:12.20\00:16:14.87
The first stage was in 1844.
00:16:14.90\00:16:17.51
When Jesus moved
to the Most Holy Place
00:16:17.54\00:16:20.61
to begin the
judgment of the dead.
00:16:20.64\00:16:24.45
The second is the
return of Jesus to His Father
00:16:24.48\00:16:28.92
after placing the sins on
the head of the scapegoat.
00:16:28.98\00:16:33.09
This is very
important in the Court.
00:16:33.12\00:16:35.66
So, Jesus goes to the Court,
00:16:35.69\00:16:38.56
places the sins on
the head of the scapegoat
00:16:38.59\00:16:41.00
that had been
cleansed from the sanctuary
00:16:41.03\00:16:43.40
and then He
returns to the Father
00:16:43.43\00:16:46.57
for the final wedding
00:16:46.60\00:16:48.64
because both the dead and
the living have been judged.
00:16:48.67\00:16:52.07
The sins have been placed
on the head of the scapegoat
00:16:52.11\00:16:55.41
in the Court... and now
Jesus returns to His Father
00:16:55.44\00:16:58.71
for the wedding.
00:16:58.75\00:17:00.18
The wedding represents
the moment when Jesus receives
00:17:00.22\00:17:04.25
the kingdom from
His Father in heaven
00:17:04.29\00:17:07.16
when the judgment concludes.
00:17:07.19\00:17:09.09
The number of His
people is complete.
00:17:09.12\00:17:12.63
His kingdom is complete.
00:17:12.66\00:17:14.60
His bride which is all believers
00:17:14.66\00:17:17.33
is complete.
00:17:17.37\00:17:18.70
Those who were ready go
into the wedding chamber
00:17:18.73\00:17:22.17
for the wedding.
00:17:22.20\00:17:23.91
I want to underline once again
that the totality of believers
00:17:23.94\00:17:27.64
is the bride or the kingdom
00:17:27.68\00:17:30.28
whereas the individual believers
00:17:30.35\00:17:32.88
are the guests to the moment
when Jesus marries the totality
00:17:32.91\00:17:36.95
of His kingdom.
00:17:36.99\00:17:38.62
The righteous
going into the wedding
00:17:38.65\00:17:41.59
means that even though
they are physically unearthed,
00:17:41.62\00:17:46.49
they enter the heavenly
chamber for the wedding by faith
00:17:46.53\00:17:51.37
because their
records are up there.
00:17:51.40\00:17:53.70
In other words, they are
written in the book of Life
00:17:53.74\00:17:56.14
and their deeds are
written in the books
00:17:56.17\00:17:58.94
so, even though
they are on earth,
00:17:58.97\00:18:01.14
Jesus goes in heaven
00:18:01.21\00:18:03.11
and marries the
totality of His people up there
00:18:03.14\00:18:06.21
and then finally, you
have the "shut door. "
00:18:06.25\00:18:09.25
The "shut door"
represents the moment
00:18:09.28\00:18:12.65
when the wedding is
about to take place,
00:18:12.69\00:18:16.02
everybody's case is decided.
00:18:16.06\00:18:19.19
When the five foolish
virgins go to try and get oil,
00:18:19.23\00:18:24.93
that is during
the time of trouble
00:18:24.97\00:18:28.14
when many will go
from east to north
00:18:28.20\00:18:30.97
and they will seek
for the Word of God
00:18:31.01\00:18:33.78
but it's going to be too late...
00:18:33.81\00:18:35.88
the Lord is going to
say, "I never knew you. "
00:18:35.91\00:18:37.81
Amos chapter 8 verses 11
and 12 expresses this moment.
00:18:37.85\00:18:42.78
Verse on screen...
00:18:42.82\00:19:04.11
In other words,
they're going to try and find
00:19:04.14\00:19:05.97
the... the... the
oil for the lamp...
00:19:06.01\00:19:08.21
it's not going to be available
because probation has closed.
00:19:08.24\00:19:11.41
Ellen White
described professed Christians
00:19:11.45\00:19:14.88
in the time of trouble
that are found unready.
00:19:14.92\00:19:18.35
In Great
Controversy page 620 she wrote,
00:19:18.39\00:19:21.62
on screen...
00:19:21.66\00:19:50.62
The voice: I do not know you
00:19:50.65\00:19:53.72
is to those who have
not prepared a character
00:19:53.76\00:19:58.23
fit for heaven before
the close of probation.
00:19:58.26\00:20:02.70
"To be ready" in
the parable means:
00:20:02.73\00:20:06.40
to pray... to watch...
to occupy... to invest...
00:20:06.43\00:20:11.27
to work... and to
reveal the love of Jesus.
00:20:11.31\00:20:16.54
Now, this parable has
a three-fold application.
00:20:16.58\00:20:21.75
The first application is
to the literal Jewish nation.
00:20:21.78\00:20:26.59
The second application is to the
great Advent Movement of 1844
00:20:26.62\00:20:32.79
and the third application
00:20:32.86\00:20:34.96
is to the period of
the loud cry of the remnant
00:20:35.00\00:20:38.27
just before the
close of human probation.
00:20:38.30\00:20:41.80
Now, if we had the time, I
would read a lengthy chapter
00:20:41.84\00:20:48.28
from the book Early Writings
00:20:48.31\00:20:49.68
where Ellen White compares the
messages of John the Baptist,
00:20:49.71\00:20:55.62
Jesus and Peter... with
the Advent Movement of 1884.
00:20:55.65\00:21:00.66
Unfortunately, we don't
have the time to do that
00:21:00.69\00:21:04.09
but I would encourage those who
are watching this Presentation
00:21:04.13\00:21:07.70
to go to the
book: Early Writings,
00:21:07.73\00:21:10.30
pages 259 to 261
00:21:10.33\00:21:14.14
where Ellen
White draws a parallel
00:21:14.17\00:21:16.64
between the message
of John the Baptist...
00:21:16.71\00:21:19.44
the message of Jesus
00:21:19.47\00:21:21.24
and the message of
Peter on the day of Pentecost
00:21:21.28\00:21:24.55
and the first, second
and third angels' messages
00:21:24.58\00:21:28.98
that were given
between the year 1840 and 1844.
00:21:29.05\00:21:33.42
It will be an
enriching experience for you
00:21:33.46\00:21:36.69
to read that particular chapter,
Early Writings, 259 to 261.
00:21:36.73\00:21:42.00
But then, let's talk about
the fulfillment of this parable
00:21:42.06\00:21:47.30
with the
Millerites in the 1840s.
00:21:47.34\00:21:51.67
I want to read a
statement that we find
00:21:51.71\00:21:54.38
in Great Controversy, 393.
00:21:54.41\00:21:56.24
By the way, I would suggest
that you read the entire chapter
00:21:56.28\00:21:59.35
I'm only sharing
certain details...
00:21:59.38\00:22:02.18
Great
Controversy, 391 through 408.
00:22:02.22\00:22:04.95
Ellen White wrote on page 393,
00:22:04.99\00:22:08.19
Chapter 25 opens with the words:
00:22:08.22\00:22:11.33
"Then shall the
kingdom of heaven be likened
00:22:11.36\00:22:15.43
unto ten virgins. "
00:22:15.46\00:22:16.80
Then she writes,
"Here is brought to view
00:22:16.83\00:22:21.04
the church
living in the last days,
00:22:21.07\00:22:23.10
the same that is pointed
out in the close of chapter 24.
00:22:23.14\00:22:28.88
In this parable experience...
their experience is illustrated
00:22:28.91\00:22:34.12
by the incidents of
an Eastern marriage. "
00:22:34.15\00:22:37.72
So, the word "Then"
that begins chapter 25,
00:22:37.75\00:22:41.29
connects with chapter 24.
00:22:41.32\00:22:42.92
So, we need to read the
last verses of chapter 24
00:22:42.96\00:22:46.80
to understand the
connection with chapter 25.
00:22:46.83\00:22:50.63
We have the going
forth of the virgins.
00:22:50.67\00:22:53.74
In the 1840s, this
represents the Reformation
00:22:53.77\00:22:58.04
under the proclamation
of the first angel's message
00:22:58.07\00:23:02.18
announcing that the hour
of God's judgment had come.
00:23:02.21\00:23:06.78
That's preaching on
Daniel chapter 8 and verse 14.
00:23:06.82\00:23:11.22
Ellen White wrote in
Great Controversy, 393 and 394,
00:23:11.25\00:23:15.62
on screen.
00:23:15.66\00:23:25.23
So, the coming of the bridegroom
00:23:25.27\00:23:27.44
is an announcement of
the first angel's message
00:23:27.47\00:23:30.04
that the bridegroom is
going to come for the wedding
00:23:30.07\00:23:32.77
and He's going to begin
the judgment of the dead...
00:23:32.81\00:23:35.44
then afterward the
judgment of the living
00:23:35.51\00:23:37.88
and then, His
kingdom will be complete
00:23:37.91\00:23:40.28
and He will marry it.
00:23:40.32\00:23:41.98
So the going forth of
the virgins represents
00:23:42.02\00:23:44.75
the Reformation
under the proclamation
00:23:44.79\00:23:47.22
of the first angel's message.
00:23:47.26\00:23:48.76
The announcement that the
hour of God's judgment had come.
00:23:48.79\00:23:52.63
Now, all who joined
this Millerite Movement
00:23:52.66\00:23:56.36
claimed to follow the Bible
and to have the Holy Spirit.
00:23:56.43\00:24:00.70
Ellen White wrote in
Great Controversy, 394,
00:24:00.74\00:24:04.17
on screen.
00:24:04.21\00:24:13.58
Now, the error
that they committed was
00:24:13.62\00:24:16.15
that they believed that
the coming of the bridegroom
00:24:16.18\00:24:19.15
was that Jesus was
going to come to the earth...
00:24:19.19\00:24:21.12
He was going to
destroy the earth with fire
00:24:21.19\00:24:23.63
and He was going to
take His bride to heaven.
00:24:23.66\00:24:26.06
They misunderstood the event...
00:24:26.09\00:24:28.20
they thought that the
coming of the bridegroom
00:24:28.23\00:24:30.10
was the second coming of Jesus.
00:24:30.13\00:24:32.37
All of them claimed to be
followers of Jesus Christ.
00:24:32.40\00:24:36.60
We also notice
that the wise virgins
00:24:36.64\00:24:40.08
had a profound
experience with the Lord
00:24:40.11\00:24:43.11
and longed for
the coming of Jesus.
00:24:43.14\00:24:46.11
Ellen White wrote about this
group of believers in the 1840s,
00:24:46.15\00:24:51.19
Great Controversy,
394, the following words.
00:24:51.22\00:24:54.62
On screen...
00:24:54.66\00:25:29.36
In other words, they
had a genuine connection
00:25:29.39\00:25:32.69
with Jesus Christ...
that is... the wise virgins.
00:25:32.76\00:25:35.63
What about the foolish virgins?
00:25:35.66\00:25:37.63
What about the foolish
Millerites, if you please.
00:25:37.67\00:25:41.80
Well, they had a superficial
emotional, impulsive,
00:25:41.84\00:25:45.94
fearful
relationship with the Lord.
00:25:45.97\00:25:48.94
In Great Controversy
page 394, Ellen White wrote,
00:25:48.98\00:25:53.08
"They had moved from impulse.
00:25:53.11\00:25:56.18
Their fears had been
excited by the solemn message,
00:25:56.22\00:25:59.75
but they had depended upon
the faith of their brethren... "
00:25:59.79\00:26:03.39
in other words, their
brethren were all excited
00:26:03.43\00:26:05.36
so they got excited too.
00:26:05.59\00:26:06.93
She continues,
00:26:06.96\00:26:08.30
"once again, their
fears had been excited
00:26:08.33\00:26:10.93
by the solemn message,
00:26:10.97\00:26:12.57
but they had depended upon
the faith of their brethren,
00:26:12.60\00:26:16.00
satisfied with the flickering
light of good emotions,
00:26:16.04\00:26:20.08
without a thorough
understanding of the truth
00:26:20.11\00:26:23.65
or a genuine work
of grace in the heart.
00:26:23.68\00:26:26.65
These had gone
forth to meet the Lord,
00:26:26.68\00:26:29.62
full of hope in the
prospect of immediate reward;
00:26:29.65\00:26:34.09
but they were not prepared
for delay and disappointment. "
00:26:34.12\00:26:37.53
In other words, when the delay
and the disappointment came,
00:26:37.56\00:26:40.30
they lost their faith
00:26:40.33\00:26:42.13
because they
were not deeply rooted
00:26:42.16\00:26:44.47
in their
relationship with Jesus Christ.
00:26:44.53\00:26:46.74
So, then there was a
tarrying time or a delay.
00:26:46.80\00:26:50.31
What does that represent?
00:26:50.34\00:26:52.27
It represents the fact
00:26:52.31\00:26:54.14
that the Millerites believed
that Jesus was going to come
00:26:54.18\00:26:56.85
to pick up His bride
in the spring of 1844.
00:26:56.88\00:27:01.55
However, Jesus, of
course, did not come to earth
00:27:01.58\00:27:06.32
as they expected in
the spring of 1844...
00:27:06.35\00:27:08.82
in fact, He did not even go
00:27:08.89\00:27:11.43
to the Father for
the wedding in heaven
00:27:11.46\00:27:14.16
in the spring of 1844
00:27:14.20\00:27:16.53
because the Day of
Atonement was in the fall
00:27:16.56\00:27:19.13
and so, they had
not taken into account
00:27:19.17\00:27:22.00
that the decree of Artaxerxes
was given in 457 in the fall,
00:27:22.04\00:27:26.47
therefore, the
end of the 2300 days
00:27:26.51\00:27:29.48
had to be also in the fall.
00:27:29.51\00:27:31.15
So, they were wrong
about the season of the year.
00:27:31.18\00:27:34.15
During this tarrying time,
00:27:34.18\00:27:36.65
the superficial and
the impulsive Millerites
00:27:36.69\00:27:41.02
fell by the wayside.
00:27:41.09\00:27:43.02
In Great Controversy,
394, Ellen White wrote,
00:27:43.06\00:27:46.23
On screen...
00:27:46.29\00:27:59.01
Both groups slumbered
00:27:59.04\00:28:01.58
but one group
gave up their faith
00:28:01.61\00:28:05.01
and the other group did not.
00:28:05.05\00:28:07.68
Ellen White wrote in
Great Controversy, page 394,
00:28:07.72\00:28:11.49
"They all slumbered and slept;"
00:28:11.52\00:28:13.86
one class in unconcern and
abandonment of their faith... "
00:28:13.89\00:28:20.00
that is... the
foolish virgins...
00:28:20.03\00:28:21.90
and then she says,
00:28:21.93\00:28:23.70
"the other class
patiently waiting
00:28:23.73\00:28:26.33
till clearer
light should be given.
00:28:26.40\00:28:28.97
In another statement,
00:28:29.00\00:28:31.04
we find in Great
Controversy, 395,
00:28:31.07\00:28:34.28
"In this time of uncertainty,
00:28:34.31\00:28:36.48
the interest of the
superficial and halfhearted
00:28:36.54\00:28:40.72
soon began to waver,
00:28:40.75\00:28:43.18
and their efforts to relax;
00:28:43.22\00:28:45.32
but those whose faith was
based on a personal knowledge
00:28:45.35\00:28:49.59
of the Bible
00:28:49.62\00:28:51.83
had a rock beneath their feet,
00:28:51.86\00:28:54.40
which the waves
of disappointment
00:28:54.43\00:28:56.30
could not wash away. "
00:28:56.33\00:28:59.07
On page 395,
Ellen White also wrote,
00:28:59.10\00:29:02.57
on screen...
00:29:02.60\00:29:12.11
Ellen White also wrote
that during this period,
00:29:12.15\00:29:16.12
between the spring of
1844 and the fall of 1844,
00:29:16.15\00:29:20.12
fanaticism arose
among the waiting ones.
00:29:20.16\00:29:24.33
In Great Controversy, 395,
00:29:24.36\00:29:26.76
she says that many of
those who had embraced the idea
00:29:26.80\00:29:29.50
that Jesus was going to
come in the spring of 1844,
00:29:29.53\00:29:33.07
they then turned against
those who were slumbering
00:29:33.10\00:29:36.64
but who had not
lost their faith.
00:29:36.67\00:29:39.11
She wrote in
Great Controversy, 395,
00:29:39.17\00:29:41.78
about these
enemies of God's people,
00:29:41.81\00:29:44.35
"They feared it might be true"
that is... the coming of Jesus,
00:29:44.38\00:29:48.45
"yet hoped it was not,
00:29:48.48\00:29:50.59
and this was the
secret of their warfare
00:29:50.62\00:29:53.02
against
Adventists and their faith. "
00:29:53.05\00:29:55.46
On the same
page, Ellen White wrote
00:29:55.49\00:29:57.66
"About this time,
00:29:57.69\00:29:59.03
fanaticism began to appear.
00:29:59.06\00:30:01.13
Some who had professed to be
zealous believers in the message
00:30:01.16\00:30:05.63
rejected the word of God
as the one infallible guide
00:30:05.67\00:30:09.70
and, claiming to
be led by the Spirit,
00:30:09.74\00:30:12.54
gave themselves up to the
control of their own feelings,
00:30:12.57\00:30:16.48
impressions, and imaginations. "
00:30:16.51\00:30:19.31
But in the summer of 1844,
00:30:19.35\00:30:22.15
a man by the
name of Samuel Snow...
00:30:22.18\00:30:25.09
this is known as the
Seventh-month Movement
00:30:25.12\00:30:28.26
discovered the
mistake that they had made.
00:30:28.32\00:30:31.39
No, Jesus was not going to
come in the spring of 1844,
00:30:31.43\00:30:35.53
He was going to
come in the fall of 1844
00:30:35.56\00:30:38.67
on the Day of Atonement that
is mentioned in Leviticus 23
00:30:38.70\00:30:42.47
which fell October 22,
1844 in that particular year
00:30:42.50\00:30:47.38
and so, now there
was a great revival.
00:30:47.41\00:30:51.01
Let me read
Great Controversy, 398
00:30:51.05\00:30:53.45
where Ellen White
described this discovery.
00:30:53.48\00:30:55.68
On screen...
00:30:55.72\00:31:16.87
In other words, the preachers
used this expression in 1844...
00:31:16.91\00:31:20.78
in the summer...
"Behold the bridegroom cometh"
00:31:20.81\00:31:24.38
and so, the
slumbering at that time woke up
00:31:24.41\00:31:27.72
and there was a
great religious revival.
00:31:27.75\00:31:30.99
They had kind of been
in suspended animation,
00:31:31.02\00:31:34.36
if you please, there
after the first disappointment.
00:31:34.39\00:31:36.83
They hadn't lost their faith
00:31:36.86\00:31:38.66
but they... they were
looking for additional light.
00:31:38.69\00:31:41.26
So, now there's
this great revival.
00:31:41.30\00:31:43.63
The printing
presses rolled again
00:31:43.67\00:31:45.93
and there was
powerful prophetic preaching
00:31:45.97\00:31:48.80
that instructed the people
00:31:48.84\00:31:50.64
the bridegroom was going
to come back to the earth
00:31:50.67\00:31:53.98
to pick up His
bride on October 22, 1844.
00:31:54.01\00:31:57.65
Ellen White wrote
about this revival
00:31:57.68\00:32:00.22
in Great Controversy page 400.
00:32:00.25\00:32:02.32
"Like a tidal wave the
movement swept over the land.
00:32:02.35\00:32:07.09
From city to city,
from village to village,
00:32:07.12\00:32:09.72
and into remote
country places it went,
00:32:09.76\00:32:12.29
until the waiting people
of God were fully aroused. "
00:32:12.33\00:32:16.50
In other words,
now they wake up.
00:32:16.53\00:32:17.87
"Fanaticism disappeared... "
this is from... from the summer
00:32:17.90\00:32:21.27
from the time that
the loud cry is being...
00:32:21.30\00:32:23.17
or the midnight
cry is being given.
00:32:23.20\00:32:25.07
"Fanaticism disappeared
before this proclamation
00:32:25.11\00:32:28.14
like the early frost
before the rising sun.
00:32:28.18\00:32:30.81
Believers saw their
doubt and perplexity removed,
00:32:30.85\00:32:34.32
and hope and courage
animated their hearts.
00:32:34.35\00:32:37.69
There was little ecstatic joy,
00:32:37.72\00:32:39.99
but rather deep
searching of heart,
00:32:40.02\00:32:42.42
confession of sin,
00:32:42.46\00:32:43.93
and forsaking of the world.
00:32:43.99\00:32:45.99
A preparation to meet the Lord
00:32:46.03\00:32:47.93
was the burden of
agonizing spirits.
00:32:47.96\00:32:52.37
There was persevering prayer
00:32:52.40\00:32:54.44
and an unreserved
consecration to God. "
00:32:54.47\00:32:57.24
Ellen White
described this revival...
00:32:57.31\00:33:00.01
by the way, Folks,
00:33:00.08\00:33:01.41
Ellen White was an
eyewitness to all of this.
00:33:01.44\00:33:03.31
So, she's not just
writing as a historian
00:33:03.35\00:33:05.68
who is writing several
years later about the experience
00:33:05.71\00:33:09.42
that some people went through.
00:33:09.45\00:33:10.79
She went through
this experience...
00:33:10.82\00:33:12.69
what she's
describing was her experience.
00:33:12.72\00:33:15.39
In another place,
Great Controversy, 401,
00:33:15.42\00:33:18.03
Ellen White wrote,
00:33:18.06\00:33:19.59
on screen...
00:33:19.63\00:33:48.72
The people during this period
00:33:48.76\00:33:50.86
received an abundant
portion of the Holy Spirit.
00:33:50.89\00:33:53.96
Those who had
lost their faith...
00:33:54.00\00:33:55.76
who had a
superficial knowledge...
00:33:55.83\00:33:57.47
they did not have the
extra supply of oil...
00:33:57.50\00:34:01.04
they did not have that intimate
relationship with Jesus.
00:34:01.07\00:34:04.21
It was a
superficial relationship.
00:34:04.24\00:34:06.17
But those who had a
relationship with Christ
00:34:06.21\00:34:10.05
after the first disappointment
in the spring of 1844,
00:34:10.08\00:34:14.08
they did not lose
that connection with Jesus.
00:34:14.12\00:34:16.72
We find in Great Controversy,
402 and 403, these words,
00:34:16.79\00:34:20.76
on screen...
00:34:20.79\00:34:46.92
on page 403, she wrote,
00:34:46.95\00:34:49.68
on screen...
00:34:49.72\00:35:30.56
But Jesus... instead
of coming to the earth
00:35:30.59\00:35:33.60
to marry His bride here
and take her to heaven...
00:35:33.63\00:35:36.60
Jesus actually moved from
the Holy to the Most Holy Place
00:35:36.63\00:35:41.00
to begin the process
of examining the garments
00:35:41.07\00:35:44.71
to determine who are
subjects of His kingdom...
00:35:44.74\00:35:48.01
who belongs to the
bride... in other words.
00:35:48.04\00:35:51.21
In Great Controversy
page 427 Ellen White wrote,
00:35:51.25\00:35:55.48
on screen...
00:35:55.52\00:36:31.59
Was there a "shut door" in 1844?
00:36:31.62\00:36:35.82
Yes, there was...
00:36:35.86\00:36:38.09
the door shut for
those who were superficial
00:36:38.13\00:36:41.43
and did not follow Jesus
into the Most Holy Place.
00:36:41.46\00:36:44.87
You see, those individuals
who had been superficial
00:36:44.90\00:36:48.24
when the
faithful Millerites said,
00:36:48.27\00:36:51.77
"Well, Jesus went
into the Most Holy Place
00:36:51.81\00:36:54.54
to examine the garments...
00:36:54.58\00:36:56.04
to then, after the
process is finished,
00:36:56.08\00:36:58.65
to marry His bride or
to take over the kingdom.
00:36:58.68\00:37:01.15
They said, "Ah, that's
just a face-saving re-invention
00:37:01.18\00:37:03.62
on your part...
" they lost faith.
00:37:03.65\00:37:05.29
The superficial did not follow
Jesus into the Most Holy Place.
00:37:05.32\00:37:09.46
They remained in the Holy Place
00:37:09.49\00:37:12.16
and Ellen White
describes vividly
00:37:12.19\00:37:14.80
how they received a counterfeit
gift of the Holy Spirit
00:37:14.83\00:37:18.73
breathed on them by Satan
00:37:18.80\00:37:20.84
and they were
left in total darkness.
00:37:20.87\00:37:23.07
You can read Early
Writings page 54 to 56.
00:37:23.10\00:37:26.14
Ellen White wrote
in Selected Messages
00:37:26.17\00:37:29.14
volume one page 63,
00:37:29.21\00:37:30.91
on screen...
00:37:30.95\00:38:05.41
So, the superficial class
00:38:05.45\00:38:07.85
represented by
the foolish virgins
00:38:07.88\00:38:09.52
and those who did not accept
the messages from the get-go...
00:38:09.55\00:38:15.16
these individuals... their
door of probation was closed.
00:38:15.19\00:38:20.80
"When Jesus
shut the door in 1844
00:38:20.83\00:38:23.87
those who had
rejected the first two messages
00:38:23.90\00:38:26.70
found themselves
in total darkness. "
00:38:26.74\00:38:28.94
Most of the
Christian world, however,
00:38:28.97\00:38:31.07
kept worshipping
in the Holy place,
00:38:31.11\00:38:33.17
thinking that Jesus was there,
00:38:33.21\00:38:36.58
oblivious that Jesus had
entered the Most Holy Place
00:38:36.61\00:38:40.55
to establish who will
be a subject of His kingdom
00:38:40.58\00:38:44.49
and Satan then took control of
those who rejected the messages.
00:38:44.52\00:38:50.13
Once, Jesus the King
has examined every case
00:38:50.19\00:38:55.03
and has determined who
is a subject of His kingdom,
00:38:55.06\00:38:58.63
after the time of
trouble, Jesus will come
00:38:58.67\00:39:01.84
to pick up His members
of His kingdom or His bride.
00:39:01.87\00:39:05.91
Now, when Jesus
comes to get His bride,
00:39:05.94\00:39:08.91
He will take His bride to heaven
00:39:08.94\00:39:11.48
and there the reception...
00:39:11.51\00:39:14.22
the wedding
reception will take place.
00:39:14.25\00:39:17.79
The wedding
reception includes the bride
00:39:17.82\00:39:20.96
which is the
totality of God's people
00:39:21.02\00:39:24.36
whereas the
individuals at the wedding
00:39:24.39\00:39:27.73
represent the individual persons
00:39:27.76\00:39:30.17
who are
followers of Jesus Christ.
00:39:30.20\00:39:32.50
So, Jesus will take
His people to heaven...
00:39:32.53\00:39:35.30
the wedding
reception will take place there
00:39:35.34\00:39:38.01
and then, God's people will
be in heaven for a 1,000 years.
00:39:38.04\00:39:42.31
I like to think that
this is the honeymoon
00:39:42.34\00:39:44.78
and then, Jesus will bring
His bride back to the earth...
00:39:44.81\00:39:48.75
the New Jerusalem with
all of the redeemed in it
00:39:48.78\00:39:52.15
and this will be
the permanent home
00:39:52.19\00:39:54.39
of the bride with the groom...
00:39:54.42\00:39:56.56
this place where there will
be a new heaven and a new earth.
00:39:56.59\00:40:00.66
Now, this parable
also has an application
00:40:00.70\00:40:03.90
to events immediately
before the second coming
00:40:03.93\00:40:07.80
not only to 1844.
00:40:07.84\00:40:09.27
Let me read you a passage
where Ellen White describes
00:40:09.30\00:40:12.91
the parable of the
ten virgins vividly.
00:40:12.94\00:40:15.74
This is found in the book,
00:40:15.81\00:40:19.25
Christ's Object
Lessons, 405 and 406.
00:40:19.31\00:40:21.82
On screen...
00:40:21.88\00:42:18.30
"As Christ sat
looking upon the party
00:42:18.33\00:42:22.14
that waited for the bridegroom,
00:42:22.17\00:42:23.84
He told His disciples the
story of the ten virgins... "
00:42:23.87\00:42:27.08
and now notice,
00:42:27.11\00:42:28.44
"by their experience
illustrating the experience
00:42:28.48\00:42:31.55
of the church that shall live
just before the second coming. "
00:42:31.58\00:42:36.95
So, this
parable not only applies
00:42:36.99\00:42:39.15
to the Millerite Movement,
00:42:39.19\00:42:40.52
it also applies to
those who will be alive
00:42:40.56\00:42:43.53
when the door of
probation closes.
00:42:43.56\00:42:45.89
Now, let's take a look
at the end-time fulfillment
00:42:45.93\00:42:50.03
of the parable
of the ten virgins.
00:42:50.07\00:42:52.17
First of all, the virgins...
00:42:52.20\00:42:54.67
who are the virgins?
00:42:54.70\00:42:56.81
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 406... Ellen White wrote,
00:42:56.84\00:43:02.08
on screen...
00:43:02.11\00:43:15.19
Incidentally, this is
what the Apostle Paul wrote
00:43:15.22\00:43:18.53
in 2nd
Corinthians chapter 11 verse 2
00:43:18.56\00:43:20.83
when he wrote to the
Corinthians these words,
00:43:20.86\00:43:23.93
on screen...
00:43:23.97\00:43:36.01
So, the virgins are those
00:43:36.04\00:43:38.25
who profess to have
a pure and true faith.
00:43:38.28\00:43:41.55
Now, both groups of virgins
00:43:41.58\00:43:44.35
had many
characteristics in common.
00:43:44.39\00:43:47.56
They all went out...
00:43:47.59\00:43:49.32
they all had lamps...
00:43:49.36\00:43:51.03
they all had oil
in their lamps...
00:43:51.09\00:43:53.36
they all slumbered
when there was a delay.
00:43:53.40\00:43:56.56
All claim to be
waiting for the bridegroom.
00:43:56.60\00:43:59.73
What do the lamps represent?
00:43:59.80\00:44:02.77
The lamps
represent the Word of God.
00:44:02.80\00:44:06.61
You have Psalm
119:105 where it says,
00:44:06.64\00:44:10.35
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet
00:44:10.38\00:44:11.95
and a light unto my path. "
00:44:11.98\00:44:13.31
Ellen White in Christ's
Object Lessons page 406 wrote,
00:44:13.35\00:44:16.89
"By the lamps is
represented the word of God. "
00:44:16.92\00:44:19.95
What does it mean to light
the way to the wedding chamber?
00:44:19.99\00:44:24.99
It simply means, preaching
the gospel of Jesus Christ
00:44:25.03\00:44:29.43
through the power
of the Holy Spirit
00:44:29.46\00:44:31.73
because the oil
represents the Holy Spirit.
00:44:31.77\00:44:34.10
In Christ's Object Lessons,
page 406, Ellen White wrote,
00:44:34.14\00:44:38.41
"The oil is a symbol
of the Holy Spirit. "
00:44:38.44\00:44:41.71
So, basically,
the lamp with the oil
00:44:41.74\00:44:44.88
that gives light
represents God's people
00:44:44.91\00:44:47.88
enlightening the way
to the wedding chamber
00:44:47.92\00:44:50.89
and encouraging people to come
00:44:50.92\00:44:52.89
and go into the wedding chamber.
00:44:52.92\00:44:54.82
In Matthew 5 and
verse 16, Jesus said,
00:44:54.89\00:44:58.63
"Let your light
so shine before men,
00:44:58.66\00:45:01.33
that they may
see your good works
00:45:01.36\00:45:03.97
and glorify your
Father who is in heaven. "
00:45:04.00\00:45:07.37
And we read
previously, Luke 12:35 and 36
00:45:07.40\00:45:10.74
where Jesus says
to His followers,
00:45:10.77\00:45:13.04
"Let your waist be girded
and your lamps burning... "
00:45:13.07\00:45:16.78
see, this connects with
the parable of the ten virgins.
00:45:16.81\00:45:19.25
He says, "Let
our waist be girded
00:45:19.28\00:45:21.08
and your lamps burning;
00:45:21.12\00:45:22.85
and you yourselves be like
men who wait for their master,
00:45:22.88\00:45:26.55
when he will return
from the wedding... "
00:45:26.59\00:45:28.96
so, God's people don't actually
physically go to the wedding,
00:45:28.99\00:45:32.83
they wait for the Master
to return from the wedding,
00:45:32.86\00:45:36.03
and it ends by saying,
00:45:36.06\00:45:37.93
"that when he comes and knocks
00:45:37.97\00:45:39.90
they may open to
him immediately. "
00:45:39.93\00:45:42.40
Now, what does the
extra oil represent?
00:45:42.44\00:45:46.21
That is the primary distinction
between the wise virgins
00:45:46.24\00:45:50.18
and the foolish virgins.
00:45:50.21\00:45:51.55
What is represented by
the extra oil in the flagons?
00:45:51.58\00:45:54.92
The wise had extra
oil in their flagon
00:45:54.95\00:45:59.52
and when the bridegroom delayed,
00:45:59.55\00:46:02.12
well, the oil in their
lamps began to be scarce
00:46:02.16\00:46:05.79
but when they woke up,
00:46:05.83\00:46:07.16
they had extra oil that
they could put in their lamps.
00:46:07.20\00:46:10.30
The wise
virgins... as we noticed,
00:46:10.33\00:46:12.90
had a deep
relationship with Christ.
00:46:12.93\00:46:15.80
A relationship
that could not be broken
00:46:15.84\00:46:18.67
by delay or disappointment.
00:46:18.71\00:46:20.94
The extra oil represents
that they had formed a character
00:46:20.98\00:46:25.61
that was in close
connection with Jesus Christ.
00:46:25.65\00:46:29.18
On the other hand,
00:46:29.22\00:46:30.62
the foolish
virgins, as we've noticed,
00:46:30.65\00:46:33.12
were superficial Christians.
00:46:33.15\00:46:35.02
They were like the
stony-ground hearers
00:46:35.06\00:46:37.99
that started growing well
00:46:38.03\00:46:40.10
but then, there was
a foundation of stone
00:46:40.13\00:46:43.16
and the roots could not
go beyond a certain direction
00:46:43.23\00:46:47.17
and when the sun came out
00:46:47.20\00:46:48.54
the plant that had
started to grow... died.
00:46:48.57\00:46:51.74
Ellen White wrote in
Christ's Object Lessons page 408
00:46:51.77\00:46:56.85
in the parable of
the ten virgins...
00:46:56.88\00:46:59.85
"In the parable,
all the ten virgins
00:46:59.88\00:47:02.78
went out to meet the bridegroom.
00:47:02.82\00:47:05.59
All had lamps
and vessels for oil.
00:47:05.62\00:47:08.32
For a time there was seen
no difference between them. "
00:47:08.39\00:47:10.93
Now, comes the comparison,
00:47:10.96\00:47:12.76
"So with the church that lives
00:47:12.79\00:47:14.80
just before
Christ's second coming.
00:47:14.83\00:47:17.07
All have a
knowledge of the Scriptures.
00:47:17.10\00:47:19.27
All have heard the message
of Christ's near approach,
00:47:19.30\00:47:23.07
and confidently
expect His appearing.
00:47:23.10\00:47:26.68
However, as in the parable,
00:47:26.71\00:47:29.14
so it is now.
00:47:29.18\00:47:30.51
A time of waiting intervenes,
00:47:30.55\00:47:33.58
faith is tried;
00:47:33.62\00:47:34.95
and when the cry is heard,
00:47:34.98\00:47:36.82
'Behold the Bridegroom cometh;
00:47:36.85\00:47:38.39
go ye out to meet Him,'
00:47:38.42\00:47:39.75
many are unready.
00:47:39.79\00:47:41.86
They have no oil in
their vessels with their lamps.
00:47:41.89\00:47:45.03
They are destitute
of the Holy Spirit. "
00:47:45.06\00:47:47.96
They have perhaps received
the early rain at conversion
00:47:48.00\00:47:51.40
but they had not
received the latter rain
00:47:51.43\00:47:54.94
which will allow them to go
through the time of trouble.
00:47:54.97\00:47:58.74
So, what does
the delay represent?
00:47:58.77\00:48:01.31
Well, people expected
Jesus to come to the wedding
00:48:01.34\00:48:05.35
long before He has.
00:48:05.38\00:48:07.22
They expected Him to
come in the second coming
00:48:07.25\00:48:10.22
long before He has come.
00:48:10.25\00:48:11.95
In 2nd Peter
chapter 3 verses 3 and 4,
00:48:11.99\00:48:15.12
we find these words,
00:48:15.16\00:48:16.62
on screen...
00:48:16.66\00:48:33.61
But there is going
to be a midnight cry.
00:48:33.64\00:48:37.25
What is the midnight
cry at the end of time?
00:48:37.28\00:48:40.82
Revelation
chapter 18 explains it,
00:48:40.85\00:48:43.69
it's called the loud
cry of the 4th angel.
00:48:43.72\00:48:47.62
This angel is going to announce
00:48:47.66\00:48:50.33
not that Jesus is
coming to the Most Holy Place
00:48:50.39\00:48:53.66
to judge those who died,
00:48:53.70\00:48:56.00
but Jesus is now
coming into the chamber
00:48:56.03\00:48:59.97
to judge those who are
alive at the very end of time.
00:49:00.00\00:49:04.61
This is the
judgment of the living.
00:49:04.64\00:49:07.01
Now, I want you to notice
what Ellen White has to say
00:49:07.04\00:49:11.41
about the coming of the
midnight cry at midnight.
00:49:11.45\00:49:16.35
She says in Christ's
Object Lessons page 414 and 415,
00:49:16.38\00:49:21.22
on screen...
00:49:21.26\00:49:44.41
You see, when Babylon is
filled with every evil spirit
00:49:44.45\00:49:48.22
according to
Revelation chapter 18,
00:49:48.25\00:49:50.72
there will be a loud cry saying,
00:49:50.75\00:49:52.95
"Come out of
Babylon My people. "
00:49:52.99\00:49:55.12
Multitudes will come
out of the apostate churches
00:49:55.16\00:49:58.96
and join God's remnant
00:49:58.99\00:50:00.53
and when all the
decisions have been made
00:50:00.56\00:50:04.00
either for the Lord or
to stay where people are,
00:50:04.03\00:50:06.94
then, the door will close
and Jesus will marry His kingdom
00:50:06.97\00:50:12.64
because all of the
subjects of His kingdom
00:50:12.67\00:50:15.88
have been made up.
00:50:15.91\00:50:18.11
What is meant by the
refusal to share the oil
00:50:18.15\00:50:22.18
on the part of the wise virgins?
00:50:22.22\00:50:23.89
Ellen White wrote in the
book Christ's Object Lessons,
00:50:23.92\00:50:27.46
page 412,
00:50:27.49\00:50:28.82
"No man can receive
the Spirit for another.
00:50:28.86\00:50:32.16
No man can impart to
another the character
00:50:32.19\00:50:35.63
which is the fruit of
the Spirit's working. "
00:50:35.66\00:50:38.23
And then she quotes
Ezekiel 14 verse 20,
00:50:38.27\00:50:42.10
"Though Noah, Daniel,
and Job were in it... "
00:50:42.14\00:50:44.87
that is in the land...
00:50:44.91\00:50:46.41
"as I live, saith the Lord...
00:50:46.44\00:50:49.68
they shall deliver
neither son nor daughter;
00:50:49.71\00:50:51.91
they shall but
deliver their own souls
00:50:51.95\00:50:54.52
by their righteousness. "
00:50:54.55\00:50:56.08
In Christ's Object
Lessons, 412, Ellen White wrote,
00:50:56.12\00:50:59.69
on screen...
00:50:59.72\00:51:27.68
So, the "shut
door" at the end of time
00:51:27.72\00:51:31.55
comes when Christ's
kingdom is complete.
00:51:31.59\00:51:34.86
He has judged those
who died in the Lord...
00:51:34.89\00:51:38.13
He's judged those who are alive
00:51:38.19\00:51:40.80
right before the
close of probation...
00:51:40.83\00:51:42.43
people have made their decisions
to be on the Lord's side
00:51:42.46\00:51:46.43
or on Satan's side
00:51:46.47\00:51:48.37
and then the door will close.
00:51:48.40\00:51:51.47
In Great Controversy
page 428 Ellen White wrote,
00:51:51.51\00:51:55.58
on screen...
00:51:55.61\00:52:33.72
You remember,
the foolish virgins
00:52:33.75\00:52:36.69
had a superficial
relationship with the Lord.
00:52:36.72\00:52:39.82
At the very end... this is
a very important point now,
00:52:39.85\00:52:43.66
at the very end of His
Most-Holy-Place ministry,
00:52:43.69\00:52:46.96
after Jesus has
cleansed the Most Holy Place,
00:52:47.00\00:52:51.30
the Holy Place and the
Court of the sanctuary,
00:52:51.33\00:52:55.64
you can read
this in Leviticus 16,
00:52:55.67\00:52:57.37
Jesus will place the sins of
all of His faithful followers
00:52:57.41\00:53:02.51
on the head of the
scapegoat in the Court
00:53:02.54\00:53:05.85
and then, He will
return to His Father
00:53:05.91\00:53:09.18
in the Most Holy Place...
00:53:09.22\00:53:10.89
change His garments
00:53:10.95\00:53:13.09
and put on His
garments of a King.
00:53:13.12\00:53:17.16
He will take off His
High-Priestly garments
00:53:17.19\00:53:19.49
because His
intercession is finished
00:53:19.53\00:53:22.06
and He will put on
His Kingly garments
00:53:22.10\00:53:24.53
because He is now going to come
00:53:24.57\00:53:26.70
as King of kings
and Lord of lords
00:53:26.74\00:53:28.84
to rescue His
bride from the earth.
00:53:28.87\00:53:31.87
It's obvious that
Jesus could not come
00:53:31.91\00:53:34.81
to the Father for the
final judgment of the living
00:53:34.84\00:53:37.65
if He is
already with the Father.
00:53:37.71\00:53:39.95
So, Jesus goes
from the Most Holy Place
00:53:39.98\00:53:42.65
where He studied the
cases of the righteous dead
00:53:42.68\00:53:47.19
and then, He
takes all of the sins
00:53:47.26\00:53:49.86
of those who died in the Lord...
00:53:49.92\00:53:52.49
of those who are alive when
the door of probation closes,
00:53:52.53\00:53:55.36
takes all of those sins...
00:53:55.40\00:53:56.83
places them on the
head of the scapegoat
00:53:56.87\00:53:59.07
and then He comes to the Father
00:53:59.10\00:54:01.70
for the final wedding.
00:54:01.77\00:54:04.11
How terrible are the words
for the superficial virgins!
00:54:04.14\00:54:09.91
"I know you not. "
00:54:09.94\00:54:13.21
In Early Writings page 281,
00:54:13.25\00:54:16.15
we find these
words of Ellen White.
00:54:16.18\00:54:17.52
On screen...
00:54:17.55\00:54:53.36
In Great Controversy, 620...
a statement that I already read,
00:54:53.39\00:54:57.13
"Those professed Christians
00:54:57.16\00:54:59.19
who come up to the last
fearful conflict unprepared,
00:54:59.23\00:55:03.40
will, in their despair,
00:55:03.43\00:55:05.53
confess their sins in
words of burning anguish... "
00:55:05.57\00:55:09.24
they'll say,
"Let us in Lord... "
00:55:09.27\00:55:11.31
pause...
00:55:11.34\00:55:14.54
but the answer will
be, "I know you not... "
00:55:14.58\00:55:16.04
so, those professed Christians
00:55:16.08\00:55:17.68
who come up to that last
fearful conflict unprepared
00:55:17.71\00:55:20.22
will, in their
despair, confess their sins
00:55:20.25\00:55:23.05
in words of burning anguish
00:55:23.08\00:55:24.52
while the wicked
exalt over their distress.
00:55:24.55\00:55:27.82
These confessions
are of the same character
00:55:27.86\00:55:31.09
as was that of Esau or of Judas.
00:55:31.16\00:55:33.66
Those who make them,
00:55:33.70\00:55:35.03
lament the
result of transgression,
00:55:35.06\00:55:37.30
but not its guilt. "
00:55:37.37\00:55:39.17
And so then Jesus, at
the end of the tribulation
00:55:39.20\00:55:43.14
will come to rescue His
bride from the death decree
00:55:43.20\00:55:47.11
and then, He will
take them to heaven
00:55:47.14\00:55:50.35
for the great celebration
00:55:50.38\00:55:52.35
of the marriage
supper of the Lamb
00:55:52.38\00:55:55.18
and that will be in person.
00:55:55.22\00:55:57.49
So, you notice that the
wedding takes place in heaven
00:55:57.52\00:56:00.82
while God's people are on earth.
00:56:00.86\00:56:02.62
Jesus takes over the kingdom...
He marries His bride...
00:56:02.66\00:56:06.36
the totality of His people.
00:56:06.39\00:56:08.56
The individuals who
have been found faithful...
00:56:08.63\00:56:11.80
they are the guests to the
wedding but they're on earth.
00:56:11.83\00:56:15.20
They go to the wedding by faith
00:56:15.24\00:56:16.91
but then, after
the wedding takes place
00:56:16.94\00:56:20.61
and after... at the very
end of the time of trouble,
00:56:20.68\00:56:24.28
Jesus will come to
empirically pick up His bride
00:56:24.31\00:56:27.92
to take her to the New Jerusalem
00:56:27.95\00:56:30.32
and the New Jerusalem
will be filled with the guests
00:56:30.35\00:56:34.16
or the corporate
totality with the bride
00:56:34.22\00:56:38.03
and then, will take
place... the reception.
00:56:38.06\00:56:41.86
What a reception it will be!
00:56:41.90\00:56:44.30
All of the redeemed together...
the bride... all together...
00:56:44.33\00:56:48.44
the individuals at
the table... the guests...
00:56:48.47\00:56:51.51
to this glorious
wedding supper of the Lamb
00:56:51.54\00:56:54.28
and God's people
will sit at that table
00:56:54.31\00:56:57.05
which Ellen White says
is many miles in length
00:56:57.08\00:56:59.98
but their eyes will be
able to embrace all of it.
00:57:00.02\00:57:02.88
There will be
wonderful fruit there
00:57:02.92\00:57:04.92
and here is the amazing thing.
00:57:04.95\00:57:06.62
Jesus is actually
going to gird Himself
00:57:06.65\00:57:09.76
and He is going
to be the waiter.
00:57:09.82\00:57:11.99
God's people will
be sitting at the table
00:57:12.03\00:57:14.70
and Jesus will wait on them...
00:57:14.73\00:57:16.33
Jesus will
actually serve them...
00:57:16.36\00:57:18.60
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses...
00:57:18.63\00:57:20.77
all the great heroes of history
will be there at the table.
00:57:20.84\00:57:24.37
Every person who has ever
joined Christ's kingdom...
00:57:24.41\00:57:27.14
who has ever become part of
Christ's bride will be there
00:57:27.18\00:57:30.71
and so then, the wedding
supper will take place...
00:57:30.75\00:57:33.48
a thousand years will go by
00:57:33.52\00:57:36.72
and at the end
of the 1,000 years,
00:57:36.75\00:57:38.19
the New Jerusalem with all of
the inhabitants of the city...
00:57:38.22\00:57:41.56
all of Christ's
kingdom... His bride
00:57:41.59\00:57:43.66
will be brought
back to the earth
00:57:43.73\00:57:45.73
and the New Jerusalem will
settle upon the Mount of Olives
00:57:45.76\00:57:50.60
that has been split
by the feet of Jesus
00:57:50.63\00:57:53.34
and Jesus will create a
new heavens and a new earth
00:57:53.40\00:57:57.64
which will be His eternal
home of Jesus with His bride.
00:57:57.67\00:58:01.88
What a day that will be!
00:58:01.91\00:58:03.31
Don't miss it for anything.
00:58:03.35\00:58:04.68