“To Meet the Bridegroom”
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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
.
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
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to every soul. The message of the gospel has been heralded, “Let him
that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life
freely.”
Revelation 22:17
. But 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
.
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.
The ten virgins are watching in the evening of this earth’s history.
All claim to be Christians. All have a call, a name, a lamp, and all
profess to be doing God’s service. All apparently wait for Christ’s ap-
pearing. But five are unready. Five will be found surprised, dismayed,
outside the banquet hall.
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
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name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done
many wonderful works?” But the answer is, “I tell you, I know you