Prophecies Fulfilled
329
24. In this parable their experience is illustrated by the incidents of an
Eastern marriage.
“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. 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.”
The coming of Christ, as announced by the first angel’s message,
was understood to be represented by the coming of the bridegroom.
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The widespread reformation under the proclamation of His soon com-
ing, answered to the going forth of the virgins. In this parable, as in that
of
Matthew 24
, two classes are represented. All had taken their lamps,
the Bible, and by its light had gone forth to meet the Bridegroom. But
while “they that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with
them,” “the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” The latter
class had received the grace of God, the regenerating, enlightening
power of the Holy Spirit, which renders His word a lamp to the feet
and a light to the path. In the fear of God they had studied the Scrip-
tures to learn the truth, and had earnestly sought for purity of heart and
life. These had a personal experience, a faith in God and in His word,
which could not be overthrown by disappointment and delay. Others
“took their lamps, and took no oil with them.” They had moved from
impulse. Their fears had been excited by the solemn message, but
they had depended upon the faith of their brethren, satisfied with the
flickering light of good emotions, without a thorough understanding of
the truth or a genuine work of grace in the heart. These had gone forth
to meet the Lord, full of hope in the prospect of immediate reward;
but they were not prepared for delay and disappointment. When trials
came, their faith failed, and their lights burned dim.
“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.” By
the tarrying of the bridegroom is represented the passing of the time
when the Lord was expected, the disappointment, and the seeming
delay. In this time of uncertainty, the interest of the superficial and
halfhearted soon began to waver, and their efforts to relax; but those
whose faith was based on a personal knowledge of the Bible had a
rock beneath their feet, which the waves of disappointment could not