By John Thiel

The experience of Gods people just prior to the coming of Jesus has been given a parable. A parable we are familiar with. Dealing with the subject of his imminent coming of this period we read Matthew.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

From that point Jesus begins to enlarge some detail of what he is trying to say. Then with this concept he continues with this parable.  He is talking about that period of time when people need to watch and be careful because in an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. 25:3 They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  25:9 But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

He completes with what he said in Matthew 24:42-44 – watch. Here is a parable that describes the scene of the church just prior the coming of the Lord. The question is what ‘coming’ of the Lord is here depicted. When you read it, after the door has shut and the bridegroom has come, the others come to him and want to have access. Does that harmonise with the literal coming of Jesus? When Jesus comes there is no more recourse. The coming of the Lord by Jesus here is different to what we imagine it to be. The day that is going to catch people by surprise is not the day of the coming of the Lord.  The coming of the Lord will be seen by everyone and they will know what is happening because even before he comes there will be the close of probation and the plagues.  They are the precursors to his coming and everyone is going to realise, oh this is the end of the world.

What Is The Surprise?

What time is here referred to? Not to the revelation of Christ in the clouds of heaven to find a people asleep. No; but to His return from His ministration in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary, when He lays off His priestly attire and clothes Himself with garments of vengeance, and when the mandate goes forth: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” {2T 190.1}

When Jesus ceases to plead for man, the cases of all are forever decided. This is the time of reckoning with His servants. To those who have neglected the preparation of purity and holiness, which fits them to be waiting ones to welcome their Lord, the sun sets in gloom and darkness, and rises not again. Probation closes; Christ’s intercessions cease in heaven. This time finally comes suddenly upon all, and those who have neglected to purify their souls by obeying the truth are found sleeping. They became weary of waiting and watching; they became indifferent in regard to the coming of their Master. They longed not for His appearing, and thought there was no need of such continued, persevering watching. They had been disappointed in their expectations and might be again. They concluded that there was time enough yet to arouse. They would be sure not to lose the opportunity of securing an earthly treasure. It would be safe to get all of this world they could. And in securing this object, they lost all anxiety and interest in the appearing of the Master. {2T 191.1}

What Are We Meant To Have?

They became indifferent and careless, as though His coming were yet in the distance. But while their interest was buried up in their worldly gains, the work closed in the heavenly sanctuary, and they were unprepared. {2T 191.1}

The coming of the Lord that will take the people by surprise is the work of Jesus completing in heaven in the most holy place and him coming with the garments of vengeance with the plagues. This is what Jesus is talking about and it will catch people by surprise.

Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

With that picture vivid in our mind, that it has to do with the close of probation, Jesus now depicts the picture of people who are right there and who are watching with their lamps. Even with those who are watching with their lamps, there is going to be a surprise.  Not because they didn’t expect the saviour to come, when he came they all woke up and the bridal party went past them. Five among them still missed out even though they had their lamps and were trimmed and watching. The door was not yet closed, there was still an opportunity to go along with the bridal party. The virgins are to be considered by what the Lord is trying to teach us. All had lamps.

What Is The Lamp?

Psalms 119:105 Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

The Bible is in the hands of these Christian people. Of course that lamp shines because it is illuminated through the light that comes in the oil through the lamp. That is what makes the Bible meaningful. But only five have oil in their vessels.

Matthew 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

They didn’t take the extra oil in their lamp, they took the extra oil in their vessels. The Holy Spirit is the oil in the Bible that inspires it. That causes it to shine. But what is the vessel that the extra oil is poured into? What are the vessels? Let us look at what God calls the vessel.

The Vessel

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

What is the vessel? I think we can see it’s our body. Romans 10 talks about our bodies that are vessels.

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

What is the body of the wife? It is the weaker vessel. The man is stronger vessel. The body of the man is the stronger vessel. The oil in the vessel of these virgins is the Holy Spirit in the body. The human being is to have the Holy Spirit inside of them as well as the Holy Spirit being the inspiration and being in the Bible light. You can have the Bible, it is inspired by the Holy Spirit but unless you have the Holy Spirit inside of you to help you understand what the Bible says, you will be in sixes and sevens when it comes for you to know what to do at the right time.

When this bridal party comes along and awakens these virgins, some will know exactly what to do as they have oil in their vessels as they study the Bible they realise oh, this is the bridegroom, we go in and follow him.  The others don’t understand and ask can you help us. The bridal party is moving and they have to move on says no sorry I can’t help you. I can only recognise myself that this is it. The others ones don’t know what to do. Go find your way. As no one can find the way for another person. They must understand it in their hearts from the Holy Spirit. This is what Jesus says. It is not only to be a guide with us in the Bible. When you have your lamp, your lamp is with you and its burning as it is the lamp.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

When the disciples with them, did they understand Jesus? They made lots of mistakes about him didn’t they? When he was on the cross their hopes fell down as they didn’t have the Holy Spirit in them. But afterwards, the Holy Spirit came in them and then they understood. You can have the Bible, you can have everything with you that you need but if you have not got Jesus in you, you will be like the foolish virgins. What is his work both with and in us?

John 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Why not? Because the Holy Spirit wasn’t quite in them yet, he was only with them.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

When the Holy Spirit is in you then you will be able to take the things that I can’t tell you now. It’s too hard for you to swallow. The Holy Spirit will come and guide you into all truth. The things you can’t bear now you will be able to bear.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

How true it is that you can read something in the Bible and then you can forget it. Have you got a good memory? I haven’t got a good memory. If it wasn’t for the Holy Spirit to remind me at the right time the things I need to know, I would be confused.

Jesus says he will teach you and bring to your remembrance. How important it is to have the Holy Spirit in your vessel so you can remember when you need it most. This principle of the oil in your vessel is reemphasised as the teaching that helps you to understand things that are incomprehendible. How many times did the disciples come to Jesus saying we can’t comprehend what you are talking about, please enlarge it for us. When these things are incomprehendible and you don’t have Jesus as a person with you anymore and you can’t trust the teachers and you’re trying to read the Bible and can’t make head or tail out of it, what do you need?

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

The deep things that eye hath not seen that we cannot comprehend with our natural study mind will be illuminated to us by his spirit who searched all things.

1 Corinthians 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

The Holy Spirit can come into me and the deep things that God knows, I can understand by the deep things by the teaching of the Holy Spirit in me. Some have it, and some have it not. Sr White says the ten virgins are the people of the church. This is should arouse us. Jesus says watch carefully. Make sure you understand. Don’t be sleeping and unaware of the oil that is needed in your vessel. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the big issue that we don’t only know about Jesus and all these wonderful truths but that we have the man of the Bible. As the oil of the Holy Spirit will do this work of guiding us in all truth, we notice a statement. What will happen the people have the oil of the Holy Spirit in them?

The Holy Spirit, which proceeds from the only begotten Son of God, binds the human agent, body, soul, and spirit, to the perfect, divine-human nature of Christ. This union is represented by the union of the vine and the branches. Finite man is united to the manhood of Christ. Through faith human nature is assimilated with Christ’s nature. We are made one with God in Christ. {RH, April 5, 1906 par. 16}

This the culmination of how God writes it into the heart.

Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

He is quoting from Deuteronomy. You don’t have to go here there and everywhere to get it, you can have it in your hearts. Can you see the depth of the gospel? How many preachers say just believe in Jesus go about saying just believe in Jesus and you will have righteousness but when it comes to the Ten Commandments don’t worry about them. They are so called gospel preachers. That is not the gospel message. The gospel message is when you come to Jesus you come to the understanding of his holy law as it is really meant to be. You also come to understand the work of the Holy Spirit and as you yield yourself to the Holy Spirit and open your vessels for him to come in, what will happen? He will write the law in your heart. It is no longer on tables of stone but in your heart. Isn’t that a scripture? It is written in Corinthians. They are no longer on tables of stone but with the finger of God on the tables of your heart and now those commandments on the tables of in your heart, Jesus says let your light so shine. By this means will the commandments be demonstrated to the world.

Isaiah 59:21 As for me, this [is] my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that [is] upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

See the wise virgins? Arise, shine, you have oil in your vessels? Unite with the company in the light. When did the bridegroom come? The darkest time of the night. here did God show his glory? When he spoke to Moses in the mount. When he gave him the Ten Commandments. Everyone person that comes intimately close to the father, son and Holy Spirit, the glory of the Lord is not just upon him, it is in him through the Holy Spirit. These people whom the glory of the Lord is risen, they will arise and shine.

Isaiah 60:2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

This combination of Bible texts will bring to the world the revelation of Gods holiness in his law.

God has called His church in this day, as He called ancient Israel, to stand as a light in the earth. {5T 455.2}

What did ancient Israel cause the whole world to know? That there was a God among them and that they were the commandment keeping people of God. The whole world knows that today. They know the that the ten commandments were held by the Jews. Al the churches tell us? That was just for the Jews. That is how they reason. But God had given the Jews the position to let the commandments of God be shown to all the world. They made so many hashes about it but God had to show them the negative way that the law still counts. He calls us the same way;

By the mighty cleaver of truth… {5T 455.2}

What is truth? It is a cleaver. It chops. It separates. Who likes separation? I don’t.

The messages of the first, second, and third angels, He has separated them from the churches and from the world to bring them into a sacred nearness to Himself. He has made them the depositaries of His law and has committed to them the great truths of prophecy for this time. {5T 455.2}

What is a depository? Where the law is held.

Like the holy oracles committed to ancient Israel, these are a sacred trust to be communicated to the world. The three angels of Revelation 14 represent the people who accept the light of God’s messages and go forth as His agents to sound the warning throughout the length and breadth of the earth. Christ declares to His followers: “Ye are the light of the world.” To every soul that accepts Jesus the cross of Calvary speaks: “Behold the worth of the soul: ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.’” Nothing is to be permitted to hinder this work. It is the all-important work for time; it is to be far-reaching as eternity. The love that Jesus manifested for the souls of men in the sacrifice which He made for their redemption, will actuate all His followers. {5T 455.2}

All the world is to be illuminated by you. Here we see this combination of the gospel with the law written in the hearts through the gospel of Jesus Christ and through the people of God who are the depositaries of his law. The world is to be enlightened by his church. How is this going to be absolutely enacted?

To souls that are earnestly seeking for light and that accept with gladness every ray of divine illumination from His holy word, to such alone light will be given. It is through these souls that God will reveal that light and power which will lighten the whole earth with His glory.  {5T 729.2}

The whole earth is going to be lit with the whole glory of God. There will be not one person who will not hear and know that these are people who have the law in their hearts and the Sabbath included with all the other commandments will be demonstrated in these people’s lives. Who are they? What is the experience of these souls is as God illuminates the world?

The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord. {6T 401.1}

How will they be lightened with the glory of the Lord? The law of god in the hearts of his people which is manifested in love among that people. That will be Gods way of illuminating the whole world with his holy law manifested in a frame of the gospel. It is a way in which people have an opportunity to open their heats and yield to this wonderful of the Holy Spirit in Gods people. This is Gods way of reaching the people of the world. This is the method that God uses to convince the people around the world of his immutable law in the demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the people.

The Wise Virgins

In many parts of the East, wedding festivities are held in the evening. The bridegroom goes forth to meet his bride and bring her to his home. By torchlight the bridal party proceed from her father’s house to his own, where a feast is provided for the invited guests. In the scene upon which Christ looks, a company are awaiting the appearance of the bridal party, intending to join the procession. {COL 405.1}

Lingering near the bride’s house are ten young women robed in white. Each carries a lighted lamp and a small flagon for oil. All are anxiously watching for the appearance of the bridegroom. But there is a delay. Hour after hour passes; the watchers become weary and fall asleep. At midnight the cry is heard, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” The sleepers, suddenly awaking, spring to their feet. They see the procession moving on, bright with torches and glad with music. They hear the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. The ten maidens seize their lamps and begin to trim them, in haste to go forth. But five have neglected to fill their flasks with oil. They did not anticipate so long a delay, and they have not prepared for the emergency. In distress they appeal to their wiser companions saying, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.” (Margin.) But the waiting five, with their freshly trimmed lamps, have emptied their flagons. They have no oil to spare, and they answer, “Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” {COL 405.2}

The bridal party moving on wile they went to buy left the five foolish behind. The five wise entered the house with the bridal train and the door was shut. This symbolism helps us to understand vividly what Jesus is talking about. If the Holy Spirit is in the heart which means Jesus is in the heart, which means we will reflect the beauty of Jesus all around us.

Every heart that has been visited by the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness will reveal the working of the Spirit of God in voice, mind, and character. The machinery will move as if oiled and guided by a masterly hand. There will be less friction when the spirit of the worker receives the oil from the two olive branches. The holy influences will be imparted to others in words of kindness, tenderness, love, and encouragement. {SD 34.5}

This is the oil in the vessel. As this goes on, it will produce in the company in the light, bright with torches, illuminating the world around them.  As they see the love of the brethren, they see this tenderness, love, care and patience, manifested in the time of the loud cry, they will know and there will be not one person in the world that will not be clear in the decision they have to make.

May God grant us to deeply appreciate this privilege of being the wise virgins with the bridal party moving on before the close of probation until they final arrive in total harmony with the loud cry being given.

Amen.