The Parable of the Ten Virgins

The parable of the ten virgins of Matthew 25 also illustrates the experience of the Adventist people. In Matthew 24, in answer to the question of His disciples concerning the sign of His coming and of the end of the world, Christ had pointed out some of the most important events in the history of the world and of the church from His first to His second advent; namely, the destruction of Jerusalem, the great tribulation of the church under the pagan and papal persecutions, the darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars. After this He spoke of His coming in His kingdom, and related the parable describing the two classes of servants who look for His appearing. Chapter 25 opens with the words: “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins.” Here is brought to view the church living in the last days, the same that is pointed out in the close of chapter 24. In this parable their experience is illustrated by the incidents of an Eastern marriage. {GC 393.2}

This study is about the experience of the Adventist people in the parable of the ten virgins and the experience that they had back in 1844. This also relates to our experience as we should know all these things. The parable of the ten virgins continues on until the door is shut but the door hasn’t been shut yet so it’s still a relevant parable for our time.

Mathew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

The ten virgins were in the church.

This is the test. Those who are counted among the wise virgins will let their light burn in good works. There are many who will not remain at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him. They have not a knowledge of His ways. Let none rest in the idea that baptism has saved them, while they give no evidence that they are conformed to the image of Christ, while they cling to their old habits, while they exert their influence on the side of the world, and weave their fabric with the threads of worldly ideas and customs. These have not kept the oil in the vessels with their lamps. They are not ready for the Bridegroom. The oil is the holy grace that is sent from heaven, and there must be an inward adorning with that grace, that they may be enabled to stand when He appeareth. {16MR 271.3}

The parable of the talents is given to represent the kingdom of heaven, and to show the necessity of an accurate use of the endowments that God has entrusted to us. It is of the highest importance that we understand these parables and know wherein they have any bearing upon us individually. The ten virgins are represented as watching in the evening of this earth’s history. They represent the church of professed Christians. This lesson should fill our minds with serious thought, and drive us to our Bibles, the Word of the living God. It should lead us to most earnest supplication that God will lead us into all truth. {16MR 271.4}

Said Christ: [Matt. 7:24-27, quoted].

The apostle says: [Jude 20-25, quoted].

We must not stand in a neutral position. Our position must be one of strong and living faith. We are to rear our houses for eternity, as is represented in the parable of the hearers and the doers of the Word. Those who are superficial in their piety may be willing to take the name of Christians, but they will not comply with the conditions laid down in the Word of God. They do not conform their characters to the Word of God and to the pattern He has given. All are hearers of the word. They comment upon that which they hear, but some, while they assent to the message sent by God to them, do not have the faith that will enable them to place the word of God in their hearts. God knows full well that if self does not die, it will become a controlling power in the soul. When the transforming power of God works upon the hearts of men, then they are represented by the wise virgins. {16MR 272.1}

Which church do the ten virgins represent? The church of professed Christians. Who was the church of professed Christians back in 1844?

“Those who have espoused this cause have honestly believed in the Lord about 1843 and as honest men they have kept to the work of sounding the alarm. All peculiarities of creed or policy have been lost sight of in the absorbing enquire concerning the coming of the heavenly bride groom” James White – Life Incidents page 151.

There were all these different creeds. Those who have engaged in this enterprise are from all various sects in the land Protestant Episcopal, Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant, Primitive Methodist, Wesleyan Methodist, Closed Communion Baptist, Calvinistic and Armenian Baptist, Presbyterian, Old and New School Congregationalist, Old and New School Lutheran, Dutch Reform etc.

There were all these churches and this was the church of professed Christians. Even today we have all these churches about but they are in a worse state now than they were back then. But that was the church of professed Christians in those days when we relate it to that time.  As we read we have all these churches and they went forth to meet the bridegroom. Who is the bridegroom? We know that the virgins are all these churches. The coming of Christ as announced by the first angel’s message was understood to be represented by the coming of the bridegroom. The widespread reformation under the proclamation of His soon coming answered to the going forth of the virgins.

1844

This proclamation of Jesus’ soon coming, that was the going forth. Here we have the going forth of the virgins and they were proclaiming the coming of Christ and they came out with their lamps studying their bibles. They went forth expecting to meet the bridegroom because they fully expected the second coming of Jesus to happen back then. All those profession Christians eventually became known as Millerite’s and Adventists expecting to meet Jesus in the Second Advent. When did they expect this to take place? In 1843 because this was when the first angels message was given.

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 Scriptures 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. {GC 393.4}

The First Angel’s Message was given in 1843;

The first and second messages were given in 1843 and 1844, and we are now under the proclamation of the third; but all three of the messages are still to be proclaimed.  {2SM 104.3}

How did they come to that date?

Daniel 12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

From the previous verse we know when that begins as it says “from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away” we understand that would end in 1843. Adventists realised the 1843 was an important date as they studied this prophecy and in 1843 Charles Finch made up a chart. The other reason they concluded that Jesus was coming back in 1843 is found in Daniel;

2300 Days

Daniel 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.  They thought that meant Jesus’ second coming.  they thought that the earth would be cleansed by fire.

Where is the starting point of the two thousand, three hundred days?

In Daniel 8:15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.

Daniel was trying to understand the vision.

Daniel 8:16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. (The angel was commissioned to make Daniel understand) 17 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. 

So the angel is about to explain the vision to Daniel and we now skip to verse 20.

Daniel 8:20 The ram which thou sawest having tow horns are the kings of Media and Persia (And the angel goes on explaining the vision down to verse 26)

Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

Then what happens to Daniel? He fainted, and the angel had not even finished explaining the vision.

Daniel 8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

Daniel didn’t understand the vision of the 2300 days. As Daniel was praying he came to the Lord and he was still trying to understand the vision.

Daniel 9:17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.

Daniel was speaking about the Hebrews and the Hebrew sanctuary. As he is praying, the angel comes to him again;

Daniel 9:22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. 23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee, for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. 24 Seventy weeks (490 years) are determined (cut off – from a larger time period) upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation of the iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and “prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks (483 years): the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

This is another time period and it’s cut off from a larger time period. We believe that these two time periods began together because in Great Controversy p326 it says “The word here translated “determined” literally signifies “cut off.” If you look up the word “determined” in the concordance it means “cut off”. Seventy weeks representing 490 years are declared by the angel as “cut off” and specifically pertaining to the Jews. Daniel was worried about the Hebrew sanctuary and this is what the Lord showed him. The period of 490 years declares that the Jews would be cut off from something but from what would they be cut off? As the 2300 days was the only period of time mentioned in chapter 8, it must be the period from which the seventy weeks were cut off; the seventy weeks must therefore be a part of the 2300 days and the two periods must begin together.  We know that this is the 2300 days prophesy is 2300 years literally (Ezekiel 4:6, Numbers 14:34) and that both prophesies begin from the same starting point. William Miller proclaimed and understood this.  When was the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem from which this time prophecy would begin – from the going forth of the commandment to rebuild and restore Jerusalem, we are going over the path that William Miller studied.

Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo.  they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

This is the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem of Artaxerxes being the final and complete decree. We see when Artaxerxes gave his decree;

Ezra 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king. (This was 457 BC)

Then the actual decree is over;

Ezra 7:12 Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. 13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem go with thee.

If you want to prove this from the history books you can and you can prove it from the Bible itself. The seventh year of Artaxerxes is also recorded as 457BC in the Canon of Ptolemy. This is what the pioneers discovered.

2300 years – 457 years = 1843. Very simple. This is why the pioneers were expecting the Second Advent of Christ in 1843.

“William Miller had from the beginning refused to set a definite date for the advent merely stipulating the time from March 21, 1843 to March 21, 1844 as the period within which the event would take place. So William Miller found the start point with the decree of Artaxerxes and he gave an end period being from March 21, 1843 – March 21, 1844.” Jerome Clarke – 1844 Religious Movements p41.

Somewhere during this year he expected Christ to come back. It was interesting to be living at that time because they thought that that would be the year of Jesus coming and any time during that year. Everyone got excited and they speculated many different dates throughout the year. During 1843 the prediction that year was the year of the advent increased and it got more and more exciting and a deadline was announced as March 21, 1844. What happened? Did Jesus come? We know he didn’t come back in 1843 and he didn’t come on March 21, 1844 either.

“March 21, 1844 came and went and the believers experienced their first big disappointment. (Do you want to be disappointed? Follow the truth, it can be disappointing at times). The leaders could only concluded that they had made a mistake in their calculations. For a time there seemed to be no answer to the dilemma. Some expected the end to come in April or May but when those months passed without incident they left the Millerite movement.” Jerome Clarke – 1844 Religious Movements p41.

The people were waiting for Jesus come and they waited beyond the stipulated time period to April and May but he still didn’t come so they gave up. God allowed this disappointment to test his people.

I saw that God was in the proclamation of the time in 1843. It was His design to arouse the people and bring them to a testing point, where they should decide for or against the truth. (God allowed this disappointment to test his people. It is difficult but if we remain faithful, we can come through these tests.) Ministers were convinced of the correctness of the positions taken on the prophetic periods, and some renounced their pride, and left their salaries and their churches to go forth from place to place to give the message. But as the message from heaven could find a place in the hearts of but few of the professed ministers of Christ, the work was laid upon many who were not preachers. Some left their fields to sound the message, while others were called from their shops and their merchandise.  even some professional men were compelled to leave their professions to engage in the unpopular work of giving the first angel’s message. {EW 232.2}

I saw the people of God joyful in expectation, looking for their Lord. But God designed to prove them. His hand covered a mistake in the reckoning of the prophetic periods. Those who were looking for their Lord did not discover this mistake and the most learned men who opposed the time also failed to see it. God designed that His people should meet with a disappointment. The time passed, and those who had looked with joyful expectation for their Saviour were sad and disheartened, while those who had not loved the appearing of Jesus, but embraced the message through fear, were pleased that He did not come at the time of expectation. Their profession had not affected the heart and purified the life. (You see we can get a lot of tares coming into the church, but how does God get them out? He brings the church to a testing point.) The passing of the time was well calculated to reveal such hearts. (When that time passed it revealed their hearts – they were not really genuine) They were the first to turn and ridicule the sorrowful, disappointed ones who really loved the appearing of their Saviour. (So the ones who weren’t genuine actually turned around and became the opposition) I saw the wisdom of God in proving His people and giving them a searching test to discover those who would shrink and turn back in the hour of trial. {EW 235.3}

God actually allowed that and he will allow trials and tests of this nature in our lives too.

The Bridegroom

Mathew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (They thought Jesus was coming in 1843 and they went forth to meet him.) 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (Some left the movement) 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (Their bibles and the Holy Spirit.) 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (They came to that point in 1844 and they realized that there was a tarrying time. The bridegroom didn’t come! They went forth to meet him in 1843 but he didn’t come.

“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 half-hearted 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 wash away. “They all slumbered and slept;” one class in unconcern and abandonment of their faith, the other class patiently waiting till clearer light should be given. Yet in the night of trial the latter seemed to lose, to some extent, their zeal and devotion. The half-hearted and superficial could no longer lean upon the faith of their brethren. Each must stand or fall for himself. {GC88 394.1}

As we come to each testing point that we are brought to, we each have to stand or fall for ourselves – we can’t rely upon the faith of others because we need our own faith in the message.

The Advent People Entered This Tarrying Time

Mathew 26:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Suddenly at midnight there was a cry made – Jesus was coming. What does this illustrate about the experience of the Advent people? Sr White says that this illustrates “The Midnight Cry”.

While I was praying at the family altar, the Holy Ghost fell upon me, and I seemed to be rising higher and higher, far above the dark world. I turned to look for the Advent people in the world, but could not find them, when a voice said to me, “Look again, and look a little higher.” At this I raised my eyes, and saw a straight and narrow path, cast up high above the world. On this path the Advent people were traveling to the city, which was at the farther end of the path. They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path, which an angel told me was the midnight cry. This light shone all along the path and gave light for their feet so that they might not stumble. {EW 14.1}

Are you an advent person? Do you know what the light behind you is? What is the Midnight Cry?

If they kept their eyes fixed on Jesus, who was just before them, leading them to the city, they were safe. But soon some grew weary, and said the city was a great way off, and they expected to have entered it before. Then Jesus would encourage them by raising His glorious right arm, and from His arm came a light which waved over the Advent band, and they shouted, “Alleluia!” Others rashly denied the light behind them and said that it was not God that had led them out so far. The light behind them went out, leaving their feet in perfect darkness, and they stumbled and lost sight of the mark and of Jesus, and fell off the path down into the dark and wicked world below. (What is this light behind us? Are we Advent people on the path?) {EW 14.1}

“William Miller originally believed that the 2300 days would end in 1843 not taking account that the decree of Artaxerxes has been given in the fall of that year he subtracted 457 from 2300 and arrived at the date 1843.” Jerome Clarke’s 1844 Religious Movements page 25.

William Miller didn’t take something into account and he made a slight error.

BUT THE 2300 DAYS CANNOT BE RECKONED FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR 457 B.C.; FOR THE DECREE OF ARTAXERXES–WHICH IS THE STARTING-POINT–DID NOT GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL THE AUTUMN OF THAT YEAR. CONSEQUENTLY THE 2300 DAYS, BEGINNING IN THE AUTUMN OF 457 B.C., MUST EXTEND TO THE AUTUMN OF 1844 A.D. (SEE SMALL DIAGRAM ON PLATE OPPOSITE PAGE 328.) {GC88 681.5}

When were they expecting Jesus? It was in the spring but they then corrected themselves as they realized it must be autumn and not spring.

HIS FACT NOT BEING AT FIRST PERCEIVED BY MR. MILLER AND HIS ASSOCIATES, THEY LOOKED FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST IN 1843, OR IN THE SPRING OF 1844; HENCE THE FIRST DISAPPOINTMENT AND THE SEEMING DELAY. IT WAS THE DISCOVERY OF THE CORRECT TIME, IN CONNECTION WITH OTHER SCRIPTURE TESTIMONY, THAT LED TO THE MOVEMENT KNOWN AS THE “MIDNIGHT CRY” OF 1844.  TO THIS DAY THE COMPUTATION OF THE PROPHETIC PERIODS PLACING THE CLOSE OF THE 2300 DAYS IN THE AUTUMN OF 1844, STANDS WITHOUT IMPEACHMENT. {GC88 682.1}

None has come up without anything better. The discovering of the correct time to the ending of the time period is part of the light behind us.

Ezra Carried the Decree and Went Up to Jerusalem

Ezra 7:8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month can he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.

It was through this scripture that they discovered their timing error with the seasons. How far were they out in their calculations? They were out by six months and as a consequence they realized that Jesus would be coming in the autumn and not the spring.

Samuel Snow was a brother studying these prophesies. He began to preach in summer at one of their camp meetings.

“Brother Snow questioned them where are we in our Advent experience? The audience replied “In the Tarrying Time.” The Great Advent Movement, p. 523.

Question “How long will the vision tarry?”  Until Midnight

Question “What is a day in prophesy”  A year

Question “Then what would a night be?” Six months

Questions “Then when would midnight be “three months”

Question “How long would we be in he tarrying time?  “Just three months”. The Great Advent Movement, p. 523.

Here they were into the tarrying time

He said, then it is midnight NOW, I am here with the MIDNIGHT CRY in a few sentences he explained that it was the fall of 457 that the decree went forth so they were short six months in their reckoning showing them that the 2300 days would terminate on October 22, 1844 instead of the spring as they had previously supposes.

Loughborough writes;

“Then in a strong voice he said “Behold the bridegroom cometh in the 10th day of the 7th month, go ye out to meet him.” The Great Advent Movement page 523

That’s the 10th month in the Hebrew year, Oct 22, 1844.”

“As he uttered those words, the mighty power of God swept over the camp. That was only the beginning of the Midnight Cry message. Of that movement Brother Southard said “In the Midnight Cry, the paper of which he was the editor, it swept over the land with a velocity of a tornado and it encountered and reach hearts in different and distant places almost simultaneously and in a manner which can be accounted for only in a supposition that God was in it.”  The Great Advent Movement page 523

What happened in that next period? They began to proclaim the Midnight Cry that Jesus would come in October 22, 1844. When we think of that light behind us, that’s what the light is. The crying that Jesus would come but he didn’t come as we know to the earth but to his temple. The present strong cry commenced about the middle of July and has spread with great rapidity and power and is attended with a demonstration of the spirit such as never witnessed.

In the summer of 1844, Adventists discovered the mistake in their former reckoning of the prophetic periods, and settled upon the correct position. The 2300 days of Dan. 8:14, which all believed to extend to the second coming of Christ, had been thought to end in the spring of 1844; but it was now seen that this period extended to the autumn of the same year, [SEE APPENDIX, NOTE 1.] and the minds of Adventists were fixed upon this point as the time for the Lord’s appearing. The proclamation of this time message was another step in the fulfillment of the parable of the marriage, whose application to the experience of Adventists had already been clearly seen. As in the parable the cry was raised at midnight announcing the approach of the bridegroom, so in the fulfillment, midway between the spring of 1844, when it was first supposed that the 2300 days would close, and the autumn of 1844, at which time it was afterward found that they were really to close, such a cry was raised in the very words of Scripture: “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” {4SP 248.2}

Like a tidal wave the movement swept over the land. From city to city, from village to village, and into remote country places it went, until the waiting people of God were fully aroused. Sr White points out here what the others would say. A midnight cry was made and that led to the correct position on 1844 and that’s the light behind us that we understand this time.

Our hopes now cantered on the coming of the Lord in 1844. This was also the time for the message of the second angel, who, flying through the midst of heaven, cried, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city!” Many left the churches in obedience to the message of the second angel. Near its close the Midnight Cry was given, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him!” In every part of the land light was being given concerning this message, and the cry aroused thousands. It went from city to city, from village to village, and into the remote country regions. It reached the learned and talented, as well as the obscure and humble. {ST, March 30, 1876 par. 6}

This was the midnight cry, which was to give power to the second angel’s message. {EW 238.2}

….the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844. {EW 277.2}

Both the messages went together. How many left their churches because of that? Approximately 50,000 came out of their churches and joined the Adventist Movement. It was a powerful movement and they realized the correct date. What happened next if we relate our prophecy correctly?

Mathew 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps, 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 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. (So some of them had run out of oil at that stage). 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.

They expected Jesus to come again in the autumn of 1844 because the cry was made at midnight and they had that movement for a few months during the six month interval and then all those that were virgins arose and trimmed their lamps and they began to study their bibles intensely. They trimmed their lamps but some of them ran out of oil.  When Jesus came those that were ready went in while the others were left outside the door.

Did the bridegroom come in 1844 as expected? He came but not as expected. He came we know to the Most Holy Place in the sanctuary to begin the final work of cleansing the sanctuary.

Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Jesus will suddenly come into the temple. They that were ready went in. Who went in? Five Virgins.

The proclamation, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,” in the summer of 1844, led thousands to expect the immediate advent of the Lord. At the appointed time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people expected, but to the Ancient of days in Heaven, to the marriage, the reception of his kingdom. “They that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut.” They were not to be present in person at the marriage; for it takes place in Heaven, while they are upon the earth. The followers of Christ are to “wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding.” [LUKE 12:36.] But they are to understand his work, and to follow him by faith as he goes in before God. It is in this sense that they are said to go in to the marriage. {GC88 427.1}

In the parable it was those that had oil in their vessels with their lamps that went in to the marriage. Those who, with a knowledge of the truth from the Scriptures, had also the Spirit and grace of God, and who, in the night of their bitter trial, had patiently waited, searching the Bible for clearer light,–these saw the truth concerning the sanctuary in Heaven and the Saviour’s change of ministration, and by faith they followed him in his work in the sanctuary above.  all who through the testimony of the Scriptures accept the same truths, following Christ by faith as he enters in before God to perform the last work of mediation, and at its close to receive his kingdom,–all these are represented as going in to the marriage. {GC88 427.2}

We are following Jesus by faith into the Most Holy Place and we understand his work as a Priest. Five followed in by faith and what did they find they find there? The Sabbath.

“At this time in 1846 there were about 50 sabbath keepers (not many were ready) in New England, New York State.” Biographies Vol 116.

What Is the Sabbath?

John was shown these things in holy vision. He saw the company represented by the five wise virgins, with their lamps trimmed and burning, and he exclaimed in rapture, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. (these are the wise virgins) And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” {16MR 269.2}

Many who heard the first and second angels’ messages thought they would live to see Christ coming in the clouds of heaven. Had all who claimed to believe the truth acted their part as wise virgins, the message would ere this have been proclaimed to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. But five were wise and five were foolish. The truth should have been proclaimed by the ten virgins, but only five had made the provision essential to join that company who walked in the light that had come to them. The third angel’s message was needed. This proclamation was to be made. Many who went forth to meet the Bridegroom under the messages of the first and second angels, refused the third angel’s message, the last testing message to be given to the world. {16MR 269.3}

The foolish virgins actually refused the Third Angel’s Message, 49,950 of them.

Oh! that every lukewarm professor could realize the clean work that God is about to make among his professed people. Dear friends, do not deceive yourselves concerning your condition. You cannot deceive God. Says the true Witness, “I know thy works.” The third angel is leading up a people, step by step, higher and higher. At every step they will be tested. {4bSG 36.2}

God leads His people on, step by step. He brings them up to different points calculated to manifest what is in the heart. Some endure at one point, but fall off at the next. At every advanced point the heart is tested and tried a little closer. (they were tested with the First Angel in 1843 and many fell off, then they were tested with the Second Angel’s Message – The Midnight Cry in 1844 and some fell off, then they came to the next testing point, the sabbath, and many more fell off, and then it’s talking about the Third Angel leading people step by step, we have other testing points). If the professed people of God find their hearts opposed to this straight work, it should convince them that they have a work to do to overcome, if they would not be spewed out of the mouth of the Lord. Said the angel: “God will bring His work closer and closer to test and prove every one of His people.” Some are willing to receive one point; but when God brings them to another testing point, they shrink from it and stand back, because they find that it strikes directly at some cherished idol. Here they have opportunity to see what is in their hearts that shuts out Jesus. They prize something higher than the truth, and their hearts are not prepared to receive Jesus. Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the True Witness. . . . Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation. {LHU 375.2}

In Revelation 14:12 God is talking about them.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (The five wise virgins) 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

This blessing is pronounced upon those who die in the Third Angel’s Message, and when will they come up?

Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to ever lasting life (the five wise virgins), and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

These are the wise virgins because – who is raised in the special resurrection? These are they who die under the Third Angels Message.

It was at midnight that God chose to deliver His people. As the wicked were mocking around them, suddenly the sun appeared, shining in his strength, and the moon stood still. The wicked looked upon the scene with amazement, while the saints beheld with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Signs and wonders followed in quick succession. Everything seemed turned out of its natural course. The streams ceased to flow. Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. But there was one clear place of settled glory, whence came the voice of God like many waters, shaking the heavens and the earth. There was a mighty earthquake. The graves were opened, and those who had died in faith under the third angel’s message, keeping the Sabbath, came forth from their dusty beds, glorified, to hear the covenant of peace that God was to make with those who had kept His law. {EW 285.1}

The sky opened and shut and was in commotion. The mountains shook like a reed in the wind and cast out ragged rocks all around. The sea boiled like a pot and cast out stones upon the land.  as God spoke the day and the hour of Jesus’ coming and delivered the everlasting covenant to His people, He spoke one sentence, and then paused, while the words were rolling through the earth. The Israel of God stood with their eyes fixed upward, listening to the words as they came from the mouth of Jehovah and rolled through the earth like peals of loudest thunder. It was awfully solemn. At the end of every sentence the saints shouted, “Glory! Hallelujah!” Their countenances were lighted up with the glory of God, and they shone with glory as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked could not look upon them for the glory.  when the never-ending blessing was pronounced on those who had honored God in keeping His Sabbath holy, there was a mighty shout of victory over the beast and over his image. {EW 285.2}

You can see the picture of those who are ready in the third angel.

The Midnight cry joined the Second Angel’s Message and Gave It Power.

Angels were sent to aid the mighty angel from heaven, and I heard voices which seemed to sound everywhere, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.”  {EW 277.2}

This warning in also found in Revelation;

Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

This message seemed to be an addition to the third message, joining it as the midnight cry joined the second angel’s message in 1844. The glory of God rested upon the patient, waiting saints, and they fearlessly gave the last solemn warning, proclaiming the fall of Babylon and calling upon God’s people to come out of her that they might escape her fearful doom. {EW 277.2}

This message in Revelation 18 joins the third angel’s message just like the Midnight Cry had joined the second angel.

The light that was shed upon the waiting ones penetrated everywhere, and those in the churches who had any light, who had not heard and rejected the three messages, obeyed the call and left the fallen churches. Many had come to years of accountability since these messages had been given, and the light shone upon them, and they were privileged to choose life or death. Some chose life and took their stand with those who were looking for their Lord and keeping all His commandments. The third message was to do its work; all were to be tested upon it, and the precious ones were to be called out from the religious bodies. A compelling power moved the honest, while the manifestation of the power of God brought a fear and restraint upon their unbelieving relatives and friends so that they dared not, neither had they the power to, hinder those who felt the work of the Spirit of God upon them. The last call was carried even to the poor slaves, and the pious among them poured forth their songs of rapturous joy at the prospect of their happy deliverance. Their masters could not check them; fear and astonishment kept them silent. Mighty miracles were wrought, the sick were healed, and signs and wonders followed the believers. God was in the work, and every saint, fearless of consequences, followed the convictions of his own conscience and united with those who were keeping all the commandments of God; and with power they sounded abroad the third message. I saw that this message will close with power and strength far exceeding the midnight cry. {EW 278.1}

How many people came out into the truth under the Midnight Cry? 50,000 people. The proclamation of the third angels message will exceed that one in power and strength she says. Who is going to raise this cry?

This was the midnight cry, which was to give power to the second angel’s message. Angels were sent from heaven to arouse the discouraged saints and prepare them for the great work before them. The most talented men were not the first to receive this message. Angels were sent to the humble, devoted ones, and constrained them to raise the cry, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!” Those entrusted with the cry made haste, and in the power of the Holy Spirit sounded the message, and aroused their discouraged brethren. This work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God, and His saints who heard the cry could not resist it. The most spiritual received this message first, and those who had formerly led in the work were the last to receive and help swell the cry, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him!” {EW 238.2}

It wasn’t the most talented people. Who will raise this last cry in Revelation chapter 18:4?

Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to his service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of his Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power,–all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from Heaven. As the people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? the ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears, and quiet the awakened conscience. But since many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men, and demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord,” the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned, will denounce the message as of Satan, and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it. {GC88 606.2}

It’s not always the greatest men, but those who are humble that God can work with. The Revelation 18 message is already being proclaimed because we are already calling people out of the fallen churches and it will reach a climax like the Midnight Cry as it comes time to be given with the greatest power.

Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel’s message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their predictions that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States, that church and State would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has been, the defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, (We do the groundwork now, we put out all the books and give people the great controversy to warn them that the Sunday Laws are coming and when they realize, it will create a powerful effect.) the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect which it could not have had before. {GC88 605.3}

Do you remember how the Midnight Cry created that effect? We would like to have that affect now but it is not always as forthcoming as we would like it. If you read on in Great Controversy what happens after that movement in Revelation 18? The agitation of Sunday Laws and the proclamation of the message so long doubted and disbelieved by all those people that we are trying to tell and they come in and join us. It says in Great Controversy that they will wish that they had never spoken because the opposition will be so powerful. Great Controversy says that a large class who professed the Third Angels Message will leave and become opposition. It’s a disappointment because how many will really stay with it? It’s going to be a very powerful movement but then when the churches realise as they did with the midnight cry it will harden the opposition.  How will we go through that test? I wonder. As we’ve been tested and tested all along through different points, many people may come in but they need to realize that the message won’t be accepted by the Christian churches in general and there will be no conversion of the world because the churches at large will oppose it.

In every generation God has sent his servants to rebuke sin, both in the world and in the church. But the people desire smooth things spoken to them, and the pure, unvarnished truth is not acceptable. Many reformers, in entering upon their work, determined to exercise great prudence in attacking the sins of the church and the nation. They hoped, by the example of a pure Christian life, to lead the people back to the doctrines of the Bible. But the Spirit of God came upon them as it came upon Elijah, moving him to rebuke the sins of a wicked king and an apostate people; they could not refrain from preaching the plain utterances of the Bible,–doctrines which they had been reluctant to present. They were impelled to zealously declare the truth, and the danger which threatened souls. The words which the Lord gave them they uttered, fearless of consequences, and the people were compelled to hear the warning. {GC88 606.1}

As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position, and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbath-keepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them. {GC88 608.1}

In this time of persecution the faith of the Lord’s servants will be tried. They have faithfully given the warning, looking to God and to his Word alone. God’s Spirit, moving upon their hearts, has constrained them to speak. Stimulated with holy zeal, and with the divine impulse strong upon them, they entered upon the performance of their duties without coldly calculating the consequences of speaking to the people the word which the Lord had given them. They have not consulted their temporal interests, or sought to preserve their reputation or their lives. Yet when the storm of opposition and reproach bursts upon them, some, overwhelmed with consternation, will be ready to exclaim, “Had we foreseen the consequences of our words, we would have held our peace.” They are hedged in with difficulties. Satan assails them with fierce temptations. The work which they have undertaken seems far beyond their ability to accomplish. They are threatened with destruction. The enthusiasm which animated them is gone; yet they cannot turn back. Then, feeling their utter helplessness, they flee to the Mighty One for strength. They remember that the words which they have spoken were not theirs, but His who bade them give the warning. God put the truth into their hearts, and they could not forbear to proclaim it. {GC88 608.2}

The same trials have been experienced by men of God in ages past. Wycliffe, Huss, Luther, Tyndale, Baxter, Wesley, urged that all doctrines be brought to the test of the Bible, and declared that they would renounce everything which it condemned. Against these men, persecution raged with relentless fury; yet they ceased not to declare the truth. Different periods in the history of the church have each been marked by the development of some special truth, adapted to the necessities of God’s people at that time. Every new truth has made its way against hatred and opposition; those who were blessed with its light were tempted and tried. The Lord gives a special truth for the people in an emergency. Who dare refuse to publish it? He commands his servants to present the last invitation of mercy to the world. They cannot remain silent, except at the peril of their souls. Christ’s ambassadors have nothing to do with consequences. They must perform their duty, and leave results with God. {GC88 609.1}

As the opposition rises to a fiercer height, the servants of God are again perplexed; for it seems to them that they have brought the crisis. But conscience and the Word of God assure them that their course is right; and although the trials continue, they are strengthened to bear them. The contest grows closer and sharper, but their faith and courage rise with the emergency. Their testimony is, “We dare not tamper with God’s Word, dividing his holy law, calling one portion essential and another non-essential, to gain the favor of the world. The Lord whom we serve is able to deliver us. Christ has conquered the powers of earth; and shall we be afraid of a world already conquered?” {GC88 609.2}

I want to encourage you as you come through that testing time to stand faithful because God’s people have been tested all along and how many will be left in the end? 144,000 worldwide since 1844 is not many.  There were only 50 people in 1846 who accepted the Sabbath. Although we might see movements and people converted, are they genuine? God will bring them to these testing points anyway. He will sift out those who are not.

Amen.