Jesus Urges Alertness

GOLDEN TEXT: “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” —I Corinthians 16:13

MATTHEW 25:1-13

THE Parable of the Virgins constitutes a part of Jesus’ reply to the question, “What shall be the sign of thy coming [Greek, presence], and the end of the world [Greek, age]?” (Matt. 24:3) We know, therefore, that the opening word of the parable—“then”—locates the time of its fulfillment at the end of the age, and in relation to the return of Christ and his second presence. This being true, the parable is of special interest to the Lord’s people today.

As is usually the case, Jesus himself makes the intended and principal application of the parable. He said, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh.” On various occasions throughout the age well-meaning followers of the Master have set dates when they claimed the Lord would return, but the experience of all these has been that they “knew not,” for all their predictions failed.

If the Bible had revealed in advance the exact day for Christ’s return, it would not have been necessary for any of the Lord’s people to watch, to be on the alert in their study of the prophecies and the signs of the times. On the other hand, there is a thought contained in the admonition to watch which many have overlooked; namely, that only the faithful watchers would become aware of the Master’s return and second presence. This is significant, for if, according to traditional belief, the Lord suddenly appears in the sky in full view of all mankind, the faithful watchers would have no advantage over the worldly and unbelievers, for all would know of his return at the same time.

“The Bridegroom tarried.” In every age the Lord has tested the faith of his people from the standpoint of time. Abraham, the father of the faithful, waited almost a lifetime for the birth of Isaac, and then died in faith without seeing God’s promise to bless all the families of the earth fulfilled.

The first disciples of Jesus were similarly tested. They thought Jesus was immediately to establish the promised kingdom of God, and were greatly disappointed when he was taken from them and crucified. Their faith was revived by his resurrection, but they still wondered about the seeming delay in the plan of God. When Jesus met with them the last time they inquired, “Wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?”—Acts 1:6

In Habakkuk 2:1-4 we are told of a “vision” which was to be made plain on “tablets,” and then the admonition, “Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” In the next verse we have that well-known statement, “The just shall live by his faith.” The Apostle Paul quotes from this vision and applies it to the time of Christ’s second coming.—Heb. 10:36-38

We think it is quite possible that Jesus had Habakkuk’s prophecy in mind when he related the Parable of the Virgins. The disciples had asked Jesus concerning the sign of his presence and of the end of the age. By means of this parable he told them that one of the signs would be a tarrying, and that the virgin class as a result would all “slumber and sleep.” Since the parable states that the virgins went out to meet their Lord, its fulfillment is indicated to begin before his actual presence became a reality.

One of the outstanding events of the nineteenth century in the religious world was the “going out to meet” the Bridegroom by thousands of earnest Christians who had been aroused to expect his coming through the teachings of a Brother William Miller. But “the Bridegroom tarried,” and meanwhile interest lagged in the subject of the Lord’s return and in prophecy generally. In other words, there was a period of slumbering.

A little more than forty years later some of the virgin class began to arouse themselves. They searched the prophecies, compared them with events in the church and the world, and discovered that the Bridegroom had, just as he foretold would be the case, returned “as a thief in the night.” From that time until now, the cry has been going forth, “Behold, the Bridegroom!”

Only the virgin class know about it as yet, but in due time his presence will be revealed to all mankind; for the Lord has promised to “make bare” his “holy arm in the eyes of all the nations,” and then “all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” (Isa. 52:10) Meanwhile it behooves us to be faithful watchers, and as our Golden Text admonishes, be strong in the Lord, and faithfully contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints.

QUESTIONS

Of what great sermon by Jesus is The Parable of the Virgins a part?

What is the chief lesson of this parable?

Explain how this parable has been in process of fulfillment for many years past.

When will all mankind know that Christ has returned?

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