River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-09-29

" Study tells US further about
his glorious Messianic Kingdom
and concerning those who will be
accounted worthy to share 1t with
him-as his Bride. This parable
has not been of general application
all through this Gospel Age. 1t ap-
plies merely at the close of the Age
at the present time, we believe.
1t does not take into consideration
the world, nor even the nominal
Church, but solely, only, the true
Church, the Virgin class. The word
virgin" signifies pure, and in US
ing this term the Lord implies that
he is referring only to those who
have been justified, by faith and
conservation, because by nature
none are pure; none are holy; none
are virgins.
FIVE WISE-FIVE FOOLISH
One of the special lessons of the
parable is to show that amongst the
pure, the wise, the consecrated peo-
pie of God, there are two classes.
For time these will be all together
unsupported. But in the fulfill
ing of this parable certain circum-
stances and conditions and truths
will develop and separate these two
classes of saints, virgins.
The parable shows all the virgins
as sleeping, waiting for the coming
of the Bridegroom. Apparently,
there is no difference; but really
there is a difference-the wise had
a larger supply of oil than had the
foolish. Then came an announce
meut of the presence of the Bride
groom and call to go forth to
meet him. This implies that some
thing from the prophetic Word at
| the appropriate time will call the
attention of all the Virgin class tc
| the presence of Messiah. But at the
| Second Advent it will be as it was
at the First Advent, when John sale
to Jesus, Behold there standett
one among you whom We know not.
We are not to expect the Second
Coming of Christ in the flesh, bu
as spirit being,
| We are to remember that the
Scriptures outline two distinct fea'
lures connected with the Second
Coming. First will come the pa
rousia or presence" of the Lord
recognizable only by the Wise ano
Foolish Virgins. In his parousla OF
presence" he will test and prove
his Church, dividing them into wise
and foolish virgin classes -the wise
virgins to become the Bride class
| and the foolish virgins to become
the class who will experience sec
ond grade of alvation-coming ur
out of great tribulation and becom
ing the Bridesmaids, SO TO speak
"the virgins, the Brides Compan
ions, who follow after her" psalm
xiv, 14). These will attain great
blessings in spiritual life, but fai
to gain the prize of joint-heirshlr
with the Lord in his Throne, in his
Kingdom.
Later on will come the manifesto
tion of Christ with his Church, IN
power and great glory, in the set
ting up of his Messianic Kingdom
and in the overthrow of everything
contrary to it. Concerning this
manifestation we read, When he
shall appear, we, also (the Bride
class, will appear with him in
glory. Col. iii, 4.
1t will be in the time of the pres.
ence, the parousia, of the Son OF
man, for the gathering of the
elect" that all the Virgins will be
awakened by the messenger OF
Truth. Some will be able to ap'
preciate, others will not be able to
appreciate his presence. The latter
will need to "go and buy" the oil
the wisdom, the understanding, Of
the Divine Word. 1t will cost some
of them considerable of self-sacrl