The Brinkley argus., 1914-09-11

~~---~~N' 25:13. A parable Is Ian earthly story with a heavenly meaning" An analogy is "a likeness" This story is parable. It is to illustrate the vigilant, expect ant attitude of faith, Heb 6:2S; II Tim. AS. Leaving the temple. Jesus drew the disciples attention to its Buildings and predicted its destruc- tion. Proceeding to the Mount of Olives, his disciples ask him, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?" In reply Je- sus gave the disciples his Olivet dis course and prophecies found in chap 'ters "A and 25. To fully comprehend this parable we ought to review all of this teaching The discourse as whole falls into these parts CD 24;1-44 deals with Israel as a nation; (2) | 24:45-25:30 deals with the church as being responsible for the king dur ing the period between his two ad- vents; and (3) 25:31-46 deals with the | judgment of the nations when the Son of Man comes in his glory. It will be seen then that this lesson comes in l the second part and Is one of three parables concerning the responsible l ity of the church Jesus is the bride groom. John BPS, 29; Eph. 5;25; II Cor. 11:2; Rev 21-9, and sets forth the love of Christ for the church, Eph. 5:25, 2S. 3O-32.
 | Two cIasses.
 |. "While the bridegroom tarried" w. IS. The first and strongest idea of this section is that he, Jesus, the l bridegroom, is coming again. Among l those who wait are two classes, the ] wise and the foolish, though both were right intentioned. The lamps symbolize Christian profession. Luke l 12:35: II Tim. 3:5, and the oil that which is essential to give us power 1 whereby we maintain our profession, 1 Acts 10: 3S; John 2:2O-27. The fool ish virgins were superficial and had not enough to maintain their profess sions. The. wise virgins had enough oil; so also may the believer have the abiding spirit of Christ's presence wherein to maintain his Christian profession. Waiting they all nodded (slumbered) .and others evidently lay down (sleptA The wise virgins could l afford to rest as they had all things | ready. If they had been awake, how ever, they might have seen and ren' dered aid to those who were in the sorry plight of not being ready. The tarrying was test of the faith sand patience of both the wise and the foolish as both awaited the "fulneef of time" when he should appear. | The Great Question.
 II. Behold tho bridegroom cometh' wv. 6-f3. All are awakened by thif midnight cry. The hour was one when he was least expected. and the church of today needs to be awak ened to realizing nense.of this truth Both the wise and ;the foolish have te meet him, but the'wise were the only ones whose lights could shine ane show the way into the banquetine room. They all outwardly appear alike even to the lvery point of separation The churcht of God individually ant collectively. has yet to sense the dan ger to 1t and to others If it's light fol any reason be not continuous. Thii cry was a call to meet him and w all need to ask ourselves, are VI ready to;meet him.?" The hour wal too late ito make needful preparation to meet him. In their emergency the! turned to the five wise ones but tn' wisdom, of one cannot supply the de flciencyl or the foolishness of other (v. 9). There is no Scripture to sup port the teaching that one mans meri is applicable to another except tn merit of the Goldman Jesus as aI piled to sinful humanity. Hence tn wise sent their sisters to the orie final source of supply for oil. and a they went "the bridegro, Om came1 5 will 1t be with, all who put on too Ion the securing of the Holy Spirit | their lives.
 "They that were read.y went IT they that were not readyfwmsn the came found the door "shuf To a' tend . marriage feast is Ahishly ef teemed everywhere. but ltVas a pri' ilege that Is worthy of careful preI aration. Remember that Jesus l here showing the attitude toward himself of those who iprofeas to D devoted to him durfngs thea period O his absence. and who lexpect' his re turn as king. That being so. we nee to remind ourselves of the Jaws O the kingdom as he gave them
 H Jesus knows those that are nii John 10:27; II Tim 2:.l9; r Cor. B.; but such are not those who make
 mere outward professioil of fafth an lack the abiding presen ce and lpowe of the Holy Spirit. The day of SCI aration between the true and thetfais is surely coming, til ne when tn real, genuine, Spfrit-filb sd Christian will rejoice lat his, comi ng-
 The lesson for uss is Watch. B' cause we do not kriow tn he day nor>th hour when he will con le, therernr' watch This word do es not mea simply to look or ito gaze but 10 Kee awake, to be vigil mt