The central record., 1914-09-10
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson W.-Third Quarter, For
Sept. 13, 1914.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Matt. XIV, 13-Commentary Prepared
by Rev. D. M. Stearns.
Notwithstanding all His teaching
and His many mighty works, the ques-
ton of lisa. lii. /, still remained. who
hath believed our repOrt?" Many Of
the chief rulers believed on Him, but
because Of the Pharisees did not con-
fess Him for fear Of being put out of
the synagogue, for they loved the
praise of men more than the praise Of
God John xii, AZ, 49,. After His many
woes upon the Pharisees He spoke of
the desolation which would come upon
Jerusalem until His coming again be-
cause of their rejection Of Him Matt
xiii, 33 39.
Instead Of admiring the magnif-
cence Of the temple, as His disciples
desired Him to do, He said that the
whole thing would be thrown down
and not one stone be left upon another.
AS He sat upon the Mount of Olives
over against the temple Peter and
James and John and Andrew asked
Him privately of the end of the age
and when these things would be (Matt
xiv. 1-3; Mark Kill. II; Luke xxi,
so. His reply is given in these three
chapters and is of greater length than
any other recorded answer to ques-
ton. DR.. Weston says that to no
vision but that of Jesus was the COM
ing overthrow visible He saw what
seems to occur to no student of his
tory-that the destiny of nation, as
that Of an individual, is determined
by its relation to Christ
In every sentence of the discourse
there seem to resound Christ's open
ing words, Take heed that no man
deceives you" Wars and rumOrs Of
wars will characterize the whole age,
but the believer must not be troubled
Matt. xiv, o.. At the end of the age
there shall be time of trouble such
as never was before and never will be
again, and Immediately after that
tribulation shall the Son Of Man come
in the clouds of heaven, with power
and great glory Matt. xiv, p, %
OH. AlC VIII uuu dl Ills
in glory as they were in the days Of
Noah Matt. xiv, 21-39.
The lesson of today and next week
is found only in Matt XIV, which
chapter consists of three parts-the
ten virgins. the talents and the judg-
ton we have already considered in
connection with the parable of the
pounds. Unless We learn to distinguish
between the Jew, the gentle and the
church Of God Il Cor. X, 80 we may
miss much in the matter of interpreta-
ton, but the great thing is to get the
heart lesson for ourselves-the message
from His heart to our hearts.
He is still. at the time of our lesson.
dealing specially with Israel (the
Jews and has only mentioned the
church as something yet to be built
Matt xvi, 49,, but wherever We read
in the Bible there is a message for the
heart of man.
The message for my heart in chap
ter xiv is that must let no man de-
ceive me: that ! must patiently en-
dure; that l must be watchful. ready.
faithful, doing. In the story of the
ten virgins l learn that lamps are no
use without oil. that mine should al
ways be trimmed, filled and burning
brightly, never tiickering or dim or
going out. and that | must lie ever
ready and watchfuL From Xerh- iv
l learn that to have Il constant supply
of oil must know and abide i'll Him
who, as my great High Priest, not only
redeems me, but ever lives for me.
and as my King or Lord controls all
my life, desiring to work in me TO will
and to do of His good pleasure. Then
shall | know the meaning of Not by
might nor by power, but by My Spirit.
saith the Lord of Hosts" Czech. iv. 81.
Then shall /, controlled by the Spirit.
make good use of the talents intrust-
ed to me and hear His We'll done.
good and faithful servant"
| May it by His grace be our happy
privilege, dear reader. yours and mine.
| What a terrible thing it will be to be
only prOfessedly His and to hear Him
say, Verify | say unto you know
you not" (verse Il; compare chapter
vii. 21-23). Compare also the wise and
! foolish of chapter vii, 24-29. What a
mercy that the door is not yet shut
(verse 10; Luke xiii. %. What
blessing to be shut in with Him. as
Noah was in the ark Gen. vii, 1-16)
As to the Interpretation of the para
BILE, it specially concerns Israel, for the
coming of the Son of Man (verse 13)
/ is always the coming of the Lord Je-
sus Christ in power and glory to judge
and to reign, which means His coming
with His saints after He shall have
received them unto Himself Both the
Vulgate and Syriac translations give
the first verse of our lesson thus:
Then shall the kingdom Of heaven be
likened unto ten virgins, who, taking
their lamps, went out to meet the
bridegroom and the bride" 1t is the
return Of Christ after the marriage Of
the Lamb and has some special refer
ence to Israel.
If you cannot put your hand ON the
Syriac translation get Roman Catho-
lie Testament, which is a transla ton
Of the Vulgate MS, and verify for
yourself this translation. If you can
not agree with others as to the in
depreciation of this or any other pas
sage do not fail to get your own heart
message from the Lord.