The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1921-02-17
polsvlyIulR INTERNATIONAL
SUNN1SQDQL
LESSON
By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D..
Teacher Of English Bible In the MOODY
Bible Institute OF Chicago)
CA 1920, Western Newspaper unlon)
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY 20
THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS.

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PRIMARY TOPIC-Being Ready.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Being Ready.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Prepared for Emergencies.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
christian Watchfulness.
This lesson Is a part OF the well
known Olivet discourse, giving a pro-
phetic view Of the course Of time from
Its utterance, just before the cruel
ixion to the second advent Of Christ
The order Of events in that time are
roughly speaking, as follows:
/. The moral condition Of the world
during Christs absence (24:1-14). This
Is the period covered by the parable
Of chapter 10. ~
2. The appearance Of the Antichrist
J (24:15-26). e
8. The great advent (A:N'3I, In
which there will be mighty convulslons
Of nature, the mourning Of the earths
tribes, and the gathering Of the elect
4. Warnings to Gods people in view
Of the great advent (24:32-51), the
time Of advent unknown and une1-
pected.
s. Instructions to saints in view Of
the une1pectedness Of His coming TO-:
1867.
6. The judgment Of the nations u.s.:
31-48). G
The present lesson Is one OF the
two parallels designed for the lnstruc-
ton Of the saints In view Of the COM
Ing Of the Christ. 1t has a continu-
Gus application in the present time Il
Thess. 4:16-1S; Titus 2:11-13).
I. The Foolish Virgins Took Lamps
But No Oil With Them. (v.3).
l. Lamps signify Christian profes.
sion Matt. 5:16), and OIL the Holy
Spirit (Zech. AZ. Having the lamps
and no oil shows that they were pro-
lessons Of religion without possessing
its reality. AS soon as a man Is re-
generated the Holy Spirit takes up His
abode with Him. The proof that one
Is a child Of God Is that he has the
Holy Spirit dwelling within him. III
any man have not the Spirit Of Christ
he Is none Of His" (Rom. 8:9). Thu
foolish virgins may have been Of good
moral character, but they were I'M
regenerated.
2. The wise virgins possessed boil
lamps and oil ". ~. They made
profession and backed 1t with rea
life Of righteousness. These are thu
true believers. Both the wise and thu
foolish virgins slumbered and slept
Their eyes had grown heavy and the!
fell under the spell Of sleep ". 81
This shows that as the Christian ag'
heightened the real and PROCESSING
church would cease looking for tn
coming Of the Lord. 1t Is unspeakabl.
sad that SO many even Of Gods saints
wise virgins, should give up the ex
pectancy Of the return Of the Lord.
II. The Coming Bridegroom (vv 9
12).
/. The midnight cry ". g.. In tn
mllgt Of the night when all were aslee1
the cry was made, Behold the bride
groom cometh, 60 We out to meet him.
How sad 1t Is that the church ha
lost her hope. is not waking ant
watching for the return Of her Lord
:, 2. Activity Of the virgins ". q
They all arose and trimmed thel
lamps. There will be great activlt
when the Lord comes, on the part Q
both the real Christians and thos
, who only make a profession. The prt
Tossing Christians will then realiz
I. that they lack that which Is essentis
to entrance to the marriage feast.
3 The foolish request the wise t
share their oil wv. 8, 81. The revelt
ton Of Christ will make manifest tn
: genuineness Of our religion and e.
: pose the folly Of mere profession
i When the Lord comes 1t will be to
!, late to mend ones ways.
!. 4. The wise enter to the marriag
!. ". 10Y. While the foolish were seel
r ing to amend their ways trying to bu
!, I'll, the bridegroom came and thos
who were ready were admitted to II
e marriage.
5. The pitiful position Of the FOOLS
". 1D. They begged the Lord
open the door that they might ent,
to the marriage feast. No one ca
!, open that door but the Lord.
d 8. The awful judgment ". 12), II
Lord declares II know you not. Tho
q who put off the personal contact wi,
!. Jesus until that day shall be shut o,
, from the presence of Christ.
/ t III. The Solemn Obligation ". 10
swatch, for ye know not the day N
Z hour wherein the Son Of man COZ
eth"