Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-24
Sunday School Lesson
BY
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

race) would not pass away until all
these things are DONE" While the time
Of His return is uncertain, we know
that He will come suddenly at a period
of great darkness, which may refer to
spiritual darkness. Great interests are
involved and He is certain to come,
when faith in His coming has about
disappeared. Let us always live, labor
and look for His coming. Let us fol-
low the example of the good servant,
whom He commended for his faithful
ness, wisdom, activity and constant
service. during his Lords absence
When our Lord returns, those found
doing His will and work will be re-
warded. We should be warned by the
punishment that the evil servant re-
ceived for his profession without pos
session of real religion. Through his
lack of faith In the Lords return, he
became worldly in life and unfaithful
in service. The great need of our times
is Christian preparedness.
Christian Preparedness.
Jesus sought to impress the need of
vigilance upon His followers in His
parable of the 10 virgins. 1t is one OF
seven that gathers about the word
watch" in the Masters teachings. The
central truth is not "the time or exact
rather our need of being watchful and
prepared for that coming, whenever it
may be-" The tragedy of the five fool
ish virgins warns us against our ignor-
ing our duty to God. They neglected
to be prepared and were punished Sc
verely for their neglect to be ready for
Christ's coming The privileges OBJ
tanned by the wise should encourage
us to always live, looking with eager
expectancy for the second coming of
the Lord, who is the bridegroom re-
ferred to in the parable. When He
comes again 1t will be to assume His
kingship.
BY the Kingdom Of Heaven We are
to understand 1.-The visible profession
of faith during the time of our Lords
absence from the earth between His
ascension and. second coming" The
professors of faith in Christ are rep
resented by the virgins. There is a
difference of opinion as to who, are
meant by the five foolish virgins. Some
hold that they represent the nominal
professors, who have made a profess
sion, but did not possess the real vital
Some believe that they refer to the
worldly Christians, who, through their
neglect of their own spiritual life and
service, will not be prepared to well
come their Lord when He returns. Oil
is a type of the holy spirit. Some hold
that only those Christians who are
filled with the holy spirit will be pre-
pared for Christ's coming to assume
His kingdom.
Regardless of ones belief in the
character of the second coming OF
Christ, we should individually renew
our spiritual life through the study of
rSAe<J,r TINlx, nfh1a oY0H fv YeaQnC nf daily
communion with the Father and active
service in carrying out the Masters
commands to win the world for Him. He
will not come until the gospel IS
preached to all nations.
"The restless millions wait the light
Whose coming maketh all things
Christ alone waits, but. men are slow
and late;
Have we done what we could? Have
I? Have you?"
The difference between the wise and
foolish virgins was not in their outward
appearance, but in their preparation.
The foolish were not ready. Their lack
could not be supplied by others. They
lacked the spiritual preparation. The
Master repudiated them, and they were
shut out, like the evil servant. Only
as we are busy about the work OF es-
tablishing Christ's kingdom among men
can we be ready to meet Him when He
comes. We must be prepared for His
return at any time. Take We heed,
watch and pray; for ye know not when
the time Isl that He will return. He
may tarry, but while He delays His
coming we should be alert, aggressive
and active in trying to advance His king
dom. watch, therefore, for We neither
know the day nor the hour wherein the
Son of Man cometh." Blessed Is that
servant whom the Lord when He cometh
shall find so doing"