The Ten Virgins

[colporteur]

 ".....The parable of the ten virgins was given by Christ Himself, and every specification should be carefully studied. ......" Manuscript Releases MR16

[Mimi]

Amen. It is no light-weight parable.

[Ed Sutton]

    In the parable of Matthew 22 the same figure of the marriage is introduced, and the investigative judgment is clearly represented as taking place before the marriage. Previous to the wedding the king comes in to see the guests, to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the spotless robe of character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Matthew 22:11; Revelation 7:14. He who is found wanting is cast out, but all who upon examination are seen to have the wedding garment on are accepted of God and accounted worthy of a share in His kingdom and a seat upon His throne. This work of examination of character, of determining who are prepared for the kingdom of God, is that of the investigative judgment, the closing of work in the sanctuary above.  {GC 428.1} 

     When the work of investigation shall be ended, when the cases of those who in all ages have professed to be followers of Christ have been examined and decided, then, and not till then, probation will close, and the door of mercy will be shut. Thus in the one short sentence, "They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut," we are carried down through the Saviour's final ministration, to the time when the great work for man's salvation shall be completed.  {GC 428.2}   

   Every case had been decided for life or death. While Jesus had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for His people and blotted out their sins. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was consummated. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.  {EW 280.1}   

   I saw that every case was then decided for life or death. Jesus had blotted out the sins of his people. He had received his kingdom, and the atonement had been made for the subjects of his kingdom. While Jesus had been ministering in the Sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was finished. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to Jesus, and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.  {1SG 197.3}   

   When the wicked dead are raised from the grave, they come up with the tastes, habits, and characters that they formed in the time of probation. A sinner is not raised a saint, neither is a saint raised a sinner. The sinner could not be happy in the companionship of the saints in light, with Jesus, with the Lord of hosts; for on every side will be heard the song of praise and thanksgiving; and honor will be ascribed to the Father and the Son. A song will be raised that the unsanctified, unholy ones have never learned, and it will be out of harmony with their depraved tastes and desires. It will be unbearable to them. The apostle John heard this song. He says, "I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: for true and righteous are his judgments;. . . And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." It is impossible for the sinner to enjoy the bliss of heaven.  {RH, February 17, 1891 par. 5}     

   A sacred responsibility rests upon every one who has a connection with the cause of God. He is called upon to do his work with fidelity, to sanctify himself to the service of God that others also may be sanctified. When the case of every soul is decided in the judgment, some will meet their record with joy, and others with hopeless grief. The faithful will be invited in to the marriage supper of the Lamb, and Christ will gird himself, and come forth to serve them. And since so great interests depend upon the right use of the talents of those seeking for salvation, and since God has placed in the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, for the perfecting of the church, for the edifying of the body of Christ, how important it is that no blundering work be done. There is much more to be accomplished that can be accomplished simply by preaching. The workers must be endowed with heavenly wisdom that they may devise and execute plans that shall result in the perfecting of the experience of all who shall come into the faith. We must teach the members of the church how they may effectually minister to others. In ministering to others, men and women may be educated to bear burdens, to wear the yoke of Christ, and thus exercise their intrusted talents in his service, until they shall be developed to fill positions of greater trust and heavier responsibility.  {RH, March 7, 1893 par. 7}     

    But suppose that the inmates of the house were careless and did not gather their children with them in the house? Or suppose the children who had been born and brought up in Egypt thought this only a whim, and altogether unnecessary, and should refuse the entreaties of their parents, making some excuse as did those called to the marriage supper? Then the judgment of God would not spare, but the stroke would as surely come upon the firstborn of the Hebrews as the firstborn of the Egyptians.  {15MR 225.2} 

     What is the condition of those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus? If in families there are those who are refusing obedience to the Lord in keeping His Sabbath, then the seal cannot be placed upon them. The sealing is a pledge from God of perfect security to His chosen ones (Exodus 31:13-17). Sealing indicates you are God's chosen. He has appropriated you to Himself. As the sealed of God we are Christ's purchased possession, and no one shall pluck us out of His hands. The seal given in the forehead is God, New Jerusalem. "I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God" (Revelation 3:12).  {15MR 225.3} 

     Parents, are you awake to gather your children with you into the fold? Are you making the salvation of Jesus Christ your first business? Do you educate and train your children to be obedient to you, their earthly father, that they may be obedient to God, their heavenly Father? This is your work --to leave nothing undone that you can do to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.  {15MR 225.4}     

[Richard Myers]

Ed, you have presented the issue very nicely. Thank you.  What you have shared is not understood by most of the Christian world. That we will be judged by the character of Christ is contrary to what most are teaching. Yet, the parable of the Ten Virgins teaches just that. "The bride" is indeed the church purified when the marriage takes place.....after the "investigative judgment".   

The important teaching in the parable is that not all who profess to love and serve God in fact will be a part of that church when Jesus takes His bride home. Many sincerely believe they "believe". But, a profession is not enough. As you have pointed out, those who are allowed into the marriage feast must be properly attired. The dress is a gift from God, His dear Son's righteousness. But, where many err, is in thinking that when they put on this wedding garment, they may do so without first removing their own filthy garments. Many have been taught that the character of Christ will cover unconfessed and unforsaken sins. They are right in one respect. Some sins that are unknown to be sin, will be covered by the blood of Christ. But, there is a condition to this promise. The sinner must be fully surrendered to Jesus and filled with His Spirit. Then, "some" sins that are unknown will be covered and the righteousness of Christ will be sufficient. But, in the parable we find that many professors will not be covered by Christ's righteousness. Any sins known to be sin that remain unconfessed and unforsaken will not be covered. In other words, saving faith will be seen by the deeds of the professing believer.

As cp pointed out, if we assume we understand this parable and leave this matter of which sins will be covered and which sins will not, we shall be in great danger of being in the wrong group of "virgins" and be shut out of the marriage feast. The key, as I see it, is in a correct understanding of the gospel of grace and the "investigative judgment" where the standard of judgment will be the law of God.