The Coming of the Lord.

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In Matt. 25:1-131Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1‑13), the Lord Jesus tells us a beautiful story and we may be sure that He meant to teach by it an important lesson. All the virgins “slumbered and slept.” This was not right, for we learn from verse 13 that we are to watch. However, when the cry was made, “Behold the bridegroom,” they all arose and trimmed their lamps, but only the five wise virgins, who had oil in their lamps, were ready, and went in with the bridegroom to the wedding feast. The five foolish virgins were not ready, and when they came to the door they found it shut. What a scene is here presented! Within, all is light, and for all the happy wedding guests, there is feasting and music and merry making; without, in the darkness, is heard the hopeless cry of the foolish virgins, “Lord, Lord, open to us.”
Now if you read the first three verses of John 14, you will see what the Lord would have us looking forward to He tells us that He is gone to prepare a place for us and that He is coming again to receive us to Himself. All, who love the Lord, and know His word, are saying to themselves every day, “Jesus is coming, and He may come today.” Do you not think it was very good of the Lord Jesus to give His people such a hope ere He went away from this earth? If you want very interesting details about the coming of the Lord, study 1 Thess. 4:13-1813But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13‑18). You will find many other passages that point to the same glad hope, and if we learn this precious lesson aright, we will not be careless, or fall asleep, as did the ten virgins. Show me the boy or girl who is looking for the Lord to come, and I will show you a bright, happy face; hands that serve diligently, and feet that run quickly in the path of obedience. It cannot be otherwise, for this bright hope gives constant joy of heart, and each day’s waiting only gives another opportunity for happy service in a world that is not our home, but is yet a place where the Lord does need workers, and where every little service, if done for His glory, will be rewarded.
How many scriptures can my little readers find that tell of the coming of the Lord? R. M.
ML 02/04/1900