The Ten Virgins.
The lamp, however, soon went out. The need of oil was manifest. The one question now is, Where can a supply be had? Alas! what ignorance, with all the profession! But ignorance and unbelief always look to some human resource. They know not Christ the Son of God, and therefore make not God their refuge. They flee to man. How characteristic of their real state! They cry, “Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.” And is not this what we constantly find? When many are really in trial, or roused in conscience to a sense of their perilous condition, not knowing the blessedness of fleeing to the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, they take refuge in their fellow-man for help; but it always ends in disappointment according to the Scripture, “Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.” So it was with these foolish virgins. The wise can only tell them of the folly of looking to them for oil, of the impossibility of having their need met by them; but they assure them also, though it be at the last moment before the Bridegroom comes and the door is shut, that oil is still selling, and to be had without money and without price. And this is quite plain, but while they were considering the matter, while they were intending to have some, yes, while they were going to buy, the Bridegroom come, and the door forever shut. Oh, how solemn this is! It is neither poetry, nor fiction, but it is a picture to the very life, drawn by the Lord Himself, of what is still going on to this awful reality. “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.” The wise virgins are safe and happy — “forever with the Lord,” according to His faithful word. But the foolish now discover the tremendous reality of being shut out from the Lord’s presence. Their deep and fatal folly was specially marked by two things. 1St. By being content to have credit among men for being Christians, without divine spiritual life. “They that were foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them;” and 2ndly. By turning to man for oil when the conscience was awakened, instead of to God through Christ. Their final state too is settled by the Lord’s own words, “I know you not.” Elsewhere it is said, “He knoweth them that trust in Him,” but here it is in reply to their cry and knocking to be let in, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”
What other lesson could we learn from this most solemn and instructive portion of divine truth but the importance of watching. Hence our Lord adds, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour” (verse 13). The remaining words of the verse are omitted in all the best copies.
“He comes! He comes! the Bridegroom comes!”
The “Morning Star” appears;
The “cloudless morning” sweetly dawns;
Saints, quit this vale of tears.
Your absent Lord no longer mourn;
Reproach no longer bear:
“He comes! He comes!” Rise, happy saints,
To meet Him in the air.
“He comes! He comes! the Bridegroom comes!”
Oh, sinners, hear the sound;
Accept Him now if you among
His chosen would be found.
Still mercy’s offered-costless—free,
No longer turn away;
“He comes! He comes! “Oh! linger not,
Come “While ‘tis called today.”