For more than a thousand years the Jewish people had awaited the Savior’s coming. Upon this event they had rested their brightest hopes. In song and prophecy, in temple rite and household prayer, they had enshrined His name. And yet at His coming they knew Him not. The Beloved of heaven was to them “as a root out of a dry ground;” He had “no form nor comeliness;” and they saw in Him no beauty that they should desire Him. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” Isa. 53:2; John 1:11. {DA 27.1}
But “now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him… and all Jerusalem was troubled. Mat. 2:1-3.
At the time of Christ’s birth the Jewish people were so engrossed with their own ambitious plans that they knew not of His advent. The wise men from a heathen land came with their gifts, to worship the Savior.
For many years also, the Christian world has awaited the Savior’s coming. Is it possible that history will be repeated in these last days? For Jesus said “then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten virgins… five of them were wise, and five were foolish”. Mat. 25:1, 2.
Let’s delve into the scriptures to find out what the Bible tells us about the wise and what it means to be wise.
STUDY QUESTIONS
- Will we know the day and hour when Jesus will come?
Mat. 24:36, Acts 1:7
- Will we know when Jesus’ coming is near?
Mat. 24:32, 33. 1 Thess. 5:2, 4.
- What will some say about the coming of the Lord in the last days?
2 Pet. 3:3-5
- What is the biblical answer to this delay?
2 Pet. 3:9
- What is the admonition given for the last days?
Rom. 13:11, 12, 1 Thess. 5:6, 7 Eph. 5:14-16.
- Why does Paul exhort us to walk not as fools but as wise?
Prov. 3:35, Dan. 12:3, Mat. 25:1-10,
NB: Only the wise will be prepared to enter into glory with Christ at His second coming.
- What do the scriptures deem as wisdom?
Job 28:28, Ps. 111:10, Deut. 4:6-8. Ps. 119:98, 99, Prov. 28:7, Prov. 11:30, Dan. 12:3, 2 Tim. 3:15.
- What must we then do with this knowledge?
Mat 24:45-47
The Bible repeatedly assures us that Jesus will return. But will He come a year from now? Five years? Or Ten years? No one knows for sure but Paul says “the Lord cometh as a thief… but ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” 1 Thess. 5:2, 4. Jesus also said ‘…when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors”. Mat. 24:33. these verses tell us that we will not be left in darkness as to the coming of the Lord. BUT only the wise shall know His second advent as happened at His first.
At the end of His earthly ministry Christ told the parable of the ten virgins to illustrate the experience of the church of the last days. The two classes of virgins represent the two kinds of believers who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. Their lamps represent the word and law of God (Ps. 119:105, Prov. 6:23); the oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit (Zech 4:4-6).
Superficially, these two groups appear alike: both go out to meet the Bridegroom, both have oil in their lamps, and their behavior doesn’t seem to differ. They have all heard the message of Christ’s soon coming and are looking forward to it. But then an apparent delay-their faith is to be tested.
Suddenly, at midnight-in the darkest hour of earth’s history-they hear the cry, “Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!” Now the difference between the two groups becomes apparent- some are not ready to meet the bridegroom. These “foolish” virgins are not hypocrites-they respect the truth but they lack what will impress the truth upon their heart-the oil-they have not been sealed by the Holy Spirit (Rev 7:1-3). They have been content with superficial work and have not fallen on Jesus Christ the Rock. They have a form of godliness but are destitute of God’s power.
How sad that when Christ returns to this earth, He will have to speak these words to some whom He loves. He warned, “Many will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” and then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Mat. 7:22, 23)
The ten virgins are watching in the evening of this earth’s history. All claim to be Christians. All have a call, a name, a lamp, and all profess to be doing God’s service. All apparently wait for Christ’s appearing. But five are unready. Five will be found surprised, dismayed, outside the banquet hall. {COL 412.2}
The wise are they that “fear the Lord”, “keepeth the law”, “that winneth souls” and “know the Holy Scriptures”.
“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 honour to Him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. . . . And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” “He is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” Rev. 19:6-9; 17:14.
May the Almighty God help us to be part of the wise that shall inherit glory and shine as the brightness of the firmament. AMEN.
May God richly bless you as you begin to ask Him to make you wise unto glory!!!