LESSON XI.—SABBATH, DECEMBER 16, 1899.
THE TEN VIRGINS AND THE TALENTS.
Mount of Olives, A.D. 31.
"THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. Afterward come also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
"Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.
"For it is as when a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey. Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents. In like manner he also that received the two gained other two. But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that received the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter; and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter; thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest. Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away. And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth." 1. To what did Christ liken the kingdom of heaven when the signs were proclaiming the coming King near at hand? Matt. 25:1. Note 1. (Rev. 10:7; Matt. 24:3.)
2. In what mental state were these virgins? Verse 5. (Matt. 24:42, 24:43.)
3. How did the actions of the two classes differ? Verses 3, 4.
4. What were they all doing while the bridegroom tarried? Verse 5. (1 Thess. 5:6.)
5. When word came of the approaching King, what did all do? Verses 6, 7. (Luke 17:25, 26.)
6. What did the foolish virgins then do? Verse 8.
7. What answer did they receive from the others? Verse 9.
8. Before they could procure a fresh supply of oil, what took place? Verse 10. (Amos 8:11, 12.)
9. When they returned from their fruitless attempt, what did they say? Verse 11. (Matt. 7:21; Luke 13:25, 26.)
10. How was their request answered? Verse 12. (Luke 13:25, 26.)
11. What alone can prevent us from being counted among the foolish virgins at the day of the Lord's coming? Verse 13.
12. To what did the Lord again liken His kingdom? Verse 14.
13. In what proportion were His goods distributed? Verse 15. (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:11, 28.) Note 2.
14. How did these different ones use the talents intrusted to them? Verses 16-18.
15. What words of commendation were spoken to the first two classes? Verses 19-21.
16. What did the unfaithful servant say to excuse his fault? Verses 24, 25.
17. How did the Lord meet his excuse? Verses 26, 27.
18. What sentence was then passed upon him? Verses 28-30. 1. Unto ten virgins.—The parable of the ten virgins met its fulfilment in the experience of God's people in 1844, when the great Advent movement reached its climax. This included a period of six months, ending with Oct. 22, 1844. The midnight cry was given, commencing in July of that year and continuing till October 22. See "Life of William Miller," "Life Sketches," and "Last Day Tokens."
2. His goods.—The talents in this parable represent the gifts which God bestows upon His people to use for Him. They include all temporal and spiritual blessings, and they are given "to every man according to his several ability" (verse 15); that is, according to his ability to use them (see Eph. 4:8-16; 1 Corinthians 12). While the principles taught in this parable have always applied to the experience of God's people, they will be understood better and be applied more fully in the last days.