The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 394

which I have spoken shall be done.” Ezekiel 12:21-25, 27, 28.
The waiting ones rejoiced, believing that He who knows the end
from the beginning had looked down through the ages and, foreseeing
their disappointment, had given them words of courage and hope. Had
it not been for such portions of Scripture, admonishing them to wait
with patience and to hold fast their confidence in God’s word, their faith
would have failed in that trying hour.
The parable of the ten virgins of Matthew 25 also illustrates the
experience of the Adventist people. In Matthew 24, in answer to the
question of His disciples concerning the sign of His coming and of the
end of the world, Christ had pointed out some of the most important
events in the history of the world and of the church from His first to His
second advent; namely, the destruction of Jerusalem, the great tribulation
of the church under the pagan and papal persecutions, the darkening
of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars. After this He spoke
of His coming in His kingdom, and related the parable describing the
two classes of servants who look for His appearing. Chapter 25 opens
with the words: “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten
virgins.” Here is brought to view the church living in the last days, the
same that is pointed out in the close of chapter 24. In this parable their
experience is illustrated by the incidents of an Eastern marriage.
“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 wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their
lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels
with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and
slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom
cometh; go ye out to meet him.”
The coming of Christ, as announced by the first angel’s message,
was understood to be represented by the coming

393