the Lord God: There shall
none of My words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken
shall be done."(645)

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 of the bridegroom. The
wide-spread reformation under the proclamation of His soon coming,
answered to the going forth of the virgins. In this parable, as in that of
Matthew 24, two classes are represented. All had taken their lamps, the
Bible, and by its light had gone forth to meet the Bridegroom. But while
"they that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them," "the
wise took oi