Matthew 25 (Contemporary English Version)

“The kingdom of heaven is like what happened one night when ten girls took their oil lamps and went to a wedding to meet the groom. Five of the girls were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps, but no extra oil. The ones who were wise took along extra oil for their lamps. The groom was late arriving, and the girls became drowsy and fell asleep. Then in the middle of the night someone shouted, ‘Here's the groom! Come to meet him!’ When the girls got up and started getting their lamps ready, the foolish ones said to the others, ‘Let us have some of your oil! Our lamps are going out.’ The girls who were wise answered, ‘There's not enough oil for all of us! Go and buy some for yourselves.’  While the foolish girls were on their way to get some oil, the groom arrived. The girls who were ready went into the wedding, and the doors were closed. Later the other girls returned and shouted, ‘Sir, sir! Open the door for us!’ But the groom replied, ‘I don't even know you!’ So, my disciples, always be ready! You don't know the day or the time when all this will happen.”

THE CASE OF THE MISSING HOMEROOM TEACHER

“Class,” Mrs. Williams told her ninth-grade students with a twinkle in her eyes, “Starting Monday, I’ll be on maternity leave.”

Everybody gasped. They had hoped she would be with them on the Fantasy Park trip.

“That’s great!” Susan Wilshire said, collecting herself. “If it’s a girl, name her Susan!”

“No way!” Jim Usher joined in. “It’s going to be a boy and she’s naming him after me.”

“Well, as great as you all are,” Mrs. Williams smiled, “the names are already chosen. If it’s a boy, he’ll be named after my husband, and if it’s a girl, she’ll be named after me.” She hurried on to cushion the class’s disappointment. “While I’m gone, though, I want Jim to make sure Team A finishes their science project, and Susan can do the same with Team B.”

“How long will you be gone?” Jim asked.

“A few weeks, but a substitute will be here to teach you. Since you’ve just about finished your projects, pass them in by nine o’clock May 14, a month from today.”

“That’s when we go to the amusement park!” Susan gasped. “If we don’t finish our projects, we can’t go!”

“Not to fear, Susan,” Mrs. Williams replied. “You’ve got more than enough time to finish.” Then, her eyes twinkling, she added, “And I’ll work on being here for the ten o’clock Fantasy Park trip.”

After Mrs. Williams went on leave, the groups worked hard on their projects. Then everybody gradually slacked off, figuring they’d finish everything later. However, Susan’s group made its materials, while Jim’s group waited for a department store sale to buy theirs.

Then one day the substitute teacher reminded them, “Today’s May 14, and your projects are due!”

They all stopped cold in their tracks

“Guys,” Susan yelled, heading for the last of the materials. “Let’s finish everything now!”

“Hey,” Jim bellowed, “we need materials. . . Quick, Susan, lend us some of yours.”

“Sorry, Jim. We don’t have enough for our group and yours. Hurry to the store!”

Jim’s group left in a cloud of dust. While they were gone, Susan’s group finished their project, and Mrs. Williams came and took the jubilant Team B to Fantasy Park.

1. What does “Today’s Reading” have to do with the story above?
2. What if any parts of the story remind you of the parable? 
3. Please show the comparison.

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 35-38

1. Highlight the paragraph that starts, “Without a living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour. . . .”
2. Underline the sentence that begins, “Unless the Holy Spirit can use us. . ..”
3. Highlight the paragraph that starts, “When love fills the heart. . .”
4. Underline the sentence that begins, “ This love is as broad as the universe. . .”

HERE’S WHAT I THINK

Lately, Sandra’s been going to church for more than meeting her friends, hearing the latest scoop, and planning after-Sabbath activities. She has a growing urge to know Jesus better. Once when the pastor preached on Jesus’ second coming, she felt that something—or someone—was nudging her to accept Jesus publicly. But she knows that if she acts on these convictions, her group will label her “Holy Jane.” On the other hand, she wants to get ready for Jesus’ return.

What should Sandra do? Is it possible to have it both ways? What will probably be the result either way she goes?

Log on to guidemagazine.org/rtf to post your responses. Be up-front and honest. Say what you think. The lines below are provided as an alternative to posting. You may wish to record your thoughts and share them with your class later. 

Jesus’ Second Coming

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“In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ's second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ's near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him,’ many are unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are destitute of the Holy Spirit.

“Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with the commands and promises of the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character will not be transformed. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan.

“The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirit's working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up. This class is represented also by the stony-ground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence is not abiding. The Spirit works upon man's heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature; but the class represented the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form. ‘They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.’ Ezekiel 33:31. The apostle Paul points out that this will be the special characteristic of those who live just before Christ's second coming. He says, ‘In the last days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their own selves; . . . lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.’ 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

This is the class that in time of peril are found crying, Peace and safety. They lull their hearts into security, and dream not of danger. When startled from their lethargy, they discern their destitution, and entreat others to supply their lack; but in spiritual things no man can make up another's deficiency. The grace of God has been freely offered to every soul. The message of the gospel has been heralded, ‘Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.; Revelation 22:17. But character is not transferable. No man can believe for another. No man can receive the Spirit for another. No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of the Spirit's working. ‘Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it [the land], as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.’ Ezekiel 14:20.

“It is in a crisis that character is revealed. When the earnest voice proclaimed at midnight, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,’ and the sleeping virgins were roused from their slumbers, it was seen who had made preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares; but one was prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without preparation. So now, a sudden and unlooked-for calamity, something that brings the soul face to face with death, will show whether there is any real faith in the promises of God. It will show whether the soul is sustained by grace. The great final test comes at the close of human probation, when it will be too late for the soul's need to be supplied.

“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.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, pp.408-412).

1. Why did Jesus tell the parable of the ten virgins?
2. How many people feel that they are the foolish virgins?
3. Are the foolish virgins hypocrites?
4. How did they come to be called “foolish”?
5. How can we be “wise”?
6. Should we be afraid of Jesus’ second coming?
7. What will Jesus’ second coming be like?

SO WHAT?

Look around you. Everything in this world is in a mess, and doesn’t seem to be getting any better. Wars overturn governments, destroy buildings, and split up families. Everywhere there is death and there is loss. Mysterious diseases strike, threatening whole groups of humans, as well as animals. Natural disasters are on the rise, the crime rates are growing higher, and evil people have found new ways to inflict pain and terror.

These events all shout that something BIG is about to happen. Just like a person dying from cancer or AIDS, our hopelessly sick world announces that it cannot last much longer. Life has strayed so far from what God intended it to be that God must surely send His Son to destroy sin and restore the earth to the wonderful, perfect place He created it to be.

But true to His nature of love, God has extended the time for us to get ready for Jesus’ return. He uses the awful things we see around us to warn us. But the time for making the choice to let Him get us out of this mess is almost over. Very soon He has to come and put an end to sin and rescue those of us who have chosen to let Him fix us up and get us out of here.

Why on earth would a wise person want to waste this last bit of time, when making the decision to follow Jesus out of all this will guarantee a forever life of peace, joy, and adventure?

Match the text with the verse

1. Matthew 1:21 (NIV)  
2. John 14:1-3 (NIV)     
3. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)      
4. Matthew 24:24 (NIV)
5. Matthew 24:27 (NIV)
6. Luke 12:32 (KJV)       
7. Isaiah 11:6-9 (KJV)   
8. Isaiah 65:22 (NIV)     

 

A.         “No longer will they build houses and others live in them. . . .”
B.         “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. . . .”
C.         “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb. . . .”
D.         “Do not let your hearts be troubled. . . .”
E.         “Fear not little flock. . . .”
F.          “For as lightning that comes from the east. . . .”
G.         “For false Christs and false prophets. . . .”
H.         “Be self-controlled and alert. . . .”

Mark 13:3-27 (New International Version)

“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?’

“Jesus said to them: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

‘You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

‘Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

‘When you see “the abomination that causes desolation” standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Christ!” or, “Look, there he is!” do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

‘But in those days, following that distress," 'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (New King James Version)

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

1. According to Mark 13 what are the signs of Jesus coming? Please list them.
2. How many of them have already happened?
3. How many people will see Jesus when He comes according to “Today’s Reading”?

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?

The Second Coming is going to be the greatest event in history. It represents the victory of God’s way over Satan’s way. Accompanied by millions of rejoicing angels, Jesus comes to earth with a trumpet blast that wakes the dead. Like a champion who has defeated a powerful enemy, He shouts His joy about bringing sin and suffering to an end.

Before your birth, He formed you, preparing your pathway for life. After birth, He stuck by you in good times and in bad. Despite you sins, He loved you as though you were the only person on earth. Now as He enters Earth’s atmosphere, He looks for you. He longs to hug you, to take you away from every remembrance of sin and earth forever, and, at long last, to introduce you to His Father.

Would you disappoint Someone who loves you that much? Who did so much for you? Who values you so highly? Pleasure, money, and popularity can never compare with Him! They can never match the wonder of living with Him in a perfect world that daily increases your joy, peace, and love! Please make up your mind to accept this wonderful bargain today.

You’ll never regret it!

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing,  pp. 107-100

1. Highlight the paragraph that starts, “The kingdom of God’s grace. . . .”
2. Underline the sentence that begins, “Only those who devote themselves to His service. . . .”

“The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love. (The Great Controversy, p. 678)

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Think of all the things that you really love. Often what we value is determined not only by what we say about something but also by what we think of it and do about it. What, for instance, is it you think of most? What is it you spend a lot ot time doing—or wishing that you could do? What is it that you could talk about for a long time—and not feel time pass? In short, what is it that really has your affections?

Write a paragraph identifying these things.

After writing, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Can the things that I love compare with Jesus or match what He has in store for me in heaven?
2. Is what I love helping or hindering my preparation for Jesus’ second coming?
3. If they are helping my preparation, how can I share them with others?
4. If they are hindering my preparation, are they worth my time and affection?

Write another paragraph recording your answers to the questions.

End the activity by asking God to reveal Himself to you as your best Friend. Ask Him to help you to continue loving the things that help you and others get ready for His return, and pray for strength to stop doing anything that hinders your relationship with Him or readiness for His coming.