The Watchtower, October 15, 1935
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KINGDOM SERVICE
Jehovah’s witnesses and Jonadabs now have the privilege of co-operating together in doing the kingdom work on the earth. The kingdom is here! There is much practical work to be done. All persons who are free to go anywhere to engage in the service, who desire to engage in the service and are willing to work unlimited hours, and who are in good health, and, above all, fully devoted to the Lord, write this office. In your letter state whether you are a stenographer, carpenter, farmer, or whatever your business profession is. Do not be looking out for a soft place to light, but a place for real hard service. This is an opportunity for constructive work, and not merely finding a place to eat and sleep. The only hope of the world is the kingdom of God under Christ Jesus. Those devoted to the Lord must now put forth their endeavors to show others how they may obtain the blessings that the Lord has in store for those who love and serve him.
YEAR TEXT FOR 1936
The text "For Jehovah and for Gideon" (Judges 7:18, A.R.V.) is appropriate for Jehovah’s publishers, and therefore it will be used for 1936 the same as for 1935. Calendars are being prepared for those who desire them. The same illustration will be used; however, the general design and appearance will be different, the calendar pad, of course, for the year 1936. The companies and individuals will please send in orders as soon as possible, for the number required for 1936, as we wish to print only what are required. The price will be, for single calendar, 25c; for lots of five or more, 20c each.
INFORMATION
Some person has advised Watchtower readers that a corporation, organized in the District of Columbia, is establishing branches throughout the country to operate in connection with the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society. Such information is not true; and we advise Watchtower readers to give no heed to any advice or instruction that affects the Society, unless the same appears in The Watchtower. No one has authority to make such announcements for the Society, and when any announcements are to be made they will appear in the columns of The Watchtower. No service director or regional service director has any authority to speak for the Society with reference to renting, purchasing or establishing camps or headquarters. Such camps for pioneers as have been established have been by the co operation of the members of each local company. Our commission is to preach the gospel. Let that be kept in mind. – Isa. 61: 1, 2.
Vol. LVI
October 15, 1935
No. 20
VIRGINS
“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.’’ – Matt. 25:1.
JEHOVAH’S capital organization is the holy city", the "new Jerusalem". "O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean." (Isa. 52:1) This prophecy of God manifestly applies after the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple, after the loosening of the prisoner company, which forms the "faithful and wise servant" class, and after the sanctuary is cleansed. All those who abide in the blessed organization must be "virgins" at the time presented to the Lord Jesus, the Bridegroom and Head of the holy organization. "I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2 Cor. 11:2) The whole organization is symbolically shown as "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband". (Rev. 21:2) Only the overcomers are in that holy city and have their names written there. (Rev. 3:12) There is no secondary class in that capital organization. The builder thereof is Jehovah God. (Heb. 11:10-16) It is "cut out of the mountain" (which is God’s universal organization) and comes down from heaven and rules the earth. (Dan. 2:45) These and other scriptures show that the holy city, that is to say, the kingdom of God under Christ, which is the royal house, is the official ruling power and is composed entirely of pure and holy ones.
2 Immediately before speaking the parable concerning the virgins Jesus had spoken to his disciples concerning both the "faithful and wise servant" and "that evil servant". (Matt. 24:45-51) The fulfillment of these scriptures shows the clear distinction between the two classes and that the separation of the two classes must take place after the second coming of the Lord Jesus. His very next recorded words following that concerning the "evil servant" class are concerning the virgins, to wit: "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." –Matt. 25:1, 2.
3 It is therefore certain that the prophetic parable could apply only to those once in line for the kingdom and that, if all had been wise, all would have entered into the kingdom. The parable could not possibly apply to those who had not responded to the call to the kingdom. Ten being a symbolic number of completeness, the ten virgins mentioned therefore refer to all who are called to the kingdom and who responded thereto. All of these who were called and who had responded to the kingdom call now must appear before Christ Jesus for judgment to give an account of their stewardship. All are "virgins" because they are prospective members of the royal house over which Christ Jesus the Bridegroom is Head, Lord and Master, That parable, which Jesus uttered, is a prophecy, and his words show that it could have its fulfillment only after the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple, and that the understanding of such could not be had until after that time, and not then until it pleased Jehovah God to reveal the understanding thereof to those who love and serve him.
4 Prior to the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple he as " the Messenger of the covenant" was doing a preparatory work. Then, says the prophet, he ‘suddenly comes to the temple’ for taking account with those who had responded to the call to the kingdom. These, each one, when responding to the call to the kingdom, "took their lamps," that is to say, their equipment for letting the truth shine, and to shed forth the light which they had, and which was based upon the Word of God. (Ps. 119:105) These lamps were for use to illuminate the way, that others also might see the coming of the Lord and that those in line for the kingdom might discern the Bridegroom when he arrived. These virgins go forth and meet the Bridegroom, the King, to give him a joyful welcome and to sing his praises and the praises of Jehovah God, who sends him. They must be equipped to join him if they would go in with him to the marriage feast.APPLICATION
5 In the parable of the ten virgins, is the great multitude pictured by the foolish virgins? The Watchtower, of 1881, began the publication and for years thereafter continued to answer that question in the affirmative. The Watchtower of October 1, 1923, published an article entitled "Virgins Fair", but in that article no attempt was made to answer the question specifically as to whether the five foolish virgins pictured the great multitude or not. That article does not make mention of the great multitude. It is well here, however, to eradicate one paragraph: "Later, according to the parable, the foolish virgins see their mistake. They pass through some bitter experiences before getting the oil of joy that awakens them to the fact that the kingdom has been set up; and they are shown then as going to the Lord and saying, ‘Lord, Lord, [here we are,] open to us.’ But they come late. They failed or refused at the proper time to participate joyfully in the things that the Lord had for his people to do. The Lord does not rebuff them. He does not cast them into outer darkness. The parable does not represent them as being thus punished. But the Lord says to them: ‘I know you not.' In other words, the Lord announces that they have not followed his will expressed toward them and have failed to participate in the marriage." (Paragraph 71)
6 From the language employed in the above-quoted paragraph, it might be inferred that the foolish virgins do picture the great multitude. That language leaves the matter in doubt, and because God’s people have proceeded upon the theory that the "great multitude" and ‘foolish virgins’ are one and the same class, which must be finally completed during Armageddon, the identification of the ‘foolish virgin’ class would still be in doubt. Therefore it seems proper that the matter be here considered and definitely determined in the light of prophecy now unfolded by the Lord to his people. The Watchtower as early as 1881 used this language with reference to the foolish virgin class: "They must go through a time of trouble, and, if they will, may be of the great multitude who come out of great tribulation who shall be before the throne and serve God." In the light of prophecy which Jehovah has now made clear to his people we see that the foregoing language quoted from The Watchtower of 1881 is wrong, because the great multitude was never begotten of the spirit and was never at any time in line for the kingdom, and, in fact, not in existence at the time of the coming of the Lord and the beginning of his reign. The foolish virgins described in the parable picture the same class as those who go to make up the "evil servant" and, to be sure, the fate thereof is the same as that of the "evil servant". The Scriptural proof, together with the physical facts which the Lord has caused to come to pass in fulfillment of the prophecy, is therefore submitted, that this question may be definitely settled in the minds of those who love the Lord.
7 Both the Revised Version and Rotherham mention the foolish virgins in this manner, to wit: "Now five of them were foolish, and five prudent [or, wise]." (Roth.) To show the distinction between the wise and foolish the following is quoted from The Watchtower of October 1, 1923:
"Wise. A wise person is one who knows God’s [purpose] and applies this knowledge according to the divine rule; one who trusts in the Lord with all his heart and leans not to his own understanding; who joyfully humbles himself under the mighty hand of God and delights in whatsoever the Lord provides for him. He joyfully keeps the commandments of the Lord; therefore he is watchful.
"Foolish–the very opposite of wise. He does not joyfully conform himself to the expressed will of God. He leans to his own selfish understanding; while claiming to follow the Lord, yet he does not possess a loyal and loving spirit, contentedly and joyfully to abide by whatsoever the Lord provides for him.
"In proof of the definitions of wise and foolish as above set forth, we cite the following scriptures:
" ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’– Proverbs 3: 5, 6.
" ‘The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of fools. ’ – Proverbs 3: 35.
" ‘A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. ’ – Proverbs 13:1.
" ‘The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright; but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. ’ - Proverbs 15:2.
" ‘My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine. . . . Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.’–Proverbs 23.15, 19.
" ‘He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.’–Proverbs 28 .· 26.
" ‘ So foolish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast before thee. ’–Psalm 73: 22.
"The lamp is a symbol of God’s Word of truth, in which is his spirit and which lightens the pathway of the child of God. It is the expressed will of God toward his new creatures.
" ‘For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness. ’–2 Samuel 22: 29.
" ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’–Psalm 119:105.
" ‘There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.’–Psalm 132:17.
" ‘For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light: and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.’ –Proverbs 6: 23; 23: 9; Ezekiel 1:13.
"It must be manifest from the foregoing scriptures that the Bible would be a lamp to no one’s feet except those who have the spirit of the Lord. When we understand the lamp to picture the will of God as expressed toward his children, then we can see that it is his will obeyed by his children, through the operation of his spirit, that brings to them light. All the virgins had lamps."
8 The number ten is symbolic of all the virgins, that is to say, all who at the time of the coming of the Lord Jesus to the temple were in line for the kingdom. The number five symbolically shows that the virgins were divided into two classes without reference to the number in each class. What Jesus was saying to his disciples, in fact, was in part an answer to their question concerning the end of the world, his coming, and the setting up of his kingdom. In that answer none would be considered except the ones who had agreed to do God’s will, and who were once in line for the kingdom. The company that was foolish had marred their virginity by the foolish course taken by them. Their foolishness and its consequences is in harmony with the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the virgins or foolish ones there mentioned. "And the Highroad . . . , there shall not pass over it one who is unclean; . . . and the perverse [(margin) foolish] shall not stray thereinto." (Isa. 35: 8, Roth.) The two classes of virgins also correspond to the two classes mentioned by the prophet Zechariah, to wit: "And half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people [the wise company] shall not be cut off from the city." - Zech. 14:2; see Preparation, pages 288, 289.
9 Confusion has resulted concerning this matter until the Lord was pleased to give to his people the clear and proper understanding of the great multitude, which, thanks be to Him, he has now done. Proceeding upon the theory for many years past that the great multitude is a spirit-begotten class which fails to reach the kingdom because of negligence and indifference, it was concluded that the ‘foolish virgin’ class was identical with the great multitude. Such conclusion, however, was incorrect. The great multitude was never in line for the royal house of God, because not spirit-begotten. For some time we understood the great multitude and the prisoner class to be one and the same. It is true that the great multitude are prisoners to Satan’s organization before coming out and forming the great multitude, and it is also true that those in line for the kingdom were once prisoners, as heretofore stated in The Watchtower. The virgins, however, that become foolish are limited to those who were begotten of the spirit, and called to the kingdom, and who accepted the call and who were in that attitude at the time of the appearing of the Lord Jesus at the temple for judgment. (Mal. 3: 2, 3) All the virgins were looking for the coming of Christ Jesus and the setting up of his kingdom, otherwise they never would have responded to the call for the kingdom.
10 All of these consecrated ones had received from the lamp-light, that is, the light of God’s will as expressed in his Word, information concerning the kingdom, and those who had believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and had entered into a covenant to do the will of God, were then brought forth as his sons and called to the kingdom. Oil is a symbol of joy and gladness. (Heb. 3:6; Pss. 23: 5; 45:7; 141: 5) All the virgins went forth to welcome the Lord at his coming. "They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps."–Matt. 25:3,4.
11 All of them had lamps, that is, some knowledge of his Word, and were thus equipped to serve him. Each one begotten and called as a spirit creature to the kingdom is a "vessel", and each one, in order to be pleasing to the Lord, must be a vessel of honor to the Lord. Some appeared to be vessels of honor, and some of dishonor. The Scriptures do not say vessels of honor and less honor, but do say ‘vessels of honor and dishonor’. (2 Tim. 2:20,21, Roth.) Surely this means that one class honor Jehovah, and the other class, by honoring self or other creatures, dishonor Jehovah God. "That ye should know, each one of you, how of his own vessel to possess himself in sanctification and honour." (1 Thess. 4:4, Roth.) Vessels of dishonor are marked by the Lord for destruction: "And if God, wishing to shew his anger and to make known his power, bare in much patience with vessels of anger already fitted for destruction." (Rom. 9: 22, Roth.) Vessels of mercy arc the ones upon whom God makes known the riches of his glory: "In order that he might make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy which he prepared beforehand for glory." (Rom. 9: 23, Roth.) If a vessel is marked for destruction, surely it could not be classed as one of less honor, and which would receive a secondary reward in heaven. The vessels of honor make many mistakes because of imperfections, but God’s mercy is extended toward them because their motive is right and they honestly endeavor to serve Jehovah in an unselfish manner.
12 The words of Christ Jesus employed in the parable do not say, nor are they to the effect, that the virgins took an extra supply of oil for their lamps, but he does say that the foolish "took no oil with them", which, oil being a symbol of joy and gladness resulting from loving devotion to Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, would mean that these foolish ones were selfish, did not have love for God and Christ Jesus, and were not such as have "the joy of the Lord". They were looking for the coming of Christ Jesus, not that Jehovah’s name might be honored and glorified, but that they as creatures might be exalted to a high position. They were extremely selfish. There was no joy in their hearts, as indeed there cannot be in an extremely selfish heart. They were not looking for the King and the kingdom with joy, but that their selfish desires might be gratified. On the contrary, the Lord says concerning the wise virgins that they "took oil in their vessels with their lamps", that is to say, they had the joy of the Lord in them, and the joy of the Lord was their strength. They were unselfishly devoted to God and his kingdom at all times and were anxious to know and to do the will of God, even though all their previous views might be completely overthrown. The foolish ones had been informed and believed that at the coming of Christ Jesus the Bridegroom to receive those who had been called to the kingdom they would immediately be received into heaven and exalted to positions of joint rulership with the Lord. They considered themselves very important and prided themselves on the conclusion that they were the only fit ones to rule the world. They reasoned that they had received all the light or knowledge that was due or ever would be due to be received by men on earth, and that therefore they were specifically qualified to rule the world. They were void of love and, being extremely selfish, had not the joy of the Lord, which is the honoring and vindicating of Jehovah’s name. On the contrary, the wise virgins found their hearts’ desire expressed in the words of Jesus: ‘I delight to do thy will, O my God; thy law is written in my heart.’ Being unselfishly devoted to Jehovah and Christ Jesus, the wise ones said: ‘The joy of the Lord is our strength.’
13 All the virgins expected the coming of the Lord in 1914, and the foregoing describes the attitude of the two classes. In 1914 the Lord did come to begin his reign amidst the enemy, but he did not do what the virgins had expected he would do. They found themselves still on earth. What those in line for the kingdom had been told would come to pass did not come to pass, and therefore to them it seemed that the Bridegroom tarried. "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept." (Matt. 25:5) To be sure, Christ Jesus did not delay or tarry one moment. He was enthroned in 1914 and he was occupied first with the war in heaven against Satan and his wicked angels, which resulted in ousting the wicked ones from heaven. (Rev. 12:7-10) That having been accomplished, the next in order, as named by the Scriptures, was the coming of the Lord to the temple and the raising to life those faithful ones who had long slept in death. (Rev. 6:11) Because it appeared that the Lord delayed his coming at the time expected, all the virgins became drowsy, some of them slept soundly, while others nodded, finding it difficult to keep awake. None of them were fully awake and on the alert, and watching. The foolish ones lay down and slept soundly, concluding that all things had been done that could be done, and now they must simply wait until the Lord took them to heaven to rule. Such was exactly their condition, particularly from 1917 onward. They insisted that all the truth that would ever be revealed by the Lord had been previously revealed through one man, whom they recognized as "that servant". The ‘wise virgin’ company was doing some work, but it was done, not with certainty, boldly and with alertness, but in a dazed manner, as by one almost asleep. They had fear and had respect for what they supposed to be the "higher powers", that is, the political rulers of the world. They did not know just what to do, but were determined to continue watching and doing what appeared to be the right thing. The wise virgins loved the Lord and were anxious to do something to his glory regardless of whether they should ever go to heaven or should live on the earth. They were restrained by Satan’s organization from activity, and hence were imprisoned. Then the condition of the slumbering became greater, and even the wise virgin class came near sleeping soundly.
14 Midnight is a dark hour. In 1918 the outlook for Jehovah’s people was very dark. In the latter part of 1919 those in line for the kingdom began to awaken and saw it was necessary to arouse themselves and serve Jehovah. "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." (Matt. 25: 6) The Revised Version reads: "Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. " It was at the Cedar Point convention in 1919 that God’s people began to realize that they must do something in serving the Lord. At that convention there were present both the foolish and the wise virgins, as subsequently the facts fully disclose. When the announcement was made that an aggressive work must be started and carried on, many responded with a shout of gladness, and others seemed to be dazed, and yet apparently wanted to get their eyes opened, and get in line; and then all began to search the Scriptures to see what was the real situation. "Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps."–Matt. 25:7.
15 At that time the lamps of the foolish were burning very dimly and were about to go out because they had no unselfish, heart devotion to the Lord. The lamps of the wise needed trimming, and they needed more oil. The Scriptures were not understood, and, the wise being anxious to understand and see what is the Lord’s will, they discerned that they must be wholly and unselfishly devoted to God and serve him. These began to carefully and prayerfully search the Scriptures. The Watchtower continued to receive and to convey through its columns the truth to others, and in 1922 the Lord through his channel graciously unfolded to his people that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, was at the temple. The trimming of lamps continued with zeal by the faithful ones, and these, being anxious to know and to do the will of God, became more active and zealous. The joy of the Lord continued to increase with them, and, learning that they must honor Ged and not man, all such have continued to receive the increasing light from the Lord at the temple.
16 That part of the text which says, "Go ye out to meet him," or, according to the Revised Version, "Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth," seems to mark the time of the coming out of the faithful prisoners from their condition of restraint where they were held under Satan’s organization. They had not understood the Scriptural meaning of the "higher powers’’, but believed that they were made up of the political, commercial and religious rulers of the world. Those represented by Ruth and Esther in the prophetic drama thereafter received the truth and were brought out of prison and brought into the temple. In 1922 the faithful ones began to greatly rejoice because they saw the Bridegroom high up in the temple, and on the throne of heaven. They appreciated the fact that they had not been diligent as they should have been in times past, and now they repented and were anxious to go forth to the service doing with their might whatsoever the Lord should show them that they must do. (Isa. 6:1-9) With increasing joy the faithful continued to push forward with the work, shouting the praises of Jehovah and his King. Their joy was in the Lord.
17 The foolish ones saw the joy of the faithful ones and began to inquire: "Why so much noise in the way of expressing joy?" These foolish ones realized that there was something they lacked, and therefore says the parable: "And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out." –Matt. 25: 8.
18 According to the Revised Version they said: "Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out." The foolish ones, being moved by selfishness to have a high position in the rulership of the world, had never had the joy of the Lord, They had rejoiced somewhat in the light of truth, which they had received, but when the hard experiences of the World War period came upon them their joy and zeal had grown very low and their lights weak and therefore were about to go out. The announcement that the kingdom and the King were present did not give them much joy and cheer, for the reason that they did not see themselves taken into positions of dignity and power. For fear they might not get a high and exalted position in the rulership of the world they said to the wise ones: "Our lamps are going out; give us of your oil." The foolish were selfishly bent on going into the kingdom, and beginning to realize that they must have more oil, that is, joy, they called upon those who appeared to have an abundance to divide their supply with them. They did not manifest the zeal or enthusiasm for the service of the Lord and his King by those who followed in the footsteps of Christ Jesus. They said to the faithful ones, in substance: "Divide up with us; go fifty-fifty with us; give part of your plaudits to the Lord, that is, do the work you think you must do, and we will let you do the service, but only divide with us the honors," that is, that which brought joy to the foolish ones. These foolish ones would get some joy out of being flattered and being patted on the back and put in positions of honor among men, that they might "strut their stuff" and show themselves as important; and if they could receive that much, such would be encouragement to them that they might continue in the company of the wise. They were not willing, however, to come along and bear the reproaches that were upon the wise and do the menial service. Being more important in their own estimation, they wanted the honors. The foolish ones insisted on having their way, and the following is the language many of them used: "We must have our liberty and do what we consider our duty and privilege, and not at all be bound by the rules and regulations of any organization." The "bellwethers", who led the foolish company, insisted on doing their own way, and the foolish ones that followed their leaders insisted that their "beloved elder leaders" should receive the honor and praise of others and, if they got such "joy", they might go along with the others and enter the kingdom.
19 Here is clearly shown the "faithful and wise servant" class, pictured by Mordecai and Naomi, in direct contrast with the foolish class, who shortly merged into the "evil servant" class. The facts which have now come to pass and are well known mark these two classes so clearly and distinctly that there can be no doubt about it. The "faithful and wise servant" class replied to the request for oil and said to the foolish ones: ‘We cannot divide with you.’ The scripture reads: "But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you; but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." - Matt. 25: 9.
20 To paraphrase this verse, the wise, in substance, said: ‘We cannot comply with your request. We recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as our Head and Leader, and we don’t recognize any man in that position. We will obey the Lord, and the instructions which he sends to his people through his organization. Jehovah and Christ Jesus are our Teachers and our "higher powers", and we are entirely devoted to them and will do with our might what our hands find to do toward the vindication of Jehovah’s name. We have no desire or inclination to divide our devotion, honor or service between God and man. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and we take great joy in proclaiming that Jehovah is the only true God, Christ is the King, and that the kingdom is the only hope of the world. We declare his purpose, including the day of his vengeance, and we refuse to compromise in any manner with any creature or any part of Satan's organization.’ Had the wise virgins taken any other course they would certainly have been completely set aside by the Lord. Partial activity or partial devotion to the Lord would not be sufficient. The Lord requires of those whom he approves full and complete obedience. (Acts 3:23) The wise refused to divide their oil, and, in doing so, were not acting selfishly, but with wisdom from above, and showing complete devotion to the Bridegroom and his interest.
21 Further addressing the ‘foolish virgin’ class, the wise said to them: "Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves"; that is to say, ‘go to those who, for selfish gain, give you pats on the back, and oily words, that you might continue to serve; if that is your joy, go and get it. But we cannot give it to you. Buy that oil by the use of your "money", that is, your doctrines and practices of "character development", and the singing of the plaudits of men, and the preaching of what you call "being sweet" and "the developing of love", and by doing all of which you leave out God and the vindication of his name. You may get some "oil", that is, joy, in pursuing that course, but the joy of the Lord you can have only by fully complying with the rules of Jehovah’s organization.’ The foolish ones were unable to see any gain for themselves by remaining with the "faithful and wise servant" class, and so they separated themselves and went their own way, trying to get some oil in their own way.
22 Many may be in line for the kingdom, but only those prepared, judged and approved by the Lord are permitted to enter the temple and remain there. The foolish were not prepared. "And while they went [(R.V.) away] to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut."–Matt. 25:10.
23 The foolish separated themselves from the company of the wise and faithful ones and did not get into the Bridegroom’s procession and follow him at the appointed time and at his command. The wise ones were equipped by being unselfishly devoted to Jehovah, and later their light shines more brilliantly in their devotion and obedience to the Lord; and when the Lord came, they "went in", that is, they were permitted by the angels guarding the entrance to pass in. "They . . . went in ... to the marriage feast." (R.V.) That means that they were gathered by the Lord into the temple. The 'wise virgin’ company was "caught [away] in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air". (1 Thess. 4:17) The feast, beginning in 1922, later reached that state of blessedness spoken of by the prophet, to wit, "Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days [the year 1926]." (Dan. 12:12) "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." (Rev. 19:9) This text marks the time of the anointing, when the wise ones received from Jehovah the "new name", and when they became the designated witnesses of Jehovah.
24 The text of the parable says that when they went in to the marriage feast, "the door was shut." The shutting of the door does not mean that no more would be admitted to the temple, but does mean that none of the disapproved can enter and therefore to all such the door is shut. No creature on earth is qualified to say that the door to the temple is now shut so completely that none can ever be admitted. After the time of the fulfillment of the parable as stated in verse ten, those pictured by Ruth and Esther were brought in, and certainly they must be approved before they can enter through the gates into the temple. From the time the temple was set up, the door or entrance thereinto has been shut to all lawless or disapproved ones as it is written: "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life."–Rev. 21: 27.
25 The angels of the Lord stand guard at the gates of the temple and prevent the disapproved from entering. (Ezek. 44:1,2) The Lord’s kingdom organization has "twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels". (Rev. 21:12) The shutting completely of the gate or entrance to the kingdom is a secret of the Lord, revealed to no man, and surely as long as there is any danger of one’s being ousted from the temple the way must be open for some other approved one to enter.
26 The judgment at the temple began in 1918. "Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us." (Matt. 25:11) The "afterward" would mean any time after the "faithful and wise servant" class entered into the temple and became the custodians of the Lord’s "goods" or kingdom interests on the earth, which he graciously committed unto them. The foolish had done nothing to show their appreciation of the Lord and joy in his name, and they had done nothing to his honor during the dark night of the World War period, but, on the contrary, at least some of them had conspired to do injury to the faithful ones, and other foolish ones followed these conspirators. These foolish ones had been "virgins" when the Lord appeared and began his reign, but now they were ravished by the Devil’s organization, and thus they lost their virginity, in fact they then became only nominal virgins. (Zech. 14: 2) The Devil’s crowd went after them, and they fell for the blandishments of Satan’s "bunch". Later these nominal virgins came asking the Lord to disregard his fixed rules and let them slip into the kingdom. Their argument is: ‘We have been doing work in thy name; especially have we been developing our characters, and surely we have thus served our God, and his service should not be confined to one company. Each one of us should be at liberty to serve in his own way. Open up for us, Lord, and let us in.’ "But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not." –Matt. 25:12.
27 Those who insisted on separating themselves from the Lord’s organization were, on the 5th day of January, 1918, publicly invited to reconsider their rash and foolish course of action in withdrawing from the Lord’s organization and to return and take up the service and work harmoniously to the praise and glory of the Lord. (See The Watchtower 1918, pages 23, 24.) This invitation the foolish ones rejected, and, instead of accepting, proceeded along their own selfish way. The Lord’s angels accompany him at the temple, and there they are used by the Lord Jesus to transmit his message to others. (Dan. 8:14) The foolish class are pictured as coming to the Lord and asking to be received into the kingdom and in substance saying to the Lord: ‘Have we not been burning our lamps in your name, and singing hymns and calling attention to what truths we have heretofore received from thy wise man? And have we not continued our work of developing character as we have done in years past? Have not we been using good words and fair speech and thus getting ready to help you rule the world?’ The foolish ones had shown themselves as stubborn and selfish, and the Lord’s rule is, "Stubbornness is as iniquity [lawlessness] and idolatry." (1 Sam. 15:23) Worshiping the creature and giving honor to men rather than to God is an abomination in the sight of God. (Luke 16:15) Creature-worship is abominable in God’s sight. The Israelites claimed to worship God, and they committed "the sin of Samaria". Likewise the 'foolish virgin’ class acted and continue to act. Merely preaching words in the name of the Lord is not complying with the rules that the Lord has laid down. To such foolish ones the Lord by his angels answers and says: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast out devils ? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."–Matt. 7: 21-23.
28 Returning now to the parable: Addressing the foolish and stubborn ones, the Lord says: "I know you not." The Lord’s dealing with the ‘foolish virgin’ class speaks louder than words. The Lord has refused to give to the foolish ones the anointing, the "new name", and an understanding of his presence, and of other prophecies, and the privilege of carrying the message to the rulers and to the ruled ones, and the privilege of being persecuted by Satan’s organization for the Lord’s name’s sake. The foolish have been in the dark since they went their foolish way, and their lamps are gone out and give no more light. Not being permitted to enter the Lord’s house or temple, these foolish ones must depart to their own place. Is there any reason, Scripturally or otherwise, to conclude that such foolish, stubborn and lawless ones, to whom the Lord says, "I know you not, " receive or ever will receive a secondary place in the kingdom of heaven? Is there any Scriptural or other authority for saying that such ‘must go through the time of trouble, and, if they will, may be of the great multitude who come out of great tribulation, being before the throne, and there serve God for ever’? The answer must be in the negative, that such conclusion is entirely unsupported by reason and certainly unsupported by any scripture.
29 All who enter the heavenly kingdom are "called in one hope", and all required to be faithful. God has one way of selecting those whom he takes out as a people for his name, and not divers ways. All must come to the state of complete unity. (Eph. 4: 3-6, 13, 14) When the Scriptures plainly show that the Lord has a retinue of holy angels doing service to him, why should a multitude of other creatures, who have been stubborn, disobedient and lawless, at the last moment be forced through great tribulation in order that they may then be transferred to a place of service that the angels now occupy ? Such a conclusion is entirely unreasonable.30 What do the Scriptures say about those who are lawless? When the Lord uttered this parable, it is manifest he had in mind those only who were once in line for the kingdom and the judgment he would render at the temple, and also had in mind what he had previously said to his disciples: "The Son of Man will send forth his messengers, and they will collect out of his kingdom all the causes of stumbling, and the doers of lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire: there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 13:41, Roth.) The fact that in the parable Jesus says to the foolish virgins, "I know you not," is sufficient proof that the ‘foolish virgins’ and the "evil servant", and the ‘one-talent servant’, are cne and the same class. These three parables Jesus spoke in connection one with another.
31 Concerning the "evil servant" class it is written: "The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."–Matt. 24: 50, 51.
32 Concerning the one-talent servant it is written: "And east ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 25: 30) These scriptures preclude the conclusion that the foolish virgins could fall back into a secondary class called the "great multitude" or called by any other name and afterwards reach heaven and there serve the Lord before his throne.
33 In view of the clear distinction between the two classes, the wise and the foolish, Jesus gave the solemn warning to his followers, to wit: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Matt. 25: 13) The words in this verse, "wherein the Son of man cometh," do not appear in the Sinaitic, the Vatican, or the Alexandrine manuscript, and hence are not found in the English Revised Version, the American Revised Version, or the Diaglott. The words "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour", used in the text, refer undoubtedly to the appearing of the Lord Jesus at the temple; and after this great event has taken place, and at that time, those claiming to be children of God but who are not approved by the Lord at his judgment not only fail to sec that the Lord has come to his temple, but scoff at the announcement of that great truth, and refuse the prophecies of God which he is unfolding to those that love him. They decline to participate in the work of declaring his kingdom and his vengeance. It is written that to all such the door is shut, and this condition of shutting the door does not wait until Armageddon. The facts that have come to pass since 1918 with regard to those who have been in opposition to the Lord’s organization, and yet have claimed to be in the truth, fully and completely support the foregoing with reference to the foolish virgins. These do not constitute the "great multitude’’ class mentioned in Revelation seven, and have no relation to the same.
"VIRGINS HER COMPANIONS"
34 The prophet of Jehovah describes the assembling of the royal family in the palace of the great King Eternal, and it seems well to here consider this prophecy in view of the fact that it speaks of virgins. There it is written: "The King’s daughter is all glorious within [the palace (R.V.) ]; her clothing is of wrought gold. She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needlework; the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee."–Ps. 45:13, 14.
35 When the Lord Jesus came to the temple, he began his judgment work, and he brings into the temple or royal house his faithful followers, including the approved remnant now on the earth. (2 Thess. 2:1) It is then that he judges the living and the dead. (2 Tim. 4:1, Diag.) Those approved and brought into the temple are shown as wearing royal robes; which means that those of the temple are identified as the members of the house of the Lord and therefore as the daughter of the great King Eternal. These are made members of the royal family of Jehovah by adoption through Christ Jesus, who takes the approved ones as his bride. This gathering to the temple begins with the resurrection of the faithful saints who had long slept in death, and then follows the gathering unto the Lord of the faithful living ones, who constitute the remnant. These are described as "in raiment of needlework [in broidered work (R.V.)]". This shows that such are no longer prisoners, but are Jehovah’s free creatures rendering full allegiance and obedience to God and engaged in his service, giving him all honor and glory. Such faithful and joyful sendee is an adornment to those gathered to the temple, and thus they are identified as having the approval of the Lord. It is to such that Jehovah says in the language of the prophet: "Awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city.’’ (Isa. 52:1,2) This is the same company to whom the Lord says: "And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies; I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the Lord." (Hos. 2: 19, 20) Those designated in the parable of the ten virgins as wise virgins are included in this approved class.
36 A "virgin" is one completely separated from Satan ’s organization and fully devoted to God, and this class is not limited to spirit-begotten ones. Having taken their stand openly and completely on the side of Jehovah and his organization, and trusting entirely in the shed blood of Christ Jesus, and devoting themselves unselfishly to the Lord, they are chaste ones, and they defile not their purity or virginity by consorting with the Devil’s organization. Says the prophet: ‘The virgins her companions that follow her [the bride] are brought forth.’ First the bride class is gathered to the royal house, and then, by the Lord’s invitation, foreshadowed by Jehu’s inviting Jonadab into his chariot, others associate themselves with the Lord’s royal house. That means that they go along with and are following after the bride company, which is now represented by the remnant on the earth.
37 The prophetic picture here therefore shows the daughter of the King Eternal, who is made the bride of Christ Jesus, Jehovah’s anointed King, gathered to him, and then the Jonadab class brought into company with those on earth who represent the bride. These companions to the bride ‘take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We are with you; for we have heard that God is with you’. (Zech. 8: 22, 23) In this picture they correspond to Deborah, the companion or nurse of Rebekah, when she went to meet her bridegroom Isaac. (Gen. 24:59; 35:8) The virgin companions did not attempt to meet or to teach the bride company, but, says the prophecy, ‘they followed after her.’ Likewise Jonadab did not take the reins of the steeds drawing the chariot of Jehu, but he rode with Jehu by Jehu’s invitation. In like manner the Jonadab class today do not lead or teach the faithful remnant, representing the bride, but they go along with them, following after them and doing the service of Jehovah. They hear the message from the anointed bride class and take it up and join with them in proclaiming it. (Rev. 22:17) They follow the remnant over the highway to Zion. (Isa. 35:8-10) They once were but are no more prisoners, being now free from the Devil’s organization, and they unite themselves under the Lord’s organization. When God’s chosen people, the Israelites after the flesh, were set free from Egypt and went on the trek to Canaan, other non-Israelites joined them: "And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle."–Ex. 12: 38.
38 When the remnant of Israel departed from Babylon and returned to Zion, in 536 B.C., a non-Israelite class (Nethinim, meaning "given ones", as helpers) accompanied the Israelites and served with the Israelites. (Ezra 2: 43, 58, 70) These Nethinim pictured or foreshadowed the Jonadabs, the ones who are the companions or helpers of the bride class on the earth, represented in the remnant on earth today.
39 Do these companions of the bride come weeping and wailing? Not at all; but, on the contrary, says the prophecy: "With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought; they shall enter into the King’s palace." (Ps. 45:15) These rejoicing ones are the same ones that have received the mark in their forehead, and no more do they sigh and cry, but rejoice in the Lord. (Ezek. 9:4) With rejoicing they are brought to the Lord Jesus as his "other sheep". "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."–John 10:16.
40 With joy they serve the Lord "day and night", that is, continuously, and not only five hours a week. (Rev. 7:15) They do not enter into heaven, but while the bride class, represented in the faithful remnant, is still on the earth, these companions are privileged to work with them and to assist the bride class in the palace or temple service unto Jehovah. The description of the great multitude given at Revelation seven exactly corresponds to that of the companions of the bride class, described in Psalm 45. The prophecies of Jehovah written long ago have been by him kept secret until his due time, and now he wonderfully and graciously unfolds them and makes them clear to those who love and serve him.
41 The Lord Jesus is the good Shepherd of his flock. It is the faithful "little flock" that he brings into the temple and gives them the privilege of service as members of his royal house. Jesus has some "other sheep", and now these he brings forth and permits them to associate with and serve as companions of the little flock on earth. All being under the leadership of the good Shepherd, and all of God’s organization, they are "one flock", even as Jesus stated. Jehovah does not put a premium on negligence, stubbornness or filthiness or unfaithfulness by giving such a secondary place in his kingdom. On the contrary, the Scriptures declare that without faith and faithfulness it is impossible to please God. (Heb. 11:6) The great multitude were once prisoners, but how are being set free and brought into the organization of the Lord. It is the privilege of the faithful remnant now on earth to bear the fruits of the kingdom to those who come forth and form the great multitude, and these latter ones as they come forth and enter into God’s organization have the privilege and duty to serve as companions to the virgin class, the faithful remnant, and to participate in the service. Therefore at all service conventions and service meetings the Jonadabs should actively engage with the remnant in bearing the testimony to the people of and concerning Jehovah and his kingdom.
42 The Scriptures give the genealogy and the names of faithful men, as well as unfaithful, from Abraham down to the birth of Jesus, dividing them into three separate divisions of fourteen generations each: "So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon arc fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations." (Matt. 1:2-17) Those faithful men of old are named with approval because of their faithfulness and their entire devotion to Jehovah. They are not approved by reason of their "character development", as that term has been and is used by many. They were active, vigilant, bold and fearless men. They maintained their integrity toward Jehovah God, and this they did not do by ‘honeyed words and soft speech’ to all with whom they came in contact. Had they done so, they would not have been assaulted by the Devil’s crowd. They had faith in God’s promises that he would raise up a seed by which all the families of the earth shall be blessed, and because of such faith they faithfully devoted themselves to Jehovah God. All of them must get life through Christ Jesus as the active Agent and great High Priest of Jehovah. (Rom. 6: 23) Now, says the psalmist of those faithful men of old, then called "fathers" (Ps. 45:16): "Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth." Instead of the earthly fathers of Christ Jesus these faithful men become the children of Christ Jesus, because he, by the will and commandment of Jehovah God, becomes the Father or Life-giver of men and therefore is called "The everlasting Father". (Isa. 9:6) Jesus had no heavenly ancestors, no fathers in heaven, because Jehovah is his sole Father there. Jehovah God raised him from the dead and exalted him to the highest place in his organization, and makes Jesus "The everlasting Father" to those once his earthly fathers, and to all those who on earth ever receive life everlasting. Those faithful men of old preceded the Lord Jesus in the flesh. They could not be virgin companions of the bride class who follow Christ Jesus and his bride, for the reason that they were dead before the coming of the Bridegroom. The Lord in due time raises them out of death, however, and makes them the visible rulers or princes of his kingdom on the earth, and all of Jehovah’s organization is one grand harmonious organization, giving service and praise for ever to the name of the Most High.
43 But some may ask, Do not the Scriptures make a clear distinction between the priests and Levites and show that the priests represent the little flock and the Levites those who have a secondary place in heaven, which we called the ‘great company’? Did the Lord’s goat picture the "little flock", or royal house? and did not the scapegoat picture the "great multitude" or ‘those who occupy a "secondary place" in heaven’? These questions must be considered in subsequent issues of The Watchtower.
QUESTIONS FOR STUDY
1. What and where is "Jerusalem, the holy city"? What do the Scriptures say as to requirements of those who compose Jehovah's royal house?
2-4. In what significant connection was the parable of the ten virgins spoken? What is therein clearly shown as to the application of this parable? That there were "ten" virgins bears what significance? That they "took their lamps"?
5,6. Why is the subject of the ‘foolish virgins’ here considered in connection with that of the "great multitude"? Mention some of the facts already observed as clearly showing that these classes are not identical. What class is pictured by the foolish virgins?
7. With scriptures, show the distinction between the wise and the foolish.
8. What was the occasion on which Jesus spoke the parable of the ten virgins? Point out other scriptures foretelling a foolish class and the result of the course of action they would take.
9. Account for the present clear understanding concerning the class referred to as ‘foolish virgins’. Briefly, what classes are referred to as the "great multitude’’, the "prisoners", and the ‘foolish virgins’?
10-12. Apply the prophetic fact (a) that all the virgins had "lamps", (b) That the foolish virgins, though taking their lamps, "took no oil with them."
13-15. What is meant by the statement that "while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept"? When and how was the prophetic expression of verse 6 fulfilled? Of verse 7?
16-18. Account for the foolish virgins’ not having sufficient oil. Explain their coming to realize this, and their asking the wise virgins for some of their oil.
19, 20. Paraphrase the answer of the wise to the foolish virgins’ request for oil. Justify their answer.
21. How would the foolish virgins ‘go to them that sell, and buy for themselves’?
22-24. Point out fulfillment of the statement, (a) "The bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage." (b) "And the door was shut."
25-29. What did "the other virgins" do, in the parable? In the fulfillment of the parable? Account for, and apply, the Lord’s answer to them when they asked to be let in. What is here seen concerning the foolish virgins as to a prospect of having a secondary place in heaven or of becoming a part of the "great multitude"?
30-33. Compare Jesus’ statements of verse 12 here, Matthew 24: 50, 51, and Matthew 25: 30. What does this show as to the condition and position of the foolish virgins? Apply verse 13.
34-36. Apply the prophetic words, (a) "The King’s daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold." (b) "She shall be brought unto the King in raiment of needlework."(c) "The virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee."
37-40. With other scriptures in illustration, point out the relation between the approved virgins in this parable and those mentioned in Psalm 45: 14.
41. What are the facts in which is seen fulfillment of Revelation 7: 15 and John 10: 16.
42. Explain Psalm 45: 16.
43. What further questions here appear and call for consideration?
"PROPHECY MADE MORE SURE"
THE author of all true prophecy is Jehovah. In days of old men who were devoted to Jehovah were permitted to make a record of prophecy and to give utterance to the same, but no man could ever properly take credit to himself for writing prophecy. The same is true relative to interpreting prophecy; and for this reason no creatures could have an understanding of prophecy until God’s due time to reveal the understanding thereof. "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy [spirit]." (2 Pet. 1: 20, 21) When Jehovah’s time comes to unfold his prophecy, he causes those who are devoted to him to clearly see that all prophecy makes paramount these great truths, to wit: That Jehovah purposes to vindicate his own holy name; and that he will perform that purpose by and through his beloved loyal and faithful Son, Christ Jesus. One of God’s officials, Lucifer, had become a traitor (Satan) and had brought great reproach Upon Jehovah’s name, and now God would make The Logos, Christ Jesus, his highest official and Vindicator.–Isa. 14:12-14; John 1:1.
Jehovah caused his law and prophecy to be written. His law is written in plain language, that can be understood by his creatures. Prophecy he caused to be written so that it can be understood only in God’s due time, and then by those who love him. The apostle Peter wrote to the followers of Christ Jesus under inspiration and authority from Jehovah God given to him by Jesus Christ. (2 Pct. 1:1) Peter was one of the witnesses to the transfiguration vision on the mountain, and it is of importance to note that he mentioned that vision in connection with the matter of interpreting prophecy. This throws light upon the time for understanding prophecy.
The record, at Matthew 17:1-6, concerning the transfiguration, is: "After six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias [Elijah], talking with him." Beholding the inspiring vision, Peter, addressing the Lord Jesus, suggested the building there of three tabernacles; but this request was apparently entirely ignored by the Lord. "While he [Peter] yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and, behold, a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid."
It now appears that the transfiguration was a prophetic tableau giving testimony to the high office of Jesus and foretelling greater things to come to pass thereafter. That transfiguration being a prophecy, its true meaning and importance would appear to God’s people only in God’s due time to interpret the same and make it plain. Greater light is given to God’s people at the end of the world, where we now are, and after Christ Jesus is enthroned as the invisible Rightful Ruler of the earth. (1 Cor. 10:11; Ps. 2: 6) For many years it has been known that Closes was a type of Christ Jesus, but not until Jesus’ coming to the Lord’s temple (spiritual), in A.D. 1918, was it known that what Moses wrote applies particularly to the Lord Jesus and his people while at the temple.
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