THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH

 

In Nephi’s vision of us in our day, he spoke of ‘carnal security’ that leads the members of the Church to the dangerous mentality of ‘all is well in Zion’ (2 Nephi 28: 20-24). It makes some of us think that we have plenty of time to repent and to get our lives into order. This mentality can be seen in the parable of the Ten Virgins.

As a symbol of our covenant relationship with Christ, Jesus used the metaphor of marriage in this parable between Himself and His Church. Therefore, when He comes, He will come as a bridegroom to wed the righteous of His Church. These, He states are the members who have received the truth, have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide and have not been deceived (D&C 45:56,57).

There is something interesting worthy of note in the marriage metaphor. The parable says that the Bridegroom 'tarried', meaning he delayed His appearance to the last hour of the day. In fact, he has 'tarried' now for over 2000 years. It has been so long since He spoke of His return that many Church members are sleeping and not watching on the 'towers of Zion' finding it too long to wait for the midnight hour and the call to gather for the wedding feast (McConkie, Mortal Messiah Book 3, p 467). Could it be that He ‘tarries’ so that as many as possible can be saved? This is a merciful act.

The call to gather has already come. It came on November 3rd, 1831 through the prophet of this dispensation: "Yea, let the cry go forth among all people: Awake and arise and go forth to meet the Bridegroom; behold and lo, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Prepare yourselves for the great day of the Lord. Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour" (D&C 133:10,10).

The oil of preparedness cannot be purchased but needs to be earned over time because this oil is the oil of righteousness: "In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living. Attendance at sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps, drop by drop over the years. Fasting, family prayer, home teaching, control of bodily appetites, preaching the gospel, studying the scriptures—each act of dedication and obedience is a drop added to our store. Deeds of kindness, payment of offerings and tithes, chaste thoughts and actions, marriage in the covenant for eternity—these, too, contribute importantly to the oil with which we can at midnight refuel our exhausted lamps. (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, p.256 )"

When the time of His appearing is here, there will be no reservoir of good works, spiritually building moments, or a sinless slate that we can draw from and we will no longer be able to exist on the testimony of others, as the five negligent virgins presumed. Imagine the frantic situation some of us will be in and imagine the sorrow of those of us who will be bereft of the ability to fill their lamps…..

ODE TO THE TEN VIRGINS

I would gladly give you some oil

Your empty lamp to fill,

If you could glean the sweat

From my furrowed brow

As I worked on the oil press

So diligently until now.

 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Five Were Wise by Michael Malm)

GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY GHOST

 

 

“Our Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again….But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.” (President Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation of Our Lives”, General Conference 2018).

 

We read in the Parable of the Ten Virgins that only five virgins had enough oil in their lamps which illuminated their way to find and greet the Bridegroom who came unexpectedly (Matthew 25:1-13). Obviously the oil was significant and necessary because it provided light for them to see their way. Here is the real significance of the oil that is worthy of OUR notice. Oil was used in the scriptures to symbolise the Holy Ghost (D&C 45:56,57). This is the guiding influence of which President Nelson spoke. Will we allow the light of the Holy Ghost to guide us through the many untruths and opposition to the Gospel doctrines of our day? Is he illuminating our way to the wedding feast, as we speak, to meet the Bridegroom when He suddenly comes? When the day comes, it will be too late to accumulate enough light. The time is now.

 

I would gladly give you some oil

Your empty lamp to fill,

If you could glean the sweat

From my furrowed brow

As I worked on the oil press

So diligently until now.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN

A ZION WARNING

 

I find it fascinating to read scriptural prophecies of the last days. I am amazed by the accuracy of Nephi’s vision of us in 2 Nephi chapter 28. Nobody can dispute it, not only because we can see its reality very plainly but because he states at the onset of this chapter that he was ‘constrained’ by the Spirit (v1), meaning the vision of us came to him from heaven itself, and who can dispute that?

 

Nephi begins this chapter with the importance of the Book of Mormon to the world in the last days because of the corruption of many churches that will be promoting Satan’s value system of selfishness, self-indulgence and immediate gratification, which is basically the doctrine of the prodigal son: indulge now and repent later  (v8). He then brings to our attention Satan’s technique of leading people into ‘carnal security’ by pacifying, lulling and flattering them (vs21,22) but what is particularly interesting about this is that in the course of 4 verses, he makes it plain he is directing his remarks to ‘Zion’. This is a warning to the Church and not to the world. 

 

The ‘carnal security’ Nephi speaks of leads the members of the Church to a dangerous mentality of  ‘all is well in Zion’ (v21). It makes some of us think that we are good enough as it is; that we have enough time to improve; it’s not so bad if we commit a little sin here and there….after all, we are members of the Church, we meant well and we will in the end be forgiven. This is the mentality of the Ten Virgins in Jesus’ famous parable. 

 

As a symbol of our covenant relationship with Christ, Jesus used the metaphor of marriage between Himself and His Church. Therefore, when He comes, He will come as a bridegroom to wed the righteous of His Church. These, He states are the members who have received the truth, have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide and have not been deceived (D&C 45:56,57).

 

When the time of His appearing is here, there will be no reservoir of good works, spiritually building moments, and a sinless slate we will be able to borrow from. We will no longer be able to exist on the testimony of others. The ‘carnal security’ we had wallowed in and been comfortable in will come to an end and all will be lost. Do not be deceived and think you are safe in Satan’s territory. He upholds no one in the end because he will not be able to uphold even himself. His path is futile and has no reward. When the Saviour comes, you will behold Him in His glory and you will want to be with Him. You will want to be with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 

 

ODE TO THE TEN VIRGINS

I would gladly give you some oil

Your empty lamp to fill,

If you could glean the sweat

From my furrowed brow

As I worked on the oil press

So diligently until now.

- Cathryne Allen

(Art: Ten Virgins by Liz Lemon Swindle)