Friday Morning Manna November 30, 2018
Nathaniel Fajardo Email: [email protected]
The Seven Thunders Paved Way for the Fulfillment of The Parable of The Ten Virgins
“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. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.” Matthew 25: 5-7, K.J.V.
There are forty parables of Jesus on record. Undoubtedly more were unrecorded as suggested in this scripture: “And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to bear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explainedall things to His disciples.”Mark 4: 33, 34, N.K.J.V.
Parables and prophecies share a common denominator: both employ symbols, metaphors, and numbers to teach salvation-vital lessons
Thus the Master Teacher used the known simple things of nature and common human activity for the parables and additionally, numbers, for prophecies to teach deep spiritualtruths by induction. Since “the carnal mind is enmity against God” (Rom. 8: 5-8) it is by nature averse towards spiritual truths. “Spiritual things are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). Only by “having the mind of Christ” (Phil. 2: 5) can discernment and appreciation for spiritual truths occur.
One of these recorded parables is the prophetic-parable given in Matthew 25: 5-7. Though familiar to many, few know its pivotal role in the embryonic stages of the Advent movement. The prophetic aspect of this parable was fulfilled in the birth of the Advent movementstarted by the first angel’s message. It had anothermovement within—the Midnight Cry movement originating in America—God’s chosen nation to restore and champion the cause of religious liberty and freedom of conscience that was denied to the world for over a thousand years.
Unique Pairings of Movements and Messages
Notice the unique pairings that secured the success of these genuine movements (versus their counterfeits): Follow the now historically-vetted sequence of the fulfillment of this dense yet orderly cluster of prophecies from 1840 to 1844. This was set into motion by the prophesied fall of the Ottoman empire (and Mohammedanism or Islam) on August 11, 1840, after accomplishing its designated role in the drama of the ages revealed to John as the fifth and sixth trumpets. This is a “more sure word of prophecy which we do well if we take heedas a light that shines in a dark place.”2 Pet. 1: 19-21. “Taking heed” to the admonition in this scripture is our protection against Satan’s schemes that include the error of misapplying and miscalculating prophecies, and fanaticisms like setting definite time (after 1844) for Christ’s return, when Sunday law will be enacted and the close of earth’s probation.
The Midnight Cry joined the second angel’s message even as the final Loud Cry will join the third angel’s message that has been swelling worldwide since after 1844 to wind up the work on earth. At that glorious time the full power of the Holy Spirit (before it is fully withdrawn), symbolized as the Latter Rain, is poured out on character-prepared men, women, and children, revealing to “both men and angels” that God has taken the reins of the work in His hands. He will “do a short work on earth,” “cutting it short in righteousness.” Rom. 9: 28. This global Loud Cry movement sums up the unbroken succession and cumulative work of the Exodus and Advent movements. Following in the order of the first, second, and third angel’s messages, this final Holy Spirit-powered world-wide movement is called the “fourth angel” of Revelation 18.
The Midnight Cry Movement. – “In the summer of 1844, Adventists discovered the mistake of their former reckoning of the prophetic periods, and settled upon the correct position. The 2300 days of Daniel 8: 14, which all believed to extend to the second coming of Christ, had been thought to end in the Spring of 1844; but it was now seen that this period extended to the Autumn of the same year [see Appendix, Note 1], and the minds of the [Millerite] Adventists were fixed upon this point as the time for the Lord’s appearing. The proclamation of this time message was another step in the fulfillment of the Parable of the Marriage, whose application to the Adventists had already been clearly seen.”- Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4 (1884 ed.) p. 248.
“As in the parable the cry was raised at midnight announcing the approach of the bridegroom, so in the fulfillment, midway between the spring of 1844, when it was first supposed that the 2300 days would close, and the autumn of 1844, it was afterward found that they [2300-days] would close, such a cry was raised, in the very words of Scripture, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.’ Like a tidal wave the movement swept over the land. From city to city, from village to village, and into remote country places it went, until the waiting people of God were fully aroused.” Ibid, 248, 249.
The special autumn of 1844. – “Of all the great religious movements since the day of the apostles, none have been more free from human imperfection and the wiles of Satan than was that of the autumn of 1844. Even now after the lapse of forty years [published in 1884], all who shared in that movement and who have stood firm upon the platform of truth, still feel the holy influence of that blessed work, and bear witness that it was from God..” – Ibid, p. 250.
“At the call, ‘The Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him,’ the waiting ones ‘arose and trimmed their lamps;’ [meaning] they studied the word of God with and intensity of interest before unknown. Angels were sent from Heaven to arouse those who had become discouraged [in the 1843 disappointment], and prepared them to receive the message. The work did not stand in the wisdom and learning of men, but in the power of God. It was not the most talented, but the most humble and devoted, who were the first to hear and obey the call.Farmers left their crops standing in the fields, mechanics laid down their tools, and with tears and rejoicing they went out to give the warning. Those who had formerly led in the cause were among the last to join in the movement [of the midnight cry]. The churches in general [the second angel’s ‘Babylon’ closed their doors against it, [but] a large company who had the living testimony withdrew from their connection. In the providence of God, this cry united with the second angel’s message, and gave power to the work.” Ibid, p. 250.
“The midnight cry was not so much carried by argument, though the Scripture proof was clear and conclusive. There went with it an impelling power [of the Holy Spirit] that moved the soul. There were no doubts, questionings. . . .At that time there was faith that brought answers to prayer,– faith that had respect to the recompense of reward [Heb. 10: 35]. Like showers of rain upon the thirsty earth, the Spirit of grace descended upon the seekers. Those who expected soon to stand face to face with their Redeemer felt a solemn joy that was unutterable. The softening, subduing power of the Holy Spirit melted the heart, as wave after wave of the glory of God swept over the faithful believing ones.[NOTE: The final Loud Cry of Revelation 18 will be ten times greater than the Midnight Cry of 1844.] “- Ibid, p. 251.
The historical ‘Great Disappointment.’ – “But again they were destined [as prophesied in the “bitter-sweet” experience, Rev. 10: 8-11] to disappointment. The time of expectation [October, 1844] passed, and their Redeemer did not appear. With unwavering confidence they had looked forward to His coming, and now they felt as did Mary, when, coming to the Savior’s tomb and finding it empty, she exclaimed with weeping, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I know where they have laid Him.’ John 20: 13.” Ibid, p. 252.
Note: This is the relevant “Marian experience” applicable to mainstream Christianity today. The first disciples, like Mary, failed to grasp the truth of the resurrection. Thus, after His ascension, Christ returned to earth in His resurrected literal glorified body and for forty days reviewed His previous teachings, making doubly clear this truth in person, not as a “ghost” or “spirit.” He also imparted post resurrection-dependent final instructions before moving on from the “chosen people and city” to give the gospel of a risen Savior to the Gentile world.
A greater Disappointment. “Yet this disappointment was not so great as was that experienced by the disciples at the time of Christ’s first advent. When Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, His followers believed that He was about to ascend the [earthly] throne of David, and deliver Israel from her oppressors [Rome]. With high hopes and joyful anticipations they vied with one another in showing honor to their King. Many spread their outer garments as a carpet in His path, or strewed before Him the leafy branches [not the ‘fruits] of the palm. In their enthusiastic joy they united in the glad acclaim, ‘Hossana to the Son of David!’ When the Pharisees, disturbed and angered by this outburst of rejoicing, wished Jesus to rebuke His disciples, He replied, ‘If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.’ Luke 19: 40.” Ibid, p. 253.
Error not in reckoning time of the prophetic events but as to the expected event. “Prophecy must be fulfilled. The disciples were accomplishing the purpose of God; yet they were doomed to a bitter disappointment. But a few days had passed ere they witnessed the Savior’s agonizing death, and laid Him in the tomb. Their expectations had not been realized in a single particular, and their hopes died with Jesus. Not till their Lord had come forth triumphant from the grave could they perceive all that had been foretold by prophecy. . .The world had been looking on, expecting that if the time passed and Christ did not appear, the whole system of Adventism would be given up. “But while many, under strong temptation, yielded their faith, there were some who stood firm. They could detect no error in their reckoning of the prophetic periods. Their ablest of opponents had not succeeded in overthrowing their position. . True, there had been a failure as to the expected event; but even this could not shake their faith in the word of God. When Jonah proclaimed in the streets of Nineveh that within 40 days the city would be overthrown, the Lord accepted the humiliation of the Ninevites, and extended their period of probation; yet the message of Jonah was sent of God; and Nineveh was tested according to His will. Adventists believed that God in like manner led them to warn the world of the coming Judgment, and notwithstanding their disappointment, they felt assured that they had reached a most important crises.” – Ibid, pp. 253, 254.
Bright light of the Midnight Cry shows way for the faithful of the Advent Movement. – “As the bright light of the midnight cry had shown upon their pathway, and they had seen the prophecies unsealed, and the rapidly-fulfilling signs telling that the coming of Christ was near, Adventists had walked, as it were by sight [Heb. 10: 35-39]. But now, bowed down by disappointed hopes, they could stand only by faith in God and His word. The scoffing world was saying, ‘You have been deceived. Give up your faith, and say that the Advent Movement was of Satan. [But] to renounce their faith now, and deny the power of the Holy Spirit which had attended the message, would be drawing back toward perdition. They were encouraged to steadfastness by the words of Paul, ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence;’ ‘ye have need of patience;’ ‘for a yet little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.’[Heb. 10: 35, 36, 39].” – Ibid, 256, 257.
Q. If Jesus did not return to earth in 1844 as expected, where did He go? The answer begins next week. Hint: the true remnant is a living product of prophecy and the sanctuary!