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| What the Oil in the Lamps Means.
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Chapter
IV.—What the Oil in the Lamps Means.
Now they offered, in Leviticus,2668
oil of this kind, “pure oil
olive, beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually,
without the veil…before the Lord.” But they were
commanded to have a feeble light from the evening to the morning.
For their light seemed to resemble the prophetic word, which gives
encouragement to temperance, being nourished by the acts and the faith
of the people. But the temple (in which the light was kept
burning) refers to “the lot of their inheritance,”2669
inasmuch as a
light can shine in only one house. Therefore it was necessary
that it should be lighted before day. For he says,2670
“they
shall burn it until the morning,” that is, until the coming
of Christ. But the Sun of chastity and of righteousness having
arisen, there is no need of other light.
So long, then, as this people treasured up
nourishment for the light, supplying oil by their works, the light of
continence was not extinguished among them, but was ever shining and
giving light in the “lot of their inheritance.” But
when the oil failed, by their turning away from the faith to
incontinence, the light was entirely extinguished, so that the virgins
have again to kindle their lamps by light transmitted from one to
another, bringing the light of incorruption to the world from
above. Let us then supply now the oil of good works abundantly,
and of prudence, being purged from all corruption which would weigh us
down; lest, while the Bridegroom tarries, our lamps may also in like
manner be extinguished. For the delay is the interval which
precedes the appearing of Christ. Now the slumbering and sleeping
of the virgins signifies the departure from life; and the midnight is
the kingdom of Antichrist, during which the destroying angel passes
over the houses.2671
But
the cry which was made when it was said,2672
“Behold the bridegroom cometh, go
ye out to meet him,” is the voice which shall be heard from
heaven, and the trumpet, when the saints, all their bodies being
raised, shall be caught up, and shall go on the clouds to meet the
Lord.2673
For it is to be observed that the word of
God says, that after the cry all the virgins arose, that is, that
the dead shall be raised after the voice which comes from heaven, as
also Paul intimates,2674
that “the Lord Himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise
first;” that is the tabernacles,2675
for they died, being put off by their
souls. “Then we which are alive shall be caught up together
with them,” meaning our souls.2676
| 2676
1 Thess. iv. 17. Commentators have remarked
on the peculiarity of the interpretation. We give simply the
writer’s meaning.—Tr. | For we truly who are alive are
the souls which, with the bodies, having put them on again, shall go to
meet Him in the clouds, bearing our lamps trimmed, not with anything
alien and worldly, but like stars radiating the light of prudence and
continence, full of ethereal splendour.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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