THE GOLDEN OIL 

DOROTHY WHITNEY CONKLIN  

Mrs. Conklin spent twenty-two years as a Bible teacher in Massachusetts, Texas, and New York. Her formal education included the completion of work for the baccalaureate degree at Aura college in Illinois, and graduate study at a theological seminary in Washington, D.C.

These years of Bible study and teaching find their fruitage in this penetrating analysis of the work of the Holy Spirit in the daily life of the Christian.

Dedication

To Helen, whose lamp burns with a steady glow; with grateful acknowledgement to the other members of the study group where the purpose of this book first took shape.

Forward

 Chapter 1 Oil for the Virgins Lamps

 Chapter 2 Oil From the Olive Trees

 Chapter 3 Possessor of the Saints

 Chapter 4 Possession of the Saints

 Chapter 5 Power Line

 Chapter 6 Teacher

 Chapter 7 Voice of Conscience

 Chapter 8 Comforter

 Chapter 9 Reservoir of Love

 Chapter 10 Character Builder

 Chapter 11 Cure for Laodicean Blindness

 Chapter 12 Keeper of the Seal

 Chapter 13 Gift Withdrawn

Epilogue

Forward

"The dispensation in which we are now living is to be, to those that ask, the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. Ask for His blessing. It is time we were more intense in our devotion. To us is committed the arduous, but happy, glorious work of revealing Christ to those who are in darkness. We are called to proclaim the special truths for this time. For all this the outpouring of the Spirit is essential. We should pray for it. The Lord expects to ask Him. We have not been wholehearted in this work."—Testimonies to Ministers, pages 511, 512.

Throughout this world today there are many earnest Christians, singly and in groups, praying in harmony with the above instruction for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the experience of the latter rain. Yet most of them have little idea what they are asking for, and are unprepared to receive what they so earnestly seek. Not only are most of them doomed to frustration because God seemingly does not hear and answer their prayers; there is an even greater danger that the prayers may be heard and answered, but not by God.

We are living in a time when Satan is rallying forces to make a final attempt to thwart God's plan for our redemption. Supernatural powers make themselves evident as they have not done in times past. The forces of evil are becoming bolder in their bid for world allegiance. Not only is Satan's might on display among non-Christian religions; today it is displayed in the citadel of Protestant Christianity. Ever since Pentecost, Satan has sought to counterfeit the mighty force unleashed by Heaven in behalf of God's own. He has succeeded only too well among those whose minds are not fortified with Bible truth. How tragic were he to deceive at last the very people to whom God has entrusted the last warning message for mankind!

One church of my acquaintance still shudders at the recollection of a past experience in praying for the Holy Spirit. A group of devout women under the guidance of the pastor met to beseech God for the promised outpouring of divine power, as they had read in Scripture and the spirit of prophecy. They pledged themselves not to "let go the arm of the Lord" until they received the experience which they sought. They had an experience, all right—one which nearly frightened them out of their wits. The minister who had encouraged them hurriedly separated himself from the project and sought to disclaim any responsibility for what took place. In fact, very few people ever knew exactly what did happen, since the women steadfastly refused to talk about it. One of their group spent a number of years in a mental institution as a direct result of the occurrence. As you may well expect, the subject of the Holy Spirit was taboo in that church for years to come. You could not interest these Christians in the real thing because they had been deceived by a counterfeit—all because no one had taught them the difference between the two. Those who seek an experience of their own conception instead of what God would send them, open their minds to receive an experience from the deceiver.

Yet this is the age when the Spirit of God is dispensing God's gifts to the church. Why is there such widespread ignorance or misinformation in this vital area of Christian thinking? Why is it that the Holy Spirit is the topic of so few sermons from Christian pulpits today? Is it perhaps because ministers fear that they might invite a manifestation of this counterfeit spirit if they give publicity to the topic?

Is it not time that the Bible and the spirit of prophecy were searched for God's truth in this vital field? How can the church be fully armed with the "sword of the Spirit" when she does not rightly know what this weapon is, nor how to wield it if she had it? And all the while time is a wasting and all heaven waits for the "bride" to make herself ready. This book is dedicated to the exploration of all of God's revealed truth concerning the personality and the work of the Holy Spirit. It is an attempt to make a little clearer the who and the what of the Third Person of the Godhead, our least-understood Ally and our most important Possession.

It seeks to prove that man does not know the name of the Third Person of the Trinity. The various names that are given to Him throughout Scripture divulge nothing of His personality. They show instead His office and work, the relationship which He maintains between God and man in the plan of salvation. He is known variously as the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. All these are New Testament appellations of Him. Throughout the Old Testament He is known as either the Spirit of God or the Spirit of the Lord. Twice only does Isaiah refer to Him as Holy Spirit.

This is no more His personal name than is the Word of God the personal name of the Second Person of the Godhead. Just as Word is used to suggest Christ's unique position as mouthpiece for the Invisible God "whom no man hath seen, nor can see" (1 Timothy 6:16), so does Holy Spirit designate the One who supervises the implanting of God's own nature in the lives of His sons and daughters elect. Through this agency God's own character is imparted to those preparing for citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. Thus our spirits become holy as His is, and we are enabled to worship God "in spirit and in truth." John 4:24.

Because the authors of the Bible speak indiscriminately of the Person of the Holy Spirit on one hand and of His work on human lives on the other, there is confusion in those two areas of thought. Some thoughtful students reject the idea of the Trinity because they consider absurd the concept of a person's being "poured out" (Acts 2:17) or dwelling within (John 14:17) human beings. Others have concentrated on the obvious evidences of personality of the Holy Spirit, His work as teacher (John 14:26), as witness of Christ (John 15:26), as guide unto all truth and revealer of coming events (John 16:13), and have concluded that Scripture reveals only His objective work in the plan for man's redemption, entirely missing the subjective phase of His office. The purpose of this book is to explore both fields, that the church may come to an understanding concerning her mightiest Ally in the last battle for control of men's minds and hearts.

Chapter 1

"But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." Matthew 25:4.

Oil for the Virgins’ Lamps
"The oil is a symbol 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." —Christ’s Object Lessons, pages 407, 408, 411.

The parable Christ told of the wise and the foolish virgins is undoubtedly one of the best-known lessons in Scripture. There are few Bible students who do not know of the plight of the five foolish virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom, taking no extra supply of oil with their lamps; and of the lamps that dimmed out, causing them to miss joining the wedding procession while they went in frantic search of a fresh supply of oil.

Since this is one of the "kingdom of heaven" parables used by Christ in His public teaching, we will do well to comprehend the import of this object lesson of the Master. A woman in prophetic symbolism refers to a church. Jeremiah 6:2. The character of the woman described determines whether the church so designated be true to her Lord or an apostate. Revelation 12:1; 17:3-6. The virgins of Matthew 25 depict the church awaiting the return of Christ, the antitypical Bridegroom. 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:8. This is a church that espouses pure doctrine. Their avowed virginity indicates their freedom from false doctrine. Revelation 14:4. They are Adventists in that they are expecting Christ’s imminent return, they are commandment keepers, and there is no defilement from human or pagan tradition. As much as it is humanly possible to separate from worldliness and man-made substitutes for Bible truths, these have done so. So far as they know, they are ready to meet Christ and are confidently awaiting His coming.

But His coming is delayed, and all of them, wise and foolish alike, go to sleep. The difference between the two classes cannot be seen up to this point. All have left the world behind, all expect the return of Christ, all publicly testify to their belief in His return by going out to meet Him. All have carried with them their lamps, and all ten lamps are lighted as they set forth.

The difference becomes apparent only after their sudden awakening at the cry, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh." Because of the prolonged delay which none of them had expected, all ten lamps have burned low. Faced with the sudden call to meet the One whom they were awaiting, all arise and begin to him their lamps. Now the difference between the two classes is evident. Only five of the number have an extra supply of oil to take care of their lamps.

These lamps have long been identified as the word of God, the Holy Bible revered by all ten as needful preparation to meet the Bridegroom. Psalm 119:105. The obvious difference between the wise and the foolish ones lies in the extra supply of oil with which the former are provided. This invaluable possession is recognized as symbolic of the Holy Spirit.

"The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who profess to be waiting for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is represented the word of God. … The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit."—Christ’s Object Lessons, pages 406, 407.

Therefore Christians earnestly beseech God to send them the outpouring of His Holy Spirit to prepare them for the coming of Christ. But are they prepared to receive that for which they ask? Or do the majority of Christians today stand squarely in the way of God’s answering such pleas?

This symbolic oil, so necessary for a readiness to go home to the Father’s house with Christ (John 14:2, 3), must have reference to something more than the conviction of sin (John 16:8), for they have already come out from the world and professed a pure faith. It is more than the guidance into God’s truth (verse 13) for they all carry lamps to light the pathway ahead. It goes beyond revelation of future events, because, they all expect the return of Christ as Bridegroom. All these promised functions of the Holy Spirit represent the early rain, symbolic of the needed preparation of soil for germination of seed. All the virgins have had this experience and profited by it. Yet five of them lack a vital quality necessary to prepare them to go in to the marriage feast with the Bridegroom and His bride.

Apparently all ten of the virgins believe in the Third Person of the Godhead. The teaching of the Bible concerning the Holy Spirit has not been a stumbling block to them. Then it must be the work of the Holy Spirit in their individual lives that is lacking. They have heard, they have believed, they have acted on their convictions. They have taken a public stand for the Bible truths brought home to them by the Spirit’s power, but they have not followed through with the character development needed to prepare them for entrance into eternal living.

"By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His glory—His character—is to shine forth in His followers. Thus they are to glorify God, to lighten the path to the Bridegroom’s home, to the city of God, to the marriage supper of the Lamb."—Christ’s Object Lessons, page 414.

The frightening implication is that apparently they are totally unaware of this lack in their needful preparation. They have been associating daily with those who are supplied with the oil, yet have noticed no discrepancy between themselves and their companions. Indeed, they have come to the final stage of their preparation not knowing that they are unready to meet their Lord and Master. Yet we read in Scripture that one of the first duties of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin. John 16:8. We are taught that no Christian need fear that he will fall short of the goal, with no remaining time for preparation, since it is the work of our divine guide to warn us "if in anything ye be otherwise minded." Philippians 3:15.

There must have been a factor in the lives of the five foolish virgins which dulled their perceptions so that the promised warnings of the Holy Spirit failed to reach them. Surely it leaves little room for complacency when we realize how very nearly these foolish five qualified for eternal life. They were almost there, and yet they are left standing outside the shut door. Foolish indeed! To have sacrificed so much of what the world counts dear, and still not have made room enough for a sufficient supply of oil to see them through!

"Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal ear are those words of doom, ’I know you not.’ The fellowship of the Spirit, which you have slighted, could alone make you one with the joyous throng at the marriage feast. In that scene you could not participate. Its light would fall on blinded eyes, its melody on deaf ears. Its love and joy could awake no chord of gladness in the world-benumbed heart. You are shut out from heaven by your own unfitness for its companionship."—Christ’s Object Lessons, page 413.

There is a clue to their trouble in the quotation from Christ’s Object Lessons at the head of this chapter. "Unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character will not be transformed." This evidently refers to the higher education which the Spirit makes available to those learning in the school of Christ, since all ten virgins give evidence that they are not beginners. The Spirit of God has long since made them Sabbath-keepers, taught them to look forward to Christ’s return, and brought them out of the world. Isn’t this enough to furnish a soul with eternal security? Apparently not.

The truths of the Bible have evidently been "set home" for all ten of the virgins; but the next step in their development—character transformation—has not yet taken place sufficiently to warrant recognition from the Bridegroom. And what is it that should make such recognition a foregone conclusion, but a likeness to Himself and to His Father and ours? Is not this the solution to the problem—the finishing work of the Holy Spirit on sanctified lives?

"The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to he given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them."—ibid., pp. 415, 416.

The apostle Paul, in writing his letter to the church in Galatia, describes the development of just such a character in chapter 5:22, 23. It begins with love, the pure, unselfish variety that stems only from the Fountainhead of love-God Himself. The effect of such a quality flooding the starved life creates such an out-pouring element in the life that the result is pure joy. The Christian who has awakened to this more abundant life knows the delight of just being alive, even though he can recall no special reason for such an emotion. With pettiness, jealousy, and animosity washed from his soul he is at last at peace with himself and the world.

Because not all of his associates reach this state of blessedness at the same time he does, he learns to develop long-suffering, to hold his tongue against the sharp report or the irritating remark that seems called for on occasion. Next in line comes the gentleness with which he learns to deal with his family and friends as the Spirit teaches him to understand why they react as they so often do to his new-found faith. No longer does he need to hold back the rising temper nor bite off the caustic remark. These have melted away in the sunshine of God’s revealed love upon his own unworthy life.

Goodness, which is but godliness or godlikeness, is the next stage in the development of a character like Christ’s. It is the natural step to follow when the preceding ones have been taken in order. Faith, which is otherwise translated as trustworthiness or steadfastness, follows surely, with meekness or humility the next to the last stage in the fruitage of the Spirit in human lives. The last stage is temperance, or self-control. Only when self is completely surrendered to God can such control be maintained. Therefore, a perfectly well-balanced life is the life which is God-controlled.

For further commentary on the sanctified life read: "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." James 3:17, 18.

Yet another inspired writer counsels on the steps by which this sanctified experience is obtained: "Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." 2 Peter 1:5-7. Peter adds, in verse 10, "For if ye do these things, ye shall never fall."

These characteristics are easily recognizable as Christlike. The Bridegroom would have recognized the five foolish virgins as being related to His Father had they come demonstrating such heavenly qualities as those outlined by Paul, James, and Peter. Can it be, then, that these represent the oil that was in too short supply to see them into the kingdom? And are not these qualities the natural result of utter surrender of the will to the guidance and molding of the Spirit of God? Righteousness which is by faith admits of none of these qualities as inherent, but makes way for their being built into the character by the Comforter who is to "teach you all things." John 14:26. Have we not been urged as a people to seek more perfect understanding of the meaning of righteousness by faith?

"The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sin; it means taking away our sins, and filling the vacuum with the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine illumination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart emptied of self and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. When Christ reigns in the soul, there is purity, freedom from sin. The glory, the fullness, the completeness of the gospel plan is fulfilled in the life. The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect assurance."—Christ’s Object Lessons, pages 419, 420.

Evidently the Holy Spirit has more for God’s people than most of them are receiving, more than they anticipate when they dutifully pray for the latter rain.

"The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth. … They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. … [They] 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."—Ibid.,p.411.

It is the purpose of this book to discover more concerning the true nature of the divine oil that will keep our lamps alight, so that we may be prepared to go in with the Bridegroom when He comes.

Chapter 2

"What are these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?" Zechariah 4:12.

Oil From the Olive Trees

"God’s people are to be channels for the outworking of the highest influence in the universe. In Zechariah’s vision the two olive trees, which stand before God, are represented as emptying the golden oil out of themselves through golden tubes into the bowl of the sanctuary. From this the lamps of the sanctuary are fed, that they may give a continuous bright and shining light. So from the anointed ones that stand in God’s presence the fullness of divine light and love and power is imparted to His people, that they may impart to others light and joy and refreshing. They are to become channels through which divine instrumentalities communicate to the world the tide of God’s love." —Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 11, 12.

To God’s beleaguered people, struggling against the weight of inherited and acquired traits, which tend to keep them from meeting His standards, Zechariahs vision of the two olive trees affords a promise that is precious indeed.

"I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof." "And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? ... Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." Zechariah 4:2, 3,12-14.

Originally the message was sent through the prophet to Zerubbabel, who was entrusted with the task of restoring not only the city of Jerusalem and the Judean countryside, but also the morale of the chosen people. He was their governor attending to the resettlement of Israel upon their return from the Babylonian captivity. The number willing to tear up the roots they had put down into Chaldean soil for some seventy years was not large in comparison with the hordes who had been carried away into captivity. The Promised Land had lain waste during their absence. Return meant hard work with little material gain until Jerusalem could be rebuilt and the land brought back into productivity. Only those to whom the word of God meant more than personal prosperity responded to Zerubbabel’s call. Undoubtedly many of those with the greatest personal wealth chose to remain in Babylon. Hence the resources of the returning pilgrims were comparatively modest and the result of their handiwork insignificant when contrasted with the ancient splendor the oldest of them could still recall. The glory which Jerusalem knew during the reigns of David and Solomon had departed.

"Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that Thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: and it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom Thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress." Nehemiah 9:36, 37.

Human nature tends to reckon progress by the standards of the world. Outward appearance, material wealth, political alliances, the prestige of armed might—these all count high in man’s estimate of importance and power. So it was with ancient Israel and so it still is with spiritual Israel, unless the Spirit of God leads the way.

In Zerubbabel’s day the people mourned because the temple they were able to erect with the means at hand was a far cry from the glorious and world-famous structure built by Solomon some five hundred years before. They viewed the modest building with sinking hearts and wondered how God could ever fulfill His promise, under existing circumstances, to make Israel "the head, and not the tail."

"And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them." Deuteronomy 28:13.

They had forgotten that God’s promises to Israel were conditional and that the fulfillment thereof depended on their obedience to their covenant obligations. They had forgotten, too, the lesson God sought to teach them in Zechariah’s vision of the olive trees, that the source of the power God’s people were to display to the world did not lie in worldly might, but His Spirit. The angel stated plainly: "This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.... For who hath despised the day of small things" Zechariah 4:6-10.

"Throughout the history of God’s people great mountains of difficulty, apparently insurmountable, have loomed up before those who were trying to carry out the purposes of Heaven. Such obstacles are permitted by the Lord as a test of faith. When we are hedged about on every side, this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the power of His Spirit. The exercise of a living faith means an increase of spiritual strength and the development of an unfaltering trust. It is thus that the soul becomes a conquering power." —Prophets and Kings, pages 594, 595.

Spiritual Israel in the twentieth century might well ponder the lesson presented through the prophet Zechariah. Her might to accomplish God’s commission lies not in intellectual prowess, important as this is; nor in material possessions, as necessary as they may be; nor yet in hardheaded common-sense planning, valuable as this undoubtedly is. God’s purposes are to be divulged by His Holy Spirit, to be comprehended by men after earnest seasons of united prayer, as they leave their minds open to the mind of God. Intellectual prowess, material wealth, and hardheaded common sense all have their place—but in the carrying out of God’s directives, not in the formulating of them. The work is the Lord’s, and His Viceregent is among His people to make known to them God’s will. There must be more tarrying before the Lord until His will is plainly seen.

"Let the Lord’s messengers go unto the mercy seat, that they may receive wisdom and grace to know God, to understand His workings. Knowledge of God will give them well-balanced minds and sound judgment, that they will not move impulsively at this critical, important time of earth’s history....

"Our only safety will be found in constantly seeking wisdom from God, in carefully weighing every matter with much fear and trembling, lest there should be brought into the work not the light of heaven, but the weakness of man."

"Let there be more dependence upon the efficiency of the Holy Spirit, and far less upon human agencies....

"When human agents choose the will of God, and are conformed to the character of Christ, Jesus acts through their organs and faculties. They put aside all selfish pride, all manifestation of superiority, all arbitrary exactions, and manifest the meekness and lowliness of Christ. It is no more themselves that live and act, but it is Christ that lives and acts through them."—Testimonies to Ministers, pages 210, 211, 215.

This alone is the secret of spiritual power, symbolized by the oil which, though in short supply in the Lamps of the foolish virgins, is represented in Zechariah’s vision as being continually poured out in ample measure into the bowl from which the sanctuary lamps are fed. The constant supply of this golden oil, the prophet saw as two olive trees standing close by the throne of God, receiving and transmitting all that men need in order to become the children of God.

Centuries later, in another age, John the revelator had a similar vision. He saw "two witnesses" "clothed in sackcloth," and was informed by an angel that "these are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." Revelation 11:3, 4. In Zechariah’s day there was but one candlestick, but in John’s day there were two.

"Concerning the two witnesses the prophet declares further: ’These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.’ ’Thy word,’ said the psalmist, ’is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ Revelation 11:4; Psalm 119:105. The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament."—The Great Controversy, page 267.

In New Testament days there are two candlesticks to furnish light on the pathway of the saints, while in the Old Testament era there was but one such source of light. Yet whether before Christ’s day or since, the two holy ones stand by God’s throne, ready to receive His blessings and communicate them to men. These are heavenly intelligences commissioned to impart the will of God to mankind—His angels. Lucifer might still occupy this place of high rank in God’s redemptive work, as covering cherub standing next to the throne of God. No longer permitted access to the presence of God, Lucifer has been replaced by the angel Gabriel, we are told. We do not know the name of the covering cherub who stands on the other side of the throne.

The messages received directly from the throne of the universe have been poured into the receptacle whence they are made available to all mankind. In the long centuries before the advent of Christ, "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21. What God needed to reveal to sinful man "He spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began." Luke 1:70. Gradually the bowl of the Old Testament filled with the writings of Moses, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Daniel, Ezra, and others. The lamps of individual men and women were fed from this source and kept burning steadily through the centuries before Christ. Angels winged their way to and from this earth, bringing light and encouragement to those whose lives showed the way for others to know and follow God. The precious words in the books that slowly accumulated were watched over and made clear to men’s minds by these heavenly guardians. Literal Israel, undependable as the nation proved to be, was nevertheless a depository for the golden oil of God’s word, that future generations might walk in the light it kindled.

Then the Wonderful One, whose identity was clearly limned in the glow of that one candlestick, came to tabernacle among men. Never before had the golden oil afforded such a brilliant light as that which shone in Galilee and in Judea. Soon there was another candlestick with its brimming bowl to fuel the little lamps that were increasing throughout the earth. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter, and Jude each poured into it the living words that have stirred the world since the time of Christ. Still the two olive trees receive fresh supplies from God to communicate to man, so that light on man’s pathway may grow increasingly brighter. God’s supply is limitless, and He is willing to impart. Why, then, are there so many stumbling along dark pathways with unlighted lamps? Why are half of the virgins defeated in their quest for entrance into the kingdom because of a short supply of the precious oil?

The hindrance in the flow of the oil lies not in the golden pipes through which the oil flows from the olive trees into the bowls of the candlesticks. These are clear channels which come straight from the throne of God. But the flow is obstructed on its way into the individual lamps of our hearts. No matter how accessible the Bible may be, when men and women are clinging to self, plainest truths seem obscure and garbled.

"Each person has his own light to keep burning; and if the heavenly oil is emptied into these lamps through the golden pipes; if the vessels are emptied of self, and prepared to receive the holy oil, light will be shed on the sinner’s path to some purpose. More light will be shed on the pathway of the wanderer by one such lamp than by a whole procession of torchlights gotten up for show. Personal consecration and sanctification to God will bring better results than the most imposing display... . Each consecrated vessel will daily have the holy oil emptied into it to be emptied out into other vessels."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p.116.

What is this divine endowment so necessary to our spiritual growth, and how may it be obtained?

"There is no time now for self-pleasing. The lamps of the soul must be trimmed. They must be supplied with the oil of grace.... We should daily obtain a deep and living experience in the work of perfecting Christian character. We should daily receive the holy oil, that we may impart to others.... From the two olive trees the golden oil flowing through the golden pipes has been communicated to us. But those who do not cultivate the spirit and habit of prayer cannot expect to receive the golden oil of goodness, patience, long-suffering, gentleness, love."—Testimonies to Ministers, pages 510, 511.

Here are the characteristics of the Godhead. What God is, He delights to impart to us, if we but make room to receive it. Such pure qualities can never mix with the tainted stuff of selfishness. It is God’s avowed purpose that we be "filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:19. Thus would men be endowed "that they might have life . . . more abundantly." John 10:10.

This precious heritage available to His adopted children is the more important since it is intended not only for their personal growth but also to enable them to further enlarge the heavenly family. Only as the individual lamps are alight will God’s church finish her task of carrying Christ to the world. It is for this twofold purpose that the elaborate system of supply direct from the throne of God has been set up. When the virgins are careless in their individual lives, they are responsible for delaying Christ’s return and prolonging human misery.

"From the two olive trees, the golden oil was emptied through golden pipes into the bowl of the candlestick and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the holy ones that stand in God’s presence, His Spirit is imparted to human instrumentalities that are consecrated to His service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate light and power to God’s people. It is to receive blessing for us that they stand in God’s presence. As the olive trees empty themselves into the golden pipes, so the heavenly messengers seek to communicate all that they receive from God. The whole heavenly treasure awaits our demand and reception; and as we receive the blessing, we in our turn are to impart it. Thus it is that the holy lamps are fed, and the church becomes a light bearer in the world."—ibid., p. 510.

When once God’s people awaken to the marvelous results to themselves and to the church resulting from this plentiful supply of "the golden oil of goodness, patience, long-suffering, gentleness, love," they will set store by these qualities that can come only from a daily close association with the Spirit of God. Morning by morning they will consecrate themselves to His keeping, and will see developing within themselves a sanctified spirit which will declare a kinship between themselves and their heavenly Father. There will be a marked difference in their witnessing. Where once the words of truth spoken in human wisdom have cut and exasperated the hearts of others, now these words will be given with such love and compassion that hearts will be moved and tendered and won by the mighty power of God.

"Every sermon you preach, every article you write, may all be true; but one drop of gall in it will be poison to the hearer or the reader. Because of that drop of poison, one will discard all your good and acceptable words. Another will feed on the poison; for he loves such harsh words; he follows your example, and talks just as you talk. Thus the evil is multiplied.

"Those who present the eternal principles of truth need the holy oil emptied from the two olive branches into the heart. This will flow forth in words that will reform, but not exasperate. The truth is to be spoken in love. Then the Lord Jesus by His Spirit will supply the force and the power. That is His work."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p.123.

"Many seem to think the time lost that is devoted to seeking the Lord. But when He comes in to co-operate with human effort, and men and women co-operate with Him, a marked change will be seen in the work and in the results. Every heart that has been visited by he bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness will reveal the working of the Spirit of God in voice, mind, and character. The machinery will move as if oiled and guided by a masterly hand. There will be less friction when the spirit of the worker receives the oil from the two olive branches. The holy influences will be imparted to others in words of kindness, tenderness, love, and encouragement."—ibid., vol. 7, pp. 195, 196.

This then is the demonstration of God’s power for which the world is waiting. Not until this experience is held aloft for all to see, can the world recognize that God’s plan for man’s redemption was really worth the tremendous cost. Then and then only can our earth be lightened with the glory of the "fourth angel."

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