Don't Get Caught Sleeping

Matthew 25:1-13 (NASB)
1"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom.
2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent.
3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take
extra oil with them;
4 but the prudent ones took oil in flasks with their lamps.
5 Now while the groom was delaying, they all became drowsy and
began to sleep.
6 But at midnight there finally was a shout: ‘Behold, the groom! Come out to meet
him.’
7 Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
8 But the foolish
virgins said to the prudent ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
9 However, the prudent ones answered, ‘
No, there most certainly would not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’
10 But while they were on their way to buy
the oil, the groom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.
11 Yet later, the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.
12 But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 Be on the alert then, because you do not know the day nor the hour."

The contractions are getting closer together and I honestly believe that it won't be too much longer when the Groom will call us out. Do not wait until the time is upon us but be like the intelligent maidens and prepare your light. Tick, tock, tick...
 

I agree, somewhat. One thing is that we do not need to be obsessed with the 2nd Coming of Christ. That leads to fear and God is not the author of fear.

Second is, the ONLY way to be spiritually prepared is to be SAVED!

2 Peter 1:10........
"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall".

Make sure you are saved TODAY!

However, the problem is something that I observed as a young man more years ago that I can remember. I call it a “welfare mentality.”

When working at a juice plant loading frozen juice into trucks, once in a while I noticed that some of the men wasn’t at work. When I asked where they were, the other workers would laugh and say that he got paid and got drunk. As soon as he needed more money, he would be back at work.

I have since discovered that there is a common mindset shared by a LOT of people, in that they rarely, if ever, think about the future. They only think about today. If they get some money, they don’t think about the fact that rent will be due in two weeks or that other bills will be coming due. They only think about the fact that they’ve got money in their pocket today. Since they’re “rich” today, they will treat all their buddies to a round of drinks. They’ll gamble or spend it all in frivolous ways. But the one thing they will not do is save any money, because they don’t think about the future.

Our Lord taught that we should not be anxious about tomorrow in Matthew 6:34, , but He did not teach that we should ignore tomorrow or be stupid and certainly that we do not pay our bills.! In fact, to the contrary, Jesus taught that our view of the future ought to be uppermost in our thinking about how we should live today.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we should think often about the fact that He is coming soon and that every person must stand before Him to give an account. We should view ourselves as stewards who have been entrusted with time, money, and abilities, which we are to use for our Master’s kingdom. At some time—we don’t know when, but we do know that it is certain—our Lord will return and we must give an account to Him of how we used what He gave us. After telling His disciples to seek for His kingdom, Jesus goes on to exhort them to be ready for His return, because when He comes, He will judge everyone.

We should be ready for the Lord’s return. making sure that we are born again believers in Christ!
 
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Agreed.

In fact, IMO anyone who is not interested or looking for the 2nd Coming just might not be a saved person.

2 Peter 1:19 says.........
“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts”.

I believe that the signs of the times are validating the Word of God.

Amos 3:7........
“Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets”.
 
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It appears from vss 9-10 the difference is possession of oil (Holy Spirit) or not.
So those born again possess the oil and the foolish ones (unbelievers) don't.

Matthew 25:7-10 (NASB) "Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' "But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut.

Here is the clincher...Matthew 25:12 (NASB) "But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.'

The Lord knows who are His.
 
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God has described the chaste virgin bride we can offer our opinions of it.

The idea of spiritual lamp prepared would be like that described when Paul prophesied the Holy Spirit in each of the Bereans worked with them to both reveal by the light of the word and empowered by the unseen father to finish it .In that way he is of one mind and always does whatsoever his soul pleases .It is him who does make our hearts soft with the water of the word the work of the unseen Holy Spirit.

The key is .readiness of mind that is if we let the mind of Christ work with us according to the commandment. Remember not only does he teach and comfort but also brings to our minds that which has previously taught.

Acts 17:11 [Full Chapter] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Paul having the wisdom of faith as a surrogate mother planted the seed and watered it in a labor of birth till Christ was formed in Timothy. The as a surrogate Mom Paul espoused Timothy as the chaste virgin bride to Christ t her husband.

A person would have to search out the gospel understanding in the two parables below.

Galatians 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

2 Corinthians 11:2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
 
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Dear brothers and sisters;

No one is above another in the eyes of Jesus. This is why when He spoke in parables to His disciples He was aware.

Mark 4:33-34, 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

There is a contrast between corrupting, rash speech and encouraging speech sprinkled with salt. The verb or noun of one word may differ in our definitions. But it is profitable when we listen and strive to understand the other. When we gain this, it leads to good fellowship and conversation.

God bless you all and your families.
 
This is my understanding . . .

I believe these verses are referring to the latter days. The wise virgins apparently knew the signs of the end times and had the seal of God in their minds. The foolish did not have enough oil, and they certainly would be deceived in the end.

I think that it would be helpful for everyone to realize that when Jesus in parables, He used familiar objects and situations to teach a hidden spiritual truth. He used parables so that only those who were willing to study the parable would understand the truth. You see....He was pushing the idea of "in depth Study" to show how one is approved, a workman for God). Yes, this parable likens the second coming of Jesus Christ, which is when the Savior will return to earth to rule during the Millennium, to a wedding.

The rest of the story of the parable of the ten virgins is based on ancient Jewish wedding customs. The bridegroom and his friends escorted the bride from her home to the home of the bridegroom. Along the way friends of the bride waited to join them. When they arrived at the bridegroom’s home, they all went inside for the wedding. These weddings usually took place in the evenings, so those waiting for the bride and bridegroom carried lamps.

Do you SEE IT>>>>>>>>>>>Friends of the Bride came along to join the procession. !!!! When they arrived at the bridegroom’s home, they all went inside for the wedding.

SEE IT YET??????

Now remember......Matthew is written to and focused upon the JEWS!

I believe that this parable is referring to those living in what the Bible calls The Tribulation Period, the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week prophesy.
It is the 7 year period of time in the end times between the Pre-Tribulation Gathering Away of the Saints and the Second Coming of Christ with His Bride which is "saved church age believers;" who is in fact US today who believe on Christ for salvation.

Matthew 25 starts with the very first word being, “THEN”. So when is the then? The very first word is showing a very clear context not to be ignored. Remember that the book of Matthew was one continuous work and chapters were added later to the Bible for our referencing. So when is the then? We need to go back into Matthew 24 and follow it back to verse 29:

Matthew 24:29........
"Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken".

So then, it seems clear to me that Matthew 25 and the Parable of the Ten Virgins is all about and addressing the survivors of the Tribulation Period and not the Church. The parable is not referring to the Pre-Tribulation Gathering Away at the end of the Church Age, even though many pulpits are teaching such. They are ignoring the very context of the very first word in Matthew 25.
 
First off they were all virgins, not unbelievers.
There is a difference in believing in Christ and being in Christ believing.
There are two resurrection, the first are all those that are already in Christ the second is the separation of the sheep and goats.
Any more said would put me in violation of house rules.
God bless.
 
First off they were all virgins, not unbelievers.
There is a difference in believing in Christ and being in Christ believing.
There are two resurrection, the first are all those that are already in Christ the second is the separation of the sheep and goats.
Any more said would put me in violation of house rules.
God bless.

You are correct brother.

I would only add that the 1st Resurrection concerns only blood washed believers in Christ and consists of at least 4 phases.

The 2nd Resurrection is for the lost of all the ages and in Rev. it is called the Great White Throne Judgment.
 
I agree, somewhat. One thing is that we do not need to be obsessed with the 2nd Coming of Christ. That leads to fear and God is not the author of fear.

Second is, the ONLY way to be spiritually prepared is to be SAVED!

2 Peter 1:10........
"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall".

Make sure you are saved TODAY!

However, the problem is something that I observed as a young man more years ago that I can remember. I call it a “welfare mentality.”

When working at a juice plant loading frozen juice into trucks, once in a while I noticed that some of the men wasn’t at work. When I asked where they were, the other workers would laugh and say that he got paid and got drunk. As soon as he needed more money, he would be back at work.

I have since discovered that there is a common mindset shared by a LOT of people, in that they rarely, if ever, think about the future. They only think about today. If they get some money, they don’t think about the fact that rent will be due in two weeks or that other bills will be coming due. They only think about the fact that they’ve got money in their pocket today. Since they’re “rich” today, they will treat all their buddies to a round of drinks. They’ll gamble or spend it all in frivolous ways. But the one thing they will not do is save any money, because they don’t think about the future.

Our Lord taught that we should not be anxious about tomorrow in Matthew 6:34, , but He did not teach that we should ignore tomorrow or be stupid and certainly that we do not pay our bills.! In fact, to the contrary, Jesus taught that our view of the future ought to be uppermost in our thinking about how we should live today.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we should think often about the fact that He is coming soon and that every person must stand before Him to give an account. We should view ourselves as stewards who have been entrusted with time, money, and abilities, which we are to use for our Master’s kingdom. At some time—we don’t know when, but we do know that it is certain—our Lord will return and we must give an account to Him of how we used what He gave us. After telling His disciples to seek for His kingdom, Jesus goes on to exhort them to be ready for His return, because when He comes, He will judge everyone.

We should be ready for the Lord’s return. making sure that we are born again believers in Christ!

Brother, I have to say that your first statement is puzzling to me. That second coming will be a glorious thing for the redeemed, for He will appear on a white horse, bringing with Him a mighty army in power and glory. There is no fear in my heart, and yet fear should indeed be real in the hearts of those who rejected Him up to the point. So, fear is not such a bad thing. Obsession is not so much the descriptor I would use for my personal longing for His second coming, and even greater is my longing for this:

1 Thess. 4:15-18

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For 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: 17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Now, different people see this differently, which points to what we all have already understood about various interpretational applications differing groups apply to scripture. I just want to point out the underlined portion, and observe what is not said: Notice that this says nothing about us returning back to the earth after our transformation. It states that from then onward, we shall be evermore with Him. Each can draw his own conclusions, but I take comfort in what is said, whether I am alive at that moment or not, and thus raise up with the dead. Either way, the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven, in which I don't want to live in this earth as a mortal human, and the Kingdom of God, which is inside all of who are in Christ Jesus.

So, the second coming when His feet touch down on Zion, is nothing at all to fear except for those who had the mark of the beast upon them, or had worshipped his image, or were identified by the number of his name. They better be afraid, and dwelling upon it will indeed be reason for dread for them.

MM

MM
 
I'd like to share something that explains quite well the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven, and the Kingdom of God:

"Knowing the doctrinal difference between the terms "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Kingdom of God" is the key to understanding the complete time line of Biblical history past, present, and future, the proper place of the Church and the prophetic future of Israel.

The Bible is about the struggle for a Kingdom; the Kingdom of Heaven, a Kingdom with its Capital City (Jerusalem) on this Earth. Israel rejected the Lord Jesus Christ as the Messiah when He first came because the religious rulers of Israel were only looking for a political Messiah King who would make Israel the ruling kingdom of the world. (See Jeremiah 23:5, Psalms 48:2). They were expecting a warrior leader who would deliver them militarily from the Romans and the rest of the heathen. They were expecting carnal deliverance. Because of their hardened hearts, and their legalistic and ritualistic zeal for works, they were blind to their need for spiritual deliverance and the true righteousness of God, which must be born into the heart. That is what led them to ask this of Jesus:

"And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."
(Luke 17:20-21 KJV)
In that statement, Jesus was declaring a spiritual truth that Israel did not see. But on another occasion, when asked about His Kingdom by Pontius Pilate, He gave a somewhat different answer:

"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."
(John 18:36 KJV)
In this particular passage the word "now" is not speaking about the spiritual Kingdom of God (within the heart of the redeemed), but of a literal political Kingdom yet to come on this Earth. You should also take note that the word "now" has been removed from many newer Bible translations (NASB, AMP, NLT, ESV, CEV). The reason is because most of the translators of today's "Bibles" are Amillennial in their position on prophecy. In other words, they do not accept the literal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to reign on the Earth for a thousand years, as foretold in Chapter 20 of the book of Revelation.

Although that truth is rejected by a major portion of "Christianity" today, His Jewish disciples knew what He was speaking of and they pointedly asked when the literal Kingdom would come:

"When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
(Acts 1:6-8 KJV)
The disciples were clearly asking about a literal Kingdom, and the Lord says it is not for them to know the time when that literal Kingdom (the Kingdom of Heaven) will take place. Until that time the disciples were given power to preach the Kingdom of God; righteousness through faith in the atoning work of the risen Savior who will one day return and rule over the whole Earth from Jerusalem.

This is one of the most hated and least understood doctrines of the Bible, yet one of the most important in rightly dividing the truth; the separation of Church Age doctrine from Tribulation doctrine. Some churches do not want to hear this, because they think that the Church has replaced Israel. Certainly the whole world reviles at the prospect of hated Israel becoming the head of the Kingdoms. There is a hatred of Christians and Jews on a spiritual level that is beyond the unsaved world's comprehension. Satan hates the Jews, and this present evil world (see Galatians 1:4) is under Satan's spiritual control. Hate and envy are the root reasons the word "now" is removed from John 18:36 in some translations. The unsaved world does not want the Lord Jesus Christ to return and rule over them. That is why the religious Jews killed their King the first time He came. Here is what their King will say about that when He returns:

"But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me."
(Luke 19:27 KJV)
There will be a big attitude difference between the Lord's first coming as the gentle Lamb of God and His Second Coming as the warrior King, the Lion of Judah:

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God."
(Revelation 19:11-13 KJV)
The Lord Jesus Christ came to His own and preached a dualistic message: To the Jews, the heirs of the promised political Kingdom, the Lord preached the Gospel of the "Kingdom of Heaven" - a literal physical Kingdom soon to come:

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
(Matt. 4:17 KJV)
To the Jews and the entire Gentile world, He preached the coming "Kingdom of God" - righteousness and holiness in Christ:

"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
(Mark 1:14 KJV)
Because the Lord used the terms "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Kingdom of God" interchangeably in places in the four Gospels, most Christians think they are one and the same. They will be, but not until the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ when He rules the world for a thousand years on the throne of His father David (In the flesh, Jesus was in the bloodline of King David; in His Deity, Jesus was begotten by the bloodline of God the Father).

"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."
(John 18:36 KJV)
If you rightly divide the Bible, you will see that Jesus was preaching about two (2) components of the Kingdom. He preached that the political kingdom (Kingdom of Heaven) was coming, and if the Jews had accepted Him after His death and resurrection, He would have come back and established it after seven years of tribulation, as foretold in the prophecies:

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, [that] from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince [shall be] seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof [shall be] with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
(Daniel 9:24-27 KJV)
In fact, when Stephen was preaching to the Pharisees as they were stoning him, the Lord Jesus was standing up from His seat in the third heaven ready to come back at that moment, save the Jews, and establish the Kingdom:

"But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."
(Acts 7:55-56 KJV)
To show by the Scriptures the difference between the terms "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Kingdom of God," the Holy Spirit has put this little nugget of truth within the Gospel of Matthew:

"And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."
(Matt. 11:12 KJV)
Ask yourself this question: If the "Kingdom of God" is within you, and if the "Kingdom of God" and "Kingdom of Heaven" are one and the same, how could anyone take it out of you by violence? And if that righteousness (i.e. the Kingdom of God within you), could not possibly be there until after the cross and the resurrection, what is Jesus saying to the Jews here BEFORE the cross and the resurrection? The answer is the Kingdom of Israel, which is God's people and Jerusalem, the Lord's chosen place from which He will one day rule:

"But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King."
(Matt. 5:34-35 KJV)
Israel rejected their King when He came the first time. In the two millenniums since then, His Kingdom has been in a MYSTERY form; the Lord Jesus Christ reigning in the heart of the believer and yet seated on the right hand of the Father in the third heaven...

"[Even] the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:"
(Colossians 1:26-27 KJV)
...while Satan still holds the physical throne over this present world:

"And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine."
(Luke 4:6-7 KJV)
Although Satan has now lost the war, the final battle for physical possession is yet to come. This is the present status of the Kingdom of Heaven.

In the two millenniums since His own people rejected His salvation, God has been chastising Israel while blessings and salvation have gone out to the Gentiles. However, God is not finished with Israel, but He is just about finished with the Gentiles. The Gentiles' time is running out. The Apostle Paul said this:

"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:"
(Romans 11:25-26 KJV)
We are living in the last days of the blessing to the Gentiles. The Jews are back in the land of Israel (although the Arab world does not recognize it as "Israel" but insists on calling it "Palestine"). Regardless of the name, it is still the land that God promised to Abraham and his seed through Isaac and Jacob, not through the line of Ishmael. That is the ancient root of contention still festering today over the issue of the land.

The Jews have returned to the land as prophesied in the Scriptures, but they are still mostly in unbelief about Jesus. Although they are the enemies of the Gospel of Grace by the Lord Jesus Christ, they are still God's people and He will use the present evil world to chastise them, open their eyes to the truth they rejected, and bring them again to Him.

"As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:"
(Romans 11:28-30 KJV)
That is the truth of the matter - a truth that is bitterly denied by the whole world. Jerusalem and the Middle East is the crucible and iron furnace that will soon wax hotter as the prophecies unfold before us.

Beware! There are two things to watch for which must come to pass before the Lord's return. First (and this is directly related to relationship of Jerusalem between Israel, the Arab world and the Palestinians) there will be some kind of contract among all parties on the matter of Jerusalem in an effort to establish peace. This is spoken of by the prophet Daniel:

"Then shall he return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits, and return to his own land. At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter. For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate."
(Daniel 11:28-31 KJV)
Second, there is going to be a new Temple built in Jerusalem in the future. Notice that the context above is about the exploits of the coming Antichrist, whom unbelieving Israel and the unbelieving world will welcome as the Messiah. Take note about the "daily sacrifice" and the sanctuary, and the abomination that "maketh desolate." There cannot be a daily sacrifice without a Temple. This is a cross reference to what the Apostle Paul spoke about in 2 Thessalonians:

"That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."
(2 Thess. 2:2-4 KJV)
These things are future and yet to be fulfilled, but they will come to pass. The Holy Bible says so. Believe it!

The entire theme of the Holy Bible is about the battle over a Kingdom and the rightful ruler of that Kingdom. This controversy goes back long before Abraham and long before Adam's day. It began sometime after the Lord first created the heavens and the Earth. Lucifer (Satan) was the first steward under God in the Kingdom of Heaven from ancient time. His rebellion brought ruin to the ancient heaven and earth.

"Thou [art] the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee [so]: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou [wast] perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."
(Ezekiel 28:14-15 KJV)
When he rebelled and sinned against God, unrighteousness was introduced into the physical realm and death came upon the ancient world (Genesis 1:2).

Remember, the story of the whole Bible from the very beginning until the end is about the spiritual battle for the Kingdom. The eventual triumphant ruler of that Kingdom, both in the literal world and over the spiritual forces, will be the KING of KINGS, the Lord Jesus Christ; the Son of the Living God of Israel, who first came as a Lamb but will soon return as the Lion of tribe of Judah. [https://kjvbible.org/thekingdoms.html]
 
You should also take note that the word "now" has been removed from many newer Bible translations (NASB, AMP, NLT, ESV, CEV). The reason is because most of the translators of today's "Bibles" are Amillennial in their position on prophecy. In other words, they do not accept the literal return of the Lord Jesus Christ to reign on the Earth for a thousand years
I wasn't aware of this as stated above. Interesting, I will look further into
this because I switched from KJV to NASB about 5 years ago and didn't
pick up on that and I am not an Amillennialist.

Although I don't entirely agree with all of your conclusions
concerning end times that is really irrelevant because some of Jesus'
children will be watching and ready and the other of His children will
be pleasantly surprised. Either way, we are all going to be together for
eternity. Having said that I did enjoy reading your thoughts, as I always
do, and agreement on the unknown really isn't our responsibility. We can
only solve the case if we have conclusive and complete evidence and we
don't - yet.
 
We don't disagree, or shouldn't, that Moses and the Israelites crossed the
Red Sea because the Bible descriptively tells us that they did and there is
physical evidence still lying on the bed of the Red Sea. I am completely
convinced and would argue that fact all day. The Ark of the Covenant
sat in the Tabernacle, Temple, etc. because the Bible says that it did and
there are multiple accounts of its existence and where it was. I am totally
convinced, as many of you likely are. However, the Bible tells us some of
the end time events timeline but not all. There are a few distinctions that some
just can not conclude uniformly concerning end times and it causes great
division. So we must hold our conviction on this loosely because as long
as we all believe in Jesus then the unfolding of events will be out of our
hands anyway. Revelation was given so that we could warn others concerning the
coming darkness of the world but whether they accept it or not we are gone
before Chapter 5.
 
Brother, I have to say that your first statement is puzzling to me. That second coming will be a glorious thing for the redeemed, for He will appear on a white horse, bringing with Him a mighty army in power and glory. There is no fear in my heart, and yet fear should indeed be real in the hearts of those who rejected Him up to the point. So, fear is not such a bad thing. Obsession is not so much the descriptor I would use for my personal longing for His second coming, and even greater is my longing for this:

1 Thess. 4:15-18

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For 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: 17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Now, different people see this differently, which points to what we all have already understood about various interpretational applications differing groups apply to scripture. I just want to point out the underlined portion, and observe what is not said: Notice that this says nothing about us returning back to the earth after our transformation. It states that from then onward, we shall be evermore with Him. Each can draw his own conclusions, but I take comfort in what is said, whether I am alive at that moment or not, and thus raise up with the dead. Either way, the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven, in which I don't want to live in this earth as a mortal human, and the Kingdom of God, which is inside all of who are in Christ Jesus.

So, the second coming when His feet touch down on Zion, is nothing at all to fear except for those who had the mark of the beast upon them, or had worshipped his image, or were identified by the number of his name. They better be afraid, and dwelling upon it will indeed be reason for dread for them.

MM

MM

I did not mean for it to be puzzeling to anyone. I was only saying that IT IS going to happen and we must be on guard so as to not make that event the only thing in our lives that matter. We as the redeemed are leaving and Jesus is coming and nothing we do......like worry or become obsessed should happen.

So as a Christian we live in no fear of what is coming!

In other words......we should not be so overwhelmed with the 2nd Coming of Christ that we forget what Christ told us to do......Spread the Godple!!
 
Thank you Major.
I'm with you on that.
Please expound on the 4 phases you are referring to.

Certainly.............There are several different resurrection “events” which transpire in history, each of which falls into one of two categories. All but the last resurrection event make up the first resurrection. ALL of these in the 1st PHASE are for and include believers/saints.

OrderWhichTimingWhoDescription
1FirstThe Third DayJesus ChristThe resurrection of the Lord Jesus Chris ...
2FirstShortly after Christ’s Resurrection.A Few OT SaintsAt the earthquake attending the crucifix ...
3FirstBefore the Tribulation.ChurchThe resurrection of Church-age believers ...
4FirstMiddle of the Tribulation. 7Two WitnessesGod’s two witnesses will be raised after ...

The 2nd Resurrection seen in Revelation 20 is for ALL the LOST of all the ages and is referred to as the Great White Throne Judgment.
 
I did not mean for it to be puzzeling to anyone. I was only saying that IT IS going to happen and we must be on guard so as to not make that event the only thing in our lives that matter. We as the redeemed are leaving and Jesus is coming and nothing we do......like worry or become obsessed should happen.

So as a Christian we live in no fear of what is coming!

In other words......we should not be so overwhelmed with the 2nd Coming of Christ that we forget what Christ told us to do......Spread the Godple!!

I like keeping in mind the gathering of us to Him in the clouds as additional motivation to share the Gospel with others so that, hopefully, they too can go up with us. Being here during the Tribulation will not at all be a pleasant experience, especially considering that all those "tolerant" people out there are going to play a huge part in the martyrdom of the saints who are here at that time. The second coming may not even involve the Church since we're told that it's the martyrs from the Tribulation who will definitely rule and reign with Him in the thousand years. (Rev. 20:4)

Additionally, for years I asked what purpose the Tribulation plays since God never does anything without purpose. It took some time for me to find the answers, and it was all quite a revelation...(no pun intended).

MM
 
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I like keeping in mind the gathering of us to Him in the clouds as additional motivation to share the Gospel with others so that, hopefully, they too can go up with us. Being here during the Tribulation will not at all be a pleasant experience, especially considering that all those "tolerant" people out there are going to play a huge part in the martyrdom of the saints who are here at that time. The second coming may not even involve the Church since we're told that it's the martyrs from the Tribulation who will definitely rule and reign with Him in the thousand years. (Rev. 20:4)

Additionally, for years I asked what purpose the Tribulation plays since God never does anything without purpose. It took some time for me to find the answers, and it was all quite a revelation...(no pun intended).

MM

Agreed.

You may not agree with me and it is OK if you donlt. Anyway, I believe the Purpose of the Tribulation is 3 fold............

1.
To rid the world of evil men:

Psalms 37:1-2...........
“Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb” .

The Son of Man will judge the nations:

Matthew 25.31-46:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.


2.
To bring Israel to her knees and repent and at long last accept her their Messiah:

Hosea 5:14..........
“For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear them and go away; I will take them away, and no one shall rescue”.

Daniel 12:7..........
“Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished”.

Israel will, finally accept their Messiah:

Zech. 13:8-9.........
“And it shall come to pass in all the land,” says the LORD, “That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die. But one-third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; and each one will say, ‘The Lord is My God'”.

3.
“To finish transgression".

We (People) olace a lot of energy in trying to unlock the book of the Revelation. It seems that everyone knows the keys and has the answers but may I say to everyone, if you do not have a working understanding of the book of Daniel......the Revelation will never make sense to you!!!!!

The passage in Daniel 9:24-27 speaks of 70 weeks that have been declared against “your people.” Daniel’s people are the Jews, the nation of Israel, and Daniel 9:24 speaks SPECIFICALLY of a period of time that God has given “to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.”

God declares that “seventy sevens” will fulfill all these things. This is 70 sevens of years, or 490 years. (Some translations refer to 70 weeks of years.) This is confirmed by another part of this passage in Daniel. In verses 25 and 26, Daniel is told that the Messiah will be cut off after “seven sevens and sixty-two sevens” (69 total), beginning with the decree to rebuild Jerusalem.

In other words, 69 sevens of years (483 years) after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, the Messiah will be cut off. Biblical historians confirm that 483 years passed from the time of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the time when Jesus was crucified. Most Christian scholars, regardless of their view of eschatology (future things/events), have the above understanding of Daniel’s 70 sevens.

With real time history proving that 483 years have passed from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the cutting off of the Messiah, this leaves one seven-year period to be fulfilled in terms of Danirl 9:24........
to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy.”

This final seven-year period is known as the tribulation period—it is a time when God finishes judging Israel for its sin.

You see......God said that and if He said that then it MUST come to pass or God is a liar and if that be the case He can not be God.
 
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