What If You’re Not Ready?

Q: What Happens to Believers Who are Not Ready?

A: It is common knowlege that Matthew 24 and 25 are the techings of Christ on End-Time events in response to questions by His disciples. Often overlooked in End-Time teachings is Matthew 25:1-13. The parable of the Ten Virgins.

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us.’ But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

These are the words of Christ. He tells us that this parable relates to His coming. Some have suggested that this is the division of the saved and lost and those left out were lost. Not so! All were saved! Five were wise; five were foolish. The Ten Virgins represent ALL believers, hence the church.

In Matthew 7:23 where Jesus says to those who ministered in His Name, “I never knew you.” The word used, (gunos’ko) means, “I have no knowlege of you.” They were lost!

In Matthew 25:12 where Jesus says to those outside the wedding feast, “I do not know you.” The word used for ‘know’ (oida) refers to intimacy. He is saying…”you and I are not intimate, You’re not my bride…”

Isn’t this exciting! The Bride of Christ is purifying herself. The Bride of Christ is eagerly awaiting the coming of the Bridegroom. Those in the church who are not being purified, who are not getting ready for the Bridegroom, who are not watching and waiting, not ready for His coming to take them to the wedding feast are saved, but they are not the Bride. THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING FOR HIS BRIDE! …and she is pure, clothed in white!

Yes, I am saying that Matthew 25:1-13 teaches a partial rapture of the church. He is coming for those who love His appearing! This corresponds with the admonition to ‘keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

Many who are saved, but are double minded (foolish), not intimate with the Bridegroom will be left behind to endure Great Tribulation.