A Message of Hope

“1: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2: And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3: They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5: While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6: And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7: Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8: And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9: But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10: And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11: Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12: But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13: Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 25:1-13 KJV

You can view the parable of the 10 virgins as a glass half full/half empty situation. The bad news is that according to it 50% of the Christians will miss out on heaven because they did not have enough oil to make it to the end (he who endures to the end shall be saved), but the good news is that 50% will be able to make it!

Why does a 50% loss seem good to me? It is because by my guess many more than 50% of the Christians in America (in particular) are unprepared to go through the tribulation. The bridegroom will tarry a few years longer than we were anticipating and the pre-trib doctrine has put us to sleep about the end times. Oh sure, it’s cool to study how things will work, but not too many expect to have to stare the mark in the face and refuse it.

This means that many will wake up and realize that things didn’t work out the way they were planning, but they will still be able to make heaven! I will rejoice for our dear brothers and sisters who will make it to the end. You too can be in that number, but the best time to prepare yourself is now.

For those who believe pre-trib, the doctrine will be exposed as false when things get really tough and the antichrist shows up. What you do with it when that happens will help determine your destiny. If you get mad at God for failing your expectations, you’ll find yourself quickly on the road to hell. If you “gird up your loins” and trust Him anyway, you can inherit eternal life. I want to see you there, although truly I must guard my own soul as well.

For those who believe pre-trib and that you can in no way lose your salvation your road is much harder. Those who cling to the Lord in love will make it, but many have already been deceived into thinking that there is repentance after the mark, or even that they wouldn’t need to repent. Truly there isn’t repentance; you must realize that now for your salvation’s sake.

For the preterists, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Jesus’ return is still in the future as of April 2007. I’ll have to take a look at this doctrine at some point.

For those who don’t care, you need to care. Not caring (about the future, or living for God now) could be a good description of “lukewarm”, which is the one thing in the Bible that makes God threaten to spit you out (Revelation 3:16). Your road is the toughest of all if you don’t start caring, because you won’t even pay attention to what’s going on around you, you’ll be too busy living for self. Unfortunately this may be the largest number of all, for it can encompass all the previous beliefs and more.

Who would have thought that a 50% success rate would be good? But in perilous times such as these I will gratefully take it. God loves you, He wants you for eternity, but it has to be on His terms. The stakes are way too high; you can’t afford to be wrong.