Revelation 11 is wonderful and very deeply really. The content of verse 2 was preached two times by JESUS. First in Luke 21:24, 2nd after His ascension-Rev.11:2-and JESUS reveals that the COURT is given unto the Gentiles and(in the FIRST half of the last week, week 70th) the holy city shall they tread under foot 42 months. But I ask, how? Well, the Dragon will give(to the Beast of sea)his Power, and his Seat(in Jerusalem spiritually called Sodom and Egypt), and great Authority.
Simultaneously,in the other hand,JESUS will give POWER unto His two witnesses,these are the two olive trees,and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth(before the Holy Spirit,Paraclete,Comfort- Jn 16:12-15).wo candlesticks are two Churches-Gentile Church and Jewish Church- Hebrews 12:23.The two olive trees are the two sources of OIL of the two Churches-the OT and NT.JESUS revealed that the two Churches receive Power(verse 6)to shut heaven,that it rain not in the days of their prophecy:and have POWER over waters(over peoples,and nations,and multitudes of all tongues-verse15-18)to turn them to blood,and to smite the earth with all plagues,as often as they will-(The righteous Judgment of GOD-1Cor.6:2-3)-and they shall prophesy ALSO 42 months,equal period the holy city being trodden by the Gentiles.
The worst will be in the 2nd half of the last week.The Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit -Rev.13:11-18&Ez.21:25- Matthew 24:15-25- shall make WAR against them(against the two Churches-two candlesticks),and shall overcome them,and kill them-Rev.11:7->END of the OT and NT arrived).They that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another;because these two witness/prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
But after three days and an half the spirit of life from GOD entered into them,and they stood upon their feet;and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our GOD, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord GOD omnipotent reigneth( Revelation 11:15 to 18. Take a look).
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed IN FINE LINEN, CLEAN AND WHITE: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of GOD.
Revelation 11:12-13
12 And they (the two candlestlicks /two Churches-Gentile and Jewish Church)heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud (like JESUS- Acts 1:9-11-Take a look); and their ENEMIES beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake(Resurrection???), and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the GOD of heaven.
1Thes. 4:15-16 ->15 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 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:
Daniel 12:12- Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.(Oh yes, blessed is he that waiteth,and cometh to the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, unspeakable day, the day 1.335, Hallelujah!!!, by the way, 45 days after the period of 1290 days- Daniel 12:11.
It is not you that you have been ambushed brother but the doctrine of OSAS has been ambushed. This doctrine takes into account certain verses that favour it but ignores all the rest that oppose it, like that "blot out from the Book of Life". But in this way one can come up with completely wrong conclusions, like it often happens. Trying to fit everything into that consept can lead into "strange" beliefs like the 5 foolish virgins were unbelievers, like an unbeliever can have spiritual gifts like prophesying and healing and so on. Next thing this doctrine can lead people to not be so close to the Lord and His commandments since we are all saved anyway and subsequently we will be left out like the 5 foolish virgins who were living a careless life. The Bible is full of warnings and examples of people who lived a loose christian life. Trying to press those people into an unbeliever or not truly saved pattern produces to christians a false security that they will get into heaven anyway. This is true if we strive to live righteously and hence we are clothed with the Lord's power. But when we leave our Father's house we are on our own. Father will not come after us but is waiting for us to return. It is then our own responsibility to wake up and not get lost while being away from home. GBU
Thank you. We are kept by the power of God. That is one powerful grip. If I didn't have Christ in me, and if I wasn't being kept by His power, it would be so easy to walk away.
As for the eternal new heaven and earth it seems verses indicate there still will be nations although some seem to merge with promises from the Millennium. However; Revelation 21:24 says: And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. So it is clear that there will be nations still in some geographic sense; although no more sea and the heavenly Jerusalem will clearly be the dominant vista wherever you roam on this new planet.
Jesus stated from the O.T. that the Temple was supposed to be a place of prayer for all nations ( Mark 11:17). This surely will be fulfilled in the future!
There are nations that are said not to know God. Isaiah 55:5 shows that they will wake up at the end of the Tribulation as well as return captives (see Isaiah 49:22-25). They also shall bow down as kings and queens to worship God ( Isaiah 49:23) and take care of children. These are wonderful promises to show even from the wicked Tribulation some even in royalty will be saved! We see an interesting prophecy in Ezekiel 39:2 that a sixth part of the Gog army will remain; I would deem it likely many of these people will repent; although a remnant it will probably be a fairly substantial number of those remaining at the end of the Tribulation (also we don't see those in that invasion who appear to have the mark or fight God). This and other verses show various campaigns which lead up to Armageddon; and perhaps linger on until Christ and His returning saints establish control to rule and reign.
It seems pretty apparent that with all nations against Israel ( Zech. 12:3) in the end so that mainly they will be reprobate with the dead being as dung on the earth ( Jeremiah 25:33). This is a sobering thought; thankfully in Israel 1/3 make it through the fire but 2/3 die ( Zech. 13:9). Some say this is harsh but compared to the stats from the whole world it isn't
Before the Tribulation; there will be people raptured out of the world from every tribe; language; nation and tongue. ( Rev. 7:9).
To be precise many in this verse will come out FROM the Tribulation but those raptured would logically also come from every nation as many more will die after the seal judgments following the Rapture of the church.
Isaiah 66:19 seems to challenge this as those who have not heard His fame or seen His glory seem to be reached by those surviving physically the Tribulation. The Millennial worship is clear from verse 20. It could mean that the Gospel preached by the 3 angels to the whole world won't be specific about God's past exploits or specific plan or focus on Jerusalem for His return; rather they will just hear a general message to worship God and not take the Mark of the Beast or not be part of Babylon.
It is possible some remote areas will somehow even miss the angels testimony; which would also mean they may be one of a few who are able to hide from having the mark forced on them; or from the pressure of following the worldwide false church.
Anyway; God will use Antichrist to draw in all those doomed for perdition and the whole world to choose Christ and bring mass beheadings or choose Antichrist and take the mark and or fight Christ and be destroyed at Armageddon. Again; nations are mentioned in the Millennial Kingdom ( Zech. 14:18 for instance) where Egypt and anyone else will have no rain if they don't come and worship Christ at that time. That shows a necessary interlude BEFORE perfect sinless existance in the new earth since some clearly will attempt to disobey.
Revelation 20:8 states "And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea." Clearly there will still be nations until the final conflagration; when there is a new heaven and earth.
3:5 Blot out his name. This appears to be the "book" first mentioned in Ex 32:32-33. It describes a sort of registry of citizenship in God's kingdom. This verse clearly teaches of the very real possibility of members of God's kingdom having their names removed from the book of life. This can happen to any person who experiences salvation and a personal relationship with Christ, but later refuses to remain faithful to him and allow his power to help them overcome the evil around them and the sinful nature within them (see 2:7, note; see article on Individual Apostasy). To have one's name blotted out of the book of life is to give up eternal life with God (2:7, 10-11) and to be condemned to the lake of fire in the end (20:15). This is a direct warning from the Holy Spirit to Christ's churches (v. 6; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12; 21:27; cf. Ex 32:32).
We are in the "Church Age" at this point; and heading toward the final version of the "Revived Roman Empire" as seen in Daniel 2:42-44. The final composite kingdom of the Antichrist is like a lion (Babylonian symbol but modern day Great Britain); a bear (Media Persian symbol also Russia) a leopard (fitting into the Greek or Mediterranean Kingdom); and the final composite Beast of the last days which encompasses the entire earth ( Daniel 7:2-8). This will come eventually with the Antichrist for "one hour" (probably the 7 Year Tribulation) taking over a kingdom of 10 Kings who are yet to have a kingdom ( Revelation 17:12).
Since nations are still mentioned in verses about the Millennium ( Psalm 86:9 as one example) coming to the Lord it is clear they are in God's design to be restored. For now; territorial integrity is important; although God will have to settle many disputes when He comes ( Isaiah 2:4).
God has established through the Abrahamic covenant and other promises to Joshua and Caleb that He would give the 12 Tribes inheritance of all the territory described from the "Great Sea" to the Euphrates ( Joshua 1:4). God does honor covenants though; so agreements made with those in other nations or even Israel itself say with settlements should be honored.
We also need to keep in mind Joshua 5:14 where the Angel of the Lord states He is for the Lord's army not necessarily siding with anyone. This is why God allowed Israel's enemies to prosper at times for chastisement; as was made clear in God's prophecies about Babylon and even the pagan invaders stated this (although I can't find the verse at present). It is humbling to think about this at present; we in our proud nation think the worst thing to happen would be invasion from another nation and submission but are we better than Israel and the Babylonians? This may happen before the Tribulation if He tarries (our borders are already breached BTW). Food for thought.
Thank you Spencer... I read this article from Donahue he puts forth a compelling argument. I copied and pasted it as is unchanged.
"ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED" VERSUS REVELATION 3:5
by PATRICK DONAHUE
Revelation 3:5 reads "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."How could the doctrine of "once saved always saved" be true if the above verse is true? The same book shows that a person's name is not written into the "Book Of Life" unless he is saved:
20:15 whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire
21:27 no one will "enter into it (heaven) any thing that defileth, neither worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."
Revelation 3:5 then necessarily implies that if a saved person does not overcome (temptation, persecution, etc.), if he does not remain faithful, then his name will be erased from the book of life, meaning he will no longer be in a saved relationship with God.
Other Bible passages teach the same thing about the book of life. When the Israelites made the golden calf while Moses was on the mount receiving the 10 commandments, God said in Exodus 32:33: Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Only the names of the saved are in the "book of life" to start with. And if it is possible to get your name blotted / taken out of the book of life, then it is clear that it is possible for a saved person to lose his salvation.The doctrine that a Christian cannot "fall from grace" is just plain untrue.
This is John thank you for all the information sorry for taking so long to get back with you I know in the Lord for two decades he's done a lot of wonderful things for me I wish I could have kept a record of all the things that he try to get my attention Jesus Christ but unfortunately the devil came after me too it's been a battle Jesus knows everything when the pandemic happen you found out who your friends and everybody and that's the way it still is thank you again I apologize for all the texts take care
Those who overcome "overcomes" by the blood of Christ and is "overcoming" by the blood of Christ.
Paul says in Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST:
Therefore, the promise is "the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Rec. 3:5.
Yes, I am Italian, but NOT Catholic, I am Christian and I know that the CEI Bible has many inaccuracies and shortcomings but I also found some discrepancies in the KJV.
This case can only be an error of the automatic translator which however can be confusing, the text says:
Siracide 4
23] Non astenerti dal parlare nel momento opportuno,
non nascondere la tua sapienza
[23] Do not refrain from speaking at the right time, do not hide your wisdom ( italian )
il traduttore traduce "And refraine not to speake" = astieniti dal parlare ( ma in realta' e' il contrario )
the translator translates "And refrain not to speak" = refrain from speaking (but in reality it is the opposite)
I hope it's clear, in reality it's simple the translator makes a mistake. Ciao e Grazie
Seems like I've been ambushed here. I am not sure whether I should attempt to answer each question one at a time. God of course is beyond time it only takes an instant for us; He of course predestined us from before the foundation of the world and all souls are His anyway. He came for the elect 2000 years ago so knows us better than we can know ourselves. In general His sheep hear His voice that is sufficient; such as Romans 8:10 if I have the verse right where we confess with our mouth and believe with our heart. That doesn't mean we ARE saved if it is disingenuous; so we shouldn't assume a professed 30 year Christian really believes any more than someone like the thief on the cross. You know them by their fruits in time; Christ knows His sheep instantly.
Your first question is rather complex. I don't ascribe to not following the law at least in terms of universal ones such as murder and divorce (one which is immensly controversial today in terms of remarriage situations but I hold for NOT remarrying when a spouse is alive which got John the Baptist killed for pagans in that situation). Anyway I may have lost your attention at that comment. I look to ceremonial laws as applying to the Jews at the time or possibly the future Temple; and the sabbath day law in some respect goes to Christ who is "Lord of the Sabbath". We don't attempt to do or not do the law only but we do things with the right motives. My point being we can't just say it's ok to break a law; as the Antichrist himself comes as the "lawless one". We can't have overly legalistic standards either. I am not sure what you mean relying on "His will" that should be something we do now or in O.T. times; and peace is something which we should receive at salvation and also is a fruit of the Spirit (love; joy; peace; longsuffering; etc.)
As to His coming; I have theories basically stating that we need to face that 1948 is NOT the beginning of the last generation which is defined roughly by Psalm 90:10 and i cant see it stretched beyond the 70 to 80 years. I think the Psalm 83 event where Israel expands its borders and immediately surrounding nations capitulate will happen as the signpost of the last generation then there has to be a land of unwalled villages before the Ezekiel 38 war. That timing is tricky. All things are set for the Tribulation but it seems only God the Father determines it as we also seem to see from my commentary on Revelation 1.
I sense your enthusiasm and perhaps struggle and your love for Christ. As Jesus said to the Philadelphia church persevere even with little strength as it is hard today. Satan wants to constantly preempt God's timing but obviously we must occupy till he comes. Outta room
Possibly the "Book of Life" has to do with God's, election, and predestination of those he has chosen for salvation.
Possibly the "Lamb's Book of Life" is for those outside the realm of election/predestination and have their "chance" at eternal life if they receive Christ hence the Lamb's Book of Life.
The King's English "Conversation" means behavior, citizenship, or both depending on its usage. Let us take a look.
Philippians 3:20 (KJV) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Conversation: behavior, conduct, manner of life, manner of walk, Gk citizenship, commonwealth.
I would lean toward citizenship meaning for this particular passage.
3:20 citizenship. This figure would have been particularly appreciated by the Philippians who were colonists living away from Rome, though citizens of Rome. Similarly, Christians live away from the place of their citizenship, heaven. - Ryrie
Conversation found in Ephesians 2:3 (KJV) 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
I would lean toward the behavior, one's conduct, and manner of walk definition as it is used in Ephesians 2:3.
Countless people have pastored churches, taught Sunday school classes, led Bible studies, sung in choirs, and been involved in every conceivable area of ministry only to one day abandon their ministries and embrace the world. Somehow they stopped resisting the Devil and lost the courage to stand firm. How about you? Is your commitment strong? Are you willing to stand firm for the Lord today?
I ended my last post briefly discussing the Persian; Greek and Roman empires which would all have a part of history when they affected Israel. In the Persian empire Cyrus the Great (see Ezra) would allow the Temple to be rebuilt even though he didn't know the Lord he showed favor to Israel. ( Isaiah 45:4-6). Later Antiochus Epiphanes as a type of Antichrist would during the intertestamental period take over the Temple (actually part of the Syrian empire but also spread Greek cultural ideas). God through the Macabees fought back and eventually they were defeated. Finally; of course the Roman empire would have a tenuous existance with the Jewish nation; and be a part of Christ's crucifixion. They also; (until today's modern version still forming) would be defeated.
We see examples of God working with Nebuchadnezzar to bring about true conversion. We also see examples such as Naaman the Syrian in 2 Kings 5 who God healed; as well as the story of Jonah with the Ninevites who repented and God spared for a time of judgment; but in the book of Nahum God's patience ran out and they were destroyed. We also see examples such as Ruth who was a Gentile that came to believe and became part of the royal lineage and even Rahab in the same light. In general though God winked at certain things in the past but ( Acts 17:30-31) but now in New Testament times there were stricter standards.
Christ would also begin with only ministering to the "lost sheep of Israel". ( Matthew 15:24 but mentioned earlier when the 70 were sent out). In this case a Gentile woman showed great faith and Christ healed her daughter. The plan now was to fulfill the prophecies in Isaiah 42:1-9 about being a light to the Gentiles. This began with Christ spending much time with the Samaritan woman and others possessed by demons which added to crowds from surrounding nations; and showed the lack of faith in his own hometown as a contrast ( Mark 6:4).
The attitude of a believer to the spirit of life is demonstrated in this incident "And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?/ But he(Jesus) turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of./ For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."( Luke 9:54-56) John was for imitating the exploits of Elias while Jesus was for fulfilling the will of God. John and James had to learn which would come by and by, and only after they received the Holy Spirit. As many as are led by the Spirit are the children of God.
Water and fire are two witnesses to which Jesus alluded in Luke 12:54-56
The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control so symbols, emblem and events are all in accordance so God is in control. The fourth beast in the vision of Daniel is about to fulfill in not so distant future. "Even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows". Well my readers say hello to the High Tech! Meet the killer robot and AI he is a little gizmo, little horn that has eyes and mouth to speak. " I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them."(Dan.7:20-21) It is the same spirit of Satan even as he gave the beast power to blaspheme. It came out of the ten horns, which indicate he is under judgment.
Who but a man makes a robot works? He cannot work with wisdom of heaven which is the significance of God being with Moses, "And I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." (Ex.4:12). "Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments./For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods"(Ex.7:11-12) The eternal Word in control.
In my previous section I showed some evidences of God working even early on with nations other than Israel; and how he established their boundaries. I completed the story of the Nephilim and the children among men which ended the earth's population of all the nations as they were before the flood; and how the final giant Goliath (at least from that part of the world) was defeated by David.
As we go forward in time; we see how God worked in great kingdoms; starting with Egypt which I alluded to in the last post as to what was shown to Abraham as to what would transpire 400 years later (see Genesis 15:13). Egypt no doubt had some control over what is now surrounding areas of North Africa; although I am not an expert on that subject. We see time and again how God's people were placed in these foreign lands of significant kingdoms; starting with Moses. We see the suffering that increased after the Joseph was eventually given an exalted position alongside the Pharoah in a sort of coregent arrangement. This eventually led to enslavement of the Israelites and a hatred for them because of their healthy progeny outnumbering the native population. Moses came to deliver His people in the Exodus; a forerunner of Christ delivering His people (which won't be completed until the end of the Tribulation for Israel as a nation once they recognize their true Messiah). After this we have the Assyrians who basically dominated in the 2nd Millennium B.C. God once again reigned supreme in Isaiah 37:36 where a single angel of God killed 185,000 Assyrians and led to the eventual ending of them as a significant enemy. Then came Babylon; which God promised would be used to discipline Israel. Daniel eventually became captive and with his 3 companions was once again exalted and basically also had a coregency with Nebuchadnezzar. God overthew them eventually; and the prophesied Persians; Greeks and Romans came ( Daniel 2:39).
"O nikon (He who is overcoming/winning or he who is victorious) outos peribaleitai (he will be covered around) en imatiois leukeis (in white garments) ...etc, etc"
If salvation comes when we get to know Jesus and Jesus gets to know us, can you please explain to me when that process took place in the following cases described in the Bible?
The thief crucified next to Jesus.
The Jews on Pentecost.
That eunuch
The Samaritans
Cornelious
The guard in Philippi
Had all the above time to get to know Jesus? Had Jesus time to get to know them?
Example. How long did it take Peter to talk to Cornelious and his own, 15-30 minutes? How much did he say about Jesus? Ok the Bible gives us a summary of what Petr said, but actually how long did it take Peter to talk about Jesus and how much did he say about Him?
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."(Ro.8:11)
God framed worlds with his word so faith shall never be out of step with the will of God. "So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear' goes for the natural world as well. Water is formed accordingly from atoms of hydrogen and oxygen. So a mist going out of the ground is not wandering out, freed from its leash. The dog knows his master. "But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." Pendent to this is the characteristic of the soil. Volcanic ash is inert but add water to it is active. It is thus the natural world proves faith and ''Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The Spirit of God working with the waters gives man a hands -on experience of spirit of life. "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."(1 Co.2:11)
The indwelling Spirit serves as the world of the Spirit bringing heavenly realities into the heart of a believer. The same two witnesses are realized in us so to speak. God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. A believer who would be led by the same Spirit that raised up Jesus is in heavenly places, to which the blood of the Lamb is a sign. It serves the same purpose as the slain Lamb before the foundation of the world as an emblem. God rested from his labors on the seventh day and sanctified the day so Jesus made manifest the same faith, and the Lamb of God was led to the slaughter even as the Scriptures indicated. This is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sins.
The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control of symbols, emblem and events.
See James 4:4, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God"
So Jesus refers to people who keep walking in faith. But not quite as Jesus expects them to do.
Secondly, those foolish virgins DO have oil in their lamps, just like the wise ones, but just not adequate. The oil usually represents the Holly Spirit, but I would say it represents a complete christian life where the Spirit has the primar role. The thing is though that being baptized in the Spirit is not enough, one has to be filled with the Spirit, and this doesn't occur on its own. One has to do that while praying etc. Those virgins were careless, they didn't take care to fill themselves with the Spirit. Did they turn to other things instead? Wordly things? They thought that there was time until Jesus comes so they postponed everything for the future? No, they were not waiting for Jesus. And they got up by surprise. Their light was blinking which means that sin often entered their lives. And when the light got off completely they were left out in the darkness of a sinful life. And they were left out.
Actually this is the purpose that Jesus said that parable, to warn us to always be ready for His coming. If those 5 unwise virgins were unbelievers what was the purpose that Jesus said that story? 5 believers go to Heaven and 5 unbelievers go to hell. So what, a new story? We know that. What is the warning in such a case since we all enter heaven?
Jim, the wage of sin is death, nomatter if one is a christian or not, it still remains death.
Ezekiel 18:24,
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
1. You are right about that "Nor could the Lord say to any believer, however unspiritual, "I know you not."
But lets remember that this event described by Jesus takes place on the Judgement Day.
In this life His is our Father. We are His children. Good or bad ones we are still His children, He will do anything to bring us into His Kingdom, even through fire which means repentance at the very last moment of our lives. In this life we may be His prodigal sons and daughters who their Father is waiting patiently to return back home. But after we die we will fall into 2 categories. The saved ones, the ones who successfully finished their course in this life and the ones who failed.
So God is our father in this life and also in the future life as long as we enter His Kingdom. But those who will fail will face Him not as a Father but as a Judge. Those who will be cast out into the lake of fire won't be His childen any more, and He will not be their Father any more. He will ignore their names, since those names will be erased from the Book of Life, which is God's written record (literal or figurative) which includes all the names of all saved people since the creation of mankind. In Matthew 25:41 Jesus calls those people "cursed". Names unknown, just like the name of that rich man in the story of the rich man and Lazarus where Jesus didn't even bother to give us his name. No reason for that, he got lost for ever. Like those who will not finish their course in victory.
2. The parable of the 10 virgins.
Lets gather all points of interest from this parable.
Firstly all of them are virgins, which means christians. Virgins are not married people, like we are now, we are engaged to Jesus and we are waiting for our marriage. There is no way Jesus calls the sinful world virgins, people who commit all sort of sin and adultery and fornication. Can christians commit adulltery (figuratively)?.
Revelation 11 is wonderful and very deeply really. The content of verse 2 was preached two times by JESUS. First in Luke 21:24, 2nd after His ascension-Rev.11:2-and JESUS reveals that the COURT is given unto the Gentiles and(in the FIRST half of the last week, week 70th) the holy city shall they tread under foot 42 months. But I ask, how? Well, the Dragon will give(to the Beast of sea)his Power, and his Seat(in Jerusalem spiritually called Sodom and Egypt), and great Authority.
Simultaneously,in the other hand,JESUS will give POWER unto His two witnesses,these are the two olive trees,and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth(before the Holy Spirit,Paraclete,Comfort- Jn 16:12-15).wo candlesticks are two Churches-Gentile Church and Jewish Church- Hebrews 12:23.The two olive trees are the two sources of OIL of the two Churches-the OT and NT.JESUS revealed that the two Churches receive Power(verse 6)to shut heaven,that it rain not in the days of their prophecy:and have POWER over waters(over peoples,and nations,and multitudes of all tongues-verse15-18)to turn them to blood,and to smite the earth with all plagues,as often as they will-(The righteous Judgment of GOD-1Cor.6:2-3)-and they shall prophesy ALSO 42 months,equal period the holy city being trodden by the Gentiles.
The worst will be in the 2nd half of the last week.The Beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit -Rev.13:11-18&Ez.21:25- Matthew 24:15-25- shall make WAR against them(against the two Churches-two candlesticks),and shall overcome them,and kill them-Rev.11:7->END of the OT and NT arrived).They that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another;because these two witness/prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
But after three days and an half the spirit of life from GOD entered into them,and they stood upon their feet;and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
continues below
Revelation 19:5-9
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our GOD, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord GOD omnipotent reigneth( Revelation 11:15 to 18. Take a look).
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed IN FINE LINEN, CLEAN AND WHITE: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of GOD.
Revelation 11:12-13
12 And they (the two candlestlicks /two Churches-Gentile and Jewish Church)heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud (like JESUS- Acts 1:9-11-Take a look); and their ENEMIES beheld them.
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake(Resurrection???), and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the GOD of heaven.
1Thes. 4:15-16 ->15 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 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:
Daniel 12:12- Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.(Oh yes, blessed is he that waiteth,and cometh to the Ineffable, Wonderful, Indescribable, unspeakable day, the day 1.335, Hallelujah!!!, by the way, 45 days after the period of 1290 days- Daniel 12:11.
GOD BLESS. Get ready
It is not you that you have been ambushed brother but the doctrine of OSAS has been ambushed. This doctrine takes into account certain verses that favour it but ignores all the rest that oppose it, like that "blot out from the Book of Life". But in this way one can come up with completely wrong conclusions, like it often happens. Trying to fit everything into that consept can lead into "strange" beliefs like the 5 foolish virgins were unbelievers, like an unbeliever can have spiritual gifts like prophesying and healing and so on. Next thing this doctrine can lead people to not be so close to the Lord and His commandments since we are all saved anyway and subsequently we will be left out like the 5 foolish virgins who were living a careless life. The Bible is full of warnings and examples of people who lived a loose christian life. Trying to press those people into an unbeliever or not truly saved pattern produces to christians a false security that they will get into heaven anyway. This is true if we strive to live righteously and hence we are clothed with the Lord's power. But when we leave our Father's house we are on our own. Father will not come after us but is waiting for us to return. It is then our own responsibility to wake up and not get lost while being away from home. GBU
Thank you. We are kept by the power of God. That is one powerful grip. If I didn't have Christ in me, and if I wasn't being kept by His power, it would be so easy to walk away.
Blessings to you in Christ Jesus!
As for the eternal new heaven and earth it seems verses indicate there still will be nations although some seem to merge with promises from the Millennium. However; Revelation 21:24 says: And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. So it is clear that there will be nations still in some geographic sense; although no more sea and the heavenly Jerusalem will clearly be the dominant vista wherever you roam on this new planet.
Jesus stated from the O.T. that the Temple was supposed to be a place of prayer for all nations ( Mark 11:17). This surely will be fulfilled in the future!
There are nations that are said not to know God. Isaiah 55:5 shows that they will wake up at the end of the Tribulation as well as return captives (see Isaiah 49:22-25). They also shall bow down as kings and queens to worship God ( Isaiah 49:23) and take care of children. These are wonderful promises to show even from the wicked Tribulation some even in royalty will be saved! We see an interesting prophecy in Ezekiel 39:2 that a sixth part of the Gog army will remain; I would deem it likely many of these people will repent; although a remnant it will probably be a fairly substantial number of those remaining at the end of the Tribulation (also we don't see those in that invasion who appear to have the mark or fight God). This and other verses show various campaigns which lead up to Armageddon; and perhaps linger on until Christ and His returning saints establish control to rule and reign.
It seems pretty apparent that with all nations against Israel ( Zech. 12:3) in the end so that mainly they will be reprobate with the dead being as dung on the earth ( Jeremiah 25:33). This is a sobering thought; thankfully in Israel 1/3 make it through the fire but 2/3 die ( Zech. 13:9). Some say this is harsh but compared to the stats from the whole world it isn't
I agree. He who is overcoming, not he who will. I am overcoming and will overcome because I have Christ in me, the one who overcame!
As long as I have Christ in me, I overcome, and He has promised to never leave me.
Thanks again!
Before the Tribulation; there will be people raptured out of the world from every tribe; language; nation and tongue. ( Rev. 7:9).
To be precise many in this verse will come out FROM the Tribulation but those raptured would logically also come from every nation as many more will die after the seal judgments following the Rapture of the church.
Isaiah 66:19 seems to challenge this as those who have not heard His fame or seen His glory seem to be reached by those surviving physically the Tribulation. The Millennial worship is clear from verse 20. It could mean that the Gospel preached by the 3 angels to the whole world won't be specific about God's past exploits or specific plan or focus on Jerusalem for His return; rather they will just hear a general message to worship God and not take the Mark of the Beast or not be part of Babylon.
It is possible some remote areas will somehow even miss the angels testimony; which would also mean they may be one of a few who are able to hide from having the mark forced on them; or from the pressure of following the worldwide false church.
Anyway; God will use Antichrist to draw in all those doomed for perdition and the whole world to choose Christ and bring mass beheadings or choose Antichrist and take the mark and or fight Christ and be destroyed at Armageddon. Again; nations are mentioned in the Millennial Kingdom ( Zech. 14:18 for instance) where Egypt and anyone else will have no rain if they don't come and worship Christ at that time. That shows a necessary interlude BEFORE perfect sinless existance in the new earth since some clearly will attempt to disobey.
Revelation 20:8 states "And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea." Clearly there will still be nations until the final conflagration; when there is a new heaven and earth.
Your explanation is reasonable...
This is from the Fire Bible by Donald C. Stamps
3:5 Blot out his name. This appears to be the "book" first mentioned in Ex 32:32-33. It describes a sort of registry of citizenship in God's kingdom. This verse clearly teaches of the very real possibility of members of God's kingdom having their names removed from the book of life. This can happen to any person who experiences salvation and a personal relationship with Christ, but later refuses to remain faithful to him and allow his power to help them overcome the evil around them and the sinful nature within them (see 2:7, note; see article on Individual Apostasy). To have one's name blotted out of the book of life is to give up eternal life with God (2:7, 10-11) and to be condemned to the lake of fire in the end (20:15). This is a direct warning from the Holy Spirit to Christ's churches (v. 6; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12; 21:27; cf. Ex 32:32).
Link. for the article on Individual Apostasy.
We are in the "Church Age" at this point; and heading toward the final version of the "Revived Roman Empire" as seen in Daniel 2:42-44. The final composite kingdom of the Antichrist is like a lion (Babylonian symbol but modern day Great Britain); a bear (Media Persian symbol also Russia) a leopard (fitting into the Greek or Mediterranean Kingdom); and the final composite Beast of the last days which encompasses the entire earth ( Daniel 7:2-8). This will come eventually with the Antichrist for "one hour" (probably the 7 Year Tribulation) taking over a kingdom of 10 Kings who are yet to have a kingdom ( Revelation 17:12).
Since nations are still mentioned in verses about the Millennium ( Psalm 86:9 as one example) coming to the Lord it is clear they are in God's design to be restored. For now; territorial integrity is important; although God will have to settle many disputes when He comes ( Isaiah 2:4).
God has established through the Abrahamic covenant and other promises to Joshua and Caleb that He would give the 12 Tribes inheritance of all the territory described from the "Great Sea" to the Euphrates ( Joshua 1:4). God does honor covenants though; so agreements made with those in other nations or even Israel itself say with settlements should be honored.
We also need to keep in mind Joshua 5:14 where the Angel of the Lord states He is for the Lord's army not necessarily siding with anyone. This is why God allowed Israel's enemies to prosper at times for chastisement; as was made clear in God's prophecies about Babylon and even the pagan invaders stated this (although I can't find the verse at present). It is humbling to think about this at present; we in our proud nation think the worst thing to happen would be invasion from another nation and submission but are we better than Israel and the Babylonians? This may happen before the Tribulation if He tarries (our borders are already breached BTW). Food for thought.
"ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED" VERSUS REVELATION 3:5
by PATRICK DONAHUE
Revelation 3:5 reads "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."How could the doctrine of "once saved always saved" be true if the above verse is true? The same book shows that a person's name is not written into the "Book Of Life" unless he is saved:
20:15 whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire
21:27 no one will "enter into it (heaven) any thing that defileth, neither worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."
Revelation 3:5 then necessarily implies that if a saved person does not overcome (temptation, persecution, etc.), if he does not remain faithful, then his name will be erased from the book of life, meaning he will no longer be in a saved relationship with God.
Other Bible passages teach the same thing about the book of life. When the Israelites made the golden calf while Moses was on the mount receiving the 10 commandments, God said in Exodus 32:33: Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Only the names of the saved are in the "book of life" to start with. And if it is possible to get your name blotted / taken out of the book of life, then it is clear that it is possible for a saved person to lose his salvation.The doctrine that a Christian cannot "fall from grace" is just plain untrue.
Welcome to the site.
Those who overcome "overcomes" by the blood of Christ and is "overcoming" by the blood of Christ.
Paul says in Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST:
Therefore, the promise is "the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Rec. 3:5.
God bless.
This case can only be an error of the automatic translator which however can be confusing, the text says:
Siracide 4
23] Non astenerti dal parlare nel momento opportuno,
non nascondere la tua sapienza
[23] Do not refrain from speaking at the right time, do not hide your wisdom ( italian )
il traduttore traduce "And refraine not to speake" = astieniti dal parlare ( ma in realta' e' il contrario )
the translator translates "And refrain not to speak" = refrain from speaking (but in reality it is the opposite)
I hope it's clear, in reality it's simple the translator makes a mistake. Ciao e Grazie
Hope that helps.
Rich P
Your first question is rather complex. I don't ascribe to not following the law at least in terms of universal ones such as murder and divorce (one which is immensly controversial today in terms of remarriage situations but I hold for NOT remarrying when a spouse is alive which got John the Baptist killed for pagans in that situation). Anyway I may have lost your attention at that comment. I look to ceremonial laws as applying to the Jews at the time or possibly the future Temple; and the sabbath day law in some respect goes to Christ who is "Lord of the Sabbath". We don't attempt to do or not do the law only but we do things with the right motives. My point being we can't just say it's ok to break a law; as the Antichrist himself comes as the "lawless one". We can't have overly legalistic standards either. I am not sure what you mean relying on "His will" that should be something we do now or in O.T. times; and peace is something which we should receive at salvation and also is a fruit of the Spirit (love; joy; peace; longsuffering; etc.)
As to His coming; I have theories basically stating that we need to face that 1948 is NOT the beginning of the last generation which is defined roughly by Psalm 90:10 and i cant see it stretched beyond the 70 to 80 years. I think the Psalm 83 event where Israel expands its borders and immediately surrounding nations capitulate will happen as the signpost of the last generation then there has to be a land of unwalled villages before the Ezekiel 38 war. That timing is tricky. All things are set for the Tribulation but it seems only God the Father determines it as we also seem to see from my commentary on Revelation 1.
I sense your enthusiasm and perhaps struggle and your love for Christ. As Jesus said to the Philadelphia church persevere even with little strength as it is hard today. Satan wants to constantly preempt God's timing but obviously we must occupy till he comes. Outta room
Possibly the "Lamb's Book of Life" is for those outside the realm of election/predestination and have their "chance" at eternal life if they receive Christ hence the Lamb's Book of Life.
Philippians 3:20 (KJV) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Conversation: behavior, conduct, manner of life, manner of walk, Gk citizenship, commonwealth.
I would lean toward citizenship meaning for this particular passage.
3:20 citizenship. This figure would have been particularly appreciated by the Philippians who were colonists living away from Rome, though citizens of Rome. Similarly, Christians live away from the place of their citizenship, heaven. - Ryrie
Conversation found in Ephesians 2:3 (KJV) 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
I would lean toward the behavior, one's conduct, and manner of walk definition as it is used in Ephesians 2:3.
I ended my last post briefly discussing the Persian; Greek and Roman empires which would all have a part of history when they affected Israel. In the Persian empire Cyrus the Great (see Ezra) would allow the Temple to be rebuilt even though he didn't know the Lord he showed favor to Israel. ( Isaiah 45:4-6). Later Antiochus Epiphanes as a type of Antichrist would during the intertestamental period take over the Temple (actually part of the Syrian empire but also spread Greek cultural ideas). God through the Macabees fought back and eventually they were defeated. Finally; of course the Roman empire would have a tenuous existance with the Jewish nation; and be a part of Christ's crucifixion. They also; (until today's modern version still forming) would be defeated.
We see examples of God working with Nebuchadnezzar to bring about true conversion. We also see examples such as Naaman the Syrian in 2 Kings 5 who God healed; as well as the story of Jonah with the Ninevites who repented and God spared for a time of judgment; but in the book of Nahum God's patience ran out and they were destroyed. We also see examples such as Ruth who was a Gentile that came to believe and became part of the royal lineage and even Rahab in the same light. In general though God winked at certain things in the past but ( Acts 17:30-31) but now in New Testament times there were stricter standards.
Christ would also begin with only ministering to the "lost sheep of Israel". ( Matthew 15:24 but mentioned earlier when the 70 were sent out). In this case a Gentile woman showed great faith and Christ healed her daughter. The plan now was to fulfill the prophecies in Isaiah 42:1-9 about being a light to the Gentiles. This began with Christ spending much time with the Samaritan woman and others possessed by demons which added to crowds from surrounding nations; and showed the lack of faith in his own hometown as a contrast ( Mark 6:4).
The attitude of a believer to the spirit of life is demonstrated in this incident "And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?/ But he(Jesus) turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of./ For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."( Luke 9:54-56) John was for imitating the exploits of Elias while Jesus was for fulfilling the will of God. John and James had to learn which would come by and by, and only after they received the Holy Spirit. As many as are led by the Spirit are the children of God.
Water and fire are two witnesses to which Jesus alluded in Luke 12:54-56
The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control so symbols, emblem and events are all in accordance so God is in control. The fourth beast in the vision of Daniel is about to fulfill in not so distant future. "Even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows". Well my readers say hello to the High Tech! Meet the killer robot and AI he is a little gizmo, little horn that has eyes and mouth to speak. " I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them."(Dan.7:20-21) It is the same spirit of Satan even as he gave the beast power to blaspheme. It came out of the ten horns, which indicate he is under judgment.
Who but a man makes a robot works? He cannot work with wisdom of heaven which is the significance of God being with Moses, "And I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." (Ex.4:12). "Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments./For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods"(Ex.7:11-12) The eternal Word in control.
With false teachings like Universalism, and such.....
In my previous section I showed some evidences of God working even early on with nations other than Israel; and how he established their boundaries. I completed the story of the Nephilim and the children among men which ended the earth's population of all the nations as they were before the flood; and how the final giant Goliath (at least from that part of the world) was defeated by David.
As we go forward in time; we see how God worked in great kingdoms; starting with Egypt which I alluded to in the last post as to what was shown to Abraham as to what would transpire 400 years later (see Genesis 15:13). Egypt no doubt had some control over what is now surrounding areas of North Africa; although I am not an expert on that subject. We see time and again how God's people were placed in these foreign lands of significant kingdoms; starting with Moses. We see the suffering that increased after the Joseph was eventually given an exalted position alongside the Pharoah in a sort of coregent arrangement. This eventually led to enslavement of the Israelites and a hatred for them because of their healthy progeny outnumbering the native population. Moses came to deliver His people in the Exodus; a forerunner of Christ delivering His people (which won't be completed until the end of the Tribulation for Israel as a nation once they recognize their true Messiah). After this we have the Assyrians who basically dominated in the 2nd Millennium B.C. God once again reigned supreme in Isaiah 37:36 where a single angel of God killed 185,000 Assyrians and led to the eventual ending of them as a significant enemy. Then came Babylon; which God promised would be used to discipline Israel. Daniel eventually became captive and with his 3 companions was once again exalted and basically also had a coregency with Nebuchadnezzar. God overthew them eventually; and the prophesied Persians; Greeks and Romans came ( Daniel 2:39).
Rev 3:5, from the greek text:
"O nikon (He who is overcoming/winning or he who is victorious) outos peribaleitai (he will be covered around) en imatiois leukeis (in white garments) ...etc, etc"
Ecclesiasticus 4:23 from the greek text of the Septaguint. The title of the Book in the Septuagint is "Wisdom of Sirach"
"Me koleses (Do not object/hinder) logon(word or speech) en emera (in the day) soterias(of salvation).
Since you are obviously of italian origin and probably a Catholic what is the text in Italian or Latin?
One more final point.
If salvation comes when we get to know Jesus and Jesus gets to know us, can you please explain to me when that process took place in the following cases described in the Bible?
The thief crucified next to Jesus.
The Jews on Pentecost.
That eunuch
The Samaritans
Cornelious
The guard in Philippi
Had all the above time to get to know Jesus? Had Jesus time to get to know them?
Example. How long did it take Peter to talk to Cornelious and his own, 15-30 minutes? How much did he say about Jesus? Ok the Bible gives us a summary of what Petr said, but actually how long did it take Peter to talk about Jesus and how much did he say about Him?
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."(Ro.8:11)
God framed worlds with his word so faith shall never be out of step with the will of God. "So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear' goes for the natural world as well. Water is formed accordingly from atoms of hydrogen and oxygen. So a mist going out of the ground is not wandering out, freed from its leash. The dog knows his master. "But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." Pendent to this is the characteristic of the soil. Volcanic ash is inert but add water to it is active. It is thus the natural world proves faith and ''Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The Spirit of God working with the waters gives man a hands -on experience of spirit of life. "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."(1 Co.2:11)
The indwelling Spirit serves as the world of the Spirit bringing heavenly realities into the heart of a believer. The same two witnesses are realized in us so to speak. God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. A believer who would be led by the same Spirit that raised up Jesus is in heavenly places, to which the blood of the Lamb is a sign. It serves the same purpose as the slain Lamb before the foundation of the world as an emblem. God rested from his labors on the seventh day and sanctified the day so Jesus made manifest the same faith, and the Lamb of God was led to the slaughter even as the Scriptures indicated. This is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sins.
The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control of symbols, emblem and events.
See James 4:4, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God"
So Jesus refers to people who keep walking in faith. But not quite as Jesus expects them to do.
Secondly, those foolish virgins DO have oil in their lamps, just like the wise ones, but just not adequate. The oil usually represents the Holly Spirit, but I would say it represents a complete christian life where the Spirit has the primar role. The thing is though that being baptized in the Spirit is not enough, one has to be filled with the Spirit, and this doesn't occur on its own. One has to do that while praying etc. Those virgins were careless, they didn't take care to fill themselves with the Spirit. Did they turn to other things instead? Wordly things? They thought that there was time until Jesus comes so they postponed everything for the future? No, they were not waiting for Jesus. And they got up by surprise. Their light was blinking which means that sin often entered their lives. And when the light got off completely they were left out in the darkness of a sinful life. And they were left out.
Actually this is the purpose that Jesus said that parable, to warn us to always be ready for His coming. If those 5 unwise virgins were unbelievers what was the purpose that Jesus said that story? 5 believers go to Heaven and 5 unbelievers go to hell. So what, a new story? We know that. What is the warning in such a case since we all enter heaven?
Jim, the wage of sin is death, nomatter if one is a christian or not, it still remains death.
Ezekiel 18:24,
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
I will try to answer your points.
1. You are right about that "Nor could the Lord say to any believer, however unspiritual, "I know you not."
But lets remember that this event described by Jesus takes place on the Judgement Day.
In this life His is our Father. We are His children. Good or bad ones we are still His children, He will do anything to bring us into His Kingdom, even through fire which means repentance at the very last moment of our lives. In this life we may be His prodigal sons and daughters who their Father is waiting patiently to return back home. But after we die we will fall into 2 categories. The saved ones, the ones who successfully finished their course in this life and the ones who failed.
So God is our father in this life and also in the future life as long as we enter His Kingdom. But those who will fail will face Him not as a Father but as a Judge. Those who will be cast out into the lake of fire won't be His childen any more, and He will not be their Father any more. He will ignore their names, since those names will be erased from the Book of Life, which is God's written record (literal or figurative) which includes all the names of all saved people since the creation of mankind. In Matthew 25:41 Jesus calls those people "cursed". Names unknown, just like the name of that rich man in the story of the rich man and Lazarus where Jesus didn't even bother to give us his name. No reason for that, he got lost for ever. Like those who will not finish their course in victory.
2. The parable of the 10 virgins.
Lets gather all points of interest from this parable.
Firstly all of them are virgins, which means christians. Virgins are not married people, like we are now, we are engaged to Jesus and we are waiting for our marriage. There is no way Jesus calls the sinful world virgins, people who commit all sort of sin and adultery and fornication. Can christians commit adulltery (figuratively)?.