Table of Contents
End Time Proof
Now IN the End-Time
The Ten Virgins
The Spiritual Temple
The Man of Sin
Final Eras of the Church
Desolation of the Temple
The End-Time Elijah- Fulfilled
Unveiling the Book of Revelation
Clarifying the Seals of Revelation
First Five Seals Opened
The Sixth Seal of Revelation
The Opening of the 7th Seal
A Time for Two Witnesses
The Revelation of God's Plan for Mankind
Introduction (Plan of God)
The 7th Day Sabbath
Passover
Unleavened Bread
Pentecost
Trumpets
Atonement
Feast of Tabernacles
Last Great Day
The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25)
The following articles covering specific areas of scriptural proof that we are in the end of this age are by no means the only areas of scripture that prove where we are in that time, but they are some of the most complete and important areas we need to understand. You need to also be aware that some of these areas of scripture contain many proofs by themselves.
The first area of proof is contained in a parable. This parable has always had valuable lessons for brethren in the Church, but it also contains information that applies even more specifically to the time in which we are now living. This area of scripture is found in Matthew 25 in the parable of the ten virgins.
As we discuss each area of proof, the following articles will focus on important points that need to stand out in our understanding. The articles are not meant to be exhaustive in covering each area of scripture because that has been done more fully in sermons covering each subject. You may request sermons that cover any of these subjects.
It should first be noted in this parable concerning the virgins that all ten were guilty of failure to perform what they were supposed to be doing. Although the wise virgins had been more fully prepared by seeking God's spirit in their lives (the oil), they failed to use it as God had commanded. They did exactly what the foolish did at a time that was spiritually critical for them. They all slumbered and slept. Because of pride, there are far too many brethren who have a difficult time admitting that this is exactly what began to happen in the Church in the late 80s. This same thing is happening again in this new century to those who have been scattered.
We are all guilty of having slumbered or slept. Are you able to admit that this happened in your life? If this did not happen in the Church- if the Church was not spued out of God's mouth because of this very condition, then perhaps the Church has not really been scattered. But, if we are truthful with God and with ourselves, then we should be able to admit the obvious- but many cannot! And, those who cannott will not be interested in seeing the remaining areas of proof because they do not seek to reconcile or understand that who we are and the times we have been living through during our recent history are in perfect agreement with the word of God.
The Church came to a time when it had to be awakened because brethren were either in the process of drifting off to sleep or were already fast asleep. A prophetic and powerful event occurred in the Church (which will be covered in another area of proof) that worked to awaken much of the Church. It was an event prophetically marked by an apostasy- an apostasy that moved from the peak of leadership and fulfilled a scripture that pointed to this very time as being a revelation for the Church that Jesus Christ is now coming- that we have now entered the end-time. Before this occurred, Paul recorded that the coming of Jesus Christ could not occur until this astounding event first happened to the Church. It is a CRY that went out to the entirety of the Church, but not all of the Church heard because they were too deep into a spiritual sleep.
When people are tired and drowsy, they gradually begin falling to sleep or go to sleep quickly. When told to awaken, some are able to wake up immediately while others simply roll over and continue to sleep. For the Church, this process of falling asleep and being awakened took place over several years. Even though some work up earlier, there was a very specific time for the Church of God when this "cry" was most intense.
Regardless of the timing, the Church did begin to fall asleep in the mid to late 80s and began to be awakened throughout the 90s with the strongest part of the cry occurring in the mid 90s. We have lived through this time and should be able to easily see ourselves in this parable.
A cry went out to all the Church that the bridegroom was coming and that we were not to be sleeping, but making ourselves ready. We are to be preparing ourselves more fully than ever for the soon-coming Kingdom of God- the return of Jesus Christ.
Our sad history is a witness that most did not choose to respond to this great cry. Almost all of those who did at first respond by being awakened have been living the process all over again- drifting back to sleep or asleep already. This is not the time to allow that to happen again, but this is the time to be making ourselves ready for the soon-coming of the bridegroom. We are to be alert, watchful and on guard! That is the opposite of drifting off to sleep.
Those who properly respond to God's cry will be drawing closer to Him now more than ever before in their lives. They will be more alert to the danger and pull of becoming lukewarm and spiritually sluggish. They will have a renewed zeal toward God and His plan and purpose for us. Then, when the bridegroom comes, those brethren who have made themselves ready will be able to go in with Him to the marriage.
"And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him" (Matthew 25:6). We have been living through that time of midnight upon the Church when sleep has overtaken us. The task before us has been to seek to be fully awake and watchful- making ourselves ready for the coming of God's Kingdom.
The parable does not say that only the wise would be able to respond and make themselves ready. To respond properly to God, both the wise and foolish must repent and do what God has called us to do- seek the Kingdom of God, watch and make ourselves ready. We have not always been doing that! That is why we must all repent. The good news, for those who have not applied themselves in the past by seeking to fill their lives with the oil from God, is that they can begin doing so upon repentance- just as much as the wise who must also repent of not properly using that oil to make themselves ready. ALL those among the wise and foolish who properly respond to God's cry to awaken and make themselves ready to meet the bridegroom will be able to go into God's Kingdom at the return of Jesus Christ. "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" (Matthew 25:10).
Although Matthew 25 is a generalized story in the form of a parable, it never-the-less focuses upon a very specific time just before the return of Jesus Christ, and it tells of the condition of the Church at this critical time in history toward the close of 6,000 years of mankind. Do you believe we are those people at that very specific time? If not, then who are you and where does the Church fit into the timing of prophesied events that occur just before God's Kingdom comes?
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