{2Pe 3:3-4 KJV}
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.
Here are the scriptures that convinced me that there are phases to the upcoming resurrection of the saints (just/righteous believers in Jesus). In the past, I have held two positions on the "rapture" (catching away, resurrection) until recently, they were: 1) pre-trib, and then 2) pre-wrath (both views are correct, but as I now understand it, in their proper order. See my -related articles- linked below). I am learning more as the day of the Lord approaches!
{Psa 107:43 KJV}
Whoso [is] wise, and will observe these [things], even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Jesus warns His bride (church, virgins) in Matthew 25 ...
{Mat 25:1-13 KJV}
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. {*}And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 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. 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. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
{*}There is danger in believing what others tell you, that being, attempting to have others fill your lamps or give you of their oil supply. This is WHY the wise virgins told the foolish to go and *buy* their oil from those that *sell* it ... because their sources were not the true Oil, the Holy Spirit, who gives freely to any who ask of Him. The ONLY place you will find truth is in your bible, not by others (even if they are sincere to the utmost, they can be wrong). Is it any surprise then that the Bridegroom came while those foolish virgins were off to *buy* their oil from those that *sold* it? Moral of the story: The Lord expects you to study for yourselves and to search Him out on your own and to be ready well in advance of the events to come. Many people truly think that what they believe is the truth and they teach others so ... yet there can only be ONE truth. Let me make myself perfectly clear ... I am NOT asking you to believe me ... I am asking you to pursue Him from His word (the bible) and NOT from anyone or anywhere else.
{Mat 5:19 KJV}
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. {Jesus is speaking of the TEN "commandments" here (not the nine commandments), including to keep the Sabbath day holy. See? There are degrees of rewards in the heavenly kingdom: there are the "least" and the "great". Following the teachings of others can lead to you "fall into the ditch" or (as an example) miss His coming for the church/bride! You really don't *need* to believe what I say, God forbid, but please ... just be ready ... in case I am right ;o}}
{Mat 15:9 KJV}
But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
{Mat 15:14 KJV}
Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
{Mar 7:7 KJV}
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.
{Luk 6:39 KJV}
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
And then there are these folks ...
{2Ti 4:3-4 KJV}
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. {Sound doctrine is found only in the bible, interpreted only by the Holy Spirit's guidance.}
Now back to the parable of the ten virgins, notice how there is a little more information in Luke 12, to ...
- be ready (Let your loins be girded about), and
- have their lamps lit (lights burning >>> again), and warns that
- when He returns "FROM THE WEDDING" (see above, Mat 25), that
- when he "cometh and knocketh" (this time),
- *they* may OPEN UNTO HIM IMMEDIATELY (indicating they had not done so previously)
{Luk 12:35-38 KJV}
Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find [them] so, blessed are those servants.
The *point* of this article? Don't be among the foolish, be ready, and watch ...
{Luk 12:39 KJV}
And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
{Rev 3:3 KJV}
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. {Notice ... IF you will NOT watch, He will come upon YOU as a thief. He will NOT come upon us (that are watching) as a thief; for we that are ready & watching, He will appear as our Bridegroom, catching us up into the air to be with Him for ever! See 1Th 4:16-18 and Jhn 14:2-3 ... The Bridegroom (Jesus/Yeshua) has gone to prepare a place for His bride (ready, wise virgins/church) and will return for her soon, sooner than most believe.}
{Mar 13:37 KJV}
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
I have often asked the Lord to reveal the truth to me, I want to be among the wise and I study diligently to show myself approved; He has graciously granted me that request in many ways! Please, study for yourselves ... be Bereans like those in Acts 17:10-12 ;o}
{Dan 12:10 KJV}
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
See my more recent -related articles- on this blog ...
http://thelambswife.blogspot.com/2016/06/060816-left-behind.html
http://thelambswife.blogspot.com/2016/06/060116-three-harvests-resurrections.html (a work in progress)
{*Asterisks & curly brackets comments are mine. Jesus words are in red.}
