Many Protestant churches teach the doctrine of the rapture, or, the “catching away” of the believers in Jesus Christ at some appointed time in the future. Most churches which believe in this doctrine also believe that all who are saved will go to be with Jesus in this rapture.
Look at the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9But 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.
10And 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.
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Notice that all of them are called virgins. This very term puts all of them in the same category. They are all saved. Half of these virgins, however, were asleep, unprepared…not looking for the coming of the bridegroom. The other half were awake, alert, lamps prepared and LOOKING FOR the bridegroom to make his appearance.
Second Timothy 4:8 says, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Titus 2:13 says, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”
I firmly believe that at the time of the Rapture of the Church, there will be a 50% group of believers who are going to be caught unawares. They will be so acclimated to the world and given over to the entertainment pulls and temptations of the world…that they will not be prepared when that great day comes. What will be your state? Are you looking for and loving His appearing? The five wise virgins can be imagined to have craned necks, their hands over their brow…looking toward the horizon….expectant…excited at the prospect of the coming of the bridegroom. How is your attitude toward the coming of Jesus Christ? If He were to come RIGHT NOW, would you be ashamed of what is in your hand? What about what is on your television set…your computer screen…the DVD’s in your collection…the clothing you have on…the music you are listening to…the book you are reading.
This is not an attempt to be legalistic…this is a plea. If you name the name of Jesus Christ…if you are identified with Him…then do so now wholeheartedly. The time is short.
