I feel I must take issue with several statements made in this posting.

The first statement "This may be the most important message of all for
there will be many believers left behind."  Later in the posting it was
stated that "The left behind had never developed this relationship" and,
"That the Lord says I know you not."  "The wise bride was Jesus'
friend."  Only those who have the Holy Spirit in them will be taken at
the Rapture.  The others who profess belief are not sealed by the Holy
Spirit and thus they are not taken at the Rapture.

"I believe modern preaching that you cannot lose your salvation is
wrongly preached.  Once saved, always saved is taken one step too far."
If we can lose our salvation, then Jesus Christ died in vain and
furthermore, the Holy Spirit can leave us at will.   Jesus said, "I will
never leave you or forsake you."

"One, salvation requires an obligation on your part.  Two, your name can
be erased from the Book of Life.  Ephesians 2: 8-9 states:  "For it is
by grace you have been saved through faith-and this not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."  We can
never be saved by what we do, but only by  what Christ has done for us.
After we are saved, it should be our desire to please the Lord but not
for salvation.  Steve says at one point in his posting that "While we do
sin, God the Father only sees Jesus' blood.  In the father's eyes we are
virgins.  This is true for those who have the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit and can never have our name erased from the Book of Life.

Reference is made that the Elijah/Elisha example in II Kings 2: 1 - 15
was the O.T. preview of the relationship between Jesus and the left
behind.  This is a false analogy because Elijah and Elisha were right
with God, whereas the virgins left behind are not right with God.
"These people carry out a great world-wide revival during the 3.5 years
prior to the fourth seal" ( referring to the tribulation saints.)  The
tribulation saints will be struggling to survive the anti-christ and
will not be carrying on a world-wide revival.   The revival will come
about because of the work of the 144,000 Messianic Jews, not the
tribulation saints.  Steve states that these 144,000 will be hidden and
protected, which is certainly not the case, because the Lord has given
them power to destroy anyone who comes against them.

"God would never use white to describe his arch enemy in His word."
Revelation 6: 1-2 describes the appearance of the anti-christ who goes
forth to conquer on a white horse.  Satan tries to duplicate the work of
Jesus Christ who will return to earth at the end of the Tribulation
Period on a white horse.  This deception of Satan will cause many to
believe that the anti-christ is the Messiah when in fact he will be the
false messiah.

II Thess. 2:  9 - 12 states:  "The coming of the lawless one
(anti-christ) will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in
all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort
of evil that deceives those who are perishing.  They perish because they
refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason, God sends
them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that
all will be condemned who have not believed the truth, but have
delighted in wickedness."  It is imperative to get right with Jesus
Christ before the Rapture takes place, for there is little hope
afterwards for those who refuse to believe the truth prior to its
occurring.

One other thing we should keep in mind which is a stern warning from God
as stated in Revelation 22: 18 - 19:  "I warn everyone who hears the
words of prophecy of this book:  If anyone adds anything to them, God
will add to him the plagues described in this book.  And if anyone takes
away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share
in the Tree of Life in the Holy City which is described in this book."

Wes K.