Dear Doves,

     I have been reading all of the posts concerning the identity of the 10 virgins and fully intended not to jump into the fray.  But I became a little (or a lot) concerned that some of the Doves felt unworthy to be included in the Rapture. So, let me assure everyone that no one is worthy.  But thank God that our worthiness is not the criteria for being included in the Rapture.  The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our resurrection.  I’ll let scripture state my case:

     "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the Firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:22-25.

     "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:13-14.

    "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.

     "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.  Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked.  For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.  Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:1-7.

     2 Corinthians 5:7 is the crux of the matter.  "We live by faith, not by sight."  We are told that the Holy Spirit has been deposited into each believer.  And it is His presence in each of us that will guarantee our participation in the Rapture. Note that the Bible uses the word "guarantee."  This is a word that leaves no room for doubt.  According to the Blue Letter Bible site, in the Greek,  "guarantee" means "money which is given in pledge or down payment that the full amount will subsequently be paid."  The Holy Spirit is God’s pledge to us.  Our resurrection is sure.  It is a matter of faith, not worthiness.

     Now, concerning the issue of whether the 10 virgins are the Bride, please note that the Bible distinguishes between brides and virgin companions in at least 2 places.  In 1 Samuel 25, we have the story of David, Nabal and Abigail.  David, of course, is an archetype of Jesus Christ.  To make a long story short, David proposes to Abigail through messengers and she accepts. When she goes forth to meet him, she is accompanied by five maids.  (1 Samuel 25:42.)  It seems more than a coincidence that the number of maids that accompany Abigail – the bride – is five.  There seems to be a direct connection to the 5 wise virgins of Jesus’ parable of Matthew 25:1-13.  Next, Psalm 45 is a wedding song that is Messianic in nature.  It talks about a bridegroom riding forth in victory and conquering his enemies.  Then it talks about his bride coming to meet him.  "All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold.  In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you.  They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king."  Psalm 45:13-15.  Once again, there is a distinction between the bride and her companions.  I see this as Biblical support to distinguish the 10 virgins of Matthew 25:1-13 from the Church, the Bride of Christ.

     Now, as far as the timing of the parable of the 10 virgins is concerned, we are told that all 10 are waiting to join the bridegroom at his wedding banquet.  He is a long time in coming, and they fall asleep.  At midnight, they are awakened by a cry to meet him, but 5 of them need oil for their lamps.  While they are busy procuring some, the bridegroom comes and takes the 5 who are ready into the banquet.  Then the door to the banquet is shut.  When the other 5 come to the door and request entry, they are turned away.  So, when is the wedding banquet? Well, the book of Revelation clearly puts it after the Tribulation – at the time Jesus returns and defeats His enemies.  So, it makes sense to put the parable at that point in time.

     "‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready .... Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.’" Revelation 19:6-9.

     In fact, Jesus will be conducting a lot of separating at the end of the Tribulation. T he wheat from the tares.  (Matthew 13:30.)  The sheep from the goats.  (Matthew 25:31-32.)  "When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.  All the nations will be gathered before him and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."  Matthew 25:31-32.  It seems appropriate then that the separating of the virgins will also occur at that time.  But who are the virgins?

     I think that they are associated with the 7 churches of Revelation.  If we look at these churches, we see that only the Church of Philadelphia is kept from the "hour of trial that will come upon the whole word."  Revelation 3:10.  (It is widely thought that Philadelphia represents the living believers who will be raptured.)  Each of the 7 churches is told that those who overcome will have a place in God’s kingdom.  It can be assumed, therefore, that not everyone will be an over- comer.  Like the ten virgins, not all will enter the wedding banquet.  Someday, Jesus will separate them.  Finally, it should be noted that the bride is not mentioned anywhere in the parable of the 10 virgins.  Can it be because she is already with the groom?  We know from scripture that the Church will return to earth with Christ.  Therefore, we are already with our Groom at the time of the wedding supper spoken about in Revelation 19.

     Well, that’s my 2 cents on the subject.

     Maranatha.

                          – Lisa Taylor