Mike Thompson (6 May 2004)
"An answer for Donna"


Have you considered what Jesus said in the book of Revelation?
 
 He addressed letters to the churches and to one group He said He would spit them out and the group before it would be kept from the hour of tribulation.  What does that mean to you?
 
The letters were addressed not to the Jews but the Churches  (composed of both Jews and Gentiles), so you can hardly lump the book of Revelation in with the Gospels.
 I personally think the last three churches listed there are contemporary and it looks like all of the Philadelphia group go up and "some" of Sardis go while none of Ladiocea go up - giving the same percentage of those who go UP  and those who are left behind as in the parable of the virgins.
 
There is an old testament verse that says, in the day that the Lord makes up His jewels, that He took note of those who spoke often of the Lord and He declared He would SPARE them as one would spare an obedient and faithful child.
 
The virgins were required to have enough oil (a symbol of the Holy Spirit), apparently, there is some threshold that will insure our participation in the Rapture.  The virgins were required to have enough oil and to be looking.  In the context of this topic,  the foolish virgins were what we would call careless.  Do you know of any careless Christians?  All who are looking and have enough of His Spirit to care will go.
 
The Tribulation is not for purification but for forcing a strong final choice of WHO we will serve. Those who will have gone up have already made that choice.
 
Mike