I want to thank you for your interest in my response to your question “who is the bride”.

 

        Since you asked for ideas regarding the identity of the bride of Christ, I was merely giving you my thoughts on the subject.  Since you’ve asked again about these things, I will do my best to respond...one more time.  Again, this is just my opinion.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. 

 

        Your comment back to me “The 10 virgins have nothing to do with the rapture of the church...it’s speaking of the sheep and Goat judgment after Christ returns” requires a response.

 

        It is difficult for me to see how the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25: 1-13 is about the sheep and goat nations.

 

        To me, it is about the bridegroom and the bride!  There were ten virgins.  All were saved and waiting for the arrival of the Bridegroom.  All had oil (the Holy Spirit) in their lamps but the five wise virgins were prepared (prudent/had extra oil) while the other five were unprepared.  The wise virgins (those who were ready) “went in with Him (the Lord Jesus) to the wedding feast; and the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10).

 

        Now, if you believe that the five unwise virgins were unsaved (lost, goats etc.) you have to ask yourself the following questions: would lost people be sitting together with saved people at midnight awaiting the arrival of their Bridegroom Jesus?  Would they have oil in their lamps (Matthew 25:7)?  Would they call him “Lord, Lord” (Matthew 25-11)?  To me, this is unlikely.  In addition, the unwise virgins knew how to get extra oil.  Lost people would not know anything about this.  I must conclude that the unwise virgins were saved people.  

 

        Further, since the wedding takes place in heaven and since the five wise virgins were alive when “they entered in with Him to the wedding feast” (Matt. 25:10) we must conclude that a rapture is involved in order to be present at the wedding.  What we know is this: five went to the wedding and five were left behind.  It was not that the five unwise virgins were not believers, rather they were not prepared.  (This might answer your point “that the 10 virgins have nothing to do with the rapture of the church”).  In one sense you’re right.  It’s not about the rapture of the church but about the rapture of the bride.

 

        This raises the question: what will happen to those believers that were left behind?  As I mentioned in my first post, I believe that the Bible teaches that all believers will either be resurrected or raptured.  Because spirit salvation is not based on works/performance, I cannot always ascertain who is saved or unsaved based one his works/behavior...but the Lord Jesus knows.  He is coming for those who belong to Him...and are ready.

 

        Finally, to me the real issue is not whether there is one rapture or two, or even when it might happen.  We have absolutely no way to effect these things.  What we can do is be prepared as a bride awaiting her bridegroom.  If I am incorrect in my assessment, nothing is lost and we will all rejoice together in heaven!  But, if I am right millions could be in depression wondering what went wrong. 

 

        Since I know that you are a long-term participant in the “Five Doves Website”, I am sure that you have seen multiple explanations of the ‘two-raptures’ from people like Marilyn Agee, Bill Griese and others.  In fact, there are some good posts in today’s ‘Doves’ (7/9) about this very subject.

 

        It is not my job to convince you about this matter...that is the work of the Holy Spirit.  He is the One who guides us into “all truth” (John 16: 13, 14).  I believe that Jesus knew when He made this statement (Jn. 16: 13,14), that we would someday have a Bible.  While the Bible is truth, it requires insight from the Holy Spirit to correctly understand it.  This is why ‘study alone’ won’t do it.  It is also good to keep in mind that everything in the Bible was first ‘heard’ before it was ‘written’.  Our concern is to make sure that we do not quench the Spirit of God.

 

        Lastly, your comment about those on earth in glorified bodies refers to (the appearance) of ‘the manifested sons of God’.   To me, the revealing of the sons of God during the time of tribulation imply ministry to those who were left behind with the express purpose of helping them get ready for the rapture.

 

            “For I consider the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  For the anxious longing of the                         creation awaits for the revealing (appearance on earth) of the (manifested) sons of God.  For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of                 childbirth together until now.  And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting                         eagerly for our adoption as a son, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8: 18/19 & 22/23. 

 

        These are later found ‘in heaven’ (Rev. 14:1-5) and described as follows:

 

            “These are the ones who have not been defiled with women (the apostate church), for they have kept themselves chaste.  These are the ones who follow the                     Lamb wherever He goes.  These have been purchased among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.  And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless             (Rev 14: 1-5).   These could very well be the ‘bride’ of Christ who will rule and reign with HIm in His kingdom.

 

        Thanks again for your reply.  Just answering....Tyler Cole