Hello all, 

I have enjoyed this discussion about the 10 virgins.  It has also made me reevaluate my position considering all that everyone has said.  Thanks for all your input. 

I still believe the five foolish are NOT Christians, but would like to consider the consequences if they were Christians. 

1.     If they are Christians as you say, and because they are lukewarm that they are the foolish virgins.  They will not be allowed to be raptured and must remain left behind.  Only the wise virgins will be raptured.  Ok, if this is true then we need to consider what happens to the lukewarm Christians that have already died.  Will there be a judgment that will be rendered before the dead in Christ rise?  So now only a portion of the dead in Christ will be able to rise up from the dead?  How can it be possible for 2 lukewarm Christians - one will be raptured because he has died and the other is left behind because he is alive at Christ’s return?  God is just to all!

 

2.     Now we need to consider who the bible says are foolish Christians so that they can also be included in the left behind group.  It says in Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?  Here is a group of Christians that the bible calls foolish.  I would suspect that we should also include them.  Why are they foolish?  It is because they are replacing or adding works to their faith in Christ, being justified by what they do.  Since we need to include this group now who would this group be today?  Could you say that it is anyone that thinks that they must do the right things to be worthy to be saved/raptured?  There is a very fine line between doing the right things because you want to out of gratitude for what Christ has done or to feel like you are worthy!  If you are doing good works to feel worthy then I suspect you might find yourself  left behind.  Christ did not really have a problem with sinners but had a big problem with the self righteous crowd, like the Pharisees.  Jim had just posted about “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees”.  I’m not saying anyone here is in that group but some seem to talk that way!

 

As you can see there are a lot of loose ends that need to be considered if the foolish virgins are Christians.  Let me make it clear that I do not, not, not think the above is true!!!  I look forward to your comments.   I also look forward to seeing each of you in heaven very soon.  Thanks Gino for your wonderful article on Grace.  I loved it!  I also want to thank Donna for your encouraging reply.   A few words can mean a lot!

 

David Blackman,