Hello again, Barry,
Well, you're doing your best to educate this toddler in faith. But, he's a stubborn one, likely to throw a tantrum at the least frustration.
I refuse to discuss those wretched virgins in any shape, manner or form. I've seen hundreds of different opinions now, no two of which agree. That's not to say they're not informative; many are. I view the parable as being directed to the Jews, not the church. All commentators somehow LEAP to the assumption that the oil is the in-dwelling Holy Spirit. Huh? Where does Scripture say that? How then can one have not enough of the Holy Spirit? He either is indwelling, complete, entire, whole, or He is not. There can be no in-between. And then there is the embarrassing question as to the virgins' identity. The bridesmaids are NOT the bride.
Oh, lest I forget, the Holy Spirit was not in the in-dwelling business at the time. As Luther was to the book of James, so am I to the virgins.
There will be time, or sequence, if you will, in heaven. Witness Revelation.
"declare" = manifest, show or reveal. Some translations capitalize "day". December 7, 1941 manifested, showed, revealed Japan's previously hidden intent. Note that FDR declared it, "a day that will live in infamy". How can a day live? I would say metaphorically.
I'm glad that we agree that the deathbed conversion makes the cut. I think there is reason to suspect that the death bed conversion arrives in heaven as a tabular rasa, an erased tablet, yet, somehow, still fully that individual. This is pure speculation, however.
Now let's make this not quite a deathbed conversion. Let's suppose that this person lives for one hour after conversion and that he remains of sound mind in that hour. Let's farther suppose that he is Spirit inspired to pray for the salvation of an unbelieving friend.
Now does he make the cut? Does this one act/work/thought counter balance a lifetime of Christ denying, self worshiping, mammon worshipping, fellow man hating, thieving, coveting, dishonoring, murdering sin? If so, will he arrive in heaven bearing these thoughts? If not, did he lose eternal life because he "wasn't good enough"?
" but rather Christians who either did or didn't have passing report cards. I hate to say it but if I am correct, then a lot of people who think they are ready for the rapture may not be after all."
This reminds me of one of my now ancient, departed Sunday school teachers, who, when queried as to, "... if we're as good as we can be, if we try really hard, and we still don't go to heaven, what then?", answered to the effect, "You weren't good enough."
I continue to stand on my original conclusion.
Maranatha,
Bob