The Midnight Cry

In Matthew 25:6 we read, "Behold the Bridegroom Cometh." The passage refers to this as the "midnight cry" (Job 34:20). When will this cry actually go forth? Who makes this joyous declaration and is it the same as the "shout" that we find in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 concerning the Rapture? These are some of the questions we will probe in this study.

We read in Matthew 25:13, "you know not the day and the hour that the Son of Man cometh." Yet these virgins were clearly told of his arrival - before He came. Is this a contradiction of scripture? How can we "know not" if we're "told before"?

I believe there are two explanations. First, most of the scriptures that say believers cannot know the time of Christ's return are addressing "unwatchful" (Revelation 3:1-3) or "slothful" (Luke 12:41-46) Christians. Second, for the preponderance of the church age, believers will not and cannot know the time of His return. This is depicted in the experience of Noah. For the many years that he was building the ark, he knew only that judgment was coming - he did not know the exact time. Yet, at a particular point in time, God told him precisely when it would be (Genesis 7:4). On the basis of the parable of the ten virgins (and other scriptures), I believe our experience will be much the same as that of Noah's, i.e., we will not know the time of Christ's coming in the Rapture until just before it happens. In addition, I believe on the basis of Amos 3:7, that some will know sooner than others.

Some vehemently say that it is a fruitless, reckless exercise to seek the Lord concerning the time of His return; it "is not for us to know" and that we shouldn't look into the "forbidden secrets of God." But does He wish to "keep us in the dark" and "come upon us like a thief"? "But you brethren are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief" (1 Thessalonians 5:4). "...Christ shall appear a second time to those who eagerly await him" (Hebrews 9:28). In addition to these scriptures, the Bible appears to teach that if you don't watch (for His appearing), you will be left behind (Mark 13:35-37). Indeed, the nation of Israel failed to inherit the promised Kingdom for this very reason (Luke 19:44). So who is right, the "know not" preachers or the foregoing scriptures? It is my belief that, like the magi, and like Simeon and Anna in our Lord's first coming, we can learn of the time and place of Christ's second coming (1 Peter 1:10,11) and that we have scriptural mandate to do so (Ezekiel 33:1-6, Matthew 16:3, Revelation 3:3; 22:7). [1]

Those that oppose the study of Bible prophecy and resist the searching of scripture to determine the time of our Lord's return, do so because of: 1) their predisposition toward works; 2) their attitude that we, as the Church, should do it all; or 3) because they are just too lazy to study Bible prophecy. The first category, those who feel we ought to be exclusively involved in the works of the Kingdom, are representative of Martha, the sister of Mary. She complained about Mary's lack of "attention to the chores." Like Martha, our brothers and sisters in this category resent us for not being works-oriented. To them, we are worthless and useless for the kingdom of God on earth (please note Jesus' evaluation of the situation in Luke 10:42). The second group, those that say we must bring in the kingdom singlehandedly, believe we shouldn't be "looking for His return" because we don't need His assistance. These are better known as "Dominionists." The third category of "scoffing Christians" (2 Peter 3:3,4) are apathetic and/or ignorant of Bible prophecy and, therefore, don't want you to become informed, lest you "infect" and influence others to "love His appearing." So saints, don't be dissuaded or discouraged by our "doubting" brothers and sisters - let no man steal your reward. For, as the scripture says, a "reward" is exactly what the Firstfruits Rapture will be (Hebrews 11:5,6, Philippians 3:14) and those who "scoff," "demean," "prejudice" and "disbelieve" will be left behind (Hebrews 3:19; 9:28).

A question of significant importance, is whether the "cry" of Matthew 25:6 is the same as the "shout" in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. I don't believe they are the same. The Greek is not the same and for a very good reason. "Cry" in Matthew 25:6 is KRAUGE (#2906 in Strong's Concordance) which means "an outcry" or "a crying." "Shout" in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 is KELEUSMA (#2752), meaning "an order, summons or command." The "shout" in 1 Thessalonians is made by Jesus on the day of the Resurrection/Rapture (John 5:28). It is similar to His shout which commanded Lazarus to come forth from his tomb (John 11:43). In contrast, the "cry" of Matthew 25:6 is an announcement, or a warning, made by someone other than Christ. The cry, which signals the imminent arrival of our bridegroom, comes from someone in the wedding party (perhaps the Holy Spirit). Matthew 25:6 clearly states that He is coming, whereas 1 Thessalonians 4:16, when coupled with 1 Corinthians 15:52, indicates that He has already arrived. There is a time duration between the "cry" and the "shout." This interval is corroborated in the ancient Jewish wedding custom in that the bride was alerted by someone in the wedding party when the bridegroom was on the outskirts of town. This permitted her a short space of time for final preparation - but not enough time if she had not already been "making herself ready" (Revelation 19:7). No doubt Jesus knew this when He gave this illustration on Olivet.

We've heard for so long that "no man knows" or "we can't know;" many believers have a difficult time even listening to, much less believing, that we can or will know the day and the hour. This is a ploy of the adversary to prevent Christians from obtaining their full inheritance (Hebrews 10:35-39). In the preceding passage concerning the ten virgins, do we not learn that they were told beforehand ("behold the bridegroom cometh")? If so, then we can safely assume that the Holy Spirit will, at the proper time, tell us beforehand (John 16:13).

Again, from Jesus' parable of the ten virgins, we see in verses 9-11 that once the "midnight cry" is heard, there will not be time to get ready. Upon hearing the midnight cry, the five "foolish" virgins (Christians - 2 Corinthians 11:2) "went to buy," meaning they attempted to make the preparations necessary to be able to go with the bridegroom - but there was not enough time. As stated above, the bride must be found in the "process of preparation" at the time of the "midnight cry." When the foolish returned, the door was shut and they were not allowed to enter. They couldn't enter because they were not ready and because Jesus "didn't know (recognize) them" (Matthew 25:12). Because they failed to know and be conformed to Him (metamorphosis in Philippians 3:10) while He was away, they didn't receive glorified bodies at the time of the Resurrection/Rapture (Philippians 3:11). Just as the disciples couldn't recognize Jesus on the road to Emmaus, so the Lord will not recognize (know) those virgins who have not yet "attained" to the glorified state.

Many lessons and end-time revelations can be drawn from this account but permit me to focus on one significant item of importance: does this parable tell us how much advance notice we will receive? I think so. Notice carefully that the five foolish did not have enough time to get ready. That would indicate to me that the time between the midnight cry and the Lord's "shout" of arrival is relatively short - perhaps a matter of days. In a literal sense, how long would it take for a carnal or backslidden Christian to repent and "obtain extra oil?"[2] A week, a month, six months, six years? Recognizing this to be subjective and arbitrary, my guess would be that it would take (and I do believe God's transforming work in our lives does take time) at least 30 days to obtain the transforming oil of the Holy Spirit. Assuming this to be reasonable, the space between the midnight cry (when we learn the day and the hour) and the Parousia (actual coming of Christ to the clouds) would be no more than 30 days.

Does the scripture provide greater specificity concerning the time between the midnight cry and the Rapture? The Gospels tell us that Jesus died on Passover, was buried on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and rose three days later on the Feast of Firstfruits (17 NISAN). Acts 1:3 documents that the Lord remained on the earth in His glorified body for 40 days, then rose into heaven 10 days before the Feast of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16). Upon His ascension, the two men in white informed us that He would return "in like manner (Acts 1:11). What does that mean? Many have said it means that He will return to the Mount of Olives (from which He ascended) at the end of the Tribulation. According to Zechariah 14:4, that is exactly right - but is it comprehensive? Those of us who recognize a pre-tribulation Rapture know that His coming will be in two stages - first to receive His bride and, seven years later, to defeat His enemies at Armageddon. So were the "men in white" telling us more than we have previously perceived? I think it's possible. I believe when they said His coming would be like His going, they were referring to the "when" and the "how" - not just the "where".

First, concerning "when." Jesus "left" 10 days before Pentecost. Could we thus assume that He will return at the same time, since the men in white said it would be "in like manner"? Could He arrive at the outskirts of town 10 days before - at the sound of the "midnight cry"? A ten day duration would certainly fit our scenario concerning our "foolish virgins" and it approximates the amount of notice that Noah was given (seven days). At the word of His arrival (the midnight cry), the unprepared Christians would, in panic, rush off to get ready. But, alas, there is not enough time. Seven or ten short days later, during which the bride makes final preparations, the "shout" is heard, "Come forth" and at the sound of His voice (John 5:28), the dead arise and the living are changed (1 Corinthians 15:52) - but not the "foolish" living.

And concerning "how" He will return; we find in Psalm 47:5 that He went up with a shout and with the sound of the trumpet. Does not Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 tell us that He will return in like manner? In Acts 1:11, He left in the clouds and in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 He similarly returns. Furthermore, just as He left with His own ten days before Pentecost (Ephesians 4:8), so shall His own be with Him when He returns (1 Thessalonians 4:14).

Both the "when" and the "how" of His return bear amazing similarities to "the manner" in which He left. Yes, it seems evident that the two men in white were giving direct insight into not only the second stage but also (and perhaps more importantly) the first stage of His return.

Emil Gaverluk, in his book The Rapture Before the Russian Invasion, explains that after receiving glorified bodies, the saints will remain on the earth, as did the saints in Jerusalem at the crucifixion of Christ. Indeed, the Greek text in 1 Thessalonians 4:17a does indicate an interval of time between the changing of our bodies and the subsequent catching up into the clouds. Some have postulated that this interval will be the same as before - 40 days. Grant Jeffrey, in his book, Heaven the Last Frontier, provides evidence that the saints who rose in Matthew 27:52, remained on the earth the full 40 days with Christ before ascending with Him at the end of that time (Ephesians 4:8).

We know that the dead in Christ will rise before the living at the time of the Resurrection/Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16). But how long before? Again, the two men in white said it "will be in like manner" and Christ's own departure seems to validate the 40-day period. On the Feast of Firstfruits (Sunday), Jesus Christ arose from the dead. Forty days later, He "ascended into the clouds." His ascension to the Father on the Sunday of His resurrection seems to parallel the resurrection and ascension of THE DEAD on a future Sunday (Pentecost). Whereas Christ was dead prior to His Firstfruits resurrection, HE WAS ALIVE when He rose 40-days later. Does His second rising correspond to "those WHO ARE ALIVE and remain?!" Will the dead in Christ rise on Pentecost, to be followed by the glorified living, 40 days later? Only time will tell. For now, let us be "wise" virgins who are "buying extra oil" - for the "midnight cry" will soon be heard!!

[1]For further study of this subject, please request my article Can We Know?

[2]Obtaining extra oil signifies the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (Romans 8:29)