Expert: LEBoyd - 1/9/2009

Question
the ten virgins are saved 5 were watchful and prepared while waiting for the groom. the other 5 were more carnal christians, and not occuping while waiting for the groom would you say this is correct? can this scripture be compared to the rapture and the the ones that came thru the tribulation having there robes washed in the blood of the lamb for the knew what the bible says and knew not to take the mark?

Answer
Esther,

I don't think the parable describes the two kinds of Christians as Paul describes them in 1 Cor.  The unprepared were left outside.  Peter talks about the return of Jesus as a "thief in the night", a very similar reference.

In my mind, this is referencing people who do not obey God's word and consider waiting until they're through "sowing their wild oats" as they say.

The "rapture"?  In the Bible the word "rapture" is never used.  The "tribulation" is not a future event in the Bible, but a current event and on-going event.

As you can see around you, many people like to create their own ideas and interpretations of God, Jesus and the Bible to fit what they want.  The "rapture" and "tribulation" ideas stem from either a honest misunderstanding or a dishonest misleading of the book of Revelation.  

The book of Revelation is a book speaking to the Christians of the 1st century.  It is not a book describing something that is forthcoming and not already occuring - except for the last couple of chapters when it describes the return of Christ.  When one compares the book of Daniel to Revelation, it is very easy to see the differences between the future predictions of Daniel and the language in Revelation that indicates it relevance to the 1st century Christian.

It describes what is happening during the Roman persecution and gives hope to the readers that they will prevail and overcome if they stay true to God.

Hope this helps.