The Sleeping Church (part 3)

[Trekson]

The Sleeping Church (Part 3)​

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Oh yeah, there was one more example to point out. I’m sure most of you are familiar with this parable. Matt. 25:1-13 – “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

There are many things we can glean from this passage but I want to focus on the one aspect that is important to our discussion. From vs. 5 – “While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.” Even the wise virgins were sleeping! This should show us that none of us are beyond the lethargy and apathy that is oppressing this nation. It’s getting stolen from us right before our eyes while we are sleeping or our attention is diverted elsewhere! Watching, doesn’t mean standing idly by and doing nothing. Watching is a call to action so that the thieves do not come and steal what is rightfully ours while we slumber!

Even in that great passage about spiritual warfare it tells us who our enemies are. Eph. 6:12 – “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” These are the powers that are behind those flesh and blood non-believers who are in authority over us. In vss. 13-17 we are told to take a stand! Eph. 6:13 -17 – “ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”

Church we have work to do! How do you want to stand before God? Do you want to be weak, lifeless, lazy, inept, without effect? Or do you want to be strong, valiant, vibrant, fighting the good fight of faith, running the race, taking a stand, being about His business? The choice is yours!

 

[Josho]

Good fighting words there mate, not only does the church have to stand up for what is right, but i seriously think it's time for the whole body of Christ to get back into spending time with God, spend some real time with him, not just read the Bible and not just pray as a part of a ritual, no, no, no, it shouldn't be treated as a religious ritual, spend time with God like he is your best friend, spending time with God is not just reading the Bible and praying, it can be as simple as laying still in his presence, there are a lot of Christians that have the wrong idea that they always have to be doing something, and when they do that they got no real time for God. I have learnt you can get just as much out of sitting or laying in the peace and quiet in the presence of God than reading the Bible and praying. All is important, and it's important to use your Bible, don't just do what the rest of the Church does, pray according to your Bible, speak it out, receive it. If we want to be making a difference in our nations, this is what we gotta be doing as the Body of Christ, we need to seek and ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit, that's why time spent with God is so important.

 

[Trekson]

Thanks, Josho

 

[skypair]

I have yet 3 other takes on the churches. One is from Rev 2-3. There are 5 churches there that will all of in part be raptured like the wise virgins —Ephesus, Smyna (all), Pergamos, Sardis, and Philadelphia (all). That leaves 5 left behind like the foolish virgins. So Thyatira ends up being the one world religion (Rev 2:22, 17) with the other churches and, later, Islam cast into bed with her. Laodicea is the temporally rich/spiritually dead church that is told (in the tribulation by both Mt 25:9 and Rev 3:18) to "go and buy." As you study Rev 2-3, take note of the promises God gives to each church — whether they signify the Millennial Kingdom or the New Jerusalem in heaven. Also note which ones are commanded to repent.

Two .. The miracle of the feeding of 5000. What did Jesus feed them with? Two fishes (the 2 witnesses in the tribulation, Rev 11:3-13) and 5 barley (Gentile) loaves (left behind churches). And what happens to them? They are broken/martyred in order to save a multitude from out of the tribulation (Rev 6:9. 7:9). And the scraps? What about them? They were carried across the Sea of Galilee through a storm (tribulation) onto the shore of the Millennial Kingdom (into which they will be resurrected, Rev 20:4).

Finally, Peter, James, and John were 3 special disciples in that they represent 3 end time churches — Peter, the church that follows AntiChrist into the tribulation and "has pleasure in unrighteousness" (2Thes 2:12) — James, the church left behind in the tribulation that converts to Christ and is martyred like James was — and John, the church that is raptured pretrib, like John was in Rev 4:1! Notice every time these 3 are alone with Jesus, He does something signifying the church age and prophecy. He showed them in the transfiguration what our heavenly bodies will look like. He spoke to them with Andrew the Olivett Discourse. It was those 3 that He took up Gesthemany to pray below (as the church is now) while He prays for His church above! And it was all 3, as you point out, that were sleeping when He came down!

skypair