Parable 10 Virgins: Final Test

Be Prepared go through the great

tribulation of beast/antichrist/man of sin

*What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits

his soul. Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Matt 16:26 NIV+

Be prepared to meet Jesus at any time, for we can physically die in an instant

Be ready to stand up, physically die for Jesus at any time in this chaotic world

Be prepared go through tribulation, the great tribulation before Jesus returns

Be ready to praise Jesus, and be filled with ecstatic joy, if He returns sooner

1. Parable of the 10 virgins; Jesus uses symbolic words to warn us to be prepared for the great tribulation

2. Matt 25:1; ten (10) virgins went out to meet the Bridegroom

3. Matt 25:2-4; five (5) wise virgins took oil, five (5) foolish virgins took no oil

4. Matt 25:5; Bridegroom was delayed; the 5 wise virgins and 5 foolish virgins fell asleep

5. Matt 25:6-7; at midnight there was a cry, “here comes the bridegroom come out and meet him”; all virgins rose and trimmed their lamps

6. Matt 25:8-10; 5 wise virgins cannot give any oil to 5 foolish virgins, so they went to get oil; 5 wise virgins taken to bridegrooms supper, door closed

7. Matt 25:10-13; 5 foolish virgins will not be forgiven by Jesus, not known by Him; will be cast into Hades, to await 2^nd death, Hell/Lake of Fire

Appendix: A. Only 1/2 of Israel/Jews still physically alive on earth, in mortal physical bodies; will come into Jesus 1,000 year Kingdom on earth

B. Jewish Wedding at time of Jesus - C. Where we are today

1. Jesus told us a symbolic Parable about 10 virgins who went out to meet a bridegroom; and then will go with the bridegroom to celebrate His wedding supper in Matthew 25: 1-13. To warn all believers/saints that they should be prepared for trials and tribulations, including the 3½ years of great tribulation the beast/antichrist/man of sin will bring upon this world.

*"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. Matt 24:9

*For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. Matt 24:21 ESV+

This parable warns us we must completely love and trust Jesus so that we are not led astray by satan, demons, this evil world, or the many false prophets who will come in the end times; so we are able to overcome the lawlessness they will bring into the world. We must have the Holy Spirit living in our hearts, allow Him to guide our physical minds, to have the spiritual strength to endure any force which will come against us; endure the beast/antichrist/man of sin 3½ year reign of great tribulation over the whole world. For only the Holy Spirit can pour God’s love into our hearts, give us the faith to believe in Jesus which is so strong, that we will be willing to give our physical lives here on earth for Jesus.

*"At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many." Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. Matt 24:10-13 NASB+ This is where we are right now in the U.S.

*For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mk 8:35-36 NKJV+

*More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Ro 5:3-5 ESV+

In the Parable of the 10 Virgins Jesus uses spiritual symbolic words which only the Holy Spirit can explain to those Jesus would have him reveal the truth to, through the context of the entire Bible.

*And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Matt 13:10-12 NKJV+

*This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 1Co 2:13 NIV+

2. Matt 25:1 *"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Matt 25:1 NASB+

2a. Kingdom of Heaven: is the Kingdom of God, Paradise in the 2^nd Heaven; where all the spiritual beings (souls-spirits) of the faithful from the Old Covenant have been taken, where all the spiritual beings (souls-spirits) in the New Covenant are now taken when believers/saints physically die.

Paul named the heavens when God took his spiritual being up to the 3^rd Heaven; starting with the 1^st over then earth he ascended from, then the 2^nd where God has His Temple, to the 3^rd where God has always existed, created everything in the universe including men and women; is where the New Jerusalem is located. 2^nd Heaven See Intro (1) (2) (3)

2b. Virgins: The physical biblical definition of a virgin; is one who has not had sexual intercourse of any kind before they married as a man and a woman; and therefore both the man and woman are a pure holy virgin. This spiritually symbolizes the hearts of those faithful to God in the Old Covenant at the time of Jesus ministry, when He gave this parable. Just like our Heavenly Father choose Mary to be Jesus mother, because she was a physically pure, holy virgin without any sexual relations with any other man before she gave birth to Jesus. And spiritually Mary had a pure holy heart for her God; was made righteous her faith, kept holy by doing the ceremonial works our God commanded Israel to do.

*“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. Matt 1:23-25

*Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?" And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. Lk 1:34-35 NKJV+

*And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. Lk 1:46-48 NKJV+

Jesus uses this physical definition of a pure/holy virgin in His parable of the 10 virgins, to spiritually symbolize the spiritual being of the believers/saints. For while the believers/saints spiritual beings can become pure/holy, our human physical bodies can never become pure/holy, must be replaced by glorified bodies when Jesus returns for us. The only means by which our spiritual being can only become pure and holy is when we give up our human physical will and accept/follow the will of our Heavenly Father; and He will then forgive our sins by the blood Jesus shed on the across to atone for them.

*For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 1Pe 3:18 NIV+

*If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. Ro 8:10 NASB+

The only way our spiritual being can become pure/holy is to accept the Holy Spirit into our hearts. The Holy Spirit introduces us to Jesus, and will continue to guide us so Jesus likewise can live in our hearts (soul-spirit). Yet if our human will, our physical mind refuses to allow the Spirit to guide us; we push the Holy Spirit out of our hearts, and no longer have the ability to love and believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

*Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 1CO 12:3 NIV+

*"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. Jn 15:5-6 NIV+

*The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Matt 13:41-43 ESV+

One either has or has not had physical sexual intercourse before they were married as a man or wife; is either a physically pure and holy virgin, or is not a pure and holy virgin, there is no middle ground. Our Heavenly Father would not have any woman be the pure and holy mother of Jesus if they had any sexual relations before being married as a man and woman, even if it was forced on them.

*Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [Immanuel means God is with us]. Isa 7:14 ESV+

One either has or does not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, one cannot be a child of God without the spiritual indwelling of the Holy Spirit; we either have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and are children of God, or do not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and are children of the devil. There is no middle ground.

*However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Ro 8:9 NASB+

*He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. Matt 13:37-40 ESV+

2c. Ten: is a perfect number, which includes all in a cycle or period. Here it is referring to the period of the New Covenant of Christ’s grace when the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was given; to the time Jesus returns to gather/rapture all believers/saints up to Him in the clouds over earth. See Number 10
*Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2Co 3:5-6 NIV+

*Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1Thess 4:17 NASB+

2d. Ten virgins symbolize all the believers/saints will be physical living on earth waiting for Jesus to return and gather/rapture them up to be with Jesus in the clouds over earth; 5 will be wise virgins and saved, 5 will be foolish virgins and perish (see 3 below). The 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, who come to bring Israel/Jews back to God at Jerusalem, will be pure and holy virgins; the first fruits of the 5 wise virgins. For the 144,000 will be the first to be given glorified bodies and taken to Heaven without physically dying on earth.

*The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Ro 8:16-17 ESV+

*Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1Thess 4:17 NASB+

*It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless. Rev 14:4-5 NKJV+ The 144,000 from the Tribes of Israel

The 144,000 will be the first fruits of all who will be given a glorified body without physically dying. They will come to bring Israel to back to God before the beast/antichrist/man of sin 3½ year reign begins, then proceed us to Heaven just as his reign begins; for they do not have the New Jerusalem written on their foreheads, which will only happen after the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. They alone will be able to sing a new song no one else in Heaven will be able to sing, not even Jesus; the 144,000 can sing a song of praise to God for taking them to Heaven in a glorified body without them having to physically die, which at this time no one else in Heaven will be able to sing. G. 52

*He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. Rev 3:12 NKJV+

*Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. Rev 14:1 ESV+

*And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. Rev 14:2-3 ESV+

10 virgins symbolize all the believers/saints who will be physically living on earth, as the tribulations start happening which will usher in the time for Jesus to return for us in the clouds over earth; which are getting closer and closer right now. All these virgins will be pure and holy, for they have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, just like the 144,000 virgins from the tribes of Israel will be given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

*Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 1Thess 4:17 NASB+

2e. Marriage Supper of the Lamb: Jesus is the Lamb

Jesus initiated the celebration of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, on Passover Day Nissan 14, 30 AD, when He offered His body in the bread and His blood in the fruit of the vine to those who would believe in Him. Jesus did this to strengthen our faith, to remind us we are all part of His body, His One Holy Spiritual Church, and to assure us our sins are forgiven by the blood He shed on the cross to atone for our sins.

*The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Jn 1:29 NKJV+

*Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matt 26:26-28 ESV+

*The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 1Co 10:16-17 ESV+

Jesus would also have us continually come to partake of the Lord’s Supper to remember what He told us about “that day”, to look forward to the day Jesus will return for us in the clouds over earth to give us eternal glorified bodies like His; and take us to His Father’s Home in Heaven. There we will celebrate Jesus Marriage Supper with Him, where Jesus will once more drink the fruit of the vine with all of His brothers and sisters; just as He promised when He instituted His Supper for us before He was crucified.

*Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2Thess 2:1 NIV+

*I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matt 26:29 ESV+ Notice Father’s Kingdom, Paradise in the 2^nd Heaven over earth, not Jesus 1,000 year Kingdom on earth

*Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." Rev 19:9 NKJV+

2f. Bridegroom is symbolically Jesus: who knows He will soon be crucified and taken from His disciples; then be resurrected with a glorified spiritual body and be given 40 more days with them. Before Jesus ascended to 2^nd Heaven where He sits at the right hand of His Father in Heaven; until His Father tells Him it is time to return to the clouds over earth and give all believers/saints glorified bodies, then

take us home to Heaven to celebrate Jesus wedding Supper with Him; the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

*And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. Matt 9:15 NKJV+

*You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.' He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. Jn 3:28-30 NKJV+

2g. The Bride is symbolically the New Jerusalem, which is now in the 3^rd Heaven. See Intro (1) (2) (3)

*And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev 21:2 ESV+

*The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. Rev 21:23-24 NIV+

Notice the New Jerusalem comes down out of Heaven, so it must come down from the 3^rd Heaven to the 2^nd Heaven which is the Kingdom of God, Paradise in the 2^nd Heaven. The 3^rd Heaven which has always been, will always be, is where God created everything. This includes His Kingdom and Temple in the 2^nd Heaven; the 1^st heaven earth; earth; and in the depths of earth; Hades, the Abyss, Tartarus. Where God created the New Jerusalem, and will create God’s New Heaven/Earth at the White Throne Judgment. 3^rd Heaven See Intro

We do not know whether the New Jerusalem will just come down lower in the 3^rd Heaven or come into the 2^nd Heaven when Jesus is symbolically married to Her. Nor do we know if we will spend time in the New Jerusalem in the 2^nd or 3^rd Heaven as priests to our Heavenly Father during the 1,000 years of Jesus Kingdom on earth. See I. 73

*Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years. Rev 20:6 NASB+

Jesus is the symbolic husband over the New Jerusalem and Temple there; will write His Father’s name on us, name of the city of God the New Jerusalem on us, and His new name on us.

We or the earthly church or congregations are not the symbolic bride of Jesus; but individual believers-saints are Jesus brothers and sisters; who by Jesus atoning grace on the cross for our sins became spiritually holy children of God. And Jesus will give us eternal glorified spiritual bodies when He comes down to gather/rapture us in the clouds over earth, so we are His perfect, pure, holy brothers and sisters. And when we come into the 2^nd Heaven in glorified bodies, we will never marry or be given in marriage; as the angels do not marry or reproduce.

*For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matt 12:50 ESV+

*Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. Heb 2:11

*For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. Matt 22:30 NKJV+

Jesus is telling this parable not Paul or Peter who used the same word Jesus did, virgin; as a spiritual symbolic word to how one should spiritually remain pure and holy by accepting the Holy Spirit into our hearts and then following Him so we remain pure and holy like a physical virgin when they are married. Not that a congregation or an earthly church in which some are pure and holy, and some are sinful and evil would be married to Jesus in Heaven.

Believers-saints have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are individually pure and holy; are spiritually one with Jesus and part of the Body of Christ, His One Holy Spiritual Church. And because we are spiritually one with Jesus, we are spiritually one with all the believers/saints who are also spiritually one with Jesus. We are all children of God, brothers and sisters with Jesus who is our Lord; it is not any earthly church or congregation who will go to Heaven, but only the individual believers-saints who are children of God because we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

*I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 2Co 11:2 NASB+

*so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Ro 12:5 NASB+

2h. Those who will be invited to the Marriage Supper will be; all the faithful from the beginning of the world to the end of the Old Covenant; and all the believers/saints in the New Covenant until Jesus comes in power to defeat the beast/antichrist/man of sin and establish His 1,000 year Kingdom on earth.

*And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt 8:11-12 NKJV+

3. Matt 25:2-4:*Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. Matt 25:2-4 NIV+

3a. Oil spiritually symbolizes be anointed with the Holy Spirit, being given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit which keeps the light of Jesus glory shining in our hearts. This symbolism comes from God’s command to continuously burn physical oil so there would always be light in the inner room of God’s Temple in the Old Covenant. In the New Covenant our physical bodies spiritually became the Temple of our God, when we are anointed with the Holy Spirit, who will then live in our hearts, enable us to keep our spiritual light burning brightly to show the glory of our great God.

*"Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually. Lev 24:2 NIV+

*Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body. 1Co 6:19-20 NASB+

This anointing, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a deposit to guarantee what is to come for all the believers/saints in Christ. The final payment for this guarantee is that the Holy Spirit is still indwelling in us; His oil is still keeping our lamps lit with the love of Jesus in our hearts; until Jesus returns in the clouds over earth to give all the faithful before Jesus died on the cross, and all the believers/saints after Jesus died on the cross eternal glorified bodies, and then take us to His Marriage Supper in Heaven.

*Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2Co 1:21-22 NIV+

Anointing of the Holy Spirit is just a deposit to be part of the gathering/rapture, which we can lose if we do not continue to follow the Holy Spirit, the oil which keeps the light of Jesus love burning in our hearts.

All 10 virgins will be blessed to be called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and all of the 10 pure/holy believers/saints will anxiously be waiting for Jesus to return. Yet our Heavenly Father will still test them with trials, tribulation, even the final exam of the beast/antichrist/man of sin 3½ year reign of great tribulation. To see whether these believers/saints really love Jesus above all things, love Jesus enough to suffer for Him, even give their physical lives for our Savior; that they might also be glorified with Him.

*I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Rev 1:9 ESV+ Jesus crucifixion began End Age tribulation, John was in it

*Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Rev 2:10 NASB

3b. 5 Wise Virgins: 1/2 of the 10 virgins (believers/saints) who will be physically living on earth will come out to meet Jesus when He returns, will pass God’s test of trials, tribulations and the great tribulation final exam. For these 5 wise virgins will let the Holy Spirit remain in their hearts, and continue to be anointed by his oil to keep the light of Jesus love burning within their hearts. They will eternally be the pure and holy children of God, who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven prepared for all the faithful from before Jesus died on the cross, to all the faithful believers/saints after Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

*And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Heb 13:12 NIV+

*However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. Ro 8:9 NASB+

*"Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Matt 25:34 NASB+

3c.5 Foolish Virgins, will makeup remaining 1/2 of the 10 virgins (believers/saints) who will be living on earth when Jesus returns. As all the trials, tribulations, even the great tribulation of the beast/antichrist/man of sin keep getting closer they will start using their own human assumptions that God wound not make them go through all these end times tribulations, and the great tribulation in the prophecies of Revelation. They will begin to put out the Spirit’s fire in their hearts, by quenching it using knowledge from their own physical human mind.

*Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. 1Thess 5:19-21 NKJV+

*Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. Rev 1:3 NKJV+

They will forget they are God’s Temple only when the Holy Spirit dwells in their hearts lighting their way. Without the Holy Spirit their light will go out, they will no longer be pure, holy; and no longer God’s Temple. And God will destroy anyone who destroys His Temple by not using the Spirit’s anointing, His oil to keep their light of Jesus love burning in their hearts.

*Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1Co 3:16-17 ESV+

4. Matt 25:5 *As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. Matt 25:5 ESV+

Because the bridegroom was later than anticipated by all of the 10 virgins (5 wise and 5 foolish virgins) the believers/saints still living on earth found a place to wait. They became drowsy, and they all fell asleep.

Jesus told this story before He was crucified in 30 AD. For almost 2,000 years believers/saints have been waiting for Jesus to return for them; believing Jesus was going to return for them some day and give them a glorified body, then take them to Heaven to His marriage Supper of the Lamb. Our Heavenly Father even had Jesus send an angel to show John what he should write to some of those assembled together on earth of what would soon take place. Our Father also has and will give believers/saints all the spiritual gifts we will need to sustain us until Jesus returns. While we should remember that the Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise, but is patient because He does not want any to perish, but give them time to come and repent to Him.

*The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ Rev 1:1-2 NIV+

*so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Co 1:7-8 ESV+

*The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2Pe 3:9 ESV+

Our Heavenly Father will use all the trials and tribulations He will put us through to strengthen our faith, so it will be strong enough that we will be willing to die for Jesus. The beginning of wisdom of our God is fear, and then the knowledge of the Holy One gives us understanding to know God’s purpose. We will even know the season Jesus will return to gather/rapture for we are sons of the light, do not belong to the darkness.

*The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Pro 9:10 NASB+

*For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge His people." It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb 10:30-31 NASB+

*But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 1Thess 5:4-5 NIV+

5. Matt 25:6-7 *But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. Matt 25:6-7 ESV+

5a. 5 Wise Virgins will soon be the only believers/saints still living on earth; for after trimming their lamps they will be the only ones who have the anointing oil of the Spirit to light their way through the 3½ year of the beast/antichrist/man of sin as they wait and listen for the bridegroom’s voice, and they will be full of joy when they hear it. That joy will only be theirs when Jesus returns in the clouds over earth to gather/rapture them up to Him and give them glorified bodies, then take them to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

*The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. Jn 3:29 NIV+

*For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1Thess 4:16 ESV+

The 5 wise virgins will not know the day and hour when Jesus will return, for not even the angels and saints in Heaven will know the exact time of Jesus return. Yet these believers/saints will know the season and approximate time of Jesus will return for them, which the Holy Spirit will keep revealing to them so they will prepared to go through the tribulation, even the great tribulation of the beast/antichrist/man of sin with the lamps in the hearts brightly shining with the glory of Jesus .

*"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Mk 13:32 NKJV+

*"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Matt 24:32-33 NASB+

*"He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. Jn 12:25-26 NASB+

All the believers/saints are overcomers, they have overcome satan, beast/antichrist/man of sin, the world and their own human will; and will be clothed in white garments. Their righteous acts along with the righteous acts of all the saints in Heaven; will allow Jesus bride, the New Jerusalem, to wear fine linen bright and pure.

*He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Rev 3:5 NKJV+

*And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Rev 19:8 ASV

5b. The 5 foolish virgins were lulled to sleep along with the 5 wise virgins. When they awake their human physical minds are confused, are shaken, for the end times tribulations have intensified, are starting and Jesus has not returned for them. As they start to trim their lamps for their faith begins wavering, they lamps are running out of oil to light the way for them, and without the anointing oil of the Spirit to light their lamps guiding them through the end time tribulation, the great tribulation of the beast/antichrist/man of sin.

*Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." 1Co 3:18-20 NKJV+

*For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Ro 8:5-6 ESV+

6. Matt 25:8-10 * The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the marriage banquet. And the door was shut. Matt 25:8-10 NIV+

6a. The 5 wise virgins brought extra oil, the anointing oil of the Spirit to keep the fire in their lamps shining brightly to lead them through the tribulation of end times, the great tribulation of the beast/antichrist/man of sin. They are the called, chosen, and faithful of the Lord and He will welcome them into His Marriage Supper of the Lamb. They will never again have to walk in darkness, but will always have the light of life, the glorious light of Jesus to follow through all eternity.

*They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” Rev 17:14 ESV+

*To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Rev 3:21 NKJV+

*When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Jn 8:12 NIV+

The 5 wise virgins will hear the call that go out to meet Jesus as the 3½ year of the beast/antichrist/man of sin time is running out, and the 7 bowls of God’s wrath are about to be poured out. See H. without verses H. with verses

*The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." Rev 11:15 NIV+

*in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 1Co 15:52 ESV+

*For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1Thess 4:16-17 NKJV+

Jesus will bring all of the spiritual beings of the faithful and believers/saints who have previously died from Heaven down with Him to the clouds over earth, resurrect their physical bodies from the grave, glorify them and reunite them with their spiritual beings from Heaven. While catching up/rapturing all the believers/saints now still physically living on the earth (the 5 wise virgins), and glorifying their physical bodies as they come up to the clouds over the earth to be with Jesus and the glorified bodies which have reunited with their spiritual beings from Heaven. Jesus will have given them both an eternal glorified spiritual body just like He has.

*who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Phil 3:21 NKJV+

*It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 1Co 15:44 ESV+

Then Jesus will take all those He has just given a glorified body, to His Marriage Supper of the Lamb in the 2^nd Heaven. And the door will be shut to the Marriage Supper and no one else may come to it. H. 57-60 no verses H. 57-60 with verses below

*Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." Rev 19:9 NKJV+

Many are called, but few chosen; Jesus told us in a different parable in Matt 22:1-14 many will not have the correct wedding garments to show they are pure and holy; and will not be accepted at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Many are called and chosen, but will not remain faithful to the end; and will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth; Hell, the Lake of Fire.

*"But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matt 22:11-13 NASB+

*"For many are called, but few are chosen." Matt 22:14 NASB+

*They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” Rev 17:14 ESV+

The 5 wise virgins cannot give away any of their anointing oil of the Spirit which lights their way, for it is a special gift from God which enables them to love and follow Jesus. They know that the 5 unwise virgins need to earnestly repent to Jesus so they can buy His refined gold and become rich again; be able to buy white clothes signifying their sins have been forgiven, purchase salve for their eyes that they may see the truth again; that Jesus is their Lord.

*Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

6b. 5 foolish Virgins

The 5 foolish virgins did not take any oil with them to keep their lamps burning with their love for our God; their lukewarm faith sometimes hot, other times cold has been shaken. For their human reason cannot understand why their God would make the New Covenant believers/saints go through the end time tribulation and the great tribulation the unbelievers will have to go through.

*'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. 'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, Rev 3:16-17 NASB+

We too often forget all generations have had to go through trials and tribulations, from the Old Covenant faithful who were slaves of Egypt, to the early martyrs crucified during the time of the Apostle Paul, to the martyrs of the present day in antichristian nations; who are being tortured, killed, some by having their heads cut off, and even being crucified. Just because the western world, especially the U.S. has been blessed by God and are rich; we are no longer a Christian nation, will no longer receive God’s blessings, and our riches will not save us from the end time tribulations.

And whoever has, more will be given to them, and those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them. To everyone who God has given much, much will be required; and to those God has entrusted with much, the more He will demand from them.

*Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. Lk 12:48 ESV+

*"For whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him." Mk 4:25

God counsels those whose love grows cold to buy refined gold from Him, so they become rich and have white cloths to wear so they are holy, so you can cover your nakedness, your sins; and salve for your eyes so you ca see the truth, Jesus your Savior.

*So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Rev 3:16 NIV+

*I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Rev 3:18 NIV+
*To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Rev 3:20-21 NIV+

After the oil in the lamps of 5 unwise virgins runs out, they will have no light to show them the way, and will no longer accept the truths in the Bible about their God; for Jesus had not returned as their minds had assumed He would do. Because they no longer trust the truth of our great God; God will delude them into following the lies, the deception, the powerful signs and wonders in the heaven over earth the beast/antichrist/man of sin (the lawless one) will perform. And the 5 unwise virgins will be condemned, for they will no longer believe the truth, but will enjoy the sinful pleasures of this world.

*The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2Thess 2:9-12 NKJV+

This includes the 5 unwise virgins, believers/saints who will turn away from Jesus, and all unbelievers who have heard the Gospel but rejected it. God will delude all who do not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to follow the beast/antichrist/man of sin and take his mark. When Jesus returns in power He will kill all who have taken the mark of the beast/antichrist/man of sin and their spiritual being will cast to Hades; and at the White Throne their evil spiritual being will be united with their sinful physical being and be judged, then condemned to the 2^nd death; Hell, the Lake of Fire. See Intro (5) J. no verses J. verses below

*He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." Rev 14:9 NKJV+

It will be easier for the beast/antichrist/man of sin to deceive those who believe Jesus will come to the clouds in the 1^st heaven over earth before the beast/antichrist/man of sin begins his 3½ year reign. For satan who is now the prince over the 1^st heaven over earth, will give his power to the beast/antichrist/man of sin so he can do many false signs and wonders in the sky over earth; deceive many that he is Jesus returning to give us glorified bodies, and rule over the earth. This is especially true of Israel/Jewish believers still waiting for their Messiah.

Just like the 5 unwise virgins who in their human minds will question why Jesus has not returned yet, and without the oil of the Holy Spirit to keep their lamps burning to light the way; will be deceived. Whether the 5 unwise virgins are deluded by God, or deceived by accepting the first signs in the heavens over earth does not matter; they will follow and support the beast/antichrist/man of sin, and take his mark. They will even help him kill the believers/saints by turning them into for not having the mark of the beast/antichrist/man of sin; and be condemned for all eternity.

*And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. Rev 13:15 NASB+

*And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Rev 13:16-17 NASB+

This includes all who believe they will be gathered-raptured before the beast/antichrist/man of sin reigns over earth; and will be deceived when the beast/antichrist/man of sin comes before Jesus returns.

Includes those who believe Revelation is not about physical things, but just spiritual symbolism (apocalyptic) and are only waiting for Jesus to return in the clouds over earth, then come down and rule over earth; and be deceived when the beast/antichrist/man of sin comes first to rule over earth and follow him.

7. Matt 25: 10-13 *Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Matt 25:11-13 NKJV+

Since all 10 were virgins, pure and holy, they all had the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; the 5 unwise virgins will all be believers/saints who will push the Holy Spirit out of their hearts, by committing the unforgiveable sin by blaspheming the Holy Spirit. And after our Savior has brought in all who have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to His Supper, the door will be closed, locking out all who do not have the Holy Spirit living in their hearts. See 2 - 4

*"Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"— Mk 3:28-29 NASB+

*For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Heb 10:26-27

*How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? Heb 10:29 NASB+

Many will blaspheme the Spirit in the end times; any who takes away from the words of Revelation will not come into God’s New Heaven and Earth. Those who take the mark of the beast/antichrist/man of sin will be condemned forever and ever, for this sin will not be forgiven. And the one who conquers, is pure, holy has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; will never have their name blotted from the Book of Life.

*and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. Rev 22:19 ESV+

*And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” Rev 14:9-11 ESV+

*The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. Rev 3:5 ESV+

Not everyone who calls Jesus Lord will enter into God’s Kingdom, Paradise in Heaven; even those who have done miracles in His name. Including those in the later times who will depart from the faith no longer have the atoning oil of the Spirit lighting their way. For many will follow deceitful spirits and teaching of demons.

*"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matt 7:21-23 NIV+

*Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 1Ti 4:1 ESV+

God’s spiritual plan of salvation in Heaven will be followed; the prophecies in the Scripture, not the assumptions from the mind will be kept. Even one of Jesus disciples was not saved so that the Father’s spiritual plan of salvation in the Bible could be fulfilled.

*While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. Jn 17:12 ESV+

It would be better to have never known Jesus, then to have known Him, then stop loving Him above all things and refusing to come back to Savior and be saved. Any who knew Jesus and then left Him will be given greater punishment in Hell, then those who did not hear the Gospel message and never came to Jesus.

*For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 2Pe 2:21 NLJV+

*And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Lk 12:47 ESV+

The 5 foolish Virgins will go through the 30 days of God’s wrath; while the 5 wise virgins will be celebrating the marriage Feast of the Lamb with Jesus in God’s Kingdom, Paradise in Heaven. See H. 63 – 64

*"From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. Da 12:11-12 NIV+

*Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished. Rev 15:1 NASB+

All the 5 foolish Virgins when they physically die on earth; or when they are physically are killed when Jesus comes in power to defeat beast/antichrist/man of sin army at Armageddon; or at the winepress of God’s wrath. Will have their spiritual beings go to Hades. Then at the White Throne will be judged and cast into the eternal 2^nd death, Hell/Lake of Fire. See Chart H. 65 J. 91+93

*So the angel swung his sickle to the earth and gathered the clusters from the vine of the earth, and threw them into the great wine press of the wrath of God. And the wine press was trodden outside the city, and blood came out from the wine press, up to the horses' bridles, for a distance of two hundred miles. Rev 14:19-20 NASB+ Blood 3 feet deep across the approximate length of Israel now

*The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Rev 20:13-15 NIV+

We should test all prophecies, but be patient until they are completely revealed, and not be led astray. Always using the entire Bible in context as the Holy Spirit continues to reveal more of the prophecies in it.

*Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1Jn 4:1 ESV+

*And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, Phil 1:9-10 NIV+

Be prepared to meet Jesus at any time, for we can physically die in an instant

Be ready to stand up, physically die for Jesus, at any time in our chaotic world

Be prepared go through tribulation, the great tribulation before Jesus returns

Offer praise to Jesus if He returns sooner, as we are filled with ecstatic joy

Appendix:

A. Only one half of Israel/Jews still physically alive on earth, in mortal physical bodies; will come into Jesus 1,000 year Kingdom on earth;

Just like only one half of all the believers/saints (5 of the 10 virgins) living on earth are raptured up to Jesus when He returns in the clouds over earth, with the other one half (5 of the 10 virgins) remaining on earth to perish in their physical bodies.

The house of David (Israel/Jewish descendants of King David) physically living on earth who are faithful to the Heavenly Father but have not yet accepted Jesus, but will call on Jesus when He comes in power and come into Jesus 1,000 year Kingdom on earth (see verses below). They will be first tested and refined with only 1/3 remaining faithful to the Father; and 2/3 will cut off and will later perish.

Of the 1/3 who were faithful to the Father; only one half of the faithful of the House of David who are physically living on earth will be saved, come in their mortal physical bodies into Jesus 1,000 Year Kingdom on earth; with the other one half cut off and killed.

All Israel/Jews physically living on earth of the House of David (related to King David), or who are living in Jerusalem when the 2 prophets/witnesses return will have a fountain opened for them. A new Temple in Jerusalem will be built for the 2 prophets/witnesses to bring Israel back to their God. The 2 prophets/witnesses will have power for 3½ years to clear out all the evil from Jerusalem (maybe Judea, maybe all of Israel) and all the false prophets and unclean spirits.

*"In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. "It shall be in that day," says the Lord of hosts, "that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land. Zech 13:1-2 NKJV+

The 144,000 from the tribes of Israel will be bringing the gospel of the atoning grace of Jesus on the cross primarily to Israel/Jews, and all who accept Jesus as their Lord will be raptured up to Jesus when He returns in the clouds over earth. This will happen before those from the House of David (Israel/Jewish) who have not accepted Jesus; will finally accept Him when He comes in power to establish His 1,000 year Kingdom on earth. They will call out to Him to forgive them, save them, and Jesus will take them in their mortal physical bodies into His 1,000 Year Kingdom on Earth.

Petra is where God will take and protect all the Israel/Jewish believers/saints when satan will come after them, and during the 3½ year reign of the beast/antichrist/man of sin. Then Jesus will return to gather/rapture all up to Him in the clouds over earth, and take them to His Marriage Supper.

Azel (or Azal) is where all the house of David (Isarel/Jews) will go when satan, beast/antichrist/man of sin and false prophet call the armies of all nations against Israel to fight the Battle of Armageddon. And will be saved after Jesus destroys the armies of the world, and then come into Jesus 1,000 Year Kingdom on Earth. Exactly where Azel (or Azal) is located has not been clearly established; some believe it is in mountains where the scapegoat from Day of Atonement which was killed, others say a town south of Jerusalem, others east of Jerusalem. Some believe it spiritually may refer to Petra, which would be empty for when Jesus comes in power for He has already raptured up all believers/saints to Him in the clouds and brought them to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Zechariah prophesized that of all Israel/Jews physically living on earth of the House of David, or who are living in Jerusalem when the 2 prophets/witnesses return will have a fountain opened for them. A new Temple in Jerusalem will be built for the 2 prophets/witnesses to bring Israel back to their God. Also the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel will be bringing the gospel of the atoning grace of Jesus on the cross primarily to Israel/Jews. The 2 prophets/witnesses will have power for 3½ years to clear out all the evil from Jerusalem (maybe Judea, maybe all of Israel) and all the false prophets and unclean spirits.

Then when the 2 prophets/witnesses 3½ years are over, the beast/antichrist/man of sin 3½ years to rule over the world begin; and he will kill the 2 prophets/witnesses who are shepherding Israel/Jews. 2/3 of Israel/Jews who live on the earth will be killed by the beast/antichrist/man of sin when he takes control over the world; yet 1/3 of Israel/Jews will be left on earth.

*"Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion," Says the Lord of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones. And it shall come to pass in all the land," Says the Lord, "That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one-third shall be left in it: Zech 13:7-8 NKJV+

This 1/3 of Israel/Jews who will be saved shall be thrown in the fire, the 3½ year tribulation of the beast/antichrist/man of sin; to refine and test them. Then they will have to endure the 30 days of God’s wrath. They will be called, and chosen for they will not bow down to or take the mark of the beast/antichrist/man of sin; yet will not have completely accept Jesus. But will call out to Jesus when He comes in power, and be taken in their physical mortal bodies without dying into Jesus 1,000 year Kingdom on earth.

*And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ” Zech 13:7-9 ESV+

*"And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. Zech 12:10 NKJV+

*"And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the Lord has said, Even among the survivors whom the Lord calls. Joel 2:32 NASB+

Zechariah also prophesized that when Jesus comes in power to destroy the armies of all the nations satan, the beast/antichrist/man of sin, and false prophet will bring against Him at Jerusalem, 30 days after He has gathered/raptured all believers/saint up to Him and taken them to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Only one half of the House of David still physically living in Jerusalem will be saved, will flee to the Azel. The other one half will be exiled, cut off from the city and killed. Just like only one half of all believers/saints still living on the earth will be saved when Jesus returns in the clouds over earth to gathered/raptured all believers/saints up to him.

*Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Zech 14:1-2 ESV+

*You will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him! Zech 14:5 NASB+

*And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. Zech 14:16-17 NKJV+

*Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to the Lord Almighty, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite [Or merchant] in the house of the Lord Almighty. Zech 14:21 NIV+

B. In the time of Jesus ministry (26AD to 30AD) on the earth, there were many different traditions of how the bride and groom were married. One of them was to have the bridegroom lead a marriage procession at night to bring his friends and others who were invited to the bridegroom’s Marriage Supper to the home of the bridegroom’s father where the Marriage Supper would be held. Jesus used this procession to symbolize how He would spiritually gather/rapture all human spiritual beings in Heaven, and all believers/saints still living on earth to the clouds over earth, give us glorified bodies; then take us to His Marriage Supper at His Father’s Home in Heaven.

The process needed for one to be married also symbolically shows our Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation for us.

1. A binding contract was made between the bridegroom (or his parents) and the bride’s parents which had conditions to be met before they could marry.

Symbolic of when our Heavenly Father made a contract with all who would love Him above all things to be His children. He sent down His Son to become Jesus a man, while spiritually still the Son of God. This contract was initiated when God’s son became man through the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary who was a Virgin Mary who was pure and holy; never had sexual relations with a man until after Jesus was born. This allowed Jesus to become the only man who was ever born to a woman who was holy and pure, with no original sin.

2. When the contract was fulfilled by the bridegroom He went to the father of the bride to set the date to be married, until then the bridegroom and bride could not consummate the marriage, have sexual relations.

Symbolic After Jesus shed His blood on the cross, gave His physical life for our sins, His human spiritual (soul/spirit) being went to endure the torment of Hades, then deposited all the sins in Tartarus/Abyss and then presented His sacrifice (C. 16.) on His Father’s alter in His Temple in the 2^nd Heaven; His contract to save all who would love our God was completed.

3. The bridegroom would then meet with his friends at night to form a procession to go to his father’s House for his Marriage Supper

Symbolic Jesus will take Believer/saints to His Father’s House (Kingdom of God in 2^nd Heaven) for His Marriage Supper. We are waiting for the bridegroom, Jesus, to return in the clouds over earth in the 1^st heaven and give us glorified bodies; then take us to His Father’s House in the 2^nd Heaven, Paradise, to celebrate His Marriage Supper, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. H. 57- 62

4. The marriage is consummated after the marriage supper when the bride and bridegroom go into a room by themselves; even though the marriage supper celebration may go on for weeks or months before this happens.

Symbolic for we will celebrate the marriage supper for 1,000 years in Jesus Earthly Kingdom in Heaven, then come to live eternally with the bridegroom Jesus, with His symbolic bride the New Jerusalem, in our Heavenly Father’s New Heaven and Earth. I. 73 J. 95-96 K.

C. Today: Where we are now in End Times No verses – Diagrams - Diagrams with verses below

1. Now in; signs of 1-5 seals;

2. Now in; falling away from God, many false leaders, pastors, teachers deceiving many believers

3. Now in; U.S. becomes a socialist country, soon be without the will or power to protect Israel

4. Now in beginning of; Border War of Ps 83; which will usher in the War of Gog.

5. Soon; War of Gog, 6^th Seal; discarded weapons used as fuel for 7 years before Jesus returns

6. Then; 2 Prophets/Witnesses given 3½ years to preach; begin set time of Jesus return; 1-5 trumpets

7. 3½ years later; beast/antichrist/man of sin will rule the world for 3½ years; 6^th trumpet

8. Then; Jesus returns gathers/raptures believers, gives us glorified bodies; 7^th trumpet

9. 30 days later; Jesus defeats satan’s army at Armageddon, establishes His 1,000 year Kingdom on earth

10. Jesus 1,000 years over; God defeat satan’s army; White Throne Judgment, God’s New Heaven/Earth for us

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+ ESV “Scripture quotations marked [ESV] are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version,” copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good New Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Some words in the verses from these Bibles may be emphasized with bold letters