“Enter by the NARROW GATE; for WIDE is the gate and BROAD is THE WAY THAT LEADS TO DESTRUCTION, and there are MANY (polys: A multitude) who go in by it. Because NARROW is the gate and DIFFICULT is THE WAY which LEADS TO LIFE (zōē: the absolute fulness of life), and there are FEW (oligos: little, small number) who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
The Parable of the Ten Virgins, “At that time (the last of the last days) THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN will BE LIKE ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 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 ones, however, TOOK OIL IN JARS ALONG WITH THEIR LAMPS.” (Matthew 25:1-4) The oil represents the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Bible says that “TONGUES AS OF FIRE APPEARED over the heads of each of those who gathered together.” (Acts 2:3). The Holy Spirit comes as fire to work something DEEP into the substance of our lives that will shape things around us, rather than us TAKING ON THE SHAPE OF THE WORLD.
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 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 WEDDING BANQUET. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But HE REPLIED, ‘TRULY I TELL YOU, I DON’T KNOW YOU.’ “Therefore, KEEP WATCH, because YOU DO NOT KNOW THE DAY OR THE HOUR.” (Matthew 25:6-13) Why did the Lord not know them? Because they were going to church, but their hearts were NOT RIGHT WITH GOD!!! If this is you, ask Jesus to forgive you and COME INTO YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW! 1\2 OF THE CHURCH IS NOT RIGHT WITH GOD, REPENT AND BE CONVERTED…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham