This is not written to discourage but to warn us of what Jesus said about our need to repent and be converted so our sins would be “blotted out” (Acts 3:19).
Someone asked Jesus, “Lord, are only A FEW people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the NARROW (stenos: strait, strict) DOOR, because MANY, I tell you, WILL TRY TO ENTER and will NOT BE ABLE TO (because you must be born again). Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ “But he will answer, ‘I DON’T KNOW YOU or where you come from.’ “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’ “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, BUT YOU YOURSELVES ARE THROWN OUT.” (Luke 13:23-28)
WHEN YOU CHOSE:
- NOT TO ask Jesus to FORGIVE YOU of your sins
- NOT TO ACCEPT JESUS as your savior
- NOT TO OBEY JESUS
You will be THROWN OUT.
WE ALL MUST, “Enter by the NARROW GATE; for WIDE is the gate and BROAD is the way that leads to DESTRUCTION, and there are MANY who go in by it. Because NARROW is the gate and DIFFICULT is the way which leads to LIFE, and there are FEW WHO FIND IT.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Jesus described the “few” like this, “…the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five (half) of them were wise, and five (half) were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took NO OIL WITH THEM, but the wise TOOK OIL in their vessels with their lamps.” (Matt. 25:1-4) My understanding is that the oil represents the presence of GOD in our life (WHEN WE ARE SAVED). It could be taken as the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT. It’s the oil that keeps the fire burning IN US. It is mentioned in the parable that the oil is to be purchased. Which means that a PRICE IS TO BE PAID to obtain the oil. To have a continual presence of God in our life, we are to PAY A PRICE, by REPENTING AND SPENDING TIME AT THE FEET OF JESUS. “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready (half) WENT IN with Jesus to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins (half) came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But He answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I DO NOT KNOW YOU.’” (Matt. 25:10-12) MANY TODAY HAVE NEVER COMMITED THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST AND ARE NOT FOLLOWERS OF THE WORD EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE SITTING NEXT TO US IN CHURCH.
THIS REPRESENTS THE CHURCH, SO WILL ONLY HALF OF THE CHURCH KNOW JESUS WHEN THE RAPTURE TAKES PLACE?
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham