Wise and Foolish Virgins
November 17, 2020
- Luke 17:27
- 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18
- 2 Thessalonians 2
- Matthew 25:1–13
- Luke 19:9–10
Key Scriptures: Luke 17:27, 1 Thessalonians 4:15–18; 2 Thessalonians 2; Matthew 25:1–13
27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Wise and Foolish Virgins
With Bishop Ronald K. Powell
Introduction
Christianity and the Bible are under attack, and traditional moral values are being
rejected: this is a major sign of the end times.
- Scripture tells us that, before the return of Christ, there will be a great falling away.
- Many in the world will reject God, and 50 percent of the church will reject God.
- The presence of true believers restrains the Antichrist.
- A World in Rebellion to God with the Man of Sin Ready to Lead Them
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
When Jesus returns and takes the true believers in a
twinkling of an eye—the rapture—then the tribulation will begin.
• The World in Rebellion to God
The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ will not happen until there is first a falling
away and “The man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.” A “falling away”
means the rejection of biblical truth by those who previously professed it or
believed in it.
Furthermore, the falling away also references the complete
rejection of biblical morality by the world.
• Christ’s Return
The Spirit of God that is present within every believer is restraining the
lawless one. The restrainer is the Holy Spirit in the church.
Believers are the restraining influence in the world today, and when we are gone, there will be
no moral restraint. The Antichrist or “lawless one” will not be revealed until after the rapture of the church.
• Total World Deception
When the church is removed and the Antichrist comes to power, there will be
nothing to restrain Satan, as he uses all of his influence to deceive the world.
In 2 Thessalonians 2, it says that the lawless one will be able to perform with
all power, signs, and lying wonders. Once he is revealed, a strong delusion
will come upon the people. They will believe the lie and be condemned.
Read Luke 19:9–10- King James Version
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Since Jesus is returning soon for His bride,
how can we actively pursue the lost so they too may know the love and life of Jesus Christ?
1. What are your thoughts about truth being at a turning point in our generation?
How can we live as “salt and light” during a time when people are going
further from God?
2. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:5–8.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
What are some ways the Holy Spirit, through the church, restrains evil?
How does the Holy Spirit, through our lives, bring a godly influence into the world?
3. Read Matthew 25:1–13.
1 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.
How can we be like the wise virgins in this story?
What does it look like for us to live ready for the bridegroom (Jesus) to return?
4. In what ways is it encouraging to know that Jesus will be returning soon?
5. When a non-believer hears this message, it can be troubling. How can we, as
believers, be more intentional about bringing the hope of the salvation
message to others?
As we conclude, remember the following:
• Jesus is returning for His bride.
• The lawless one is being restrained by the Holy Spirit.
• Once the lawless one is revealed, there will be a great deception.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that Jesus is returning for us, His bride. Please
help us to make Your Word, the Bible, a priority in our lives. Help us to be a
light to the darkness around us. Also, we ask that You would help us to be
bold and active in seeking out the lost so they may know the love and
forgiveness of Jesus Christ! Give us an eternal mindset. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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