Are You Rapture Ready? Are Your Lamps Filled (Prepared) or Empty (Unprepared)?

Wise and Ready or Foolish and Unprepared?

"For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps" -Matt 25:3 (ESV)

Today, I am amazed at people who claim to be Christian but live their lives with their focus not in heaven but in and on the world. I see and hear all the time what people talk about, what they do, and where they place their priorities, but place little focus is placed on the Lord. So let's take a look at the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Bridesmaids) as described to us by Jesus in Matt 25 and see what happened to some of them that were unprepared and failed to focus and plan well.

Ten virgins took their lamps out to meet the bridegroom but he was delayed. Five were wise and five foolish. 

• The 5 wise took oil in their lamps,
• The 5 foolish took their lamps but no extra oil,
• The bridegroom, for whatever reason, was delayed,
• They all slumbered and slept
• But one night, at midnight, a cry was heard that the bridegroom had arrived
• All the 10 virgins trimmed their lamps to go out and meet the bridegroom,
• The 5 that prepared were on their way,
• The 5 that were foolish and unprepared and could not proceed. They had to go and find some oil to buy.

What the Bible says about Trimming the Lamp (From Forerunner Commentary)

A lamp is trimmed when the wick is turned either up or down to regulate the amount of flame. If a lamp is empty of oil, it does not matter how much one trims it—the lamp will go out when the oil is consumed. Apparently, when events make it obvious Christ's return is immediate, the whole church wakes up in surprise. Its members get out their Bibles to find the answer to where Christ is waiting for them, but with the oil of the Holy Spirit producing only a dim light, they lack the spiritual insight to find Him. It is as though the foolish virgins are stumbling around in the dark trying to understand the Word of God, but they cannot. At this point, the foolish are in a state of panic; they realize they cannot understand and do not have the faith to believe. They ask the wise for help in understanding.

I liken this to the churches preparation for this event and I clearly believe this is associated with the rapture of His Bride - for the real and true believers in Christ and not the fake, put-on-a-good-front ones. [dropcap]The[/dropcap] virgins (perhaps meaning all those who claim to be a Christian, indicative of the church...) that took oil were prepared and ready for his return. They were so ready in body, soul and spirit that they had no trouble preparing as much as it took ready to meet the bridegroom. Their mindset was on him, their readiness was steadfast and relentless. They prepared by knowing that without the oil, they could not light his way and the procession that was to follow from the brides home to the bridegrooms place that he had prepared. They constantly read their Bibles, prayed and watched to know Him more. 

"Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34- For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35- Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36- Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37- And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” -Mark 13:33-37 (KJV) 

So how does this apply to us today? Are those who proclaim themselves Christians ready for His return? The return of the Lord to catch away His Bride (referring to the real believers whether they attend church or not). Will those foolish ones, the ones that were not ready, unprepared, focused on the world, that had not enough oil in their lamps, be taken or the door slammed in their faces by the Bridegroom because He didn't know them? Not everyone who says they're a Christian will make it to heaven at the Rapture. Only those who love His appearing and are prepared and waiting for His arrival (Heb 9:28). 

Many are caught up in the world with cares of family, friends, work, jobs, houses, cars, 401k accts and retirement plans. Money, money, money. Things, things, things. All these distract us from focusing on the return of the Bridegroom and His snatching us away. He has said many times in Scripture that He knows those that are His (2 Tim 2:19; Nahum 1:7; John 10:27).  

“But be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap; 35- for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth. 36- But stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” -Luke 21:34-36 (NASB) 

How many of us have prepared for eternal life with the Lord? Do you strive for holiness in thought, word and deed? Do you take the time daily to read His word?

Many people make and take the time to watch the filth on TV but who spends time in prayer and meditation on the Lord getting to know Him more each day?

He sees all those things and He knows our hearts. 

Is your lamp filled with oil (preparedness) for His return or are you unprepared and could care less if He returns or not? He knows our hearts; we can fake it to others but not to Him. Are you anxiously waiting for His return? Would you go today without hesitation or delay? Would you still have the same faith if all your worldly stuff was taken from you? Remember, the whole church went out to meet the bridegroom but only a very few were ready and able to trim their lamps and meet the bridegroom. So what camp are you in? Ready, willing and able or poorly unprepared with a careless, lethargic, complacent, position on Christ's return? 

The Bible says He is coming again like a thief in the night. Are you prepared and ready to meet Him?

"But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7- Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8- And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9- But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10- And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11- Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12- But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13- Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." -Matt 25:6-13 (ESV)

 

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

GLORY TO GOD!

 

Have You Misplaced or Lost the Word of God in Your Life?

They Lost the Book of the Law!

"And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.." -2 Kings 22:8 (ESV)

[dropcap]In[/dropcap] ancient Israel Hilkiah, the high priest, was in charge of renovating the Temple of the Lord. While involved with this project he stumbled upon the Book of the Law, namely the first 5 books of the Old Testament - the Pentateuch. Many scholars believe the Book that was found was probably the Book of Deuteronomy. What's amazing is they, the "People of the Book", lost or misplaced their "Bible"; the core of God's relationship with them, yet they took it out of service, if you will. They removed it from their lives.

This book was the very center of their lives, their worship, their identity as a people and with God the very center of their lives. This Book was instrumental as it contained the very words of God written to the people of ancient Israel. Yet Israel lost it (or perhaps tossed it aside) and failed to keep it protected and available, the very written Word of God who selected them to be His blessed people!

But why?

Could it be because it no longer in their mainstream of daily life,  became meaningless and mundane? Could it be because this Book was purposely hidden because of the impact and/or message it contained for their very lives and national existence? As you read the rest of 2 Kings 22, the prophetess, Huldah, delivered a powerful prophetic message to the people.

"So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her. 15- And she said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, " -2 Kings 22:14-15 (ESV)

How should we today interpret and apply the lessons of 2 Kings22, to our lives in the here and now? America's forefathers held the Bible in high esteem in the past but now many leaders, pastors and people have lost the Bible and what it says in favor of life's pile of things - stuff, run-around activities, smart technology and fast-food lifestyles. So what about us now? Does it have any meaning for us now today in 2024/2025? Have we "lost" our Bibles and our relationship with Almighty God out of purpose, laziness, intent or ...?

What should we do then?

Seek Jesus Christ and ask forgiveness for letting the things of this world preempt His Holy Word and blessings to a people that actually read and heed His written word. Repent of our reasons for not knowing Him more and spreading His message to others - the salvation message because of His death on the cross.

America is not prophesied in the Bible in the last days, so what happens to her? We just don't know. But maybe we can see that the future of this once blessed and great nation is now bleak because people have lost their desire to read His word - the Bible - and thereby live a holy and dedicated life unto the Lord. Have you lost the Book of the Lord? Or misplaced it? Or think it's not relevant for us today? Or any other excuse that gives people an out in seeking the Lord daily?

[dropcap]Some[/dropcap] thoughts to consider based on reading an account in the OT. Please seek God today and renew your relationship with Him if it has been lost or reduced.

Amen.

 

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" -2 Peter 3:11-12

GIVE ALMIGHTY GOD ALL THE GLORY FOR HE IS KING and HE IS LORD!

Are We Now -REALLY- in the Last Days Before Christ Returns?

Editor's Note: Holy Scripture tells us what the signs will look like in the end days. But are you looking, listening and seeing?

"Listen to the word of the Lord, you sons of Israel, Because the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, For there is no faithfulness, nor loyalty, Nor knowledge of God in the land. 2- There is oath-taking, denial, murder, stealing, and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. 3- Therefore the land mourns, And everyone who lives in it languishes Along with the animals of the field and the birds of the sky, And even the fish of the sea disappear." -Hos 4:1-3 (NASB)

"I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. 3- I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord." - Zep 1:2-3 (ESV)

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The Natural Disasters Won’t Stop! They Just Keep Hitting The U.S. One After Another With No End In Sight… By Michael Snyder - Dec 11, 2024 Have you noticed that the U.S. has been getting monkey-hammered by one natural disaster after another this year?  In fact, we have reached a point where some sort of a natural disaster is making news literally almost every single day.  This week, there have already been several natural disasters that have made headlines all over the country.  Last week, California was hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake.  Of course much of the Southeast is still trying to recover from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.  Frankly, I have never seen anything quite like this. According to the NOAA, as of the beginning of November the U.S. had already experienced 24 “billion dollars disasters” in 2024…

In 2024 (as of November 1), there have been 24 confirmed weather/climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each to affect United States. These events included 17 severe storm events, 4 tropical cyclone events, 1 wildfire event, and 2 winter storm events.

Will we reach 30 billion dollar disasters by the end of 2024? If so, that would be an all-time record. On Wednesday, a “bomb cyclone” that was “expected to unleash hurricane conditions” on 8 eastern states was getting a tremendous amount of attention…

An urgent weather warning has been issued for eight East Coast states with a bomb cyclone expected to unleash hurricane conditions in the region. Meteorologists predict that states from Maine to New York will see the worst impacts, with dangerous flooding and widespread power outages predicted to start on Wednesday evening.

This “bomb cyclone” is going to bring very heavy rain and extremely high winds to much of the eastern seaboard, and we are being told that it will be “amplified by an atmospheric river stretching 2,000 miles along the coast”…

This super-charged storm will bring wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour, as well as torrential rainfall of eight inches in places, which will be amplified by an atmospheric river stretching 2,000 miles along the coast. An atmospheric river is a long and narrow region of the atmosphere that carries warmth and moisture from the tropics toward Earth’s poles.

Didn’t we just see a “bomb cyclone” and an atmospheric river occur simultaneously on the west coast as well? Yes, we did. At one time such extreme weather events were rather rare, but now it is considered to be “normal” that they happen so frequently. On Tuesday, an absolutely massive wildfire that had suddenly erupted in southern California was making news…

A ferocious wildfire fanned by strong winds burned through Malibu on Tuesday, destroying homes, triggering power outages and forcing thousands to evacuate along the coast in the dark while firefighters struggled to contain the flames. The eastern half of Malibu remained under an evacuation order. The rest of the city and portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County were under an evacuation warning affecting roughly 20,000 people.

A lot of very wealthy people live in Malibu. In fact, Cher and Dick Van Dyke were among those that were forced to evacuate…

Among those that were ordered to flee the enclave near Los Angeles were the performers Cher and Dick Van Dyke. The Franklin fire erupted late on Monday and grew to more than 6 sq miles (15.8 sq km) by Wednesday morning. It was just 7% contained. More than 1,500 firefighters were assigned to battle the fire, with many climbing in steep canyons near lines of flames and others hosing down collapsed roofs of horse stables and charred homes.

Of course nobody really gets too excited about these historic wildfires anymore, because they literally happen all the time. On Monday, a series of seven earthquakes along the New Madrid fault made headlines all over the nation…

Officials with the Evansville/Vanderburgh County Emergency Management Agency in Indiana say seven earthquakes happened Monday morning around the New Madrid fault line. According to Missouri’s State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), five earthquakes were detected near Marston, Missouri, while two were detected near Ridgley, Tennessee.

The good news is that these quakes were fairly small. But if the New Madrid fault is waking up, that should deeply alarm all of us. The largest earthquakes ever recorded in the continental United States occurred along the New Madrid fault, and scientists assure us that it is just a matter of time before more enormous earthquakes strike the region. In recent years, nobody has written more about the great cataclysm that will eventually strike the New Madrid fault.  We have been warned over and over again that it is coming, but most people are not interested in such warnings. Speaking of earthquakes, last week the state of California received a magnitude 7.0 wake up call. That quake was so powerful that it actually turned a body of water 500 miles away into a “massive sloshing bathtub”…

The powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Northern California on December 5 sent shock waves 500 miles away, turning Devils Hole, a remote pool in Death Valley National Park, into a massive sloshing bathtub. The seismic event, known as a seiche, caused 2-foot-high waves in the pool, which is the only natural habitat for the critically endangered Devils Hole Pupfish. The quake struck at 10:44 a.m., and within minutes, the normally still waters of Devils Hole were roiling. The sudden turbulence swept organic matter from the pupfish’s critical spawning shelf into the depths of the cavern, which extends over 500 feet.

Hardly anyone is even talking about the giant earthquake that hit the California coast last week because several more major disasters have occurred since then. Historic disasters are happening so frequently that it is almost impossible to keep up with them all. Of course what has been happening in the United States is just the tip of the iceberg. Weather patterns have gone completely nuts all over the world, and this is one of the factors that is really driving up global food prices. If planetary conditions continue to become even more unstable, what is 2025 going to look like? You might want to think about that, because 2025 is just a few weeks away.  

( READ MORE...) 

About the Author: Michael Snyder’s new book entitled “Why” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com. He has also written eight other books that are available on Amazon.com including “Chaos”, “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”.  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today.

--------------- { END OF MICHAEL'S ARTICLE EXCERPT } -----------------

Fear God and Flee from Evil! 

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem - Psa 122:6 (KJV)

America's Godless Government. A Final Warning x2?

America - You Must Return to God ASAP!

"12 - This is what the Lord says: “Your injury is incurable— a terrible wound. 13- There is no one to help you or to bind up your injury. No medicine can heal you. 14- All your lovers—your allies—have left you and do not care about you anymore. I have wounded you cruelly, as though I were your enemy. For your sins are many, and your guilt is great." -Jer 30:12-14 (NLT)

Following the pattern of God's righteous judgments in the Old Testament, massive destruction may be coming to America unless nationally it repents before a Holy and Righteous Almighty God!

We are even now experiencing His chastising and preparation for what's to come unless we return to Him. Threats of war, floods, heat, storms, tornadoes, weather extremes, drought, crop loses, animal loses, government insanity, hate, wickedness, crime, murders, worthless and sick churches, etc, etc. And just consider, winter is on the horizon...

America is sick and spiritually in trouble! American churches have become satiated social clubs filled with mainly soft, cuddly, sinful, unrepentant, and weak soldiers of the Cross. Deplete of spiritual armor and strength. We have become powerless to the schemes and fiery darts of Satan. Christians - real Christians (the Bride of Christ Christian's) rarely pray or seek God to please, honor and glorify Him. Many allow their Bibles to gather mounds of dust on them while their TV remotes and pretty smart phones show no signs of dust but rather with many signs of [over] use.

Return to God America!!

Hence, America is falling and falling hard! The turmoil and unrest we are entering now are due to this nation turning its collective back on God. Shunning Him and snubbing His laws and ways. So now the dark forces in the spiritual realm are manifesting overtly in the physical realm ... i.e. what we are seeing, hearing, and experiencing now.

In the Old Testament (OT), there were the 12 Minor Prophets who wrote what God Almighty wanted them to say to the nation's leaders and people during their times - ancient Israel and ancient Judah. The government's of the many years surrounding their ministries were composed of almost entirely evil and wicked kings and leaders. The prophets warned them, from God, what would happen to their nations and people if they continued moving away from God's laws, commands, statutes, and precepts. Most of the time the prophets were ignored, beaten, imprisoned, and tortured, some even put to death. The final result of those nations after years of warnings from God through the prophets of their time was judgment and destruction. And friends, it actually happened. Cities, towns were sacked by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, who destroyed, killed and carried off many people. All in all, they were disseminated for the result of their refusing to return to God time and time again.

The Book of Amos in the OT, is replete with warnings, from the prophets, to return to God and what He did to get their attention. God has been trying to get America's attention for many decades now and we have grown even farther distant from Him. It is this author's opinion that now we are directly facing His judgment and possible destruction. With this recent election and the fraud, cheating, lying and stealing that occurred, we are ripe for the hand of an angry God. And now with the ramping up of government-sanctioned and tax-payer supported abortions [again], our judgment will be more severe. 

As a recap consider Jonathan Cahn's pertinent warnings. He is a modern-day prophet/watchman (IMO) ordained by Almighty God to warn America for perhaps the last time. Please watch this and let it settle deep into your heart so you can make any life course corrections in your life. Then pray for this nation.

Jonathan Cahn's Prophetic Message (Presidential Inauguration 2021) (source: here)

and now again ...

Jonathan Cahn’s Prophetic Message II  (The White House Apostasy)(source: here)

Also, will President-Elect Trump save this nation? NO! Only returning to God will save this nation and that is through sincere repentance of sins - nationally and individually.

Please share these videos and don't forget to heed his words of warning. Specifically directed to our national leaders it is also directed at America and Americans as well. This is extremely significant for our time right now. The Lord has been shaking America for years now; so what is just around the corner in God's plan for our nation...? You had better be ready!!

"Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:" -Heb 12:25-26 (KJV)

 

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" -2 Peter 3:11-12

GLORY TO GOD!

 

Final Destination - Heaven or Hell? A Choice To Be Made

But Where Will You Go...?

"That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10- for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." -Rom 10:9-10 (NASB)

Just found out about a friend of mine who passed away very recently. The first thing that I think of when I hear of really anyone passing away is where did their soul go? Their body goes to the grave but it's the soul and spirit that will live forever.

Our lives here are but a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow is how the saying goes. But in reality this is absolutely the case. And friends this reality will come to each one of us.

You see we only have one chance - while here in the body - to make our decision to follow Christ or not follow Him. Only two choices ... please let that sink in deep in your mind and heart.

Now a lot of people will argue this point but just read the Bible and you will know for sure - that is if your faith is build on the solid rock of God's words to us through His written word. God is truth, the Devil is a liar and will try and take as many people (souls) to hell, which is his final destination, as he can. Le this also sink it for a moment.

Once you/I take your last breath and pass into eternity it'll be too late to change your mind. You've locked in your final destination.

If you've made a decision to follow Jesus Christ and make Him you Lord and Savior, then He will meet you at the gates of His kingdom and usher you into His presence. If this is not the case, then the door to certain hell awaits.

My friend's decision was, as far as I can tell, was to live in the world and enjoy the sin of the world and rebellion to the truth written in God's word. I suspect but don't know for sure that he woke up at the gates of hell bit a real possibility based on his lifestyle. Sad!!. Very sad!.

Please friend, I urge you and everyone to make Jesus your Lord according to Romans 10:9-10. Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. Saved from what? Eternal damnation, the penalty of your sins, saved from the wrath of God. And do this ASAP - today - for today is the day of salvation.

Remember, we are not guaranteed one more minute to live and any of us could perish before the day of the day today. Jesus put it in perspective when in Scripture He emphasized the need for repentance (of sins) when answering the people in Luke 13. His only focus in His answer was on the importance of repentance in a person's life. Repentance goes hand in hand with being saved. Confess, believe and repent. (Read and follow the ABC's on my webpage to be assured of salvation).

I will conclude with this thought - if death came today, where would your/my soul's final destination be?

"There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2-- And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4- Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5- No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” -Luke 13:1-5 (ESV)

 -BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

GIVE ALMIGHTY GOD ALL THE GLORY FOR HE IS KING and HE IS LORD!