The trying of our faith is difficult and uncomfortable. The exemplars of our faith used the trials in the days of of light (or plenty) to build their confidence in YHVH and their relationship to him. There is a striving to gain the skills needed to enter the narrow path. We call it exercise in the physical realm. It is also true in the spiritual realm. The small experiences build our confidence in the love and care of our Father; so when the dark times come we are not afraid. We remember. We hope. We endure.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1

***

103: The Parable Of The Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

JESUS TOLD another parable, saying:

            “Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, ‘Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.’ 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.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to marriage, and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered and said, ‘Verily I say unto you, “I know you not.”’

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

The trying of our faith is difficult and uncomfortable. The exemplars of our faith used the trials in the days of of light (or plenty) to build their confidence in YHVH and their relationship to him. There is a striving to gain the skills needed to enter the narrow path. We call it exercise in the physical realm. It is also true in the spiritual realm. The small experiences build our confidence in the love and care of our Father; so when the dark times come we are not afraid. We remember. We hope. We endure.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1

***

103: The Parable Of The Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

JESUS TOLD another parable, saying:

            “Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, ‘Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.’ 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.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to marriage, and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered and said, ‘Verily I say unto you, “I know you not.”’

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

The trying of our faith is difficult and uncomfortable. The exemplars of our faith used the trials in the days of of light (or plenty) to build their confidence in YHVH and their relationship to him. There is a striving to gain the skills needed to enter the narrow path. We call it exercise in the physical realm. It is also true in the spiritual realm. The small experiences build our confidence in the love and care of our Father; so when the dark times come we are not afraid. We remember. We hope. We endure.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1

***

103: The Parable Of The Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

JESUS TOLD another parable, saying:

            “Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, ‘Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.’ 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.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to marriage, and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered and said, ‘Verily I say unto you, “I know you not.”’

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

The trying of our faith is difficult and uncomfortable. The exemplars of our faith used the trials in the days of of light (or plenty) to build their confidence in YHVH and their relationship to him. There is a striving to gain the skills needed to enter the narrow path. We call it exercise in the physical realm. It is also true in the spiritual realm. The small experiences build our confidence in the love and care of our Father; so when the dark times come we are not afraid. We remember. We hope. We endure.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1

***

103: The Parable Of The Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

JESUS TOLD another parable, saying:

            “Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, ‘Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.’ 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.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to marriage, and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered and said, ‘Verily I say unto you, “I know you not.”’

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

The trying of our faith is difficult and uncomfortable. The exemplars of our faith used the trials in the days of of light (or plenty) to build their confidence in YHVH and their relationship to him. There is a striving to gain the skills needed to enter the narrow path. We call it exercise in the physical realm. It is also true in the spiritual realm. The small experiences build our confidence in the love and care of our Father; so when the dark times come we are not afraid. We remember. We hope. We endure.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1

***

103: The Parable Of The Ten Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

JESUS TOLD another parable, saying:

            “Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.’

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, ‘Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out.’ 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.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to marriage, and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered and said, ‘Verily I say unto you, “I know you not.”’

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Our belief in Jesus compels certain actions. Not compulsion but the desire to return the boundless love of our Savior and King.  Obedience to the commandments in stone and the ones written in our heart is the reasonable service of devoted children. Our desire is to imitate our Lord; to forgive as He forgives, for He forgives as we forgive.  Acts of benevolence and charity are the sacrifices we bring.  We love our God by loving His children (if you have done it even to the least of these, ye have done it unto me.) He notices.  Our righteous actions gain the attention of our God. “Watch” he says to avoid being overtaken. The Spirit of God will reveal His plans to His faithful. Take this time seriously. Pay attention. Make sure you have quietness in life – daily times of introspection; that you may be found worthy to escape; worthy to stand before the Holy and Righteous Son of Man.

***

Chapter 102: Jesus Speaks About The Coming Judgment

Matthew 24:29-51; Mark 13:24-37; Luke 21:25-36

JESUS CONTINUED his discourse on the Mount of Olives, saying:

            “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from Heaven, and the powers of the Heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven. And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, from one end of Heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree: ‘When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.’ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, ‘This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.’ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

            “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until that day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

            “Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 

            “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. Watch ye therefore (for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning) lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, ‘Watch.’

            “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Our belief in Jesus compels certain actions. Not compulsion but the desire to return the boundless love of our Savior and King.  Obedience to the commandments in stone and the ones written in our heart is the reasonable service of devoted children. Our desire is to imitate our Lord; to forgive as He forgives, for He forgives as we forgive.  Acts of benevolence and charity are the sacrifices we bring.  We love our God by loving His children (if you have done it even to the least of these, ye have done it unto me.) He notices.  Our righteous actions gain the attention of our God. “Watch” he says to avoid being overtaken. The Spirit of God will reveal His plans to His faithful. Take this time seriously. Pay attention. Make sure you have quietness in life – daily times of introspection; that you may be found worthy to escape; worthy to stand before the Holy and Righteous Son of Man.

***

Chapter 102: Jesus Speaks About The Coming Judgment

Matthew 24:29-51; Mark 13:24-37; Luke 21:25-36

JESUS CONTINUED his discourse on the Mount of Olives, saying:

            “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from Heaven, and the powers of the Heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven. And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, from one end of Heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree: ‘When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.’ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, ‘This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.’ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

            “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until that day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

            “Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 

            “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. Watch ye therefore (for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning) lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, ‘Watch.’

            “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Our belief in Jesus compels certain actions. Not compulsion but the desire to return the boundless love of our Savior and King.  Obedience to the commandments in stone and the ones written in our heart is the reasonable service of devoted children. Our desire is to imitate our Lord; to forgive as He forgives, for He forgives as we forgive.  Acts of benevolence and charity are the sacrifices we bring.  We love our God by loving His children (if you have done it even to the least of these, ye have done it unto me.) He notices.  Our righteous actions gain the attention of our God. “Watch” he says to avoid being overtaken. The Spirit of God will reveal His plans to His faithful. Take this time seriously. Pay attention. Make sure you have quietness in life – daily times of introspection; that you may be found worthy to escape; worthy to stand before the Holy and Righteous Son of Man.

***

Chapter 102: Jesus Speaks About The Coming Judgment

Matthew 24:29-51; Mark 13:24-37; Luke 21:25-36

JESUS CONTINUED his discourse on the Mount of Olives, saying:

            “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from Heaven, and the powers of the Heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven. And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, from one end of Heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree: ‘When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.’ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, ‘This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.’ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

            “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until that day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

            “Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 

            “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. Watch ye therefore (for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning) lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, ‘Watch.’

            “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Our belief in Jesus compels certain actions. Not compulsion but the desire to return the boundless love of our Savior and King.  Obedience to the commandments in stone and the ones written in our heart is the reasonable service of devoted children. Our desire is to imitate our Lord; to forgive as He forgives, for He forgives as we forgive.  Acts of benevolence and charity are the sacrifices we bring.  We love our God by loving His children (if you have done it even to the least of these, ye have done it unto me.) He notices.  Our righteous actions gain the attention of our God. “Watch” he says to avoid being overtaken. The Spirit of God will reveal His plans to His faithful. Take this time seriously. Pay attention. Make sure you have quietness in life – daily times of introspection; that you may be found worthy to escape; worthy to stand before the Holy and Righteous Son of Man.

***

Chapter 102: Jesus Speaks About The Coming Judgment

Matthew 24:29-51; Mark 13:24-37; Luke 21:25-36

JESUS CONTINUED his discourse on the Mount of Olives, saying:

            “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from Heaven, and the powers of the Heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven. And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, from one end of Heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree: ‘When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.’ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, ‘This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.’ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

            “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until that day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

            “Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 

            “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. Watch ye therefore (for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning) lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, ‘Watch.’

            “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

Our belief in Jesus compels certain actions. Not compulsion but the desire to return the boundless love of our Savior and King.  Obedience to the commandments in stone and the ones written in our heart is the reasonable service of devoted children. Our desire is to imitate our Lord; to forgive as He forgives, for He forgives as we forgive.  Acts of benevolence and charity are the sacrifices we bring.  We love our God by loving His children (if you have done it even to the least of these, ye have done it unto me.) He notices.  Our righteous actions gain the attention of our God. “Watch” he says to avoid being overtaken. The Spirit of God will reveal His plans to His faithful. Take this time seriously. Pay attention. Make sure you have quietness in life – daily times of introspection; that you may be found worthy to escape; worthy to stand before the Holy and Righteous Son of Man.

***

Chapter 102: Jesus Speaks About The Coming Judgment

Matthew 24:29-51; Mark 13:24-37; Luke 21:25-36

JESUS CONTINUED his discourse on the Mount of Olives, saying:

            “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from Heaven, and the powers of the Heavens shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in Heaven. And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory.

And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, from one end of Heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree: ‘When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh.’ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, ‘This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.’ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

            “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of Heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until that day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

            “Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 

            “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. Watch ye therefore (for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning) lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, ‘Watch.’

            “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”