THE FIFTY PERCENT
Jesus told many parables about The Kingdom of Heaven, in order to reveal more about it but in hidden meanings. He did this that those having a Kingdom heart might gain insight into the Kingdom. These were prophetic in nature, and give us insight into the purposes of God.
In Matthew 25:1 He talked of Ten Virgin Women. A virgin refers to a “person set aside for a future purpose”. Mary the mother of Jesus was a virgin in a sexual sense, in order that Jesus would be conceived of the Holy Spirit. In Rev 14:4, the “Firstfruit Company” is called virgins because they are guileless and faultless and undefiled in a natural sense.
In the Matthew parable, Jesus talks of a company of people who were keeping themselves for a marriage feast. They were to await the bridegroom’s arrival and not knowing his arrival time, they took lamps in case darkness fell. Five also took spare oil for the lamps, but five didn’t.
As it became late, they all went to sleep, and at midnight an announcement was made that the bridegroom was coming. So they took their lamps to light the path. But the lamps of five of them went out, and these were they who brought no oil reserve. So they asked the others for some of their oil but they refused them on the grounds that they may only have enough for themselves. They told them to go and buy some oil.
Whilst they were away, the bridegroom arrived and the guests were ushered into the marriage.
The other five arrived late only to be refused entry by the bridegroom with the explanation that he did not know them. Surely if they were fit for the feast, they would have been prepared. This is so like so called Christians today, friends. They want heaven but are not prepared for it.
Jesus explained that the meaning of the parable is that “we should watch, as we neither know the day or the hour wherein He will come”.
So it’s not so much an oil issue, but rather a time issue and therefore the need to be Watching!
We could delve deeply into the meanings and symbols in the story, but to me an alarming revelation is that there are Fifty Percent who think that they will make it into the Kingdom, but they will be refused entry. To bring it to the now, who are these ones? They could be half of a family of professing Christians, half of a professing church congregation, and half of the professing Christians in a city, a nation and the world.
This parable is intriguing and challenging. My purpose is to cause us to think, and to determine our personal position based on the Word of God.
As you think on this, the challenge is to which Fifty Percent we each belong. Jesus couldn’t make it any clearer, that there are Fifty Percent of professing Christians who will not make it into the Kingdom.
If Jesus were to tell this parable now, how would He describe these two groups today?
I think it fair to say that up until the midnight hour, they all looked identical, but when the call came, half of them were found wanting. You could look at a church congregation and they may all appear similar, but at the crucial hour of death or the trumpet call, the truth will be known, for many are going to hear “I know you not”. There will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth.
The Gracious and Merciful truth is though, that Jesus has alerted us, and any who hear His voice can ensure their entry into the “Bridegroom Company”. He has alerted us to WATCH!
This means to “be awake” or “vigilant”.
Five people in Jesus’ parable were “wise”. They were mindful, prudent, careful, and understanding of their situation.
The other Five were “foolish”. They were “dull”, “slow”. It describes one who is dull, sluggish of mind, and in fact the Greek is the root of the English word “moron”. A moron is a foolish or stupid person. Are we bold enough to say that Jesus called these five foolish ones “fools”, “morons” “dull” and “slow of thinking”? Well that’s what He said.
I think that when our eternal future is challenged, only a moron would ignore it.
What is the word of Jesus to us here? As I said earlier, He advises us to Watch. This parable often causes discussion about whether these foolish ones were saved and ran out of salvation, or whether they were ever saved. Ultimately, God is the one who determines a person’s salvation, based solely on accepting Jesus our Savior, and believing in His resurrection. It involves the Grace of God, belief, faith, acceptance, repentance, obedience and being known by our fruit.
I think that the foolish perhaps didn’t live a life any different to the world. Unless we repent of the works of lawlessness, we will not enter His Kingdom.
Who are the ones who enter the kingdom? :
Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that does the will of My Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in Thy Name? And in Thy Name cast out devils? And in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them “I never knew you”. Depart from me you that work iniquity”. Sad to hear that for sure!
Clearly, God looks for a people that do His will!
This implies that it is possible to appear to be a follower, but in fact not be. How tragic to hear these words.
The point of difference in the parable was the extra supply of oil by the two groups. In scripture, oil speaks of the Holy Spirit. This may well describe a people with head knowledge but without the Holy Spirit. The early disciples had to wait to be endued with the power of the Holy Spirit. They could have ignored that, gone out and evangelized, but without the supply of oil. In that case God would not have been in what they did.
My challenge to us all is, “Which Fifty Percent are we in?”
Jesus said to Watch. Be Vigilant. Be Awake. The Bridegroom may come and you may not have the oil to light your lamp.
I think that Philippians 2:12-15 is significant: “……work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings. That you may be Blameless and Harmless the Sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation AMONG WHOM YOU SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD”.
You see, the Holy Spirit in us makes us different to the world. That Light in us is the supply of His oil. I am convinced that we cannot claim to be Christian and be no different to the world.
Friend, if your name is not written in Jesus’ Book of Life, you are not saved. And when you die, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Peter talks of this also in 2 Peter 1:10: “…give diligence to make your calling and election sure…….for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the Everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ”. What an awesome truth – our entrance in will be abundantly supplied! Think of it! This abundance is “richness”.
How do you make sure that your election is sure?
Can you say that you have that assurance? On what do you base it? The only criteria which will be used is “whether you did the will of Father God!”
Jesus said that His sheep hear His Voice. This is because they know His Voice. There are many voices in this world, but His sheep hear His voice stand out from all others. Do you know His Voice? Do you hear Him? Do you listen?
Friend, whatever you make your god, then you will serve that god. You cannot serve Jesus with other gods in your life. He will not share the throne in your life with any other god. You cannot say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. Can you truly say that Jesus is Lord of your life?
I want you to imagine a throne deep within your soul. This throne is for Jesus to sit on if you’re a Christian. The Lord showed me recently that we can allow other gods on to this throne. In this case Jesus removes Himself from it as He will not share it with any other god. This means that His blessings in many forms are also removed. What are these other gods? They don’t have to be just false religious gods, but can be the very things of life. They can be loved ones, friends, possessions, activities, money, or anything which exalts itself above the knowledge of God.
We are beginning to see why Jesus said that “there will be few that find it through the gate”.
Satan is out to deceive the Christian church in whatever ways he can. A major area of concern which is becoming more aware to the discerning is the number of false shepherds which are deceiving many under the disguise of Christian preachers and teachers, but they preach “another gospel”. Many people I believe are being led astray, but again Jesus warned of this in the latter days. These deceivers provide entertainment and words which tickle the ears of the hearers.
Friends, beware of the wolves that come cloaked under the following disguised cults:
~ The NAR This “New Apostolic Reformation” seeks to establish the prophets and apostles under a new banner. It particularly preys on pastors of independent congregations, who proclaim that all can be prophets, and apostles will arise to basically control the people. They ditch the KJV Bible for versions which leave out certain scriptures, and tend to promote the “Passion version”. Peter Wagner was the godfather of this movement, which others are building on. He claims that God acted through him to end the “mad cow” disease. He claims that a “second apostolic age” began in 2001.
It seeks to establish:
Apostolic control, Prophets, Dominionism, the “Seven Mountain” theory, the ability to receive “new revelation”, and other new age principles.
Other names in this movement are Bill Johnson of Bethel church, Rick Joyner, and the Hillsong organization. There are others but these are the main names to be beware of.
This is an end-time move of deception. Paul says in 1Tim 4:3, that their followers are “chasing after myths”.
~ The “Christian Mystics”. This is another new age move which has infiltrated Christian circles with preachers who are presenting principles practiced in the new age cult, and in eastern religions.
Their teaching is based on new age “shamanic“ practices. They purport the opening of the third eye to enter in to imaginations and ultimately entrance through portals. They boast literal entering in to heaven, time travel and other imaginings.
Their teaching is so heretic and leading many astray. They mainly base their beliefs on the “desert fathers”, who were a group of catholic monks centuries ago who went to Africa seeking the answer of how to find God. They came across some Hindu monks who taught them that there are many paths to God, and in their sessions, these deceivers speak often of these hindu desert fathers.
Names to watch out for are:
Justin Abraham, Ian Johnson, and Ian Clayton to name a few. I have heard Clayton claim that God took him out to one of the planets. He claims to sit in God’s judgment chamber. Utter heresy, yet many follow these deceivers.
I have named these two major deceptions as a warning. If you are involved in these areas, I suggest that you flee them and seek cleansing of your mind and spirit.
The works of darkness defile and those that practice them cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
~ Unity With the Vatican Harlot. Another area of major concern is the building of the one world church which is being spearheaded by the deceiver in Rome, the pope. He has already drawn together the false religions, and the one area that he had to accomplish was re-uniting the protestant church with the Vatican. He is doing this by deception, having stated that Luther’s protest is no longer valid because the Catholic Church agrees with salvation by Grace.
He intentionally sought out big names in the Christian church, and has had many meetings with these leaders spearheaded by Kenneth Copeland. You can see Copeland’s meetings on YouTube wherein he is calling for unity with the harlot church of Rome. Again this is heresy and deception, and I suggest that you have no part of this darkness.
I speak of the three areas of deception, because they show us clearly that we are in the end of days and the imminent return of Jesus. We have to be Watchful friends. Jesus challenged us to.
So let me close by asking again, WHICH FIFTY PERCENT ARE YOU IN?
We don’t have time to play around in the world or in deceiving cults. Use your oil wisely friend, for if Jesus returns and you have not been watching, then you will be refused admission to The Kingdom. I plead with you to make your election sure.
Right now you can deal with this personally with Jesus. Break off the world and the darkness of the enemy, and ask Father God to forgive you and cleanse you from all that has separated you from Him.
You have no assurance of the comfort of time to defer this until some future time. You may die or be caught with no oil.
Always For Jesus,
Larry Wilson
