Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25, about “the kingdom of heaven” being compared to ten virgins; five wise and five foolish. “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be compared to ten virgins…” Matthew 25:1. Notice that the kingdom of heaven comparison included all ten virgins, not only the five who were wise. Before continuing with the parable, it is noteworthy to mention that Moses disobeyed God, smiting a rock in the wilderness twice, instead of speaking to it, as God commanded him. For this, he was not allowed to enter the promised land (Numbers 20:8-12). He was able to look at it from a distance just before he died, but he was not allowed to enter into the promised land at that time (Deuteronomy 32:48-52). Moses was still beloved. The scriptures tell us that the Lord buried the body of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:1-6). Moses went up with the Lord to Mount Nebo to view the promised land, but did not enter in. This is a “type and shadow” of the five foolish virgins. There were ten virgins (children of God) waiting for the bridegroom (Jesus). These waiting for the bridegroom were all virgins, which is significant to this parable. They were all waiting and all of them fell asleep as the bridegroom tarried (delayed). The church has been waiting a long time for Jesus’s return. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…but not willing that any should perish” 2 Peter 3:9. Five of the virgins, even though they were weary and slept, had oil in their lamps, but five did not. Oil keeps the fire burning and it represents the Holy Ghost. John the Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who comes after me is mightier than I…He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire” Matthew 3:11. The fire is the power of the Holy Ghost. The apostle Paul said, “Know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come. Men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters…having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. The virgins with oil in their lamps, having the power (fire) of the Holy Ghost, went in to the marriage supper. Those without oil were left behind and the door was closed. Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you” Matthew 25:12. The original Greek translation says, “I am not acquainted with you.” These virgins were children of God, but as they tried to enter the marriage supper, they were without relationship, not living in the power of God (holiness). These virgins were God’s people, but they were not ready for the return of the Lord and the marriage supper, which is only prepared for the bride of Christ, who walks in holiness. I have disobeyed the Lord and paid a great penalty spiritually and emotionally. I have heard ministers admit their sin, which is what we are supposed to do. When we repent, God will erase those sins and we can continue to walk in holiness. “If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins” Hebrews 10:26. Those who proclaim that all of our future sins are covered at salvation, contradict the Word. We have to repent when we sin; salvation doesn’t cover future sins, if there is no repentant heart. If any doubt remains in your mind about this, you only need to read Revelation 1-3, as a reminder of the warnings Jesus gave to the seven churches. Jesus told His disciples, “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’” Matthew 10:7.  Something at hand is not far away, it is right here – within reach (within us). Are you living in a relationship with Jesus right now? If you aren’t walking in a supernatural relationship with God, you are living beneath your ability to do so. There are people all over the world being healed by the power of God through the prayer of faith. People are experiencing visions, as Paul did on the Damascus road (Acts 22), as Stephen did while being stoned (Acts 7:55), as John did when God gave him visions of the end time (Revelation 4). Jesus said, “He will send His angels to gather together His elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth, to the uttermost part of heaven” Mark 13:24-27. When the Lord returns to earth, He will command His angels to gather the saints from the earth who have remained during the tribulation period, as well as the 144,000 Jews sealed by God (Revelation 7:4-8); and gather saints from heaven who are among those who died and those who entered in to the “marriage supper of the Lamb”(Revelation 19:9). The apostle John said in Revelation 6:9-11, “When He (Jesus) had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who were slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held, and they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, oh Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? White robes were given to every one of them and it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” (The souls of the martys are in heaven, not in the grave. At death, only the body remains in the grave until the resurrection.) Those left behind during the rapture (derived from a Latain word, rapio, meaning “caught up” 1 Thessalonians 4:17) because they were not maintaining a close relationship with the bridegroom, will have to go through the great tribulation, facing martyrdom (Revelation 20:4). There is a difference between those who are taken up into heaven for the marriage supper and those who are being martyred during the tribulation. The entire chapter of Matthew 24 is dedicated to the Lord’s description of the last days, before He returns for His people. Concerning the rapture, or “catching up” of the saints, He said, “Two will be in the field, one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill, one will be taken and the other left…” Matthew 24:40-41. If we want to escape the tribulation, during which time the wrath of God will be poured out upon the wicked and disobedient, we need to have a close relationship with the Lord. “Lukewarm” Christians will not go into the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 3:14-16), or escape martyrdom. Jesus said, “Blessed are those servants whom the Master, when He comes, will find watching” Luke 12:37.