Opened Scriptures Bible Studies

We are studying the first of three parables in this chapter, that Jesus gave to illustrate the kingdom of heaven. In this parable, Jesus is compared to a bridegroom coming for His bride, to take her to her new home. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the five wise virgins represent those who are born again by the regenerating work of God's Spirit (See Titus 3:4-6). They were "wise" because they had enough oil to keep their lamps burning as they awaited the Bridegroom's arrival. We looked at the scriptures to see how oil is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Thus, five virgins who carried oil for their lamps, picture the indwelling Spirit of God empowering them to live as children of light, who are of the kingdom of light. Five virgins were "foolish" which is from a word that literally means "godless." Lacking oil for their lamps means that they were religious hypocrites who professed faith in Christ, but never called on the Lord with repe...

Jesus, the Son of God, is a master at using parables about earthly things to teach truths about His kingdom. In the parable, the second coming of Jesus Christ is in view.  It helps to recall that His second coming is divided into 2 parts.  First, Christ will come for His bride , the Church and after the great tribulation, He will come with His bride to judge the nations. In the first part, Christ will come in the clouds and call His bride the Church home.  This glad reunion will take place in the air surrounding our world. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 & 1 Corinthians 15:50-58). The Lord will come in the clouds and stop there as the dead in Christ rise first.  All other believers alive at that moment, will be caught up in the air to meet Christ and ever be with Him. The Greek word "caught up" is where the word "rapture" is used when speaking of the end of the Church age. It literally means to snatch away. Jesus is going to take His bride to heaven for the ma...

Jesus was asked three questions by His disciples: 1). When is the end of the world? 2). What will the end times be like? 3). What signs will announce Christ's return? There are general principles we can glean that are helpful for Christians today, but Jesus had the future of Israel and the Day of the LORD judgment in mind as He answered their questions. What this means is that we cannot force the Church of Jesus Christ into this passage because the Church was not yet in existence. Christ's Church was birthed at the feast of Pentecost when the Spirit of God came down as we read in Acts 2 and onward. The full revelation of the Church, its doctrines and duties was revealed when Jesus spoke through the apostle Paul, as we previously studied. Acts 1:6-8 make it clear that Peter and the other disciples were looking for Jesus to return and establish the Messianic kingdom. They did not yet know about the Church and how it fit into God's plans. Prophets of the Old Testament did not ...

Jesus said false teachers will crop up and say here is Christ, or He is over there. This instructs us that there will be many false teachers setting a date for Christ's return. We must never listen to a man or woman who says they know the date and the hour of Christ's coming as Judge. Matthew 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.   Here is another area where Christians must be discerning.    Over the last few centuries, hundreds of false teachers have set an exact date for Christ's return, including well known author, Hal Lindsay. He wrote a pamphlet titled "88 reasons why the rapture will be in 1988." 1988 came and went but there was no return of Christ because Mr. Lindsay did not know. He certainly sold a lot of books by using sensationalism, but like every single date setter, he was wrong. If we hear any teacher, or pastor or anyone claiming to speak for God, who sets a date for Christ's return, we...