This is a hotly disputed issue with so many opinions on this subject.   One of the reasons is that the word “hypnosis” or “hypnotism” is not mentioned once in the Word of God.  However, for a Christian, the Bible is the yardstick by which any matter should be judged, and we should look for principles that apply in this case.

The Free Dictionary online gives this definition of hypnosis:

“The induction of a state of consciousness in which a person apparently loses the power of voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction. Its use in therapy, typically to recover suppressed memories or to allow modification of behaviour, has been revived but is still controversial.”

Another online definition, from http://www.compellingtruth.org/Christian-hypnosis.html, is as follows:

“Hypnosis is a process by which critical thinking is diminished and internal visualization is greatly heightened. It has been used to decrease the sensation of pain and the desire for an addiction, as well as the subconscious reaction that leads to fear. It’s also been used in entertainment to temporarily convince people of things that aren’t true. There are different types.  There has been talk among Christians that hypnosis may open the mind to demonic influence. We don’t know how this works, exactly, but it is possible. When a person’s critical-thinking and decision making skills are turned off and their internal imagination cranked up, they are more susceptible to lies and harmful influences.”

As an example of divergent opinions, Christian Medical Fellowship published these “two sharply contrasting articles from Christians about hypnosis”:

Norman Vaughton wrote:

“As a Christian… I use my mind with all its strange and wonderful potential, in all its different states of consciousness, and with all its different functions, hopefully for good – and that includes the whole fascinating, mysterious and wonderful area of hypnotic effects. They are as much God created and open to use and abuse as any other function of creation. I also know that frequently during hypnotic sessions I will suddenly be filled with an awareness that what I am doing is something of therapy, something of hypnosis, and something of prayer, and they are all so much entwined and the same that I do not really believe any separation would be possible; and of the presence of God I am utterly certain.”

“A. D. Bambridge, a qualified male nurse with a BSc, was concerned that when psychological defences were lowered during hypnosis, there was a considerable risk of demons entering the psyche. He believed the roots of hypnosis were occult and ruled it out absolutely for Christians, concluding: ‘Whilst hypnosis and its use in hypnotherapy seem merely to be the input by the hypnotist of ideas into the subconscious of a subject in a heightened state of suggestibility, I would contend that this art of psychic manipulation is in fact of demonic origin. Though these roots of hypnosis are now obscured by an undergrowth of scientific jargon, it remains a dangerous activity to anyone involved.’”

One biblical reference in Deuteronomy 18:11 has been used in respect to hypnosis.  The Hebrew word which is translated “charmer,” or “one who conjures spells” may refer foremost to snake charmers (compare Psalm 58:4-5). On the other hand, in connection with the other terms used, such as “medium,” “spiritist,” “soothsayer” and “sorcerer” as well as the practice of “witchcraft” (compare verse 10; as well as Isaiah 19:3), the possible reference to hypnotists and hypnosis cannot be easily dismissed, as will be explained below.

We know that Satan is “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and “the prince of the power of the air”, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2), and that he wants to destroy the faith of God’s people. In his book “Mystery of the Ages,” Mr Herbert Armstrong in the chapter “Mystery of Angels and Evil Spirits” writes the following:

“In Ephesians 6 it is stated that our contentions and strivings are in fact not with other human beings but against ‘principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness (evil spirits) in high places’ (see verse 12).   How can this be?   Why is the world filled with such clashings and contentions with human minds?   In Ephesians 2:2, humans have been walking ‘according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (Satan), the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.’   People simply do not realise that there is an invisible spirit power injecting into their minds these hostile attitudes.”

We have long understood that Satan broadcasts his wrong attitudes. And he can certainly transfer ideas and thoughts without the recipient ever realising it.  The person could well assume that this was all from himself without anyone else being involved; that is how clever and subtle Satan is, and can be.

In our booklet “Angels, Demons and the Spirit World” on pages 43 and 44, the following is written:

“Sorcery, witchcraft, hypnosis, and certain meditation practices are further methods of Satan to overpower the mind of a human being and to make him or her into a helpless victim. Whenever we give ourselves ‘over’ to another influence, we have become victims of the powers of darkness.”

On page 43 of the same booklet, we read:

“Though many people don’t believe in the existence of Satan and demons, they are quick to dabble in the occult, being ignorant of the danger therein. Demons are called ‘familiar spirits’ because they want to familiarize themselves with man (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27). Haunted houses, poltergeists, séances, communication with the dead, and contacts with ‘aliens’ are all clearly of demonic origin. Satan and demons are destructive. They love to torment people (Luke 6:18). Once we have made ‘contact’ with demons, we can’t get rid of them anymore, barring a miracle from God (Luke 11:24–26).”

In 1 Peter 5:8 we read: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  Anything that increases our own risk of spiritual infection or reduced effectiveness as a true Christian must be avoided at all costs. Willingly inviting outside influences into our minds is a dangerous thing to do.   When hypnotism takes place, the hypnotist is able to change the behaviour of the one hypnotised.   For example, those who allow themselves to be hypnotised in an entertainment capacity, on stage, are subject to some mind control as they do as requested by the hypnotist. And we must never rule out the possibility that the hypnotist is engaging in his conduct through and with the power of Satan or other demonic influence. A hypnotized person later declared that a “strong force” or “power” had taken over and compelled him to do or not do certain things.

In Acts 16:16-19 we see a clear case of demon influence.   “Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, ‘These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.’ And this she did for many days.  But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’  And he came out that very hour.  But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.”  We are not told how this happened but opening up our minds to outside influences where Satan and his demons can wield their considerable influence could lead to spiritual harm to those so doing.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).   This is where our focus must be.   We read in Romans 8:14 that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”   We have to be led by God’s Holy Spirit, not by the influence of Satan through allowing our minds to be opened to any wrong influences, one of which can be hypnotism (compare Romans 6:12-13).

We have to present (yield) ourselves to GOD as we read in Romans 6:13, not someone who wants to gain access to our minds through hypnotism.  There are those who contend that hypnotism can be used for good as in helping people to conquer wrong habits (smoking, alcoholism, drug abuse etc) or instead of anaesthesia when this could not be used because of heart or general health problems of the patient.   This argument is very similar to the one about aborting a foetus because some abnormalities are spotted during pregnancy, but we know that this breaking the 6th Commandment (you shall not kill) is wrong and that any abortion is an abomination and is forbidden by God. (See: http://www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk/update-191/ ; compare also our discussion on abortion in our free booklet, “Are You Already Born Again?” ).

Romans 6:16 reads: “Do you not know that to whom you present (yield) yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”   It is all about controlling our own minds and not letting anyone else into that territory.   We are to yield wholly, fully and completely to God and His Will which is perfect.   Hypnosis gives away that control to another person or another spiritual entity, such as a demon influencing the hypnotist to use his power.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:7-8).   We are to submit to God and then He will draw near to us, but submitting to a hypnotist (and/or to the spiritual demonic force using him) has the possibility of causing immense harm.

Our lives must revolve around God the Father and Jesus Christ, with both of them being right at the centre of everything we think say and do.   We yield to them and their will, as they always have our best interests at heart.   The Bible shows us the way to achieve that goal, and yielding our minds to another person or spiritual entity even if only for a few seconds or a just a minute or two is treading on very dangerous ground.

One commentator made these observations: “It’s interesting to note how critical thinking and decision-making skills guard what comes into the mind in light of Proverbs 4:23 (NIV): ‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.’ When we put the guards to sleep, our hearts are left undefended, which directly influences our actions. Even if the hypnotist is working for our benefit, the risk of danger is phenomenal. [We would add that a hypnotist is never working for our benefit, even though he may claim to do so.]

“Hypnosis leads to an altered state of consciousness in which the mind is very susceptible to outside suggestion. That susceptibility is what the hypnotist [or the power influencing him] needs in order to modify the behaviour of his subject. However, the word susceptible should concern us.

“Many of the techniques used in hypnosis are shared by mystical, philosophical, and religious systems, including the occult. The ‘father of hypnotism,’ Franz Anton Mesmer—from whose name we get the word mesmerize—was himself a practitioner of the occult. His method of inducing a trance was very similar to the way a medium conducts a séance. Hypnotism, along with yoga and Transcendental Meditation, has always been linked to spiritual darkness. The newfound respectability of these practices has not changed their underlying nature” (http://www.compellingtruth.org/Christian-hypnosis.html).

We must remember that Satan and his demons never sleep and are constantly looking for ways to influence us in the wrong way.  We must pray for protection from their attacks and never give in to them. It is all about controlling our own minds and not letting others have that opportunity!

The evidence seems clear enough that true Christians must not open themselves up to the possibility of any influence that could jeopardise their eternal salvation.   Using hypnosis, for whatever reason, could well allow external forces not conducive to their spiritual wellbeing having an effect that could be highly detrimental to their long term future which is a promise of eternity in the Family of God.

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

This is an interesting question and one that proponents of those who are “Christian” homosexuals, and their supporters, will use. But is it in line with Scripture?

In one American television drama, a person, who was a wedding organiser, was asserting her right as a business person to refuse to serve a homosexual couple because of her Christian faith.   She was told that nowhere is Jesus quoted as even mentioning the subject and yet He mentioned marriage on three occasions. She couldn’t answer this clever ploy! If we are asked the same sort of question, we need to be able to answer this correctly and with conviction!

Society has been actively promoting homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle for many years and even many mainstream churches have fallen into line with this approach, ignoring the biblical teaching on this matter, which should be the foundation for their teachings. When this happens, secular and religious views combine, thus giving this biblically condemned behaviour an approval which cannot be sustained or upheld by the Word of God.

It would seem that the biblical injunctions on this issue are rarely reviewed, and when they are, they are usually dismissed by some clever arguments that seem, on the face of it, to allow such sinful behaviour. Isaiah sums up such behaviour and “understanding” as: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

In the Old Testament, we read that homosexuality is condemned (please see Genesis 18:16-33; 19:1-29; Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13; Deuteronomy 23:17; 1 Kings 14:24; 1 Kings 15:12; 1 Kings 22:46; 2 Kings 23:7). This is also true in the New Testament (Romans 1:26-27, 32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:9-10; Revelation 21:8).   For a full explanation, please see our Q&A on the issue of homosexuality in the Bible.

Now back to the question asked which was “Christ Himself didn’t condemn homosexuality, is the practice acceptable for a Christian?”   The assumption here is that if Jesus did not specifically denounce the lifestyle, it can be interpreted to mean that He in fact approved of it.

There are many issues that the Bible doesn’t mention that Jesus Christ specifically commented on. There is no mention that Jesus commented on abortion but we know that this is sinful (For further information, please read our free booklet, “Are You already Born Again?”.) Christ didn’t specifically comment on racial discrimination, sexual discrimination, drug abuse, terrorism, bestiality, polygamy, paedophilia, Sunday worship, Christmas or Easter celebrations or a range of other issues, but does this mean that these are neither important nor covered by the Bible itself in other places?

In our Statements of Beliefs, under the heading “The Holy Bible,” we state:

“Our doctrines and practices are based upon a literal understanding of the teachings revealed in the entire Bible. We believe that the Scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments are God’s revelation of His Will to man, inspired in thought and word, and infallible in the original writings; that said Scriptures are the supreme and final authority in faith and life, the source of Truth and the foundation of all knowledge.”

We do not “pick and mix” selecting parts of the Bible that we feel comfortable with and ignore those passages that we may not agree with or feel that they are not applicable today.

In John 16:12-13 we read that Jesus said: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when [it], the Spirit of truth, has come, [it] will guide you into all truth; for [it] will not speak on [its] own authority, but whatever [it] hears [it] will speak; and [it] will tell you things to come.”

First of all, please note that we have substituted the word “it” for “He” as the use of the term is strictly a grammatical issue, and the Holy Spirit is the power of God, both of the Father and of the Son, given by God to a truly repentant person at the time of baptism (See our Statement of Beliefs under the heading “The Holy Spirit of God”, as well as our free booklet, “Is God a Trinity?” ). For further insight into this matter, please watch Norbert Link’s recent video-recorded sermon, “The Mystery of the Holy Spirit.” 

Secondly, Jesus said that then was not the time to tell them many things they needed to know, and in John 14:26 we read: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, [which] the Father will send in My name, [it] will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you,” which is obviously how the Bible was written with the Holy Spirit, the mind of God, guiding that which was written.

We read in John 21:25: “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”   To expect that everything that Jesus spoke about and did is answered by this verse, is obviously not correct.

There are Scriptures that clearly tell us that the whole of God’s Word is applicable.   In Deuteronomy 8:3 we read: “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.”

Psalm 119:160 reads: “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”

Proverbs 30:5 reads: “Every word of God is pure….”

Matthew 4:4 reads: “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”   (Please also see Luke 4:4)

Romans 15:4 reads: “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

1 Corinthians 10:11 reads: “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”

But, is it even true that the Bible does not record that Jesus spoke about homosexuality? Consider the following: In Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus spoke about marriage: “And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’”

Here Jesus was endorsing marriage but he condemned sexual activity outside the confines of the marital union. When asked by the rich young ruler which commandments to keep, Jesus said: “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness’…” (Matthew 19:18). Jesus here condemned adultery and He also condemned fornication (please see Matthew 15:19).

We see that Jesus only approved of sexual intercourse for those who were married and condemned such sexual activity outside the confines of marriage [a union between a man and a woman], which would include homosexuality and all other wrong arrangements. The only conclusion that we can arrive at is marriage between a man and woman is the only approved and authorised estate that God allows.

We ought to consider further that “the WORD”–the Logos or Spokesman, the God of the Old Testament–became Jesus Christ in the flesh. Therefore, He inspired all the Old and New Testament passages which we quoted above regarding homosexuality; and it was He who stated in Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Jesus Christ was and is the Word of God in Person (compare John 1:1; Revelation 19:13); and the entire Bible is the Word of God in writing. The Scriptures are clear on what, sexually, is right and wrong. It is true that in Old Testament times, some practiced polygamy, but this was never in accordance with the Will of God; compare our Q&A on that issue.

We conclude that with all of this information, the Scriptures were inspired by God through the Holy Spirit, and homosexuality is roundly condemned. Jesus Christ, by approving the estate of marriage only, backed up the writings of the Old Testament and this included the condemnation of homosexuality as we have seen.

The spiritual pyrotechnics and mental gymnastics that the mind of man comes up with can confuse and disorientate Christians if they are not close to God and fully understand His Way of Life.   We must not let such clever arguments mislead us as we know that Satan is behind all of the confusion that abounds in the world.   We read in 1 Corinthians 14:33: “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints,” showing the exact opposite approach to that of our adversary.

As a final note, we would make the point that reformed or non-practicing homosexuals can still be true Christians. We read in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 that some Church members in the early Corinthian Church had been homosexual prior to their conversion, but had repented of that wrong lifestyle. The same is true for others who had engaged in wrong conduct, including, but not limited to, fornication, adultery, idolatry, theft, covetousness, drunkenness, revelry and extortion. There is hope for all of those who are prepared to turn from their wrong ways and follow the true way of God.

Lead Writer: Brian Gale (United Kingdom)

This parable is a very important aspect of God’s people being prepared. In the previous chapter, Matthew 24, this state of preparedness and readiness is emphasised (see verses 36-44). This last verse states: “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him.”

Ten virgins were waiting to welcome the bridegroom, five being wise and five being foolish.

The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary observes that “Then—at the time referred to at the close of the preceding chapter, the time of the Lord’s Second Coming to reward His faithful servants and take vengeance on the faithless.” The word “then” can be overlooked as it comes at the start of a new chapter; had this man-made separation of chapters not occurred, it would have more easily have been seen as a continuation of the same theme at the end of the previous chapter.

The bridegroom is Jesus Christ (compare Matthew 9:15; Revelation 19:7-9). We must remember that some of the early apostles expected Jesus to return during their lifetime; for instance, Peter, Paul, James and John (see Acts 2:16-21; 1 Corinthians 7:29; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Hebrews 1:2; James 5:3; 1 Peter 1:20; 1 John 2:18).

In the parable we are addressing, there was one group of virgins who were unprepared for the long delay of the bridegroom. When the cry was heard at midnight (verse 6), the two groups were told to go out and meet him.

Interestingly, in the parable that Christ gave before the one that we are now reviewing, the faithful and evil servants are addressed (Matthew 24:45-51). We read in verses 48-50: “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of.”

The evil servant was more involved in society rather than with the ways of God, and it is a lesson for God’s people of every age.

The foolish virgins (verse 3) took their lamps with no oil in them and the wise (verse 4) took oil in their lamps. As will be shown, the meaning is that the five foolish virgins did not take any EXTRA oil with them. They still had oil in their lamps, as their lamps were still burning, but it was not enough. The foolish failed to take into account all circumstances including that of the possibility that the bridegroom might come later than expected. As they all slumbered and slept (verse 5), the wise virgins would awaken and get ready but the foolish would be ruing their lack of foresight and application. They tried to obtain oil from the wise virgins but this was not possible. They had foolishly assumed that the wait wouldn’t be for too long. Only the wise virgins became ready to attend the wedding.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary makes these observations: “The wise virgins kept their lamps burning, but they did not keep themselves awake. Too many real Christians grow remiss, and one degree of carelessness makes way for another. Those that allow themselves to slumber will scarcely keep from sleeping; therefore dread the beginning of spiritual decays. A startling summons was given. Go ye forth to meet Him, is a call to those prepared. The notice of Christ’s approach, and the call to meet him, will awaken. Even those best prepared for death have work to do to get actually ready, 2 Peter 3:14. It will be a day of search and inquiry; and it concerns us to think how we shall then be found.”

The Church has long understood that oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. This also applies to the oil in the parable of the ten virgins, in Matthew 25.

The Holy Spirit is not static. It is being used and needs to be refurbished. Even the lamps of the foolish virgins were still burning… the five foolish virgins say in verse 8: “our lamps ARE GOING OUT.” So, the Holy Spirit was still within them, but they did not have enough of the Holy Spirit to get them ready for the return of Christ.

In our Q&A on oil and the Holy Spirit, we state the following:

“There are many passages that convey and support the understanding that oil is used biblically as a symbol for the Holy Spirit. For instance, we read in Mark 6:13 that Christ had His disciples anoint sick people with oil, and they were healed. We know that Christ healed the sick with the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 8:43-46 — the Authorized Version has here, ‘virtue,’ but the literal meaning is, ‘power,’ compare New King James Bible. Compare, too, Mark 5:30; Luke 6:19).

“Christ gave His disciples the same ability to heal sick people by the power of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:18), which presence is symbolized by the anointing of the sick person with oil (James 5:14).

“Another example for this symbolism is found in the famous parable with the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:3, 4, 8). They all fell asleep, and the oil of the five foolish virgins was going out — that is, they were losing more and more of the power of the Holy Spirit within them.

“1 John 2:27 speaks of our anointing abiding in us. This is a clear reference to the Holy Spirit that had been promised by Jesus Christ (John 14:16; 16:13). In 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul admonishes Timothy to ‘stir up’ — or to ‘re-kindle’ — the gift of God, referring here to the Holy Spirit….”

It is interesting that this parable does not end with the warning that the five foolish virgins will be cast into outer darkness or the lake of fire; and that there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. It is therefore possible that the unprepared five foolish virgins will live on, in the flesh, with other human beings, into the Millennium. They will most certainly not be transformed into Spirit beings at the time of Christ’s return, but it does not say that they will be killed or thrown into the lake of fire at the time of the third resurrection. Still, the point of the parable is that those who are unprepared will not enter the Kingdom of God when Christ returns.

The Pulpit Commentary observes as follows: “These virgins represent believers divided into two sections; evidently they are all supposed to hold the true faith, and to be pure and undefiled followers of the Lord (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 14:4), to be waiting for his coming, and to love his appearing; but some fail for lack of… perseverance…”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible states the following:  “… there is a very lively description given of the… judgment… as also, because it appears elsewhere, that such will be the formal, lukewarm, cold, indifferent, secure, and sleepy state of the church, before the second coming of Christ…”

How many people over the years have looked at and studied prophecy to conclude that the end of the age was near and when this didn’t happen as they predicted or expected they just gave up on the Christian way of life?   Christian behaviour should never depend on a deadline for the Second Coming.   We are called to a way of life and the Father will send Christ back to this earth at precisely the right moment without any help from any human being.

Jesus Christ will return to this earth as many prophecies in the Bible clearly show.   For those who think that He doesn’t need to return, that the Church is the Kingdom of God and other wrong ideas, they will be in for a shock when this event does occur.   Matthew 24 clearly shows that Jesus will return and if He didn’t then mankind would literally blow itself to pieces: “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved [alive]; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (verse 22).

The elect of God are those whom God has called over the course of the last 6,000 years. They will be in leadership positions in the Kingdom of God (compare Isaiah 2:1-4 and 9:6-7). In 1 Corinthians 1:26-28 we read about those called: “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are.”

Scoffers were predicted in the last days: “…knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts” (see 2 Peter 3:3). We must never fall into this category.

Our preparation and readiness for this event involves our own continual personal growth and supporting the true Church of God.   We need to have a sense of urgency because even if Jesus Christ does not return in our lifetime, when we die, our next waking moment will be at His return if we are faithful to the end (see 1 Corinthians 15:52). We simply don’t know how long we each have to live.

Preparedness, alertness, anticipation and readiness are qualities that we all need, and letting down in our Christian life will put us in the same predicament in which the five foolish virgins found themselves!

Lead Writers: Brian Gale (United Kingdom) and Norbert Link