It is our opinion that the doctrine of the pre-tribulation disappearing of the saints is one of the main reasons why the practice of righteousness has been largely destroyed from the lives of many of the Christian believers.

If we truly believe, on the contrary, that Christ's coming will reveal what we are, and that the judgment and transformation of our personality and our union with the Lord must take place before Christ returns, we will begin to live righteously in the Presence and power of God.

Because it is true that there will not be a pre-advent coming of Christ, a secret translation of the saints followed by their judgment and their marriage to the Lamb, and because we shall be glorified and made like Him in outward form at His appearing and His Kingdom, it is necessary we be judged and transformed before Christ returns.

The coming of the Lord will take place suddenly. Either we shall have made ourselves ready, having washed our robes in His blood so we are practicing righteous behavior, or else we shall be caught unprepared.

This is the meaning of the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Each of the ten had "lamps," that is, they had the Word of God. They were Christian believers.

The "oil" represents the resurrection Life of Jesus Christ that is dwelling in those who actively are pressing forward in the pursuit of eternal life, who are coming to experience the power of Christ's resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.

The interpretation of the parable of the ten virgins is that some of the believers will be prepared for Christ's appearing and some will not be prepared for His appearing. There will be no time for preparation when the Bridegroom comes. Those who have prepared themselves will go in with Christ to the marriage. The remainder of the Christians will be left behind to face what will come to pass on the earth.

Christ spoke to the church in Sardis:

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4)

The remainder of the believers of the church in Sardis will not be part of Christ's glorious appearing. They will not walk with Him in white.

We are not stating nor do we believe the remainder of believers necessarily will spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. There are rulers and then there are those of lesser maturity. There are greatest and least in the Kingdom. It is our point of view that it is the rulers of the Kingdom who will appear with the Lord at His parousia (Revelation 20:6).

The Bride must make herself ready for her appearing by washing her robes in Christ's blood. This means she must put to death, through the authority of the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, the deeds of the flesh and begin to practice the righteous works of Christ (Romans 8:13; I John 1:7-9).

To be continued.