We are told to enter through the narrow gate for it leads to life and few are they that find it. Matthew 7:14]
So if the path is narrow and those that travel are few then how could they be identified with a church that currently numbers itself close to a billion people (1/8th the world's population).
The numbers do not fit.
Either the Lord is grossly mistaken regarding the word 'few' or perhaps we have deceived ourselves.
The Lord Jesus said that Moses wrote about him. Moses said that God would send us a prophet, someone much like Moses himself. This prophet would speak the words of God and God Himself would require it of those who did not listen Deuteronomy 18:18-19].
Now these are very harsh words, words that are not to be trifled with. For it implies that the words Jesus spoke were very important. These words were passed on directly from the Father Himself. The words of God the Father (as spoken to us by His servant Jesus) have been written down in the four Gospels. Ignore them at your own peril.
The Book of Mark Mark 16:17-20] states that there are attesting signs that follow a true believer:
1. They will drive out demons
2. They will speak in new languages (ie. tongues)
3. They will pick up serpents (ie. determine the actions of the evil one)
4. If they drink anything deadly it will not harm them
5. They will lay hands on the sick and they will get well
For the Lord will work with these people confirming the message by signs and miracles.
So it stands to reason that if you are a 'true believer' then these signs will be part of your life experience. It also implies that if you are not a true believer (or the message is wrong) then these signs will not be exhibited.
We also read in John 7:38] that true believers shall experience 'rivers of living water flowing from their innermost being'. Have you experienced such?
In addition, the Book of John John 14:12] states 'if we steadfastly believe in the Son of God then we would be able to do the very same deeds that He did, that and even greater deeds'. Have you experienced such?
So true believers will exhibit all of these signs and if you read the Book of Acts you will see true believers doing just exactly that. But only a few people in today's church exhibit such signs and you will be hard pressed to find them.
Now I am sure you would agree with me that only true believers would belong to the Bride of Christ.
So I have to ask myself (and you) this question.
Do we qualify?
Are you a true believer?
Do you exhibit the signs of a true believer?
The book 'Many are called, few are chosen' discusses these points and provides a different thought on predestination and the White Throne Judgment. A description of the spiritual gifts and how they operate is also provided. Ver 4-1, Jan 2013]

Please see the authors page for a complete book list]

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ++++ The below data was compiled from various identification fields in the bibliographic record of this title. This data is provided as an additional tool in helping to ensure edition identification: ++++ The Land Of Promise: Travels In Modern Palestine from The Land And The Book]. William McClure Thomson

There are two parables that people have trouble in understanding. This being the case they are often ignored or treated as of no effect. It is a great pity for these parables both start with the words 'The kingdom of heaven is like this...' and if God the Father is speaking these words to us through His servant Jesus and we choose to ignore them then one day it is quite possible we might regret our inaction.
For Moses Himself spoke to us regarding the coming of Jesus. He said that God would raise up a prophet from amongst His people. He would speak through this prophet and He would require it of those who would not listen. Deuteronomy 18:18-19].
So that would infer that the words spoken by Jesus would be of the highest import.
Jesus spoke to us using parables. He had very good reason for doing so. It was to ensure that only the right people would understand for specific people were being predestined for particular purposes. This book discusses this point with regard to which people are chosen and for what purpose.
The first parable people choose to ignore is the ten virgins (five wise and five foolish). The five foolish have no oil and because of this they are identified by God as 'fools'. In the Bible we learn that 'oil' is a word that represents the Holy Spirit. But we are told by some that if we become a Christian then we already have this 'oil' (Holy Spirit). We have no need to ask.
There is only one problem I have with that understanding.
If we already have the Holy Spirit then why does our Lord tell us specifically to ask for it. He does not tell us to ask one single time but to ask on a continual basis. I am of course referring to the following passage:
'How much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask (and continue to ask)' Luke 11:13]
So we have to ask for the Holy Spirit and if we don't ask we don't get. For God requires our permission Have you figured out why?]. God is waiting for us to ask. The five foolish virgins did not have any oil. Their lamps had run dry. Remember the instruction they received. 'Behold the Bridegroom. Go out to meet him.' You can trust me when I say that if you do not have any oil in your lamp then you will find it extremely difficult to go to meet the Bridegroom. Hence you are to ask and to keep on asking so that your lamp (your body) will remain full of oil (Holy Spirit).
But these virgins are the young handmaidens to the Bride. For at this moment in time, the Bride has already gone. And if you do not get into heaven at the right time you just might find yourself as being one of the foolish virgins, crying outside, trying to get in.
Then there is the second parable. The parable of the wedding feast and the predestined guests who would not come.
At this feast we see the following:
1.The King who is the master of the feast
2.The Son who is getting married
3.The Bride
4.The Menservants
5.The Maidservants (Bridesmaids, the five wise virgins)
6.A room full of Wedding Guests
So from this we should note that there are different groups of people. There is the Bride, there are menservants, maidservants and a room filled with wedding guests. So you should be asking yourself this question. What differentiates one group from the other? And to which group might you belong?
But God's people have forgotten to ask questions.
When you see some scripture that does not fit with your current understanding then you are to ask questions. You are to ask and to keep on asking.
Do not sweep the question under the rug of ignorance.
This book 'The Ultimate Gift' provides some of the answers. It is a different way of looking at scripture, a way that you just might not have previously considered. Ver 4-12, March 2013]
See the authors page for the complete book list

The Timelines is the third book in this series which discusses a different way of looking at Bible scripture Please see the authors page for the complete list of books].
Now in the Bible reference is made to various places or dimensions. First of all we have 'the earth'. We are most familiar with this location. But mention is also made of heaven and hell (Hades) and of even places called the abyss and 'the sea'.
In the Book of Revelation it tells that our Lord now possesses the 'keys' of death and hell. It should be understood that keys open doors to places and that the people that stand to be judged at the White Throne Judgment have come from either death, hell or the sea.
Now Jesus stated that Moses spoke of him. Moses said that God would raise up another prophet from amongst his people. God would speak through this prophet and God would require it of those who would not listen Deuteronomy 18:18-19].
So from this we can understand that Jesus spoke the words of God the Father and one of these statements was the following:
I tell you the truth. If anyone observes my teachings (ie. does what I tell them to do) they will neither see nor experience death. John 8:51]
Now, we all know that people die. Well, perhaps not everyone. The names Enoch and Elijah come to mind. So two people out of countless billions did not die. So why would the Father tell us this statement unless it could apply to a good many more people.
What we see is that a large number of people are going to experience this place called 'death'. This would tie in with the White Throne Judgment and also with the dead who are being raised at the last trumpet. Remember these dead are being raised incorruptible and they are not subsequently being judged. This would infer that they died 'in Christ'. Is it not strange to you that they are being raised from the dead and did not immediately enter into heaven upon death.
Well, maybe they didn't do everything they were supposed to do?
We also read of a very large group of people who stand before the throne of God and it is said that the Lord God will wipe away their tears. Now you might say that these are tears of happiness. I don't think so. Tears of happiness do not need to be wiped away. A parent only wipes tears away from a child's eyes when consoling a child.
For in the Book of Revelation, in one of the letters to the seven churches (the ecclesia - those called out of the world) we are told that those who overcome will be granted the right to sit with their Lord on his throne. That would imply they are not standing before the Lord.
The Bride of Christ would sit with her husband.
But the wedding guests would be standing.
In the parable of the wedding feast it states that the room was filled with guests (this parable consisted of words spoken by God the Father through Jesus and they started with the phrase: 'the kingdom of heaven is like this...). Remember, If we do not listen to these words then God will require it of us]. In the Book of Revelation the people who were standing amounted to a number that no man could count. A room filled with guests, a large number that no man could count, rather similar statements are they not?
The Lord stated that the way was narrow and few there were that would enter in.
Few would not amount to a number that no man could count.
However do take note. They were in heaven and were granted the right to stand before Almighty God, but perhaps they didn't do everything they were supposed to do.
The Timelines discusses these scriptures (and more) and presents the various timelines and dimensions that exist within the Bible and identify possible reasons as to who goes where, when and why.
Prepare yourself for an interesting ride for things are not as they seem... Ver 4-12, March 2013]