Leaving Egypt
As most of us know, Egypt (in the Bible) is often a picture of the world – especially, in the carnal sense of the word. When the Israelites left Egypt, God told them to do it in haste. In fact, once the call to “move out” came, it was so sudden, there was no time to prepare even the most basic of staples – bread, which had been baked. For this reason, the Israelites, when they fled carried with them not bread, which had been baked in to nice, fluffy loaves, but, dough without yeast that would be baked in to the flat, dry loaves, we know today as Matzah.
My daughter and I were discussing this the other day in the context of the rapture (leaving Egypt) and were wondering, if our catching away would be preceded by a sign which would alert us that our bridegroom was near. And, I think the answer to that is yes.
When, we read the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25, we see that there is a brief period of time, in which, the virgins, (all ten) realize the bridegroom is near. The time for going out to meet him had come. Those who had oil were ready, but, those who had none, were not. And, the five in the realization that they were not ready began to petition those who were, to share their oil with them. But, alas, as oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, each must have his own, therefore, they were counseled to go and procure oil of their own.
” But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut”. Matthew 25:9-10
With this in mind, I think we can safely surmise that there will be some kind of sign that will alert us to the imminent return of our bridegroom. But, what kind of sign will it be and how much time will lapse between the sudden realization that the time has come and our actual catching away?
Not much ….. perhaps, no more time that it takes for bread to rise.
*How long does it take for bread to rise? On the average, about an hour … (45 minutes to two hours, depending on the type of bread).
Sometime after midnight, after the death of the first-born, Pharoah told Moses and Aaron to take their people and their flocks and leave. How long did they have? Not much. Perhaps, as little as an hour. There was not only not enough time to add yeast to dough and let it rise, there was no time to add yeast at all. Therefore, the dough carried out of Egypt was unleavened, (which, was as God intended because yeast in the Bible always represents sin and there is no possibility of anyone leaving “Egypt” for the Promised Land in a leavened state).
Yes, I believe there will be some kind of sign that the return of Jesus for his bride is near …. and, in the space of less than an hour, we will be caught up to meet him in the air. This sign will be so powerful and so catastrophic in nature that the religious unsaved will scurry enmass to churches everywhere in search of the oil they do not have. But, it will be too late; the bridegroom will have come and left and the door to the wedding chamber will have closed.
“I opened for my lover, but, my lover had left; he was gone. My heart sank at his departure. I looked for him and did not find him. I called him but, he did not answer.” Song of Songs 5:6
Brothers and Sisters that day is near. Our bridegroom is coming and coming soon. Are you ready with your oil? Are your loved ones? I pray that it is so.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6
Waiting and watching with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy
Heaven Bound 
This most important question has been on my mind nearly all the time lately. There are so many different thoughts, warnings, and ideas about the oil that must be ready for the Bridegroom who is coming very soon. What does it take? Who will be taken and who will be left? Is believing, praying, trusting in God, rejecting temptation, loving our neighbors and loving God enough? Must we be perfect at the moment He arrives and what if we are not? I was delighted you posted on this at this late hour Cindy, and I wonder if you can expand on it a bit more. I sense that many are seeing the signs, and the fear as a bit overwhelming at times. I think for me, there is fine line or a balance, if you will, between working my way and simply accepting His gift of salvation. I know I can never earn my way, but my works(fruit) should reflect my trust and belief in Christ.
Luke 21:34, reminds us “take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch, therefore and pray always that you may be found worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” No matter how hard I try to achieve righteousness, my goodness is as filthy rags before Him. Is it really as simple as “when you see all these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:28
I am concerned that many well-meaning ministers and Pastors, load on too much of a burden with the “works” and some may feel the simple lift of the gospel, that He loved us and called us, and He died for us so that we may have eternal life with Him! Amen!
I hope you are understanding my question and concern, and I will look for your response. Your posts are always meaningful for me. Thank you and God bless you ~
[Tamara, it’s always a pleasure to hear from you! Thank you for your question, it’s a good one! I just watched the video Michael posted and I think its very well done and the message is clear – be ready!
I was thinking of an analogy I could use that would best answer your question and it seemed that the Lord brought to mind the Hanukkah Menorah. It’s customary at Hanukkah to put your lighted Menorah in a window, so it can be seen by passers by. If your oil/candle is low or burning dim or has completely gone out – those passing by will see only a darkened window – the lampstand may be there but, without a source of light (either a brightly burning candle or oil) no one would know it. The Christian life is like that. There is no mistaking, when the oil is burning strong. Others can’t help but, see and notice it, but, more importantly, Jesus sees it.
I hope this helps in answering your question. From what I can see, “the menorah in your window” is burning bright and strong. Keep the wick trimmed and extra oil on hand, so the light doesn’t go out – and, be ready – Jesus is coming soon! Grace and blessings to you in Jesus name! Cindy]
By: Tamra on October 7, 2012
at 1:14 am
[Very well done! Thank you, Michael!]
By: Mike on October 7, 2012
at 9:50 am
This was very helpful for me too. Thank you, Michael and Cindy.
Phil 2:12 and 1 Peter 1:3-23, has confirmed our discussion here and comforted my spirit as well. Let us keep our oil lamps full, inviting others to join us while there is still time! The living, blessed, purifying hope will be realized at the rapture!
By: Tamra on October 9, 2012
at 1:43 am
RE:<>
Yesterday my son and I traveled up the coast in Maine to pick up some equipment. Where we ended up was in the middle of a community having pumpkin fest, all of the churches were opened up to this and I thought to myself how unaware they are of their alignment with evil. When they flock to these “churches” will they find the Holy Spirit? My guess that over time He has departed because of the unwillingness from the bride to remain undefiled.
http://the-end-time.blogspot.com/2012/10/restless-earth-louisiana-sinkhole-and.html#comment-form
Is this going to be the thing that finally happens and causes great catastrophe, This area a salt dome is sinking. It is called the Nepoleonville salt dome. So, the salt of the earth is sinking along with the US dollar. That was purchased just prior to the New Madrid earthquakes at a time when the US was forced to continue to allow the central bank to be controlled by the Rothschild family. All of these things are so interconnected to the occult.
http://spreadingtheword-now.blogspot.com/2010/07/and-sea-shall-turn-black.html
Time is short.
By: Jeff on October 7, 2012
at 9:56 am
Hello Cindy,
You said: “As most of us know, Egypt (in the Bible) is often a picture of the world”
I’ve heard people teach this, but I’m not really sure I really agree that Egypt was a picture of the “world.”
I never looked at Egypt that way. I always saw Egypt as being the land of slavery. (We were once slaves to sin, not necessarily slaves to the world).
Remember how the 10 commandments were given: It starts with ““I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
Just a few thoughts I was thinking of 🙂
In Jesus’ love,
[Hi Jazz, you are absolutely right. According to the Bible we were slaves to sin, but, now we are free men (and women) though the blood of Christ Jesus. The typology comes from understanding that when God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, he did so with the thought of making them a great nation. He seperated them – brought them out of). This is where the typology comes in – when, we receive Christ we are brought out of or seperated from the world (like the Israelites were from Egypt) – thus the typology. Thanks for writing! Always a pleasure to hear from you! Many blessings in our soon to return Messiah. C]
By: Jazz on October 10, 2012
at 1:05 am
In light of the discussion on this subject so far, I’d like to add a few more thoughts. In January, 2008 I was visiting relatives in Cairo (I have a wonderful Egyptian Coptic Christian niece) and we were invited to a dinner which included a Muslim dignitary. At the end of our dinner we were invited to ask him any question we chose. I immediately asked, “Who will be our next President?” At the time it seemed inevitable that Mrs. Clinton would be the Democrat nominee.
Without any hesitation he said, “Obama.” I was shocked and said, “You have to be wrong” and proceeded to highlight the rise of Hilary as the likely choice of her party. To which he responded, “I’m not wrong; it’ll be Obama.” I quietly mused “What does he know and how does he know it?”
I have thought about that interchange many times since. Having lived and taught for a year in a Muslim country I had done my homework on Obama and knew then, and know now, that he is Muslim.
I sincerely believe our two choices this year are between a Muslim and a Mormon. Both of these religions have powerful impacts on people’s personal lives; these two men are no exception. I also agree God chooses our leaders. But He does that through our election process; our vote.
You may be unfamiliar with the doctrines in the Book of Mormon and in the Quran. But note the vast difference in how each man’s belief systems has impacted their personal and political lives,
So for those who may be considering not voting November 6, I would pose this question. Would you rather have an obedient Muslim or an obedient Mormon in the Oval Office? We are going to have one or the other, neither of whom is Christian.
To shed some additional light on just who is currently occupying the Oval Office, I would recommend this 3-minute video:
Might God need your vote on November 6?
[Hi Martha, Thanks for writing. I do appreciate your point of view, although, I have to beg to differ. That’s just the point, I don’t want an obedient Muslim or Mormon in the Oval Office. I may not be able to prevent it, but, I sure don’t have to promote it. Strange as it may seem, there is actually alot of similarities between Islam and Mormonism – a truly obedient one of either would be no friend to Israel or to Christians. In my humble opinion, what I think God wants from us is not our vote, but our repentance. C] P.S. The link to your video did not seem to come through, you are welcome to repost it.]
By: Martha Boshart on October 22, 2012
at 7:07 am
Does the oil mean BEING SAVED?? Or does it mean something else?
[Hi Peggy, thanks for writing and thank you for your question. Oil in the Bible is representative of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in my opinion all ten virgins with their oil were saved. (For only saved people have the Holy Spirit). The lession of the ten virgins,I believe has to do with being ready. Five were ready and five were not. I think we all know people who profess Christ but, are no where near ready should Jesus return today. Hope that helps and thanks again for writing! C]
By: peggy rickard on October 22, 2012
at 4:58 pm