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No, I was not referencing Matthew 25 at all. I think it's a mistake to build theological positions on parables alone. It's a common practice among Christians unfortunately. Parables are typically made-up earthly stories to teach spiritual truths. They are like analogies but taken too far analogies can break down. I honestly don't want to go back and forth about Matthew 25 because it's your straw man argument.I believe you're referencing Matthew 25:13? "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
The context of Matt 25 is the final judgement. Since we are all by nature slaves to sin and deserving of God's wrath, we must run to Christ as our saviour while there's still time!
I believe the 'watching and waiting' as noted in the parable of the 10 virgins is that everyone is on the brink of eternity; judgement or life awaits us. Our life is but a vapor. Christ has appointed a day when He will judge all men, so we ought to repent and believe the Gospel NOW rather than wait until tomorrow or next year (and could be caught 'not watching' because we died or Christ returns).
I understand looking at the events of the world and trying to fit it into Revelation/apocalyptic prophecy. I grew up surrounded by it. Unfortunately, it seems to paralyze Christians and focuses on fear. I know people who have not had families, or encouraged their kids to not attend college because "the end is near." This is contradictory to the Scripture where Christ has been given all authority and told us to go into all the parts of the world conquering with the Gospel.
If a person took an honest look at where the world was before Christ, and were we are now, you'd see in the last 2,000 years the world had gotten remarkably better.... fulfilling Isaiah 2:2-4 where during the last days many people will be flowing into God's kingdom eventually culminating in world peace.
Matt 13:31–33 shows the Kingdom starts small (as a mustard seed) and growing until eventually dominating the world.
Not trying to start an argument or hurt feelings. But I see the premillenial view promoted by many these days. Just trying to bring balance and rightly divide the Word of God.
In my personal journey to understand God and His Word I have decided I cannot stand before my creator and tell him I did not take His words literally. I tend to be a literalist unless there is good reason not to take passages that way. Obviously, some passages are poetic or are clearly metaphors. I just think it's a mistake to build theological positions on those passages without other supporting passages. In my experience many Christians do not take the scriptures literally even when it appears to be a literal passage. I understand why but it's not for me. Think about standing before God and explaining to Him why you did not take His word literally. As a result, I tend to shy away from Revelation for building theological positions. It's just so full of metaphor and strange writings that it becomes way too subjective to interpret. However, I look at each section individually because some areas of Revelation appear to be literal.
Therefore, your second straw man argument is that we try to fit our theology into Revelation, and it somehow drives paralyzing fear. I can honestly say I cannot wait for His return, mostly because I am tired of the constant corruption that surrounds us. When Christ returns the corruption will be gone. We will finally have a righteous and just and holy leader who enforces justice and good to all. I long for that day.
The passage I was thinking of is in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5. I would read the entire book to get context. Might read 2 Thessalonians also.
btw one frequent mistake Christians make is they equate the word "salvation" every time in scripture as salvation from hell. They also interpret the word "wrath" as the wrath of hell. Salvation and wrath can refer to other things.
Anyway, I sincerely pray that your knowledge and understanding of the One who made us, and His word will increase in His love. We will all be students of His word our entire lives. Maybe longer.