This old Southern spiritual refers to the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:21-23).
The rapture of all believers in Jesus Christ is soon to take place. It is expected that many, who think they are going to heaven, will not be taken up, but will be left behind, to go through the great tribulation. The idea of nice people being left behind has been the subject of several books and movies. The thought of many Christians being left behind is suggested in the preceding verses in Matthew 7:21-23, and in the old spiritual song. Please understand this. If many Christians will be left behind at the rapture, I am not the one who chooses them. The Lord only decides. I am only guessing that those who are serving the Lord will be taken, and those who mignt be called Christians in name only might be left. I don't know. Matthew 25:1-13, is the parable of the ten virgins. This may be a reference to the second coming, but it is exactly what will happen at the rapture. Many people have believed in Jesus Christ, been bapitzed, and are called "Christian". They might even attend church and expect the rapture at any moment. But their lives are not living for the advancement of God's kingdom. They live only for themselves. A life lived only for self, does not replenish the oil in their lamps, which is the filling of the Holy Spirit. The five foolish virgins were believers who were expecting the bridegroom, but the oil in their lamps was low and their lamps were going out. "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him! Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No,' they replied there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord, 'they said, 'open the door for us!' 'But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.' 'Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." I am not the one who decides who goes with Christ, and who is left behind. God only does that. Your faith must be in Christ our savior, and your life should be living for him. We await the coming of Jesus Christ to gather to himself, all believers in him, to be with him forever. This will be the first resurrection which is also called, the rapture. The oil in the lamps of the wise virgins is the filling of the Holy Spirit of God. "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God" (Romans 8:14). We do not know the time of his coming. Information about the rapture can be found in Chapter 5. "The Rapture."