It was also written, however, that "then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom." But "while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept," both the foolish and wise. (Mat 25:1&5) In the final age of Revelation, that of Laodicea, we find that the Churches are indeed asleep to a large degree. The name "Laodicea," however, means "A Judgment of The People," and we see that the day of the Lord's judgment will truly come as a thief in the night for the majority of people - those who are not earnestly seeking Him. (1Th 5:2)

But we who are the true followers of Christ can be ready for this last great event. "Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." (1Th 5:4,6) It is true that no man knows exactly when Christ will return, (Mat 25:13) but we are promised by Yahweh: "That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil." (Deu 11:14) This "latter rain" is the Holy Spirit. (Joel 2:23,29)

The time of this Harvest has begun.

QUESTIONS:
01) What great event of human history will occur in the last days? (Mat 13:36-43)
02) What are the characteristics of the harvest's "good seed" just before Christ's return? (Rev 12:17, 14:12)
03) How does the Messiah describe Himself to the Laodiceans? (Rev 3:14)
04) What is the condition of this Church? (Rev 3:15,16)
05) Why is the state of being either hot or cold better than being lukewarm? (Luke 3:16, John 3:5 / Mark 2:17; 2Cor 7:9,10)
06) What significance does the Messiah's named characteristics have to this age? (Rev 1:8, 2Cor 1:20¹)
07) Can the Churches in this condition be the wheat for the final Harvest? (Pro 10:5, Mark 4:20, Eph 5:25-27)
08) What advice is given to the people that they should be made ready? (Rev 3:17-19)
09) What is "gold tried in the fire" a symbol of? (Zech 13:9, 1Pet 1:7)
10) What does the eyesalve (of Question 8) represent? (Acts 1:8²; Acts 9:17,18)
11) How may we help others to see the truth concerning these last times? (Mat 5:16, 24:14, Mark 16:15)
12) What occurs after the 7th Seal is broken? (Rev 8:1-6)
13) What is the significance of the 7 Trumpets to believers? (Num 10:9, Josh 6:16, Num 29:1³)
14) How do the unrighteous respond to the Trumpets? (Rev 8:13; 9:20,21)
15) What feast day in the Bible represents the final harvest of earth? (Deu 16:13, Exo 23:16; Neh 8:17,18)
16) What occurred on the eighth day of that feast? (Lev 23:34-36,39; John 7:2,14,37)
17) What symbol given on an "eighth day" represented commitment to the Lord? (Lev 12:2,3; Acts 7:2,8)
18) How can this symbolism be fulfilled in our lives today? (1Cor 7:19, Rom 8:5, Deu 10:16, Col 2:6,11,12)
19) What is the Messiah doing in the Laodicean age? (Rev 3:20)
20) What promise is given to those who respond to His invitations? (Rev 3:21,22)

Note¹ Christ, the "Beginning (Gk: Arche - Chief) of the Creation," is also the end of it. His promises endure to the end, and the residents on earth in this last age are to see all His words fulfilled.
Note² A witness, after all, must see.
Note³ As with the other feasts, the Feast of Trumpets has a significance in the plan of salvation. Here we have a call to assembly for Israel just before the Day of Atonement which symbolizes the completion of Christ's work on our behalf in the Temple in Heaven, as we saw in Set 4 of the studies.