The Abomination of Desolation - St. Marys Coptic Orthodox Church

164
DAY OF THE LORD
that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the
bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the
marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins,
saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say
unto you, I know you not. (Matt 25:1-12)
You see, all ten were virgins, which means pure and dedicated. All
were invited to the wedding, which means they were among those who
were called. They all went to meet the Bridegroom, that means that
they all knew the Bridegroom and believed in Him. They all wanted to
be with Him. The difference is that five took their lamps (faith) but did
not take oil (works). The rest is history. You see, faith without works
is like a lamp without oil, it cannot shine. “Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.” (Matt 5:16) The works are the light that shines, and
without works your faith cannot shine. Listen to what St James tells us,
“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
(Jas 2:20) “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without
works is dead also!” (Jas 2:26) So, according to Biblical teachings if you
think that faith alone gives you “eternal security” or “assurance of
salvation” you are “foolish” (Matt 25:2) and “vain.” (Jas 2:20) The
Book of Revelation gives us more information about the day of
Judgment:
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books
were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life:
and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the
books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which
were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them:
and they were judged every man according to their works. And death
and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the
lake of fire. (Rev 20:12-15)
We are told that books were opened, books that record our works, for
we are told that people will be judged, “out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works.” And once again we are
told, “and they were judged every man according to their works.”