I was recently directed to a web site and I was a little upset after realizing that this website seems to say that salvation is based on faith and grace, but that those that will be raptured is a reward for works. Those not considered worthy Christians would have to endure the tribulation. The site uses the 10 virgins parable to say that the 5 that didn’t make the rapture were not worthy enough. Is this true? I thought that true believers were raptured, and this was based on grace and faith, not works. If the messages from this web site is true, than this is very disturbing indeed.
Any teaching on the Rapture that’s based on the Parable of the 10 Virgins is inherently incorrect because the Parable of the 10 Virgins describes a time on Earth just after the 2nd Coming. In other words it’s about people who survived the Great Tribulation and are seeking entrance into the Millennial Kingdom (wedding banquet). The 5 who have the Holy Spirit (oil) are invited in and the 5 who don’t are excluded. You can read a complete study on this parable here.
Christians were made worthy for the Rapture at the cross. Our righteousness was imputed to us there and is sufficient. (Romans 3:21-24, 2 Cor. 5:17,21) If you truly believe that you’re a sinner, that Jesus paid the penalty for your sins, and you’ve received Him as your Savior then you’ve done everything necessary to participate in the Rapture.