>There is no question that we are not saved by works. But the one saved by grace will have works, provided they are saved at a point and time in their life where they are able to have works (and not as something like on their deathbed -- though even the thief on the cross had works, a witness for Christ by his words, etc.).


I agree with that completely. Works following salvation is kind of a proof of conversion, to a certain extend. We need to be a little bit careful because we are still sinners and not perfect, even after salvation. So it's hard to judge others by our own standards. But there is some difference how the virgins in the tribulation period are portrayed, in that it is mentioned they are not defiled with women. Not meaning sexually but in relation to Babylon that they have resisted to take the mark of the beast and that they have chosen the death of the martyr.
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

That is talking about works, and in the case of tribulation saints a very specific kind of works, which we both are not called unto. That is the trimming of the lambs and buying of the oil in the parable of the virgins. Note that the parable of the virgins is not recorded in any of the other gospels because Matthew is the gospel that is specifically written in the Jewish context for the Jewish nation. Remember that the question of the disciples was very specific how the end will be at his second coming, and Jesus answering with the parable Then (at his second coming) shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto the wedding. Not now, but then, after the end is come and Jesus returns, together with the armies that are clothed in white linen. That is why I see in the parable that when the bridegroom comes and the virgins go to meet him, that the bride (clothed in white linen) is already with him, not outside of the door.

You can see that also in Ephesians 2:5-7 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Paul uses here the past tense "made us" to make it clear that we already are with him at this present moment. He living in the person of a Christian brings this part of heaven to us in which we have the spiritual communionship with Christ and all believers in one single unit which is the church, His bride to be.

We used to sing a great song, which depicts this fact: "I am already on the other side, waiting for my brand new body."

Jesus is the door. I already went through this door. The tribulation saints, the ones that rejected Christ and were not part of the church, have to endure the tribulation and are waiting for Jesus to come. Then Jesus comes, and at that moment, if they endured to that end, they will enter into the door of heaven to meet Jesus.

The Jewish nation today is still waiting for their messiah to come. They have rejected his first coming, they are still waiting for him. Jesus will come back, but before he comes, at the end of this world, there will be great tribulation as we have never seen on this earth. So I am glad for every Jewish person to accept Christ, because he will join the church and will be with us in heaven, when all these things will happen here on this earth.