|
THE LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR DELIVERS US
GOOGLE LANGUAGE TRANSLATOR
SOON AND VERY SOON (WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE KING)
GOING HOME TO GLORY
RAPTURE BEFORE TRIBULATION
There will be a "church" in the world during the Tribulation but it won't be Spirit filled believer's
Anyone who says the Lord can't call us home this very second is in grave error or a bold faced liar.
The following verses demonstrate believers in the Church Age go through tribulation (troubles):
* (John 16:33) In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome
the world.
* (Acts 14:22) Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue
in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
* (Rom. 5:3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation
worketh patience;
* (1 Thess. 1:6) And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the
word in much affliction [tribulation], with joy of the Holy Ghost.
* (1 Thess. 3:3-4) That no man should be moved by these afflictions [tribulations]: for
yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer
tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
* (2 Tim. 3:12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Believers living in this Age are not exempt from times of trouble and distress and intense pressure and persecution. However,
there is a specific time of trouble which Church Age believers are exempt from: "Because thou hast kept the word of My patience,
I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth"
(Rev.3:10).
Believers are appointed unto tribulations (1 Thess. 3:3), but believers are not appointed
unto wrath (1 Thess. 5:9), "WRATH" referring to a specific time when God will pour out His
wrath upon the earth). Believers must pass through the fires of affliction, but we will not pass through the specific fires
of affliction that are reserved for Daniel's 70th week. The latter half being called the time of "Jacob's Trouble" specifically
in God's plan for Israel! (Dan.9:27; 12:1-3).
The clearest and most complete chronological prophecy that God has given to us is the 70 week prophecy in the book
of Daniel (9:24-27). These 70 weeks involve 490 years of Jewish history (each "week" equals
7 years). The first 69 weeks (483) years have been fulfilled in history. The last week, known as Daniel's 70th week, is a
seven year period which has not yet taken place in history. This is also known as the seven year Tribulation period.
After the first 69 weeks the Messiah was cut off and the Church Age began just 53 short days after the Messiah was cut off
and crucified. Daniel's 70th week will not begin until a covenant or treaty is made between the Antichrist and Israel (Daniel 9:27).
The Church Age began on the Day of Pentecost, in Acts chapter 2. The Church Age is thus nearly 2000 years in duration. How
then can we explain this amazing "GAP" between the 69th week and the 70th week? It is as
if God's clock for Israel has stopped, waiting to start ticking again at some future time. What has God been doing in the
meantime?
During this 2000 year gap God has been:
1. Building His Church (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 3:6-9; 12:18; Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Pet. 2:5).
2. Taking out of the nations a people for His Name (Acts 15:14).
3. Bringing in the fullness of the Gentiles (Rom. 11:25).
4. Placing believers into a living organism (1 Cor. 12:13).
5. Saving a "showcase" that will eternally display His matchless grace (Eph. 2:7).
6. Manifesting Himself through His Body which is upon the earth (1 Tim. 3:15-16).
Just as the Church had an abrupt beginning shortly after the conclusion of the 69th week (the coming of the Spirit on the
day of Pentecost), so we should expect the Church to have an abrupt removal shortly before the beginning of the 70th week.
The Pre-Tribulation model harmonizes perfectly with Daniel's 70th week prophecy while at the same time recognizing the parenthetical
and mysterious nature of the Church Age (mysterious in the sense that it was not revealed on the pages of the Old Testament).
The Pre-Tribulation model best explains this 2000 year gap and also keeps us from mixing up the Church Age with prophetic
Jewish history.
The Rapture is Imminent!
The coming of the Lord Jesus for His Church is presented in the New Testament as an imminent hope and expectancy. That the
coming of Christ is "imminent" simply means that our Lord may come at any time. Nothing needs to happen before He comes. No
prophecy needs to be fulfilled before He comes. It may be today! Such an expectation is well supported by an abundance of
Scriptural testimony:
1. (John 14:3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
2. (Rom. 13:11) And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep:
for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
3. (1 Cor. 1:7) So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. (1 Cor. 11:26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the
Lord's death till He come.
5. (1 Cor. 15:51-52) Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead
shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
6. (1 Cor. 16:22) If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema [Maranatha[
["Our Lord cometh!"].
7. (Phil. 3:20) For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look
for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
8. (Phil. 4:5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
9. (Col. 3:4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with
Him in glory.
10. (1 Thess. 1:10) And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead,
even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
11. (1 Thess. 4:17) Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
12. (Titus 2:13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
13. (Heb. 9:28) So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly
wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
14. (Heb. 10:25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some
is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
15. (James 5:8) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth
nigh.
16. (1 John 2:28; 3:3) And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear,
we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming;And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself,
even as He is pure.
17. (Jude 21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus
Christ unto eternal life.
18. (Rev. 22:20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even
so, come, Lord Jesus. (cf. Rev. 3:11; 22:7,12).
As the above passages indicate, believers are to be constantly waiting for and looking for and expecting His coming and His
appearing. We are to look for and eagerly await the glorious appearing of our Great God, even our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ
(Tit. 2:14). It is interesting that we are not told to be looking for the man of sin (the
Antichrist) to be revealed. We are not told to be looking for the 144,000 Jews (Rev.7:1-8)
who will be sealed by God during the time of Daniel's 70th week. We are not told to be looking for "the abomination of desolation"
to be committed by the anti-christ in the rebuilt Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. We are told to be looking for Christ Himself
to come in the NOW moment!.
RAPTURE BEFORE TRIBULATION
What Is The Proof In Scripture And The Word
THE LORD HIMSELF SAID TO THE TRUE CHURCH
"Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you out of the hour of trial, which
is to come upon the whole world to test them that dwell upon the earth" (Rev.3:10).
FURTHERMORE
(1) We are told by Christ our redemption can be at any moment and to look for Him. Thus if we think He can come after
the start of the tribulation we will look for it and for the man of sin to appear. That would be in direct contradiction to
standing ready in the now moment for Jesus to call us home. It would imply a sin has been committed by disregarding the promises
of the Lord in scripture. (1Thess.4:13-18; Titus 2:13)
(2) The bride of Christ is not appointed to wrath and it is Christ who sends the judgments on the earth!
Scripture is clear. (1Thess. 5:9; Rev.5:5).
"...behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll,
and to loose it's seven seals." Rev.5:5
Luke 21:36 is insightful as well. Here the Lord says to the church:
"Watch ye therefore,and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things
that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man".
This is further evidence that to be in Christ is to avoid the Tribulation.
The tribulation is a time of judgment and those who are in Christ are not subject to that fate. Those who dwell upon
Earth at this time are Rev.3:10.
More evidence in 11Pet.2:9, when the Lord says to us: "The Lord
knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation..." And in Rom.5:9"...we
shall be saved from wrath through him".
God has His plan for the earth and His own and make no mistake: God will execute it according to His will. So that
we know the following from scripture:
Until this time of "grace" is over the Holy Spirit restrains evil in the world. No nation can nor has authority from
God to do so for no nation is saved and every human needs salvation through Christ. The church is the corporate vessel that
The Spirit indwells. Once the church is removed from the earth evil will have its full day called "The
Day of The Lord". It is called this because the Lord is suddenly acting on the earth in judgment. It is the darkest
time in human history (1 Thess.5:2-3).
SEE 1Thess.5:1-9, where St.Paul CLEARLY indicates that the church will not go into the great
darkness of the "Tribulation" which will suddenly come,"AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT", upon a world that thinks it has peace and
safety.
1 Thess.5:4.
These times and seasons are not for the church (1 Thess.5:1).
The church is not in darkness. We are in the light (1 Thess.5:4-5).
We are not appointed to wrath (1 Thess.5:9).
We are to comfort one another with these truths (1 Thess.5:11).
These things (The Day of the Lord and Tribulation) cannot happen until the true church is removed from the earth (2
Thess.2:3; 2 Thess.2:1,3-12) ).
(3) The Spirit's outreach to the world during the tribulation is through 144,000 Jews who preach the "gospel of the
kingdom" and a mighty angel who preaches the "Everlasting Gospel" which means God's judgment is at hand.(Rev.7:2-10).
They require a seal in their foreheads.
If they were the true church they would not need a seal; they would have the power of the Holy Spirit.
(4) No man knows the time when Christ will call the church up. According to scripture it can be at any moment. We
are to serve in this sure hope we live by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 2:13; Rev.22:12; 1Cor.15:51-52;
Phil.3:20)
(5) The Holy Spirit, through the church, is restraining evil in our time, but the church will be, as a corporate
body, removed before the veil is lifted from the man of sin who is possessed by Satan. One must precede the other. The man
of sin, the anti-christ, does not surface until the tribulation of 7 years begins. The ministry of the Holy Spirit will then
focus on saved Israelites and gentiles they convert(see again Rev.7:2-10). (2Thess.2:6-10)
(6) Remember that the hero's of the tribulation are Jew's and their gentile converts. The apostate church is in power
and in bed with political anti-christ..
(7) Take note that in Rev.4:4 we see 24 church elders in heaven with crowns of gold
BEFORE the tribulation begins. These church elders are seen up in heaven with others of the church being prepared for the
marriage ceremony to the Lord while these tragic events are happening. Then see Rev.5:5-10 wherein the presence of the church
elders is further identified BEFORE Christ unleashes the terrible judgments upon the earth. Scripture is clear: The church
will be raptured before the tribulation.
(8) A good comparison in God's love and provision in the Old Testament is Noah and Lot. Noah was provided safety from
the flood. Lot was removed from Sodom before God destroyed it. The church will be delivered by Jesus Christ (
Gen.6:3).
(9) In Revelation 7:13-14 John is asked a question by an elder (church designation)
as to who this great multitude is that are arrayed in white robes and where did they come from?
John did not recognize them as the church, a group he would have a familiarity with and he says to the elder "you
know". Then he is told they have come out of great tribulation and made their robes white by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus).
Obviously this group are tribulation saints and not the church (Jn.10:16).
(10) Furthermore this group is seen in Heaven serving God in His temple. Note that this is the manner in which
the Jews worship. There is no doubt: the church is with Jesus before the tribulation and is followed up by the tribulation
saints (Rev.7:15).
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus
Christ, (Titus) 2:13
FINALLY OUR LORD TOLD US "DON'T LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED..."John
14:1
DEPEND ON CHRIST TO PROTECT HIS BRIDE AND BE FAITHFUL TO HER TO DO WHAT HE HAS PROMISED
WE ARE HIS AND HE WILL DO RIGHT BY US
1. Is the term "rapture" found in the Bible?
Yes and no. It is not found in the English translation of the Bible (KJV), but it is derived from a Latin verb (rapere, to
snatch, seize) which was used in the Latin Bible to translate the Greek verb "caught up" (harpaz) in 1
Thessalonians 4:17-- "Then we who are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP [raptured] together with them in the
clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." It is very interesting to see how this verb
"caught up" is used in the New Testament. Study the following verses: Acts 8:39 ("caught away"), 2 Corinthians
12:2,4 ("caught up"), Revelation 12:5 ("caught up"); John 10:28-29 ("pluck out of").
2. Has a rapture-like event ever taken place in history?
Yes, on several occasions. Enoch was suddenly removed from earth by God. God took him (Gen. 5:21-24). Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Philip was raptured (suddenly
removed) from one place to another (Acts 8:39). Paul was raptured to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2,4). The Lord Jesus was raptured to heaven at the ascension (Rev.
12:5). But that a whole generation of believers will suddenly be removed from earth to heaven without seeing
physical death is an event unprecedented in the history of the world (compare 1 Cor. 15:51).
3. What do people mean when they say "secret rapture"?
This is a common term used by men who deny the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church. In what sense is the rapture a secret?
In 1 Corinthians 15:51 the truth pertaining to the Rapture is called a "mystery." This means
that it was a truth that was unrevealed to men in previous ages. Moses, David, Isaiah and John the Baptist knew nothing of
the rapture of the Church. It was a secret or mystery that had not yet been revealed. However, a New Testament "mystery" is
something that was once hidden but now revealed. God has made it known to His saints and it is a secret no more. Paul said,
"I shew you a mystery." If he showed it to us, then it is no longer hidden. It is clearly revealed to those who have ears
to hear and eyes to see.
The Rapture is also a secret event in the sense that it will occur suddenly and be unannounced to the world. There will be
no forewarning. It will take place at God's appointed time and it will take the world by surprise. It will be over before
the world has time to realize that it happened.
4. Will the Rapture be a "silent rapture"?
When Christ calls His Church to Himself there will be sounds and noise involved. "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Cor. 15:52). "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first" (1 Thess. 4:16).
How much of this noise the unsaved will hear is not revealed in Scripture. The event will happen so suddenly and will take
place so quickly that it is probable that the only thing the unsaved will notice is the sudden disappearance of those who
are true believers. So it was in the case of Enoch. He was there and suddenly "he was not; for God took him"(Gen.
5:24).
5. How quickly will the Rapture take place?
This is answered in 1 Corinthians 15:52, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." The word
"moment" is interesting. It is the Greek word "atom." The word atom means "not cut, you cannot cut it anymore." Suppose you
were to keep cutting up a pie into smaller and smaller pieces. If you had a knife sharp enough (that is, with a small enough
blade) you could keep cutting the pieces down to the point where you could not cut the pieces or particles any smaller. We
call this an "atom." [However, we now know that you can even cut atoms into smaller particles].
The term "atom" is also used of time. We can cut time into years and into days and into hours and into minutes and into seconds.
An "atom of time" is the smallest measurement of time (the point where you can't cut time anymore). In English we might call
this a "split-second." How fast will the Rapture take place? In a split second, in the twinkling of an eye. If the unsaved
blink, they will miss it!
6. As the Rapture takes place, what is the order of events?
This is answered in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
FIRST, God (in the Person of Christ) will come down from heaven and He will bring with Him the souls of those "which sleep
in Jesus," that is, who have died in Christ (see verse 16 and verse 14).
SECOND, those who have died in Christ will rise first (v. 16). Their bodies will be raised from the graves.
THIRD, those believers who are alive and remain unto the coming of Christ will be caught up or raptured. Thus those who have
died in Christ and those who are alive when Christ returns will together meet the Lord in the air, to be with Him forever
(v. 17 and see John 14:3).
7. When was the Rapture first revealed?
The Rapture was not revealed until the Lord spoke the words "receive you to Myself" found in John 14:1-3 the night before
He died on the cross. Don't make the mistake of looking for the Rapture in Matthew chapter 24. His coming mentioned in Matthew
chapter 24 is His coming to the earth following the great Tribulation.
GOD'S PLAN IN THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE (GREAT TRIBULATION) IS NOT FOR THE CHURCH
"At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people (Isreal); And
there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, ever to that time. And at that time your people
shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book".
This text describes the time of tribulation that will befall this earth near the close of this age. However, it also reveals
that there will be hope. God will not forsake His people Israel. In fact, the Bible tells us that our Savior Jesus Christ
will return to earth after the heavenly signs appear (Matthew 24:29-31).
This time of great tribulation preceding the return of Christ and the resurrection of the Old Testament saints and all Tribulation
Saints is also called the 'time of Jacob's trouble': "For thus says the Lord: 'We have heard a voice of trembling, Of fear,
and not of peace. Ask now, and see, Whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on
his loins Like a woman in labor, And all faces turned pale? Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is
the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it." (Jeremiah 30:5-7).
"And the LORD your God will inflict all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. And you
shall again obey the Lord, and observe all His commandments which I command you today."
Deuteronomy 30:7-8
God's purpose for the tribulation (i.e., the seven-year, 70th week of Daniel) revolves around His plan for Israel and does
not include a earthly presence for the church. Why? Because God's plan for Israel is unfinished at this point in history.
When the role of the church is completed she will be taken as a completed body to heaven in an instant-at the rapture. This
will clear the way for a restoration and resumption of progress toward the completion of our Sovereign Lord's plans for His
elect nation-Israel.
The Tribulation Focuses on Israel
The Bible teaches that the tribulation is a time of preparation for Israel's restoration and conversion (Deut.
4:29-30; Jer. 30:3-11; Zech. 12:10). While the church will experience tribulation in general during this present
age (John 15:18-25; 16:33; 2 Tim. 3:10-13), she is never mentioned as participating in Israel's
time of trouble, which includes the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord, and the Wrath of God.
The Tribulation does not deal with the Church at all, but with the purification of Israel. It is not the "time of the Church's
trouble," but the "time of Jacob's trouble." The emphasis of the Tribulation is primarily Jewish. This fact is borne out by
Old Testament Scriptures (Deut. 4: 30; Jer. 30: 7; Ezek. 20: 37; Dan. 12:1; Zech. 13:8-9),
by the Olivet Discourse of Christ (Matt. 24:9-26), and by the book of Revelation itself (Rev. 7:4-8; 12:1-17) It concerns "Daniel's people," the coming of "false Messiah," the preaching
of the "gospel of the kingdom," flight on the "sabbath," the temple and the "holy place," the land of Judea, the city of Jerusalem,
the twelve "tribes of the children of Israel," the "son of Moses," "signs" in the heavens, the "covenant" with the Beast,
the "sanctuary," the "sacrifice and the oblation" of the temple ritual. These all speak of Israel and clearly demonstrate
that the Tribulation is largely a time when God deals with His ancient people prior to their entrance into the promised kingdom.
The many Old Testament prophecies yet to be fulfilled for Israel further indicate a future time when God will deal with this
nation (Deut. 30:1-6; Jer. 30:8-10)
The Church is Absent from the Tribulation
Not one Old Testament passage on the tribulation refers to the church (Deut. 4:29-30; Jer. 30:4-11; Dan.
8:24-27; 12:1-2), nor does the New Testament ever speak of the church in relation to the tribulation (Matt.
13:30, 39-42, 48-50; 24:15-31; 1 Thess. 1:9-10, 5:4-9; 2 Thess. 2:1-11; Rev. 4-18), except as present in heaven.
Such silence speaks loudly and supports the pre-trib position, especially when combined with clear, explicit statements that
promise her exemption from that time (Rom. 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9; Rev. 3:10). Note the
clear promise to the church of Revelation 3:10:
"Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about
to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth."
If pretribulationism is indeed the teaching of Scripture, then we would expect that passages dealing with the tribulation
would consistently make no mention of the church. This is EXACTLY what we find. However, Israel is mentioned often throughout
these texts.
However, there is a strange silence of the term, CHURCH, in chapters 4-19. That fact is especially noteworthy when you contrast
that absence with its frequent presence in the first three chapters. One good reason for this phenomenon is the absence of
the true church and true evangelical churches in the seven years preceding the Second Coming. The true believers of the church
have gone into the presence of Christ in heaven before the onset of the events of the seven year period. The church is not
mentioned during the seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments in Revelation because the church is not here during the outpouring
of these judgments.
Tribulation on a Christ-Rejecting World
Another purpose for the tribulation is that it is a time of God's wrath upon a Christ-rejecting world and a time of revenge
for Gentile treatment of Israel.
Moreover, it is evident that the Tribulation also concerns God's judgment upon Christ-rejecting Gentile nations. Babylon,
which "made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Rev. 14:8), shall
herself "be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her" (Rev. 18:8).
The "cities of the nations" shall fall, after which Satan shall be bound "that he should deceive the nations no more, till
the thousand years should be fulfilled" (Rev. 20:3). God's judgment falls likewise upon the
individual wicked, the kings of the earth, the great, the rich, and the mighty, every bond man and every free man (Rev.
6:15-17). It falls upon all who blaspheme the name of God and repent not to give Him glory (Rev.
16:9). Wicked men, godless nations, suffering Israel--these may all be found in Revelation 6-18.
But one looks in vain for the Church of Christ, which is His body, until he reaches the nineteenth chapter. There she is seen
as the heavenly bride of Christ, and when He returns to earth to make His enemies His footstool, she is seen returning with
Him (1 Thess. 3: 13)"... at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ WITH ALL HIS SAINTS" (Emphasis
added)
Such a time of judgment does not require the church, who has not rejected Christ, to be present. With the church in heaven
during the tribulation, it enables God's focus to be on Israel as His Divine instrument through which He acts. This program
was predicted by the Lord before Joshua and Israel ever entered the Promised Land. Notice the predicted pattern:
1) then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all
the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you. (Deut. 30:3)
2) And the LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it . . . (Deut.
30:5)
3) And the LORD your God will inflict all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. And
you shall again obey the LORD, and observe all His commandments which I command you today. (Deut. 30:7-8)
Zechariah speaks of the Lord's retribution upon the nations as a time when "the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem
. . . in that day that I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." (Zech.
12:8-9) Once again the focus is upon Israel, in this case Jerusalem, not the church.
The book of Revelation provides a graphic depiction of God's judgment upon an unbelieving world, often called "earth dwellers."
As God prosecutes His judgment upon the "earth dwellers," John records periodic pauses by our Lord as He evaluates the response
of mankind to His judgment before going onto the next phase. It is as if the Lord inflicts a series of judgments and then
surveys the landscape to see if, like Ninevah in the days of Jonah, there is repentance so that He can suspend prosecution
of the war. Unlike Ninevah in the days of Jonah, the "earth dwellers" do not relent in the wake of "the wrath of the Lamb"
(Rev. 6:16), so our Lord proceeds to the next phase of His battle. Every step of the way,
the "earth dwellers" would "not repent of the works of their hands" (Rev. 9:20) Instead of
worshipping Christ, "the earth and those who dwell in it . . . worship the first beast" (Rev. 13:12). Instead of repentance they "blasphemed God" (Rev. 16:21). Finally, "all the nations
were deceived" (Rev. 18:23) resulting in the santanic notion that the armies of the world
must march against Jerusalem-God's city-and Israel-His people. This results in the basis for the second coming of Christ,
which is to resue Israel from the world's armies who are striking out at God by invading His people. Such a scenario does
not demand or require the church and so she will not be there. We can see that the purpose of the tribulation is linked around
God's plan for Israel, not the church.
Conclusion
Only pretribulationism is able to give full import to tribulation terms like "the time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer.
30:7), as a passage specifically stating that the tribulation is for Jacob (i.e., Israel).
Never are tribulation saints given the special and peculiar promises given to the church in the present age. The nature of
the church in contrast to Israel therefore becomes an argument supporting the pretribulation viewpoint.
Since God's purpose for the tribulation is to restore Israel (Jer. 30:3,10) and judge the
Gentiles (Jer. 30:11), it is clear that this purpose does not include the church. This is
one of the reasons why she will be taken to heaven before this time. The church's hope is a heavenly one, not participation
in the culmination and restoration of God's plan for His earthly people-Israel. Maranatha!
Scripture says God is love. He will be a Father to us and always considers what is in our best interests. God knows
every hair on our head and the beginning from the end of our life.
If a baby is killed in the womb it goes to God according to the word of scripture. When the ones who believed the gospel
are raptured by Christ what could inhibit God from bringing their children home too.The bible is silent on this issue.
What if one parent is a believer and the other isn't? God will do what's right for the child. There is no specific scripture
for these positions on children and the rapture.
Do the children form a part of the church? Scripture is clear; they do. What about a child who dies before reaching an age
to make a decision for or against Christ? Are they saved?
King David's child was taken from him as a result of his sin with the mother Bath-Sheba. David mourned the child's illness
but as soon as he died David began to live again. And when asked how it was that he seemed better he said the child cannot
return to him but he will one day go to meet the child. That child was with God awaiting David's presence. Have faith in God
and His perfect will (2 Sam.12:18-23).
"IM GOING HOME"
Salvation is guaranteed once we are saved.
Home is where the Lord is and we are going home one day.
"Lord, you said be ready, well I'm ready Lord
And Lord, you said look up,I'm looking, I'm looking Lord
Lord, can you hear me? I know you can hear me!
Hallelujah, Glory to the Lord
Lord, you said listen, that's what you said,
So I'm listening. Lord, take my hand, I want to go home."
RAPTURE BEFORE TRIBULATION
The promise of our Lord of eternal life stands before us like a great beacon of hope. If His word is subject to failure
our faith is in vain. We who believe He is the resurrection and the life, the One who conquered death and defeated the powers
of this world, live by our faith in His completed ministry (Jn.11:25-26). And we await His
call. At that blessed moment we will have eternal life! (1Thess.4:13-18; Jn.14:21; 17:24; Ti.2:13; 1Cor.15:51-52).
When The Lord calls us Home we will be His bride forevermore (Hos.2:19-20; Rom.7:4; Rev.19:7-9). This reality should calm us here as we meet the challenges of each day. Our lives are watched over by God and we are
totally safe in His loving grace.
Scripture says when our Lord walked this world's dusty roads He knew the nation of Israel would reject Him. He suffered the
realization they would endure great hardship by this choice. Like Moses and Samuel of old He grieved over Jerusalem and their
people who would perish because of rebellion and disobedience (Mt.23:37). The Lord was a
man of constant sorrows and well acquainted with grief ( Isa.53:3-5; Jn.11:35).
What about you? Do you have that love in your heart for someone who rejects Jesus or sits on a fence of indecision? It is
a terrific burden to carry. We want everyone we love to go Home with us. (Prov.10:12; Col.3:14; 1 Tim.1:5;
1Jn.4:7).
Don't be afraid to think about those who could be left behind and feel the pain of loss and the sadness of this life. But
we do not suffer as others without hope (2Tim.2:12; 1Cor.15:19; Eph.2:12; Ti.3:7). We can
ask God to help us break through to a loved one and sow a seed of faith. We can do our best to express our love for them in
a forthright manner, bare, naked in our care and concern right to the moment we can say or do nothing else.
We could almost wish that God would strike us from His Book of Life and save the one we love so much (Ex.32:32).
Great people in the bible came to that difficult point in their lives. Their love was so great they pleaded with God to do
just that and God heard them. But that is not possible..
We must live in the love of Christ's love. And by the power of The Lord, through our deep prayers for our loved ones, they
may come over before we go. Our example is the best we can do (1 Cor.13; Jas. 2:17,20; Heb.10:23; Mt.17:20).
What do you do when someone you love is lost?
The following are some biblical principles that you can put into practice to help you with this burdensome load:
* Realize that there is hope (Acts 16:15, 29-34). In these texts, God saved whole
households. His power can reach and change any sinner. Rest in His power and grace that can save your loved one. There are
no hopeless cases this side of the grave.
* Ask God to grant you patience and persistence (Luke 18:1). Pray that God will
grant you the patience to be faithful to this person. When a person turns to Christ in faith, it is usually a process. Ask
God to help you to pray, love, and witness to this person for the long haul. Also, pray for a spirit of persistence. Sometimes
your loved one may outright reject the gospel. He or she may show no interest whatsoever. Ask God to help you persist in loving,
praying for, and ministering to him or her regardless of his or her reaction.
* Pray for the influence of other Christians (1Corinthians 3:5-8). There are
times when family members may not listen to you and your witness. Yet, there may be others that your loved one will listen
to. Pray that God would send into your loved one's life believers that he or she will love, respect, and listen to. Plead
that He would grant your loved one friends who will be faithful to minister to him or her.
* Plead that your loved one will be radically transformed by Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Call on God to change your loved one through His grace and power. There is a tendency to pray for God to change certain
sinful habits in a lost person's life. Yet, a person can exchange sins without experiencing a change of heart. Plead with
God to regenerate your loved one. Ask Him to transform your loved one through the power of the Spirit and the gospel.
* Ask God for opportunities to demonstrate love to your lost loved one (Matthew 5:13-14). Even when your loved one will not listen to your words, he or she can see your actions. Pray for opportunities to
demonstrate the love of Jesus to this person. Ask that they will sense and know the difference in your life because of Jesus
Christ.
* Pray tenaciously (Isaiah 62:2-7). Wrestle with God concerning your loved.
Plead His promises. Claim His Word. Pray for mercy and grace upon your loved one. Determine in your heart to seek God until
He answers.
* Don't lose heart (Galatians 6:9). When someone you love is lost, it can be a long, weary
struggle. It would be easy to give up hope and feel that he or she will never come to Christ. Yet, don't give up. Don't lose
heart. God is a merciful and sovereign God. As long as your loved one is alive, there is hope. As long as he or she has breath
in the body, there is the possibility of him or her coming to Jesus Christ. In God's time, you will reap the harvest.
Dr. Kevin Meador © 2001
"LISTEN" FREE MP3
LETTER TO A SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST
Jack;
Thank you for your loving care. In Christ I am ready for His will be done. But I believe He will take me out in the Rapture
that will precede The Great Tribulation.
Let me say that if one is in the Lord that one will be devoting their life to His service, unless they are backslid. But assuming
the former condition, and that our Lord will fill them with the Spirit of Truth they will NOT be unmindful of the future catastrophe
coming upon this earth, nor will they not make it clear to the lost but will be a "watchman" and a light in this time of darkness
now and later.
They will be prepared by God for anything. At least I believe that and function that way. That is why I do my ministry of
the Gospel.
To die out of Christ today, is no worse then to perish in the Tribulation.
My life has had much tribulation. Nothing like what will befall the unbelieving earth dwellers in The Great Tribulation, BUT,
on the whole, mine have been pretty tough.
I react differently, Jack. I live as if the Lord can call me anytime, by death or by rapture, and I am always in an alerted
state to do a faithful act for His glory. NEVER have I believed that this moment is a holiday on earth, nor that I could sit
back in some pseudo self confidence because I thought I might avoid the terrible wrath of God in the Tribulation.
All my messages to other's have a vein of "Now is the appointed time to serve Him", "choose this day who you will serve",
"come out from among them and be separate". I live that way, and have for a long time.
My mindset is different about the Pre Tribulation Rapture. Given it could be at any moment I have grown to be a bond servant
for Him daily. If I believed we would be in that time of "Jacobs trouble", I would be busy trying to prepare stores of supplies
like the Mormon's and others, wondering how in the world will God get us through such a set of circumstances. On one hand
the Anti-christ system, and on the other, The Judgments of our Lord on sinful mankind!
I would be instigated by the future rather then doing His work in the now. It would require me to be concerned about my flesh,
those around me, the enemies at the grocery store, my government, my neighbor out of faith, and a host of possibilities too
numerous to mention. THE LOST MAN NEED NOT WORRY! IT IS THEIR WORLD. BUT I WOULD.
The hope of the Rapture will not put a Spirit filled Christian at ease. It will move them to greater service to the lost and
help complete the church as well as inspire the brethren to action in prayer and whatever ministry through gifts He has bestowed
upon them.
So I work in the now moment with a sure hope I am free in Him and have assured eternal life because
of Him. And if I should find myself in Great Tribulation, I will find Christ at my side.
Chaim
|
