Getting Started
In order to walk thru this together, you need to understand where I’m coming from. I’ve often heard that I see things from a different perspective, and I won’t argue that. It is the gift of which I have been dealt. And it makes things interesting, if nothing else. What I present here is not prediction but a proffering, wrought by many years of private and professional study. But truth is only available to those who are willing to question what they think they know, so who knows, I always leave at least 10% doubt that I could be wrong.
So, how ‘bout we start at the beginning. Creation vs. the big bang. Religion v. science. Everyone’s convinced they contradict, everyone thinks they’re mutually exclusive. But I don’t see the conflict. God (the one Abraham believes in) says He spoke it all into being out of nothingness; science tells us out of nothingness kaboom there it is. That same God says He took a single rib to separate the woman from the man… science tells us a single gene separates the male and female zygotes. Estimates vary, but the world’s top physicists say ~ 90% of what makes up the universe we can’t see or detect, other than how it affects what we can see and detect. The God of Abraham tells us there is a whole ‘nother realm we can’t see or detect, except for how it affects what we can see and detect. And obtw He wants His 10% back. No, I don’t see how those contradict.
God creates… creation. The stars, planets, nebulas, and such. He also creates life... animal, vegetable … the heavenly host. Ah yes, the heavenly host. Those Angels, Seraphim, Cherubim, and such that everyone hears about at Christmas time, but really have no idea who or what they are, other than looking pretty up on the tree. We ought to, because they have a big part in all this.
God creates man, and gives man authority over creation. ‘I’ll walk with you, talk with you, lend you an ear and give you advice, but in the end what you say goes’ was God’s deal with Adam. As the authority over all creation, that meant man also had authority over the heavenly host. It became their job to facilitate the exercise of man’s authority over creation, and to minister man’s relationship with God. But 1/3 of the host didn’t like being servants, they wanted to call the shots and have man serve them. So they got Adam to hand his authority over to them. I call these the heavenly horde.
God comes along one morning and discovers this, and says ‘fine that’s the way you want it, that’s the way you got it; You’re outta here’. And thus man and our little bit of the universe were exiled. But as Adam was walking away God called out to him, and promised ‘someday I’ll send Someone to make this right. Just hold on to that, and remember Me’.
Time marches on and man’s numbers grow. Under the authority of, and accomplice to, the heavenly horde, man pretty much abandons God. It gets to the point where only one man in all of creation still believes in God, and that God’s going to do what He said He would. So one day God says ‘fine, Abraham, you’re the only one who wants it, you’re the only one who gets it. When I send Someone to set this straight, that which He reclaims shall belong you and your family alone.’ That was the promise of God to Abraham, and how his family came to be ‘the chosen people’. God chose them to receive His redemption because they chose to want it, when no one else cared.
Time marches on again, man’s numbers grow even more. Gets to a point where there are many outside the family of Abraham who have come to believe in God and His promise, while many inside the family have grown cold and foreign to Him. But God can’t go back on His promise, that wouldn’t be, well, God-like. He makes allowance for outsiders to enter the family, but for redemption to be given en-masse to the masses, those to whom it was promised must say they don’t want it, and take a pass.
So God sent His Messiah in a form which, by their distance from Him, they would never recognize or accept. Which they didn’t, rejecting Him in the most assured way possible. But it is only because of, and the means of, their rejection that that Messiah is now able to say, ‘OK, is there anyone else out there who would like to be in on this deal?’
Fast forward again. Some think we’re at the end of the age, end of the world, the end of something, but we’re not quite sure of what. We’d like to know what’s up ahead of us. There’s lots of scripture that talk about it, and even more people willing to tell you what those scriptures say. But I’m really only interested in what one person has to say… I want to hear from the Guy who’s going to bring it on. So that’s what we will do here. We will pose a question, see what Jesus had to say about it first; then with that as a foundation, we will then see how other passages build on those words.
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Oh yean, I’ll get a bit verbose at times, so when I put an asterisk in, stop and take a breath and digest what you just heard before muddling on.
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It might also help to understand how time and eternity interact. Most people think time is linear - there’s eternity at one end, then a timeline, then eternity at the other end e)------(e . What we need to picture is lacing a wheel. A wheel has a hub and a rim and spokes. Imagine God and eternity existing in the hub, and time running along the rim. Now imagine how, like randomly inserted spokes, God can reach out and touch any point in time, at any point in time. His access to time is not constrained to our passing of time.
I also believe that what happens in one realm reflects upon the other… the two interact much like the light caught between two facing mirrors. What happens in one reflects in the other, back to the first, and returning again and again in a near endless chain. Again, the eternal nature of God’s Word is what’s behind history – and prophetical manifestation - repeating itself.
Also, we’ll worry more about what will happen, then if any clues come our way as to the timing, we’ll note that. What, not when, is the first focus. What, not when, will tell us when.
OK, now that we’re gathered, let’s ask that most obvious of questions.
What will the end be like?
What Will The End Be Like ?
Actually, Jesus’ disciples did us the favor of asking Him this very question. Knowing they were with the man who would ultimately bring it on, they were just as curious as we are about how it will manifest. And while Jesus spoke to the rulers and crowds in stories and parables, He was usually up front with His Disciples. What He answered in response to their question is recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Let’s see what he says.
Jesus said to take heed that no one deceives us, as many will come claiming to be of Him, and many will be deceived. He tells us not to go after these people. He says that there will be wars and rumors of wars, that nations and kings will rise up against each other. There will be earthquakes, famines, troubles, fearful signs, and great signs from Heaven. He tells us not to be troubled because these things must happen before the end. These He describes as the beginning of sorrows, the birth pangs.
He goes on to say that we will be delivered up to tribulation and be killed, we will be brought before councils, synagogues, rulers, and kings for His sake as a testimony, but not to worry beforehand what to say because the words will be given at that time by the Holy Spirit. We will be hated by all nations, and many will turn away and betray each other - even among family - and we’ll be put to death. He tells us that with patience we will possess our souls, and He warns again that false prophets will rise up to deceive many. Love will grow cold and be lost among the hardness of man, and lawlessness will abound. But the Gospel will be taken to all the world as a witness. He tells us to endure until the end and we’ll be saved.
He warns that when we see Jerusalem surrounded by armies its desolation is near. And when we see that desolation those in Judea should flee, to the point where those out should not stop to take anything with them. Those who are pregnant and nursing will have woe, and we are to pray that it does not happen in the winter or on the Sabbath. He calls it a time of great tribulation, such as has never been seen before or will be again; a day of vengeance so that all that has been written can be fulfilled. He says again that many will be felled by the sword and led captive to the nations, and that Jerusalem will be trampled. Unless those days are shortened, He adds, no flesh will be saved, but for the sake of His people they are shortened.
He says again not to believe the false christs and prophets who perform great signs and wonders, who are able to deceive even God’s people if possible. We are told not to go look for them, and to take heed of this, because He has told us He will come like lightning for us.
After this the sun is darkened, the moon is not lit, the nations are distressed and in perplexity, and the sea and the waves roar. The stars have fallen from the sky and man’s heart will be shaken, as are the powers of the heavens.
Then His sign will appear in the heavens, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn when they see Him coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. With a trumpet the angels will gather the elect from the four winds and the farthest parts of the earth and heavens.
We are told to be watchful, for just as we know when summer is near, we will know when the end is near.
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There we have it, a mouthful indeed but straight from Jesus Himself. We’ll use this discourse as ‘base camp’ as we continue to explore the issue, but for now there’s a few things worth digesting.
Many will say this was all fulfilled in 70 AD when the Romans overcame the Jews. And it was. Again, God’s word is eternal and reverberates thru all of time. One manifestation does not render it moot. God offered the Messiah to the Jews. The Jews expected him to be a political figure who’d save them from Godless Romans. So they rejected Him when He came. God then offers the Christ to the world. But the world is rejecting Him, and His own are looking for a political figure who’ll save them from Godless liberals. What goes around comes around, right?
Jesus is discussing here not the end of the world, but the end of an age. Religious history has been marked by different ages, or dispensations in church speak, as God reveals different parts of His personality to mankind in different ways over time. We are currently in the Church age, that period of time which began with Christ’s ascension and will end when He returns. This is what we are talking about here, the time immediately preceding His return to earth, not the earth’s end.
One notable is that Jesus told His disciples not that these things will happen, but that they will see them happening, and know by seeing them happen that He is near. We’ll talk about that some more later.
Jesus describes here a time He calls ‘birth pangs and tribulation’, which most of us lump together as The Great Tribulation. These words conjure up terrible images of death and destruction. What are all these events and more importantly, why do they happen? What is the Great Tribulation?
What is The Great Tribulation?
Ok, back to the beginning. God creates the big bang, gives man authority over it, which man then hands off to the heavenly horde. God chases the whole lot of them out of town, but promises to set it right someday. Man subdues the world under the authority of the horde. That Rescuer God promised comes, but is rejected. By the means of His rejection, the restoral authority has been bought and paid for. But it has yet to be enforced here upon our little exile island. And so we wait in limbo for the other shoe to drop, for the day when that authority IS brought to bear here and now, to restore things back to what was intended.
It is ‘that day’ that is being discussed here.
There will have to be major changes… a world that has evolved contrary to God’s plan must be reset according to His plan. The horde’s worldly authorities must be rooted up and disposed of, to make way for the restoration Messiah’s authority. And the planet must be cleansed to make way for His habitation. Jesus says it’ll be brutal, He tells His disciples that they will see a time of great trouble and trial on earth prior to His return. Other prophecies describe these things in more detail. Let’s look again at that list of things Jesus said was going to happen, and how these others grow on it.
Jesus said there would be war. John, taken up into heaven to record the book of Revelation, saw a horseman who was given a sword with which to take peace from the earth[1]. A little later he sees a great star falling from heaven like a torch[2], and a great burning mountain cast into the sea. Ezekiel and Zechariah[3] tell of the aftermath of a great war, describing the victim’s flesh melting and their eyes burning, and the bodies lying in the field for 7 months while teams go out to bury them and clean the land.
There have always been wars, and as spiritual warfare intensifies we should expect an increase in physical conflicts, leading to an ultimate battle between the two. The burning mountain into the sea, the falling star from the sky are oft compared to nuclear events. Flesh melting, bodies left to decay, lands left desolate and needing decontamination… read the descriptions of Nagasaki and Tokyo after their bombings, they sound very much like Ezekiel and Zechariah.
Also of interest is Jesus’ usage of "rumors of war”, like they’re not really ‘war’, maybe more like great sporadic battles or military actions. Wars were traditionally fought between nations and peoples. But nowadays we fight battles between ideals and morals. It’s no longer countries we pursue, but mindsets. And that battle rages everywhere.
Jesus also said there’d be famine. John saw with the first three Trumpets the grass and trees of the earth being burnt up, the sea turning dead, the waters fatally poisoned[4]. He describes that burning mountain thrown in the sea; and hail, fire, and blood thrown to earth; and a star falling like a torch from heaven. Whatever they are, these sound like events with major impacts upon the food chain. The shortage will be severe - John reports that it takes a day’s wages to buy a day’s worth of food[5] - if you can get it.
With the famine there will be pestilence, according to Jesus. John describes plagues of locusts and that by plagues of fire, smoke, and brimstone 1/3rd of man’s numbers will die. John sees many killed by sword, hunger, death, and beasts[6]. Imagine planet wide events that burns fields, contaminates the waters, and leave bodies exposed to the elements for the better part of a year. That’s a scenario custom made to ferment rot and disease over large areas – pestilence as some call it.
The references to “beasts” are interesting, keep in mind that as food gets expensive and scarce, we may have to compete with wild animals for it. Image hungry packs of animals roaming the hills and streets looking for food that isn’t there. It isn’t unusual to see coyotes and other predators lurking within major cities already. And they will not just fight us for food, they’ll see us as food.
Jesus also spoke of earthquakes, and tells us the powers of the heavens are shaken. Earthquakes in the spiritual realm have to do with the giving over or taking of a stronghold. We see earthquakes involved when Jesus died, and again when He rose[7]. An earthquake occurs when Peter and John first preach Christ in Jerusalem[8], and again when Paul first brings the Word to Europe[9]. As spiritual warfare increases and strongholds are battled, we should expect an increase of earthquakes, both in number and intensity.
But other passages suggest something larger than a typical earthquake. There are prophecies of the sun and moon being darkened, mountains made low, waters being heaped upon the continents, islands disappearing, and even the stars blackened and removed from the sky[10]. These things only happen with major earth upheavals, an earthquake on a global scale if you will. They could describe a shift in the earth’s axis, an event which has happened a number of times in the past. Magnetic north is no longer the same as true north, because at times in history earth’s axis has wobbled.
Another possibility is a disruption in the earth’s rotation. In Joshua 10 God promised His people they’d win a great battle before the sun set. But as the day wore on, they weren’t wining. Then God extended the length of the day, and they won their battle. Think of what He would have to do to accomplish that. The sun would have to be rotated in sync with the earth, or the earth’s rotation would have to be temporarily stopped or slowed. Suppose we stop the earth from rotating. The inertial energy in the once moving continents would cause them to grind and clash into each other, and we could expect great floods as the momentum of the oceans carry them up onto the stopped land. Imaging carrying a platter with plates of food and water; as long as you’re moving smoothly it all stays relatively put. Come to an abrupt halt, and everything crashes and spills.
The descriptions of the star falling to earth could be that of a comet striking the earth, which could also cause the upheavals mentioned (it took care of the dinosaurs, didn’t it?). In any case, catastrophic fire and volcanic activity would break loose, spewing megatons of sky blacking gasses and ash into the sky which would block out the sun and moon and stars.
Jesus said Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies, and that an event will occur causing the city to be left desolate. Daniel sees a vision of this; He is studying the vision of the prophet Jeremiah concerning the judgment of Jerusalem and prays that God will turn His anger from them. An angel is then sent with a vision of what will happen[11]. The angel explains that there is a prince to come who will make a covenant with many for ‘a week’, but in the middle of that week he cuts it off. Jerusalem is then left desolate by an event, which lasts until the end of it all. Left with this vision, Daniel seeks God for more information, and is shown a vision of a succession of kingdoms from which a mighty king arises who has great control, makes a treaty, moves against it, defiles the sanctuary, and places an abomination that causes desolation. This is not the only vision Daniel had received; he actually had many depicting the rise of an authority that takes control while blaspheming God. The authority is overcome, then Daniel sees multitudes standing before the throne of God, the books being opened, and judgment being made. The beast is slain, given to burning flames, The Messiah is given dominion and the saints possess the kingdom[12]. This is what Daniel sees in many of his visions.
In Revelation[13] John sees more about this ruler; he is given a vision of a beast rising up out of the sea. The beast is fatally wounded, but recovers. The world marvels and follows him, to the point of worshipping it. He boasts and blasphemes for 42 months (3.5 years), makes war with and overcomes the saints, and is given authority over all the nations of the world. All the world worships him, except for those whose names are written in the book of life. A second beast arises, having the authority of the first and causing the earth to worship the first. This beast performs miraculous sign and wonders with which he deceives the world. He causes those who will not worship and take a mark, which will be required to buy or sell, to be put to death. Those who do take the mark and worship the beast will drink the wrath of God, and forever be tormented with fire and brimstone[14].
All these passages speak of someone who arises to global power. Most commonly known as the antichrist, the nations submit to his authority. He negotiates a treaty which brings peace and allows the rebuilding of the Temple, but after 3½ years he breaks it. He demands that all people to submit to his marking and worship him as supreme ruler/god. Those who don’t are killed, those who do will see eternal fire and brimstone. This ruler makes war with God’s people and causes an event which desecrates the temple and causes Jerusalem to be left desolate.
Perhaps the better question is, why the tribulation happens?
When man handed over his authority to the horde he was exiled from the presence of God – the spiritual as we call it. When Jesus returns it is to reunite our realm from exile, to re-immerse us in the spiritual physically. Try to picture that for a moment. All of what we know and see now is possibly only 10% of what’s to be our new environment. That which we were exiled from, the Messiah will restore us to.
And we have to understand the where-what-all about judgment. Judgment is not so much a deliberate delivery of God’s hammer, but a releasing what He has been holding back. Judgment is an allowing of man to reap what he’s sown. Man’s been packin’ a powder keg ever since he first thumbed his nose at God. God’s just saying that’s enough, light the fuse and let’s see how that works out for ya.
Also interesting is the end of the book of Daniel. I like Daniel, I picture him as being kinda nosey with God. Throughout his book we see him pondering on the future of things and ever-pestering God to know more, and God responds time and again with visions and dreams of it. At the end of the book Daniel has been really pushing it, and in a vision takes advantage of his position in the heavenlies to venture a look down upon things he wasn’t supposed to see. He is told to seal up what he saw ‘until the time of the end’. Is it possible that Daniel was taking advantage of God’s hospitality, and sneaked a peek at the things John would later see and record in Revelation?
Also worth a look at is the proportions of the judgments. We are told that when Satan fell he took 1/3rd of the heavenly host with him, and many of the tribulation judgments we see affect 1/3rd groupings. For you numerologists.
Wow. War. Death. Famine. Pestilence. Lawlessness. All kinds of madness and mayhem. If the Tribulation is a time of judgment against man, do God’s people go through it ? What about it Lord, Will we go through the Tribulation?
[1] Rev 6:11
[2] Rev 8:8-10
[3] Eze 38, 39 / Zech 14
[4] Rev 8
[5] Rev 6:6
[6] Rev 6:8
[7] Matt 27:51, 28:2
[8] Acts 4
[9] Acts 16
[10] Isaiah 12, 13,34,42, Amos 9, Joel 2, 3, Eze 38,47, Romans 8, and Rev 6 & 7 for starters
[11] Dan 9
[12] Daniel 7 to the end of the book
[13] 13
[14] Rev 14:9-11
WILL WE GO THROUGH THE TRIBULATION?
With all the terrible things happening during the tribulation, the next logical question is whether or not we will go through it - or be taken from the world beforehand. This is one of the most hotly debated areas of Bible interpretation, and everyone’s got their opinion.
Reread Jesus’ words in the passages of Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. Jesus told His followers that they would know by seeing these events happen that He was near. Digest that a bit. We will know He is nearby seeing these things happen.
OK, I know I said we’d focus first on what not when, but this what clearly defines the when. We can’t see these things happen if we’re not here.
Elsewhere, John records four instances where Jesus said He would raise His people up on the last day[1]. He also says that Martha, mourning with Jesus over the death of Lazarus, confessed her belief that the resurrection occurs on the last day, which Jesus did not dispute or correct[2]. First Thessalonians 4:15-17 says that those who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will by no means proceed those who have died; and that the dead in Christ will rise first, before we who are alive and remain are caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. On the last day.
We do not escape judgment. God clearly states that over and over again throughout His word.
He even says there’ll be a soundtrack… that He will return with the sound of a trumpet that all the world will hear. Looking in the book of Revelation[3] John sees Christ opening 7 seals on a scroll, which is followed by 7 angels who sound trumpets. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Paul says that the Lord wild descend from heaven with a shout, the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. Talking about the resurrection (when the dead are caught up before the living) in 1 Cor. 15 Paul calls it a mystery. In verse 52 he says it will come at “the last trumpet”. Revelation 10:7 states that in the day the last angel sounds his trumpet, the mystery is finished. We find an account of that last (7th) trumpet being sounded in Revelation 11:14; those gathered around God’s throne praise Him, shouting with loud voices that His time has come to reign, to judge the dead, to reward His people, and to destroy the wicked. So no, this event will not happen silently.
Judgment. God’s People have never escaped judgment. God’s miracle of deliverance from trial has never been accomplished by removing His people from it, but by providing the means to bring them through it. And bringing them through it has always required their participation. For example, when the angel of death went through Egypt to kill the firstborns, God told His people how to avoid it by sprinkling the blood of a lamb on their door posts[4]. Those who participated so were spared. Those who didn’t suffered, even among the Jews. Then, when He led His people out of the country, He told them to plunder the Egyptians and haul all they could take with them. It was only after these provisions ran out that He interceded with the manna and quail, and these only lasted until they were able to provide for themselves again. I use these two examples here because if you compare the judgments against the Egyptians with those of the end, you’ll find that many are very similar. God’s pattern throughout the Bible is clear on this… He says we’ll see judgment.
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Allow me to explain here a moment, WHY how we see the timing is so important. Does it really matter whether the ‘rapture’ (a misnomer) occurs before or after the tribulation? Jesus told His disciples that the time of tribulation would be as in the days of Noah[5]. Noah was not taken out of the world during its judgment, but like the others was provided the means to survive it. But that was dependent upon Noah being obedient and faithful to prepare as the Lord instructed. Suppose that, having been warned of the coming judgment by flood, and told to build the ark, Noah decided it wasn’t important. Figuring ‘God will save me’, he didn’t build the boat. Maybe God would have enabled Noah to dogpaddle for those 40 days. Or maybe ol’ Noah would have drowned with the rest. Mankind was, after all, being judged for disbelief and disobedience.
Jesus taught us to expect judgment and tribulation, and we’ve seen how other scriptures back that up. If we expect to have to survive it all, we’ll need to be prepared.
So how might God have us prepare for this? Suppose He wants us to stockpile food, water, and medical supplies. That may not be so easy to get our cooperation with, if we don’t think we’re going to be around to need them. God told Noah to build a boat; maybe He’ll tell you to buy a bus. Will you respond? How we view the timing of these events will make a BIG difference in how willing we are to respond, to physically prepare for the judgment He tells us we’re going to see.
And more importantly – it will affect how we’ll respond to being spiritually prepared. Jesus said evil will increase, that we will be hated, persecuted, betrayed by friends and family, and hauled off to be killed. It is little wonder He also said, many of us will turn away from Him. Like the seed planted amid the rocks, when the heat’s on those, who are not prepared will not be strong enough to stand - much less fight back. These prophecies show spiritual persecution and warfare on a scale unseen since Old Testament times. Those who aren’t trained and versed in such things are going to get slaughtered, or worse, turn away to save themselves.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Paul talks about the coming of the Lord and our gathering to Him, and he says that day will not come until after the apostasy and the ‘antichrist’ is revealed. Everyone knows about the ‘antichrist’, but few know about the apostasy. Paul put them on an equal footing. We should know as much about the apostasy, as we know about the antichrist.
Jesus says it’s going to happen, that we will see it happen, and that we need to be prepared or we will fail Him!!!
Sorry. It’s just really important that we all understand that. Good brothers and sisters will be deceived away from their salvation, and that, more than anything else about this whole subject, concerns me.
Jesus prayed that we would not be taken from the world, but delivered from its evil.[6] He commanded us to pray for the strength to endure. In 1 Peter 4:12-13 we are told not to think strangely about the time of trial that is to come upon us.
Remember ol’ Noah? He was probably pretty glad he’d built the boat when those raindrops started falling. But he had to believe he was going to see it happen, or he’d never have driven the first nail.
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Ok. There’s another part to the picture here. We’ve talked about the seals and the trumpets, and the judgment which manifests just prior to Jesus’ return. But Revelation also describes bowls being poured out, and earthly activity happening with these. What are these bowls and how do they differ from the seals and trumpets?
In Revelations 15 and 16 we see angels pour out bowls of wrath upon the earth. These manifest in many ways similar to the judgments, yet on an even higher scale. The familiar passages in Matthew[7] and Luke[8] where two are side by side and one is taken and the other left, is oft taught to indicate the ‘rapture’. But when His disciples asked where these people go, Jesus says the bodies will be where the vultures gather - some translations say eagles, the underlying gist is that big birds eat dead bodies. But when Jesus takes us, we are reunited with our bodies in His presence. So these are not His people. In Matthew 13:24 Jesus tells the parables of the tares, where in the end He says not only are His people taken, but the evil ones are also removed and burned like chaff. This is something beyond judgment, and beyond our tenure here. This is what befalls mankind once we are taken, and before we return with Him.
In Revelation 14:14-20, John tells us that the Son of Man reaps the earth for His people, then an angel also reaps and throws these into the winepress of God’s wrath. If you want to use the term rapture to describe what happens to us, then I have to believe this refers to a rapture of the evil. For those ultimately left behind, they witness not one but two raptures. And there are those who are left behind, one is taken & one is left it says. We’re taken, the bad are taken, these I would have to think are good people who just don’t know the Lord. They do exist. And they provide a population into the millennium.
In Psalm 119:119 God says the wicked will be removed like dross. This is the slag or waste material produced in metal casting, which is often removed from the product by literally hammering it off. God is telling us that these people are going to get pounded. Proverbs 2 and Isaiah 13 also speak of their fate. These are the truly wicked who are removed from the world after God has collected His own to Him.
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So when will we see the ‘rapture’? Jesus said no one knows the date so I can’t give you that, but here’s what I look for - when you see Jerusalem being surrounded and evacuated, well, don’t bother to grab your toothbrush.
But there’s a bigger picture to all this. Every one of us exists in the end times right now - as Jesus told the rich farmer (Luke 12:16-20), the ‘rapture’ could come for any one of us tonight. Unless you’re one of the very few still hanging on after judgment hits the fan, that heart attack, that car crash, that your-ticket-is-punched moment is your rapture baby. Right then and there. Hub and rim, in the twinkling of an eye.
So then, if we’re going to go through the tribulation judgment, what happens to us?
[1] John 6:39, 40, 44, 54
[2] John 11:24
[3] 6-11
[4] Exodus 12
[5] Matt. 24:35-39
[6] John 17:15
[7] 24:30
[8] 17:34
WHAT HAPPENS TO US ?
We’ve pretty much heard what the world suffers in tribulation, but if we are to go through these events, perhaps we should look again at what happens specifically to us.
Jesus described some horrible things to come in His response to the disciple’s question. But they really aren’t much different than the things He had warned them about when He sent them earlier among the cities[1]. It goes back to that eternal nature of God bearing out in the repeating nature of history. There has always been religious persecution, and as spiritual warfare increases, we should expect an increase in that. So, what did Jesus tell His disciples would happen to them, and what do other scriptures add to that?
As we’ve seen earlier, Jesus said we will be betrayed by friends and family, arrested, brought before synagogues, councils, nations, and kings as a witness. He said that we would be hated, beaten, and killed. Daniel was told 5 times[2] that the ‘man of sin’ will overcome God’s people, and John records seeing it happen in Revelation[3].
But really, we’ve heard all this before. There’s not a period in history where these things have not happened. Again, the issue is scale.
We heard that we will be dragged in front of the people and rulers as a “witness”. The original language Jesus used here refers to the record of a martyr. Many times God’s people are described as a witness/martyr for Him. Revelation 11 tells of two martyrs that emerge in the tribulation. These use the power of God to overcome their enemies by calling down fire from the heavens, stopping the rain, polluting the waters, and spreading plagues. But even these are killed, and their bodies are left to lay in the streets while the world parties. But after 3 1/2 ‘days’ they come back to life, and great fear grips the world. Then a loud voice calls them up, and all the world sees it. There’s an earthquake and 7,000 people die.
God considers His people by spiritual lines more than the physical; but from God’s promise to Abraham to their rejection thereof, God did keep a physical record. I believe that in the end God deals with the physical line of the Jews. Revelation 7:1-8 shows 144,000 from the tribes of Israel who are sealed by God on their foreheads in the end. An indication that this deals with the physical line is the fact that the tribes are listed, something God did a number of times in the Old Testament but never in the New, except here. Paul, in Romans 11, talks about Israel not being totally rejected, and a remnant remaining. Ephesians 4:30 tells us that those who accept Jesus are sealed by the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption, so if these physical Jews accept Jesus as the Messiah in the midst of the ‘tribulation’, they would then be likewise sealed for redemption and become quite a witness for Christ. The second witness, I would posit. I suspect this might be during the period of wrath; if the world was after us before the abomination and our rapture, it would seem reasonable to believe these convert Jews would be treated worse.
In describing the end events to His disciples, one thing Jesus mentioned was that when the ‘abomination of desolation’ occurs, those in Judea should flee to the mountains, not stopping to take anything with them. The Judeans were very devout followers of Jesus. Another reference to fleeing is found in Revelation 12, which pictures a woman who is in labor. A dragon, generally accepted as satan, tries to kill the child, who is generally accepted as Christ… Him being the only one who fulfills the conditions described. But what do this woman, "those in Judea”, and fleeing have to do with each other? I believe this is talking about the Bride of Christ, a subject we’ll discuss more in a bit. But note that when Jerusalem is surrounded, we are told that while most will be caught up, some are singled out to flee instead.
The saddest thing Jesus said will happen to us is the apostasy - many will be deceived and led away from God by false prophets, teachers, and christs, and many more are going to turn away to avoid persecution. Again, most people are familiar with the ‘antichrist’ and his mark, but not with the apostasy. Paul put them on equal footing. So should you.
The Bible speaks of patience and perseverance being involved. Jesus, in His answer to the disciples’ question, said that "in patience you will possess your souls”, and told them that those who lose their life for His sake will find it[4]. Patience. Romans 5:3; 8:25; Hebrews 6:12; James 1:3; and Revelation 1:9 all speak of patience’ role in enduring tribulation, trial, salvation; and in inheriting God’s promise. In Revelation 13:10 and 14:11-12, we see that those who have led us into captivity and death will likewise be led captive and killed; and those who worship the beast and take his mark will be tormented; and that in these is the patience of the saints. It’s a war of attrition, with the knowledge of who wins and losses in the end.
OK, so we have been looking at what happens to us before He comes. How about what happens after He comes? Jesus said He was returning to gather and judge His saints. So the next logical question would be: how are we judged as saints?
[1] Matt. 10
[2] 6:29; 7:25; 8:24; 11:33; and 12:7
[3] 13:7
[4] Matt 10:39
HOW WILL WE BE JUDGED?
We’ve seen prior to Jesus’ return the events by which the world will be judged, and that we will take part in it. But it’s not just that earthly judgment we have to be concerned with. In Revelation 11, where we heard the 7th trumpet sound, those around God’s throne proclaim that the time has come for Him to rule and judge the saints. That’s us. And that’s a whole separate judgment. The tribulation events are an earthly phenomenon, occurring before His return; judging the saints is spiritual and comes after He gathers us. So how then will we be judged?
Jesus likened this judgment as to when a man going on a journey called his servants together and gave them each some money to look after. When he returned, he found that two had wisely invested the monies to earn more. He was proud of them and put them in charge over parts of his estate. But a third servant had only hid his, returning no more than what he had been given. The man scolded this servant and cast him out, calling him unfaithful. "To whom much is given, much will be required” Jesus said[1].
This is pretty clear and logical. We will be called to account for how we use what He gives us. The productive servant will be rewarded, and the unproductive is ‘cast out’.
Jesus had earlier likened our entrance into His Kingdom as to when a king threw a feast and those he invited were too busy to respond[2]. So the king opened the doors and took in anyone who would come, filled the place, shut the doors, and the feast began. Those who had been invited came at their leisure, only to find the door shut in their face and themselves cast out.
Jesus later expanded on this by telling of 10 ‘virgins’ (using a term that references wedding attendants) with lamps who went out to wait for a bridegroom[3]. The groom was delayed, and the attendants went to sleep. Late at night they were awakened by the bridegroom’s coming. Turning up their lamps to receive him, half of them were out of oil and had to go find some. While they were gone, the groom arrived and took the others into the wedding feast. When the five without oil returned later, they found themselves denied entrance and shut out.
There’s a recurring theme here. We are accountable for how we use what He gives us; The prudent enter into a feast, and the ‘tardy’ are shut out.
Paul also described our judgment[4], where he says we will give an account of our lives to God, and receive good or bad for our works. Paul explained to the Corinthians[5] that those who founded their faith in Jesus build upon that foundation by the works they do, whether good (represented by silver and gold) or bad (wood and straw). On the day of judgment these works will be tested by fire, and those whose work is not burnt up will be rewarded, while those whose work is burned away will suffer a loss. But they will be saved, as though "through the fire” Paul says.
As though thru the fire. What could that mean?
When Jesus returns and takes us, He will host a feast, a wedding feast to be exact and we’ll look at that in a bit. The point is when He returns, those He finds living faithfully will enter in with Him to this feast. But those who will find themselves shut out of it. Remember, these are all part of that group He gathered to Himself. None the less some are separated from Him for a time, because of their faithlessness.
Hell in its Biblical form is a place set apart from the presence of God[6], and described as a lake of fire. With God inside at the wedding feast, those who are locked out are separated from His presence, and therefore going through a very real form of hell. "As though through the fire,” Paul said. Jesus said that the unfaithful servant will be appointed a portion with the unbelievers[7], and repeatedly warned that those who fail His judgment will be cast out into darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth[8] - a close analogy to the wailing and gnashing described going on in the lake of fire[9].
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There is debate on whether you get your heaven or hell pass by ‘being good’. Jesus says that for actually getting in, no that does not matter. The reason that doesn’t matter is because all you have to do is be bad once, and your ticket is punched. And Lord knows we’re all going to trip up at some point. That’s why Jesus says He is not just the way to God, but the only way to Him. He paid our ticket fee, and there’s nothing we can possibly do to earn it aside from accepting it. That is an element of the unforgiveable sin – not accepting forgiveness. So no, being good does not get you into ‘heaven’. Believe in your heart and confess with your lips (Romans 10:9-10). That’s the entrance exam.
BUT – being good or bad does get you into or out of Jesus’ wedding feast. If you’re cast out then you will go thru purification in something very similar to hell, while the feast goes on.
Also note again that this not the end of the world, but the end of the age. There is another judgment which occurs at the end of the world[10], where God sits upon the Great White Throne and divides mankind up into two groups, namely His and not His people. Those who are not His People are sent into the lake of fire, while His people inherit a new creation. This is a separate and later final judgment, and we’ll come back to it to in a bit.
Having broached the subject here, let me share with you my picture of hell. God’s word tells us the world is made of things unseen, which describes the atom and its components. The interesting thing about the atom is that its nucleus is composed of like-charged particles, and orbiting that are like charged particles. The science dictates that like charged particles repel each other, indicating the whole dang thing should just naturally come apart. There are many theories about where this ‘dark force’ comes from, including God’s claim that all things are held together by Him[11]. The Lord spoke this creation into existence, putting it together by His very Word (note the English similarity of word/world). We are told that at the end of it’s existence the elements will melt with fervent heat[12]. Consider what happens when an atom is split - it creates intense heat and fire as the element is ripped out of existence. Could it be possible that when God speaks it out of existence, the resulting nuclear meltdown of all created matter that now exists as our earth and heavens, will create the lake of fire? Would it seem fitting that those who love this world more than Him would be given it, in its natural state apart from Him?
Ok, back to it. Jesus has gathered us together, celebrated with His faithful, and is returning with us to earth to begin exercising His authority. So what’s that going to be like?
[1] Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27
[2] Matt. 22:1-4; Luke 14:15-24
[3] Matt. 25:1-13, and again referencing the receiving party going out to meet and escort an arriving guest
[4] 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10-12
[5] 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
[6] Matt. 25:41
[7] Luke 12:16
[8] Matt. 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30
[9] Matt. 13:42, 50
[10] Matt 25:31 - 46, Rev. 20:11-15
[11] Hebrews 11:3; Col. 1:16
[12] 2 Peter 3:7, 10, 12
Who is the Bride of Christ?
In Revelations, when John sees the new heaven and earth appear, he is called to come see the Bride of the Lamb[1]. He is then shown the Holy City, New Jerusalem, descending to the ground prepared as a bride.
When God talks about cities, He refers to the people who live there. Jesus made an example of this when He wept over Jerusalem, saying how much He longed to take the city in His arms[2]. Jesus didn’t want to hold the buildings; He was loving the people. In Revelation, we get not only a description of how the Holy City looks, but also of the people who live in it. So, who are these people?
John records hearing a loud voice declaring that God’s tabernacle is with men, that these are His people and He is their God. There are no more tears, pain, death, or sorrow, and old things are passed away. God declares all things new, and promises to give freely of the water of life to those who thirst. He says those who overcome shall inherit these things and be His sons. John says There is no temple because God and the Lamb are its temple, and there is no sun or moon because they are its light.
This proclaims that God once again dwells on earth with His people, the saved.
John then goes on to say that the nations of the saved shall walk in the city’s light, that the kings and nations will bring their glory and honor into it; And that only those whose names are written in the Book of life will ever enter. John is shown the river of life, and the tree of life, whose leaves are for the healing of these nations. He hears it declared that the curse of separation is over, and God can once again live with His servants, on whose foreheads is the name of God. They reign forever and ever.
So, we see two different groups inhabiting the new earth. There are those who live in New Jerusalem where God takes residence; and there are nations of the saved who live outside the city and interact with it. Remember now, this is on the new earth, all those here are saved. So while all of us do live in a world with His presence, there is a subset He draws even nearer to live in the City with Him.
One thing we see about those in the City is that they are God’s servants. Servants can take the form of tradesmen, who are paid a wage and work at will. Or servants can be slaves who are given neither consideration. In Old Testament times, if you had a slave you had to offer him his freedom after a period of service[3]. But if you were a good and loving master, he might not have wanted to leave. So, you would pierce his ear as a symbol of his becoming your bondservant. In return for his agreeing to be your slave for life, you agreed to care for him and his family for life. When God speaks about His servants He speaks of His bondservants, those who when offered freedom have chosen servitude.
The population also includes those who "overcome.” Overcome is a fighting term, meaning to gain victory against an adversary in combat. In Jesus’ letters to the churches He commends their good works, rebukes their wrongs, exhorts them to seek a special understanding, and makes a specific promise to "those who overcome.” They are promised to eat from the tree of life; to not be hurt by the second death; and to be given hidden manna and a white stone with a new name on it, unknown to any others but themselves and God. They are also given power over the nations (keeping in mind this is the New Earth). They are also to be given the morning star, to be clothed in white, and to never have their names blotted out from the book of life but confessed before the Father and His angels. They are to be made pillars in the temple of God and to never go out from it, and to have written on them the name of the City of God.
These promises are identifiable to those given by John to the inhabitants of New Jerusalem. One new promise is that of being given the morning star. Jesus called himself the Morning Star[4], and promised to give Himself as such to His Bride.
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Another thing worth noting is that the people who live in the City eat from the tree of life, whereas in the earlier passage we saw that the leaves of the tree are for the nations.
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We find more about overcoming. Daniel, in his visions, was told that after the beast overcomes the saints, many will be refined, purified, and made white. Then in Revelation 7:9-17 we see a vast multitude standing before the throne of God, wearing white robes and praising Him. These are described as those who come out of the great tribulation, having washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb. These are promised to serve God before His throne day and night, and God will dwell among them. They hunger and thirst no more; the sun does not shine on them; the Lamb of the Throne will shepherd them and lead them to living waters; and their tears are wiped away. Again, Rev. 6:9-11 shows us the souls of those slain for the Word of God and His testimony under the altar, and they cry out to God asking when He will avenge their blood. They are each given a white robe and are told to rest a while longer until the number of their brethren who are likewise killed is complete.
Dwelling on the word "overcome” if I may, if we dig a little more we find two specific things overcome in the end time. One is the world, the other is Satan. We find that the world is overcome by the Blood of Jesus. But the Blood of the Lamb is specifically named in connection with overcoming Satan[5]. We were told that Satan is overcome by the Blood of the Lamb, and the testimony of ‘those who do not love their lives unto death’.
This should put together some kind of picture for you. Jesus’ bride is those who have sealed themselves to God as true bondslaves, willing to serve for life and die for Him. They will be His Bide and live with Him in the City. And the rest of us will live outside the City, in nations of the saved.
Nowhere yet have we seen "the Church” in descriptions of His bride. That connection comes from Ephesians 5:22-33, where Paul talks about husbands loving their wives as Christ loves the Church. In trying to explain what he calls a mystery, Paul quotes Genesis 2:23 where God declares that man and woman will become one flesh. In this setting, God has just taken part of Adam’s body (his rib) to create his wife Eve. Paul specifically calls the church the body of Christ; Jesus is called the second Adam[6]. To fit the pattern of Adam and his bride, would it not follow that a part, but not all, of His body will be taken to create His bride?
To also consider is that the Bible talks about people entering into a wedding feast, and they are called blessed because they were invited. But in a Biblical wedding feast, the bride was not invited and did not attend. She was sequestered away someplace being prepared for the wedding night. After the feast, the groom would go to take his bride from that place. An example of this is Jacob’s marriage to Rachel[7]. If his bride to be had been at the wedding feast, Jacob would have known he was being given Leah instead. So again, there is a separation of groups here… the general populace who feast, those locked out of the feast, and those who are sequestered to give their life as a Bride.
In another place[8] Paul explains further. He says he wishes to present us to the Lord as a chaste virgin. But then he fears, that we be deceived and corrupt that purity. I think what Paul meant is that the Church, the aggregate body of all who believe in Christ, BC or AD, have been born virgin for betrothal to the Lord. But this virginal quality can be corrupted on an individual basis. Those who don’t fall to corruption will be taken from those who do, to become His bride. The rib from the body.
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Perhaps His Bride could also be seen by looking at her prefiguration. God will physically dwell on the New Earth in New Jerusalem. On Old Earth (our Earth) God physically dwelt on earth in the Tabernacle and the Temple. The facilities both consisted of a central structure, surrounded by a walled courtyard. One tribe out of the 12 (the Levites) were called apart from the family to serve inside the tabernacle/temple as God’s priests. The other tribes lived outside but brought their sacrifices into the tabernacle/temple. This is what John saw with the New Earth and New Jerusalem - the only difference being nations instead of tribes, a city instead of a tent/building, and commerce instead of sacrifice… not to mention a subset being culled from the whole.
We heard that a biblical bride went somewhere to wait and prepare for the groom. So where does She go? Jesus said that those in Judea should flee to the mountains when they see the abomination of desolation. The Judeans were very close and loyal to Him. We also see the Revelation 12 prophecy of the woman who fled to a place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she is cared for. Hosea 2 talks about the day of the Lord, as God speaks about Israel’s harlotry and His judgment upon her, after which He allures her into the wilderness and speaks comfort to her there. She is given vineyards as in the day she was called up out of Egypt, and she now calls Him Husband, not master.
Again, there’s a repeating theme.
God will have a pure and chaste bride - those who are committed to be His eternal bondservants unto the death. Not all of His Body will be a part of her, but each of us has a chance to be that rib. It all depends on how much we love our Creator, and whether we let our simple dependence upon Him be corrupted.
So, we return with Christ to rule the world. What will that be like?
[1] Rev. 21, 22
[2] Matt. 23:37
[3] Gen. 21:1-6
[4] Rev. 22:16
[5] Rev. 7 and 12
[6] 1 Cor. 15:22, 45-49
[7] Gen. 29
[8] 2 Cor. 11
What Will The Rule of Christ be Like?
Having rejected both God and Jesus, the world under the horde’s authority goes thru its catastrophes, with history repeating itself again and again. In the end these events increase in frequency and severity until finally it’s just constant woe. Jesus says enough, and comes to take authority over creation on earth. As He comes, we are caught up to meet him, where some are sequestered, some enter into a feast, yet others are shut out. He then returns to earth with us to take authority. So how will that work?
In Revelation 18 - 20, we see that Satan is bound for the 1,000 years, and unable to act any longer. John is shown thrones, and judgment is given to those who are seated upon them. He sees those who were beheaded for Jesus’ name, those who did not worship the beast or his image, and those who did not take the mark of the beast. These live and reign with Christ for the 1,000 years. John is told that blessed are those who are Holy and have a part in it, for over them a second death has no power. And they shall be kings and priests with Christ for 1,000 years.
The word millennium is actually never used in the Bible. It’s man’s term for a 1,000-year period. During these particular 1,000 years, we see those who died for Jesus’ sake during the tribulation are put upon thrones to exercise judgment and authority with Christ on earth. We are told that having suffered as they did in their first death, they will not face the second, which we’ll find described later.
With the return of Jesus’ rule, the world is delivered from the bondage of corruption and returned to its garden state. Swords and spears beget plowshares and pruning hooks, and there is peace between the nations and no more war (Isaiah 2:4). Micah 4 speaks of the same things. God makes a covenant with the animals and ceases the violence, that all may lie down safely, and the earth responds with grain, wine, and oil. Isaiah 11, 13, and Ezekiel 34 and 36 also talk about nature being restored and man being at peace not just with himself, but with the animals as well.
We saw earlier that the purpose of the Messiah is to restore all that was lost in Adam’s fall, back to the way God intended. God’s intention with Adam was for Adam to exercise physical rule over this physical world. So to restore that which was intended, requires the Messiah to establish a physical rule over this physical world. That is the whole point of the 1,000 years. To restore the rule of Man over this world.
All of creation was impacted by man’s fall, and so all of creation will be impacted by its redemption. On His way into Jerusalem, Jesus said that if He commanded the people to be quiet, the rocks would cry out (Luke 19:39-40). And Paul tells us all creation groans for redemption (Rom 8:22). And all creation shall have it under Christ’s rule. Remember, the garden of Eden wasn’t destroyed, we were kicked out of it. Now, finally, under the authority of Jesus, we will see our access to that garden restored here on earth.
And to digress, those who have pondered the fate of beloved pets should take some comfort in knowing that God has not forgotten the animals. His promise to the lion and the lamb applies to the pooches, kitties, and birdos as well.
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God also tells us that a single, pure language -which man lost at the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:10) will be restored (Zeph. 3:9).
To digress again; Jesus has already won authority to restore things in the heavenlies, but is yet to enforce them upon this world. For example, Man was born to be eternal, sickness and infirmity and death did not enter the picture until after the fall. Jesus has won authority to end those, but is again not yet here to enforce it. Under the Holy Spirit we can access that power, which is seen by the gift of miracle healings. (Please side note that miracle healings were never intended to be a health care plan, their function is to foster faith and belief. Everyone who has been miraculously healed has gone on to die of something else any way. But we have the ability thru the gift of the Holy Spirit, to import some of what Jesus has won into the here and now.)
This could also apply to tongues. Jesus will usher in a return to the singular language, we can exercise that linguistic authority here and now thru the conduit of the Holy Spirit. This is what speaking in tongues is all about, it is the exercising of our future restored spiritual language thru the Holy Spirit now. Tongues will not actually stop, they will cease to be known as tongues. And that’s because it’s really our native language. At that time, English / German / French et al will be known as the tongue, because they will no longer be our native language.
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In the meantime, what’s been happening with ol’ satan?
Back in Rev. 20:1-6 we saw that he was bound, made unable to act any longer; and locked in the Abyss while Christ reigns for the 1,000 years. John goes on (7-15) to describe what happens at the end of this time. satan is released after the 1,000 years, and goes forth to deceive the nations (again) and gather them for battle. They again surround the camp of the saints and the beloved city (sound familiar?), but fire comes down from God and consumes them. Satan is then cast into the lake of fire, where he is tormented eternally. John then sees God on the Great White Throne, and heaven and earth disappear from His presence. All of the world’s dead stand before God and the books are opened. Then the Book of Life is opened, and anyone whose name is not found in it is also cast into the lake of fire. Then a new heaven and earth appear, because the old has passed away.
John goes on to describe the new earth, which we’ll cover in the next chapter.
1 Cor 15:20-28 talks about the why and order of the first the resurrection, then the end of the age when the Kingdom is handed over to God. He reigns until every enemy is put under His feet, the last enemy being death. In Rev. 20:11-15 we find that the second death is the lake of fire, after all creation flees from before the Great White Throne.
So, after 1,000 years of Christ’s unimpeded rule over the restored garden on earth, Satan is let loose to make a play once again for authority. Just when it looks like the chips are about to fall, God says enough and burns their arses, this time permanently. That’s when we see the end of this creation, when it devolves into an ever-consuming fire apart from the Great White Throne.
We can delineate the end of the age vs the end of the world by what’s happening to satan. At the end of the age, when Christ returns, satan is bound and locked into the abyss from whence he’ll be eventually freed. At the end of time, satan is cast into the lake of fire and forgotten for eternity.
But – and this is the best part – we will see this world in its garden state as God intended, and then witness the first day of a new creation. How awesome is that, to see the first ‘sunrise’ of a whole new universe. And knowing that this time it’ll evolve His way. Wow. I can’t wait. Come Lord Jesus.
What’s This Got To Do With Us Now ?
So what’s this got to do with us now? Maybe you’d best ask that one of yourself; every generation since Paul’s has thought theirs was the last. And they were right – like God told the arrogant farmer, our lives could be demanded of us today
I guess what this has got to do with us today, is what are you going to do with the information? Are you going to stick with Him patiently to the end, preparing as He would have you do? Or are you going to cut and run when the heat’s on? Are you as prepared to endure to the bitter end with Him, as you are to be raptured tonight? That’s what it’s got to do with us now. It’s a call to preparation. Physically and spiritually. Espescially spiritually.
We already see it happening, the apostasy - love thy neighbor has been superseded by my personal rights, being a giver has been replaced by mammon worship; compassion for workers and the poor, sick, and foreign has been usurped by self-idolatry. All these mores of God are being turned away from by those drawn to false prophets, who by solely opposing abortion claim they are from God.
Will you confess His name when the rulers are placing a needle in your veins? Will you turn from His truth following ‘leaders’ who tickle your ears? Will you drive a nail and build an ark when all around you are laughing and ridiculing? How ready you are for judgment depends a huge part upon whether you think you will face it or not. That’s what this has to do with us.
© 11/30/2022 Gary E. McCarter
Permission granted to share and quote, but not edit.