Volume 16, Issue 1 _________________________________Bible Prophecy Ministry


Rapture or Tribulation



      As the world spins, turning night into each new dawning day, the clock of world history winds ever toward the end of the second thousand years since Jesus Christ walked and talked on this planet. The passage from one millennium into a new millennium brings many penetrating questions to the forefront of the minds of Christians all around the world.

      Many are asking themselves the question; "Are the long mentioned Tribulational events described in the Bible about to materialize?"

      If it is about to occur, then Christians invariably ask; what are the ramifications of these events upon me, and upon my family? "Should I expect to have to live through such a time of horror, or might that Rapture thing really be the truth"?

      These are really good questions, and serious ones too, aren't they?

      Can we know the truth? "Would God want us to even be informed about such impending events"? Such serious inquiries should be met with serious investigation, in a diligent search for the facts, if we really desire to know what to expect in the ensuing days.

      I myself once pondered over all these impending gloomy events wondering if I might have to suffer through a time of unprecedented trial, in a kind of test to see if I really were worthy of Christ.

      There are several theological theories that abound, concerning this period; some of which sound credible until put to the test of Biblical accuracy.

      Jesus own description of this time gives one cause to stop and take a serious inventory of the matter.

Listen to Jesus' description in Matthew 24:21:

      For then shall be Great Tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. When I think of all the terrible episodes of man's history, and contemplate that there is a time coming in the last days synchronized about Jesus return, that shall be worse than anything heretofore, it makes me shudder with trepidation. The atrocity of the second World War would by definition pale in comparison to the prophesied horror of this era of time that is known as the Great Tribulation.

      In Luke 21:22 again Jesus describes it:

      For these be the Days of Vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

      These things were not written simply to force man to have to endure a chastisement period, rather God in his ability as the Alpha and Omega eternal being and being outside of earths time domain, was able to review all of history and inform us of its linear time zone; so as to warn people of its reality prior to its actual occurrence.

      Since it is a time of vengeance, the question then becomes; "Whose vengeance is this"?.

      Most people probably are reluctant to think about the revelated details of prophecy because they simply hear catch-word phrases like, Armageddon, wrath, or judgement, and are turned off, simply refusing even to acknowledge such a subject.

      But the fact of the matter is that God is a just God, and must mete out righteous and fair decisions in the long running drama, called human history.

      Hebrews 10:30 For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense saith the Lord.

      Hebrews 10:31 says: It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

      So then, this time of vengeance is Gods vented up righteous determinations.

      Who could possibly withstand his vengeance?

      Still a better question is, why would anyone want to try to withstand His Vengeance?

      This is why the ominous question rings throughout the entire bible; Who can abide the terrible day of His Wrath?

      For example, check these verses:

      Malachi 4:5 But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?

      Nahum 1:6 Who can stand before HIS indignation? Who can abide in the fierceness of His Wrath?

      Joel 2:11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army; for his camp is great; for he is strong that executeth his word; for the Day of the Lord is great and very terrible, and Who can abide it?

      In the Old Testament, the prophets made reference to this time of God's Wrath upon the world. It was categorically described as "The Day of the Lord."

      Compare with the Revelation topical question of this day offered by John the Revelator:

      Revelation 6:16-17 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the Wrath of the LAMB:

      For the great Day of His Wrath is come. and who shall be able to stand?

      The coming Day of the Lord is the span of time when Jesus will reign as King on the earth when he has subdued the rebellious armies of antichrist and all those who steadfastly refused God's Grace. Today we are living in the Day of Grace, which also may be referred to as the Day of Man. Today mankind still has the freewill option of choosing Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

      For the unrepentant who reject Christ's rule over them now during the present day of Grace, then the ever-approaching Day of the Lord will be a time of terrible judgement and eternal destruction.

      Ezekiel 30: 3 says it like this: For the Day of the Lord is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the Time of the Heathen!

      Today the New Testament Church has been given the directive by the Lord to go into all the world and dispense the opportunity for as many people as who will choose salvation to be saved from this era of sentencing for the devil and his followers.

      There is absolutely no need whatsoever for the Church to be present during this terrible time as God carries through with his providential and righteous sentence peacemeal. The church simply has not been alotted the same duties as was accorded to national Israel. It is Israel whom Satan will turn his wrath upon after being cast out of Heaven. Today the Devil persecutes the Church; but remember, the Lord promised that the gates of Hell would never prevail over His Bride. The Bride has been promised divine protection from this time of trouble, not mere protection through it. Israel has not been afforded that same escape clause, but must rather survive it; simply because she went whoring after other Gods.

      Listen to Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of the Temptation , which shall come upon ALL the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

      The Lord has been very patient, ever longsuffering even permitting His Bride to endure persecution in the present age, simply because He does not desire for anyone to have to perish. ( see II Peter 3:9 )

     

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