Preparing for the Great Tribulation.

There are two events in the end-time that we must understand.

Stephan H.

I’ve also asked a serious question that every Christian must ask in their hearts and be prepared to defend in my article: Faith Beyond the Gloom: Make Your Election Sure!

In these writings, I indicated the first of two signs — the great falling away of the church from the path of truth, the rise of many false prophets and church leaders, and this resulting in the revelation of the Man of Lawlessness (the first Beast) — the antichrist.

I asked the questions — is there a current falling away from the Christian church today? Are we seeing a rise of false teaching and false leaders infecting the churches? The answer to those questions will greatly determine the future events yet to come. A good watchperson should be highly alert and ready to warn the saints and to urge them to prepare.

My objective is to warn you, the reader, not to get too comfortable in the concept of a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the church BEFORE the coming tribulations. This is not assured and mostly made up of disassociated patches of scripture- to give hope of escape from the sever testing ahead for the world.

We must also understand that there are two events in the end-time, the Great Tribulation under the antichrist, and the Wrath of God. While it is true the elect of God will be spared the Wrath; there is no assurance of escaping the Tribulation!

Daniel 12:9–12 prepares us for what is coming: “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are to remain secret until the time of the end. Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked shall continue to act wickedly, but the wise shall understand.”

Purification is trial by fire, persecution, suffering, and death. [1] Revelation 7:14 sees a large number of people dressed in white approaching heaven, the angel of God asks John — “who are these?” John has no answer, then the angel said:

“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, and worship him day and night in His temple.”

It is extremely important to focus on the words, “survived the times of great distress.” This survival isn’t about living, but holding on to their faith in persecution as these saints went through the tribulation. They all likely died from a form of persecution and followed the path set by Jesus.

In Revelation 16:15 — we are again reminded that Jesus will come as a thief, when least expected. Blessed are those who keep watch and wait. It is interesting that this announcement is made between the pouring out of the 6th and 7th bowls of God’s wrath upon the earth.

In an article I wrote on Medium titled: Easter: A Time to Prepare for a Transition in Kingdoms, I further discuss various rapture scenarios with the thought that the breaking of the Seventh Seal starts the period called the Wrath of God. Prior to that, six seals have already been broken, which occurs before and during the rise of the antichrist. This culminates with the destruction of Mystery Babylon as seen in Revelation, chapter 18. Revelation 16:6; 17: 5; 18:24; 19:2 each describe Babylon or those with the mark of the beast as the source of persecution and killing of the saints and prophets. The spilling of blood is repeated.

As we look back in the Old Testament in the book of Daniel, we get further confirmation that the end times will be very hard on those holding on to the faith.[2] This is highlighted in Revelation 13:7–10 where it reads:

“Also it (the Beast) was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. It was given authority over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundations of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered (Jesus). Let anyone who has an ear listen: If you are to be taken captive, into captivity you will go; if you kill with the sword, with the sword you must be killed. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.”

Before the very foundations of the world, those who would give their lives or suffer persecution for the word of God had already been determined. Those who will follow the Lamb (Jesus) wherever he goes are those who follow Him into death for the sake of the gospel message.

Any thought of the true church avoiding this time of great distress, and for those alive during those times, while still possible, I do not think it will be a very large number.

For the true believer, one should not place their hopes on escape, but to face any possible sufferings with faith and to endure until we experience the glorious celebration together as described in Revelation 19: 1–9.

You can also read more at: Beyond the Gloom: Preparing the Elect of God & The Great Tribulation: Endurance of the Faithful.

© Bob Russell

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Sources & References:

[1] 1 Peter 4:17; Hebrews 12:3–17; Revelation 7:14

[2] Daniel 11:32–35; 12:10; Daniel 12:7 also see Revelation 13:10