PREPARE FOR TRIBULATION
By W. G. Guy
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Tribulation is a fact of life as we all face trials and afflictions. All such troubles should drive us to our knees to seek the LORD’s grace and mercy to carry us through such times. However, Jesus told us that there is coming a time of great tribulation such has not been experienced by anyone before.
Matthew 24:21-22 – for then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
Jesus told us that we who believe in Him would face such great opposition that even some of our own family members could turn on us.
Matthew 10:21-22 – And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Some will says, “that was back then and not for today”; but are we believers not also His disciples upon whom these end times are coming upon? Jesus gave a warning that there are those who, as a result of such great affliction, will not endure tribulation because they are not thoroughly grounded in Christ and in His Word.
Matthew 13:21-22 – But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Jesus told us that there will be signs warning us to prepare as these days approach.
Luke 21:25-28 – And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Jesus tells us to pay close attention to what is going on. He instructed us to discern the times; to maintain our intimacy and fellowship with Him in prayer, worship, and knowing His Word. This is His means of escape as we will be sheltered in Him.
Luke 21:34-36 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
This escape is not the rapture that so many are looking for, because we will go through it; but He promised to carry us through regardless of how bad things look or get. Those who promote the pre-tribulation rapture like to use Noah and the ark as a justification for why they believe this. This is likely because Jesus made reference to “as in the days of Noah”.
Matthew 24:37-39 – But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
But what people fail to recognize is: who was it that was taken out in that event: it was the wicked. The righteous were sheltered by means of what God had warned of, and because of the obedience of Noah to make preparation. This indicates the importance of making preparation for what Jesus told us is coming.
In a similar manner, ancient Israel while in Egypt was supernaturally protected when the ten plagues came upon the Egyptians affecting their entire land; but none of those plagues touched God’s people who were in that same land.
Too much of the church is looking for the “great escape” they refer to as the “rapture”. What is going to happen to such people who believe in this false doctrine when it does not happen and they find themselves going through what they thought they would escape. Their faith would likely be destroyed which would lead to the apostasy or falling away from the faith.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 – Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
As stated in this passage, the gathering of believers unto Jesus at His return will not occur until after the man of sin, the anti-Christ, is revealed. It cannot be any plainer that that! Thus we will be subject to the anti-Christ’s evil influence on this earth.
The pre-tribulation rapture doctrine is less than two hundred years old, and was never believed or taught by the early church. This doctrine came about well after the reformation initiated by Martin Luther. It was introduced by Satan and his servants, starting with the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope and his protectors, the Jesuits. (The Jesuits were the Vatican’s equivalent to the CIA, spies, assassins and corrupters that work to control and overthrow kingdoms and institutions – including sound Biblical doctrines.)
Once some of these corrupt ideas were introduced into churches they were picked up and promoted by the likes of Charles Darby who then introduced it to C. I. Scofield who then promoted it in his Scofield Reference Bible, thus it became the popular accepted doctrine of much of the evangelical church today.
The coming period of tribulation will be so intensely filled with corruption, violence and iniquity that many will be overwhelmed and succumb to it.
Matthew 24:12-13 – And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Now, as Jesus said there is a means of escape what is coming on the earth, (Luke 21 above); that means is being in Him by faith and faithfulness, standing against and resisting, what the enemy brings to pass. That means we will, and must fight the fight of faith, and hold fast to Him and His Word: thus shall we overcome. Here are just few promises from His Word that we need to hold to and testify in such circumstances.
Psalm 23:1-6 – The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk trough the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thous prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 34:4-10 & 17-19 – I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. O fear the LORD, ye His saints; for there is no want to them that fear Him. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 37:18-19 & 25 – The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. …. Have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psalm 91 (the tribulation Psalm) – He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God: in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall by they shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow (missile) that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come night thee. Only with thine eye shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation’ there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come night thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Hebrews 10:23 – Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
1 Peter 5:6-8 – Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
There are so many more promises. Please get into the Word, and get the Word into you, because the Word and prayer is the only means of escape what is coming. The Word and Jesus (who is the Word made flesh), is like the Ark of God that is provided for you. Then you can boldly rest and be secure in the coming storms. The tribulation that Jesus spoke of is an intense spiritual warfare.
Revelation 12:17 – And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (This means true Christians.)
In this conflict the true disciples of Jesus Christ will have the victory and overcome, even if some of us die because of our faith, (as stated in Matthew 10).
Matthew 10:28 – And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Yes during the great tribulation true Christians will be challenged in every way, even denial of services, food and other necessities. Yes some even face death to deny Jesus and His Word. This will be the ultimate in spiritual warfare!
Ephesians 6:10-13 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Revelation 12:10-11 – And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Are you prepared for what Jesus foretold us what is coming?
