Cross and Cutlass: Will the Church Suffer Tribulation?

Cross and Cutlass: Will the Church Suffer Tribulation?:

  There seems to be a prevailing idea among many believers (in particular those who either don't believe in the rapture or those who believe that we will be taken at the end of the Tribulation) that the church must endure part, if not all, of the Tribulation.  Their argument goes something like this...

"Look at the state of the church in most places. Christian churches are mostly apostate, fallen away, teaching false doctrines, etc.  Whenever this happened in the Bible with the Jewish people, God judged them severely. Why should the Church expect to be rescued or delivered from tribulation now? What about all the Christians throughout the centuries who were burned at the stake, tortured, crucified, imprisoned, fed to lions, etc? Why should we expect that we, in this very selfish and immoral generation, would escape such persecution?  Isn't that rather unfair to those believers who have suffered and died for Jesus over the past 2000 years?" 

 

I mean, it's a very fair observation. It makes sense. The first point I would argue is that there have been many Christians during the centuries who were living immoral lives and not close to the Lord, but they never suffered either persecution or tribulation, so the point that all apostate Christians should be punished or judged in this way falls short.

 

However, the major arguments I have against this belief have to do with the Tribulation itself. We need to understand what the Tribulation actually is, what will be happening during it, and what is its purpose? 

 

The Tribulation is also called The Day of the Lord and the Time of Jacob's trouble. It is a 7 year period of time revealed to us first in Daniel 9 as the angel explains to Daniel the meaning of the 70 remaining weeks

 

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Daniel 9:24

 

I won't go into detail about this. You can find tons of articles online that explain these 70 weeks and also several books as well. What's important to notice is that the angel Gabriel is speaking to Daniel strictly about the Jewish people, not any Gentiles. The purpose of these 70 weeks is to, in summary, usher in the Messiah who will end sin, end prophecy, and bring in everlasting righteousness to the Jewish people. These are not weeks as we think of them, but 70 weeks of years, so each week = 7 years. If you have never heard that before, you may easily discover that in your own research

 

69 of those weeks have already been accomplished with precise accuracy, including predicting the exact day Jesus would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. Amazing!  Leaving one final week, or one final period of 7 years. To do what? To bring the Jewish people to everlasting righteousness by the return of the Messiah (Jesus)

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. V 27

The Antichrist strengthens some sort of pact, accord, or treaty with "many" that must involve Israel because halfway through the 7 year deal, he breaks it by going into the newly built Jewish temple and declaring himself God. This is further explained by Paul below

 

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. 2 Thess 2:3-5

 

 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. Jeremiah 30:7

 

 So, we see why these 7 years are called "Jacob's Trouble". This last time period is all about the Jews. 

The second thing to realize is the difference between persecution and the Tribulation. Persecution is man's (and Satan's) hatred toward true believers. The Tribulation is God's wrath being poured out on an unrepentant world. This is His final attempt to get people to repent and turn to Him and to bring Israel to the point of finally seeing that Jesus is the Messiah and to finally come back to Him. A quick read of Revelation will reveal that this time period will be the worst time ever on planet earth. Most of the people on earth will die. Many will lose their heads. This is not persecution of the righteous or God chastising His people to get them to come back to Him. This is Almighty God's wrath poured out on mankind. Yes, many saints will lose their lives, but these are the ones who did not make the rapture. More on that below.

The good news for those of us who are true believers in Jesus, who love Him and follow Him, is that HE already took on our punishment. He already endured the wrath of the Father while he hung on the cross. Yes, we get chastised sometimes when we stray or do something wrong. Yes, the world hates us and often persecutes us. Yes, many of us have been tortured and killed in the past, and many today!  But that is not God punishing us. 

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  1 Thessalonians 5:9

 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. Luke 21:36

I doubt Jesus would tell us to pray that we would escape ALL these things (He just got finished talking about all the events that will happen before His return) IF we were unable to escape. 

Again Jesus, Himself, in Revelation 3 makes it plain that if we repent and follow Him and keep His Word, He will keep us from the Tribulation

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. Revelation 3:10

Another couple of smaller reasons why the church won't go through the Tribulation.

 

1. The Scripture says we won't know the exact day and hour. Revelation gives us the exact days of the timing of the Tribulation. I don't have space here to list all the Scriptures but suffice it to say, if we are here, we'd be able to calculate the exact day Jesus would return.  

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Luke 12:40
 

Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44

2. When Jesus describes the rapture in Matthew 24, it's important to note that people seem to be going about their normal daily routine, sleeping, eating working, etc.. without great fear or trouble. But how could that be if they have endured 7 years of living hell on earth? Or even 3 1/2?

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. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew 24:38-42

The Apostle Paul describes the scene at the rapture of "Peace and Safety" 

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 1 Thess 5:2-5

Hmm. Doesn't sound like the end of the Tribulation to me or even the middle, which again could be calculated. 

 

I have one more Scriptural proof that the true believers are NOT here during the Tribulation. Notice what Jesus says here:

 

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18 

So, neither satan, nor hell, nor any demon will prevail or overcome or defeat the Church, right?  But here in Revelation, it says

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. Revelation 13:7

Here we see that the Antichrist is given permission to overcome the saints. Hmm.

But what about these pesky apostate Christians? Do they just get a free ride out of here to escape any punishment at all?  That's where it gets tricky and difficult to discuss. It is this author's opinion that VERY FEW are going to make it in the rapture. This is how I'm reading what I see in the Bible. Only those who love Jesus, have no idolatry in their lives, and have a close walk with Him in obedience to the best of their ability are actually going to be taken. This is His Bride without spot, wrinkle, or blemish, the ones who long for His return, who put Him first in their lives. Who would want any other bride?  Some call this idea the Partial Rapture theory and call it heresy. But it isn't a partial rapture at all! It's a full and complete rapture of God's precious children, the ones who truly love Him. Not by works at all, but by an obedient and loving adoration of their Savior.  

Therefore the remainder of Christians who are essentially lukewarm, apostate, living in immorality, have idolatry, etc. will remain here to endure the wrath of God, which in their case, will be used to bring them back to the Lord. This is why Revelation talks about thousands upon thousands of Saints appearing in heaven who had their heads chopped off during the Tribulation. There is indeed a Great Revival coming, but this author believes it will take place after the rapture. 

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

In conclusion, we see that the Tribulation is a time in which God's primary purpose is to deal with Israel. It is also a time in which God's wrath is poured out on the unrepentant, both "believers" and non-believers, and because Jesus already took our punishment, those who are true believers cannot suffer God's wrath. We also see that because of the ability to calculate the middle or end of the Tribulation based on the numbers found in Revelation, we know the rapture must be before the Tribulation. Not only that, but when the Bible describes the rapture, it is always during a time of peace when destruction comes suddenly upon the world. By the end of the Tribulation when most of the earth has been destroyed and most of the people have been killed, I would hardly describe that as a time of peace. 

I hope this has been helpful. I do not bring this up as a matter of argument, but merely as a matter of comfort for those of you who may be starting to fear that we will be here during the Tribulation. 

Cross and Cutlass: I Will Make Them My Jewels and I will Spare Them!

Cross and Cutlass: I Will Make Them My Jewels and I will Spare Them!:  

Malachi 3:17 KJV

And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

When we think of jewels, what do we think of? Something beautiful, shiny, glittering, rare, expensive, and precious, right? Have you ever thought of yourself as a jewel?  Not me! But as I was reading through Malachi, these verses shot out at me. As we dig a little deeper, I think you'll be amazed. 

 

Jewels is the Hebrew word, sᵊḡullâ, which comes from a root word that means "To shut up".  It also means "peculiar treasure". But I found it very telling that the root is "to shut up" as in to take wealth and shut it up, lock it up somewhere safe. Can you see where I'm going with this? 

 

Let's read this verse in context. The verse immediately after gives us more insight into who these jewels are and when God will spare them and "shut" them up in safety

 

Malachi 3:18 KJV

Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

When does God tell us that He will separate the righteous from the wicked? Isn't it at the harvest (rapture)? Until then, both grow together in the field. 

 

Matthew 13:26-30 KJV

But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

 

 Wasn't God the one who shut the door of the Ark, separating Noah and his family from the wicked? 

 

Matthew 24:37 KJV

But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

The next verses in Chapter 4 of Malachi give us no doubt as to what time these verses are talking about, the day of the Lord, the Tribulation.

Malachi 4:1-2 KJV

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

 

So, a day is coming when the righteous who fear the Lord will be spared and He will make us His Jewels...His peculiar treasure to be shut up for safety!  Just another pre-tribulation rapture passage to me, one of many. Yet, the main point I want to make here is 

 

How to become one of the Lords Precious Jewels?  

This passage in Malachi not only tells us we must be righteous (covered by the blood of Jesus) and fear Him, but the verse that comes before all the others above is the most important in my opinion.

 

Malachi 3:16 KJV

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

 

Have you every met a lukewarm Christian? Have you ever spent a lot of time with them? One of the most telling characteristics is that they rarely talk about Jesus. They may mention God in passing or that they prayed for some particular thing, but they don't want to talk about the Lord. They don't want to discuss the Bible either or what God is doing in their life. If you try to bring up those topics, they usually change the subject or look uncomfortable. 

 

But those who truly love Jesus and who have a relationship with Him are always bursting at the seams to talk about Him, how wonderful He is, what He's taught us lately, how excited we are to meet Him one day, how much He has forgiven us, healed us, etc.. We can't help it. It's like a young man or woman when they first fall in love. They never stop talking about their love interest, often to the point where you get sick of hearing it! That's how we should be. And the very cool thing is, that every time we talk about the Lord Jesus with other like-minded Christians, He hears us and He writes our names down in a "Book of Remembrance" for those of us who Fear (as in reverence) Him and meditate on Him or think about Him all the time. 

 

So, you want to be a Jewel? A Peculiar treasure? You want to be spared the horrors coming on the Earth during the Tribulation? You want to have your name written in the Book of Remembrance? Then fall madly in love with Jesus, fear Him, and make Him first in your life.

Cross and Cutlass: Is the Seven Year Deal Spoken of in Daniel Already...

Cross and Cutlass: Is the Seven Year Deal Spoken of in Daniel Already...:  

Is the Seven Year Deal Spoken of in Daniel Already Here?

Daniel 9:27 KJV

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. 

 

I'm sure many of you know about the COP26 Meeting that is going on now in Glasgow, Scotland from October 31st (fittingly) through November 12. This is the 26th UN Climate Change Conference where all the Global elites meet to discuss how to use the lie of Climate change, with the added lie of Covid-19 this year, to create a One World Government with them in power. Did I just say that? Whoops. I meant to say, the COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. 

 

What some of you may not know is that earlier this year the Pope launched a seven-year action plan designed to encourage strategic actors to commit to achieving total sustainability with his environmental advocacy as a guide. This plan called the Laudato si 'initiative, which the Pope first brought forth in 2015. It has since morphed into a 7 year plan, which he brought as a proposal to the COP26 Summit.  I'm only just diving into this, so forgive me if I don't have all the details. 

You may google it yourself and do your own research. Several articles cast it in a good light of course, such as this one from the Diocese of Tuscon.  Here's a less flattering article which gives further details.

 

I copied the following from the Facebook group The Rapture is Imminent, written by Craig Bong

 

During the Laudato Si’ Special Anniversary Year, the Dicastery for Promotion of Integral Human Development launches a new widespread program and a public commitment for various institutions to begin a 7-year journey to total sustainability in the spirit of Laudato Si’.

1. Laudato Si’ Families: (Families embarking a 7-year journey towards integral ecology)
2. Laudato Si’ Dioceses: (Dioceses/Parishes embarking on a 7-year journey towards integral ecology)
3. Laudato Si’ Schools: (Schools embarking on a 7-year journey towards integral ecology)
4. Laudato Si’ Universities: (Universities/Colleges embarking on a 7-year journey towards integral ecology)
5. Laudato Si’ Hospitals / Health Care Centres: (Hospitals/Health Care Centres embarking on a 7-year journey towards integral ecology)
6. Laudato Si’ Businesses/Agricultural Farms, etc.: (Businesses/Farms embarking on a 7-year journey towards integral ecology)
7. Laudato Si’ Religious Orders: (Religious Orders / Provinces embarking on a 7-year journey towards integral ecology)
The pope acting as a banner for Prince Charles of Wales' Sustainable Markets Initiative will usher in an anticipated 7 year deal to commence at COP26 at which countries must announce their plans to meet the goals of the 2015 Paris agreement.

The Pope has said that the year 2021 would be followed immediately by a seven-year plan known as the Laudato si’ Action Platform.
The Laudato si’ Action Platform will focus on seven sectors: families, parishes, schools, hospitals, businesses, organizations, and religious orders.
The pope explained that the action plan also has seven goals: the response to the cry of the earth, the response to the cry of the poor, ecological economics, adoption of simple lifestyles, ecological education, ecological spirituality, and community involvement. 

 

MaryLu Here: Of course they make it all sound so wonderful, so heartwarming, don't they? It reminds me of Klaus Schwab of the World Economic Forum saying "You'll own nothing and be happy." 

 

But to the point. I'm hearing that this 7 year deal is to be signed this week and go into effect November 14th. It's very very interesting to me that this would be a SEVEN year deal. I mean, if you know your Bible and you know Prophecy, any mention of a 7 year deal is going to perk your ears.  We find in Daniel 9 the only mention of a 7 year treaty that is confirmed or strengthened by the Antichrist. In the middle of the 7 years, the antichrist breaks that treaty and causes all sacrifices and offerings to cease. This is the same abomination of desolation of which Jesus spoke in Matthew 24:15, so we know that this is somewhere around the middle of the 7 year Tribulation. 

 

I had it in my mind that this 7 year treaty would come about after the Gog-MaGog war (Ezekiel 38) in which God defeats the armies of (Russia, Turkey, Iran, Northern Sudan, and Libya) when they attack Israel, but now I'm rethinking things. This was only an assumption by many theologians based on Ezekiel 39 where it says that the Israelites would take 7 years for them to burn all the weapons of their enemies from that war.  But there is nothing else in Scripture that ensures us that this Treaty that Antichrist both confirms and then later breaks has to have anything do to with Israel and could possible be some sort of worldwide treaty. 

That's why this 7 year "Covenant" from the Pope is so interesting, even ignoring the idea that many believe he is the coming false prophet. It is also quite interesting that only recently I've heard that they have moved up their AGENDA 2030 to be completed by 2023, not 2030. I cannot verify this, but it seems that with their Covid experiment going so well, why wouldn't they? If you don't know anything about Agenda 2030, please do some research and ignore "factcheckers" They are all compromised.  Basically, using extremely happy and flowery language, it is an agenda which will solve all the world's problems by bringing nations and humanity together to achieve common goals. It all sounds so wonderful until you realize that in order to achieve these glorious goals (which they actually could care less about) you will have to give up all your rights and freedoms and probably your life eventually. This is what world dictatorships do. This is the plan of our enemy, a One World Government with him in charge. It's all foretold in the Scriptures. It is also foretold that this World Government will be the most evil government ever to rise and that it will kill countless billions of people who don't obey all its rules. 

However, those of us who believe and trust in and have a relationship with Jesus will be rescued before this government is instituted. We probably won't even know who the Antichrist is before that great and glorious day.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 KJV

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.

The fact that we are seeing a 7 Year Global Covenant or Initiative, orchestrated by a man who many believe to be the False Prophet and presented and signed at a Global Government meeting discussing how to create a New World Order is Pretty Darn Exciting if you are a child of the King!  Especially as we see ALL the other Signs coming to pass.

I don't know if this is the 7 year deal spoken of by Daniel. Time will tell. But I thought it interesting enough to present to you all as an item of encouragement and hope.  Let's all keep our eyes open, our hearts with Jesus, and our prayers and praise to Him continuous as we wait to see Him face to face!