Last Daze Letter to The Body of Christ

Chapter 2   The Imminent Tribulation and Apostasy

                                 

The "Great Tribulation" and the "Great Apostasy" are so intertwined that they cannot be separated. The Great Tribulation will usher in The Great Apostasy! The whole world will turn on those who confess and possess Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. At this time those who are not true Christians will not be able to resist the outward pressure to deny Jesus because it will cost them everything they do possess.  Due to outward pressure, true Christians will not be able to purchase food, clothing, make payments, pay taxes, not able to sell, work, make money, pay utilities, purchase gas, etc. The sway to deny Christ will be so great only, the fully committed, only the overcomers will be able to withstand and not succumb to the forceful alliance of a world tyrannical dictator.

And it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them; and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.  Revelation 13:7-9

People are running, screaming, shouting out, "Put them to death! They will not conform; they will not make alliance." Jane's Sunday school teacher Mrs. Walcott denies that she taught about Jesus, in fact she denies that she even knew of Him. Emotionally shocked, tears run down Jane's face. Jane is in awe of Mrs. Walcott's answer; she cannot believe what she is hearing. Two men take Jane away. Jane's tears come mostly from her teacher's words and actions. Jane's deepest pain and anguish come not only because Mrs. Walcott is Jane's Sunday school teacher; she is also her mother. Familiar men take Jane away, never to see her mother again. With deep despair of her present impairment, Jane cries out to Jesus, for her mother's soul and trusting Him for her imminent future. Mrs. Walcott is in misery crying, weeping aloud not just at the loss of her daughter but also at her denial of Jesus whom she thought was her Lord and savior.

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?" And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved."   Mark 13:3-13 (NKJV)

The following is a quote from a widely known woman who went through devastating holocaust in Nazi Germany, Corrie Ten Boom.  The following quote is from many years after the Holocaust, book & movie "The Hiding Place" were made.

"I have been in countries where the saints are already suffering terrible persecution. In China the Christians were told; 'Don't worry, before the tribulation comes, you will be translated, raptured.' Then came a terrible persecution, millions of Christians were tortured to death. Later I heard a bishop from China say, sadly, 'We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first.' Turning to me he said, 'You still have time. Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution, how to stand when persecution comes—to stand and not faint.

"I feel I have a divine mandate to go and tell the people of this world that it is possible to be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are in training for the tribulation.... " Since I have gone already through prison for Jesus sake, and since I met that bishop from China, now every time I read a good Bible text I think 'Hey, I can use that in the time of tribulation.' Then I write it down and learn it by heart."
-Corrie Ten Boom [i]

The Great Tribulation will be like nothing that has ever yet happened, or will ever occur again. Earthquakes and famines in places where they have not yet taken place with stronger intensity!  Hatred will permeate the world; only true Christians will possess true godly unconditional love. Christians will be looked on as the scum of the earth, but very precious in the sight of God.  American and worldwide born again Christians will be abused, beaten, betrayed, delivered to the authorities, tortured to death, martyred. Like Jane betrayed by her own mother who led her to Jesus. 

"And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.  " But the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved.  Matthew 24:12-13

Plagues, devastating disasters, catastrophes and the most unusual events will take place in the near future! People will seek death and will not find it! When the Seven seals are opened, the Seven Bowls of Wrath are poured out and the Seven Trumpets sound, cling to The Lord like never before! Jesus alone will be your strength, shield, and your fortress during this ruinous time of testing and purifying. We must have a strong relationship with Jesus beforehand or we will not have a relationship at the end. You His saints, it is important to start well; moreover, it is imperative to finish well.

Tribulation for America could well come before the Great Tribulation. Our merciful God has long suffered with our grievous sins. The only reason I can find for His long-term mercy is that there must be enough righteous saints left here in The USA. There must remain enough who have not bowed their knee to the Baal's of our day. Read Deuteronomy Chapter 28 and you will see what happens to any nation who drifts away from God. Moses spends 14 verses talking about all the blessings that will follow a nation who obeys God. Moses then spends the next 54 verses talking about all of the curses that will come on a nation who disobeys God. What is happening here all points to disaster for our country. America's disobedience may just bring on her own separate demise (see chapter 5)

Warn My People, tell them My message!    

The Great Tribulation and Great Apostasy is coming and is yet to happen; they are imminent! The Church, The Bride, is not ready; her garments are soiled, spotted, dirty, tarnished. This great tragedy and purification MUST take place. She will be clean; however, to be spotless she must be purified. This tribulation period is meant to do just that, as the refiner's fire, purified seven times.

"My people are not prepared; they are not ready for the time of testing that is to come upon them. You must warn My people so that as many who will heed may not perish! Tell them, so they may know and understand." I pray that you will listen, and that you will have ears to hear. It is not too late.

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as they did when they provoked me during the time of testing in the wilderness.  Hebrews 3:7-8 (ISV)          

Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.  Isaiah 55:6

We can prepare for the future by getting closer and closer to Christ Jesus by drinking in His Word just like the Bishop and Corrie said.  "Turning to me he said, 'You still have time. Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution, how to stand when persecution comes, to stand and not faint . . .since I met that bishop from China, now every time I read a good Bible text I think 'Hey, I can use that in the time of tribulation.' Then I write it down and learn it by heart."  

Like Noah's warning before the flood. (II Peter 2:4-5) We will not be able to stand when these things take place if we are not standing for Jesus now. Remember when the door was shut on the Ark? No one was able to get in that boat after the door was closed. When it was closed they were still mocking and laughing until the great flood came, and then it was too late and they all utterly perished! Remember the story of the ten virgins? Five of them were not prepared with extra oil in case the bridegroom was delayed (see Chapter 3). When the other five virgins returned with oil in their lamps, the door was shut and they could not get back in. (Matt 25:1-13) Remember Lot and his household before God's judgment came on Sodom?  (Genesis 19:1-29) These examples are for us, to warn us so we do not fall into the same pit!

"The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' "But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.' "And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. (Matt 25:8-11)

"Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit. (Luke 12:35)

"And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. "It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. "It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. "On that day, the one who is on the housetop and whose goods are in the house must not go down to take them out; and likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back. "Remember Lot's wife. "Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. Luke 17:26-33

"Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."  Luke 21:34-36 

"For those days will be a time of tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will. Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Mark 13:19-20

Many will fall away from the faith, yes fall away and become apostates. At this time, the greatest of all testing will come upon the peoples of the whole earth and especially for Christians. An examination of our heart's relationship with Christ Jesus will be tested and revealed. We do not know how we will respond until that time comes. We may think we will respond a certain way; however, like Peter (as did the rest of the disciples), we will not know until the time of testing comes. The best guarantee for us to be triumphant overcomers during this difficult time is to have a continually, stronger, daily, committed relationship with Jesus right now!  Start today before it's too late! 

Then Jesus said* to them, "You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.' "But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee." But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away." Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Peter said* to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You." All the disciples said the same thing too. Matthew 26:31-35

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,  keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.   Jude 1:19-21

Moreover, the disciples did have a relationship with Jesus. After Jesus rose from the dead, the disciples were given The Holy Spirit and all but Judas went on to live a victorious life for Christ. All but one of them died a martyr's death. The Great Apostasy will bring persecution, purification, and harvesting to the Church on a global scale. Like the disciples, their faith will grow deeper and stronger through persecution. Several occurrences in the book of Acts show how persecution caused the Church to grow, prosper, and transcend vast distances and barriers.

A Multitude from the Great Tribulation

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen." Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?" And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. "They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; "for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Rev 7:9-17 (NKJV)

All staunch doctrine, belief systems and understanding of God's Word will funnel into one before the reality of His absolute truth. The position to argue and stand up for what you think is the accurate theological truth will melt away. Christians will realize how they lived a double life. Christians should have spent as much time with Jesus as they did with debating doctrine, other temporal relationships, the pursuit of wealth, pleasure and entertainment. For most, the oil has run out. Hearts are weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the worries of life. Millions of believers thought Christ Jesus would have returned to rapture them long ago. With no strength to stand, many will fall away from the faith (see Chapter 3, Jesus is coming soon, but not as soon as you think!)

The Great Apostasy!

Some ask; what is the Great Apostasy? What is apostasy? The lack of familiarity relating to this topic does not surprise me, does it surprise you? Have you ever heard a sermon on this topic? Have you ever seen a book with "apostasy" in the title? I am not saying there is no information on the topic or a book written about it, but it certainly is not a popular one. I believe that our adversary the devil wants us to know as little about this truth as possible. Oh how the Evil One has blinded our eyes from seeing the reality of apostasy and how it is interconnected with the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation is not a lovely event nor is The Great Apostasy. Perhaps, like most unpleasant subjects or topics, we tend to brush them under the carpet of rebuff.

Has the Great Apostasy already happened, or is it yet to take place? Some say that the Great Apostasy has already happened. Some say that it is happening right now! In the scriptures, we see this event, the Great Apostasy, takes place during the Great Tribulation. During this period of testing one will have to choose martyrdom and die for their faith or deny Christ to avoid death! 

It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him. Revelation 13:7-8a

And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. Revelation 13:15-18

Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.  
2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

In the Holy Scriptures, we see that The Great Apostasy otherwise referred to as; The "Great Falling Away", is an event that is yet to happen and will happen. We may not find a vast majority that would disagree that The Great Apostasy will take place; the important questions are: What is "apostasy", "The Great Apostasy?" and "When will it take place?" Let us first discuss what apostasy means. Second we will talk about "The Great Apostasy" and where it falls in line with God's timetable. Let us now look at the meaning of "apostasy" as found in the dictionary, then in Strong's Expository Dictionary:

a·pos·ta·sy ( …-p¼s"t…-s¶) n. pl. a·pos·ta·sies 1. Abandonment of one's religious faith, a political party, one's principles, or a cause. [Middle English apostasie from Old French from Late Latin apostasia defection from Late Greek from Greek apostasis revolt from aphistanai to revolt apo- apo- histanai to stand, place; See st- in Indo-European Roots.] (American Heritage Dictionary) [ii]  

Usage Notes: primarily, "to set apart" (apo, off, "from," tasso, "to arrange"), is used in the Middle Voice, meaning (a) "to take leave of," e.g., Mark 6:46, (b) "to renounce, forsake," Luke 14:33, AV, "forsaketh," RV, "renounceth" ("all that he hath"). See BID FAREWELL, RENOUNCE, SEND, Note (2) at end, TAKE, Note (14). Usage Number: A-2  Part of Speech: Verb  Strong's Number: 1459 Vines Expository Dictionary; [iii]

"Fall away/depart" and "Apostasy" are synonymous with one another.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. 1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV)

de·part ( d-pärt) v. de·part·ed de·part·ing de·parts v. intr. 1. To go away; leave. 2. To die. 3. To vary, as from a regular course; deviate: depart from custom. See note at swerve . v. tr. 1. To go away from; leave. [Middle English departen from Old French departir to split, divide de- de- partir to divide (from Latin partºre)(from pars part-part) ; See part ]     American Heritage Dictionary; [ii]

To become an Apostate or "fall away/depart", one must embrace and believe in a person, place or thing and then leave it, be in opposition to it or a traitor to that belief. Apostasy has been happening in Christendom since its conception. Apostasy in Christendom happens as one turns from and against his/her faith.

The following is an example of an apostate:  Example: Imagine a car dealer (and this does happen) who talks you into buying a Ford product.  He drives one himself and is convinced and convinces you that there is no better automobile and you see him three years later driving a Toyota!  He says to you that "Ford's are inferior, Toyota is the best you can buy."  He has become an apostate from Ford Motor Company (FOMOCO). 

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica . . . Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.  2 Tim 4:9,10a & 11 (NIV)

The Great Apostasy is where there will be a mass exodus from the Christian faith, fueled by the Great Tribulation! The pressure to deny the Christian faith will be so great that only true overcomers can withstand the social demonstrative control.

He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.  Revelation 3:5

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4

What is the timetable?

The Great Apostasy is yet to take place. As mentioned previously, the Great Apostasy will begin at the onset of the Great Tribulation and will be fortified by it! The Great Tribulation will be the last seven years before Christ's return. When this seven-year period begins no one knows, but it is yet to come.

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.  1 Timothy 4:1

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.  2 Timothy 4:3-4

"Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God…” "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.” "The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.  "And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.     Luke 8:11,13-15

Certainly we all have seen friends, loved ones, ministers, teachers, etc. around us who believe and then fall away. Like a car accident or a tragedy, we individually think it will not happen to me. Karen, my wife and I have seen various Christian couples that seemed much more solid in the faith and marriage than we, only to end up in divorce and see one of the spouses fall away from Christ. How much more so when the Great Tribulation comes over all the earth!

Many contest that such a person never truly knew the Lord Jesus. We are only fooling others and ourselves with incomplete teaching and understanding that "they never knew the Lord." This rational is incomplete truth and another one of the devil's big lies! What if you fell away and became an apostate, others would say the same about you! If you could (being in that position) you would tell them they are wrong. Again, we must put all of the scriptures together. If those who fall away were not true believers, then there is no apostasy or falling away from the faith at all! You cannot turn away from something you never knew or had. This would be like saying; everyone who divorces his or her spouse was never in love, never knew them intimately, never cared for them or united their lives with them. It would be most foolish to say "They were never married!"

Paul expressed at the closure of his journey, with a view of the finish line that he had "kept The Faith." In modern terms he may have said; I made it, with perseverance and the grace of God I hung in there.  I walked in the fear of the Lord, did not quit, did not give up, stayed focused, kept my eyes on Jesus and the prize. Paul would not have expressed such a statement as "I have kept the faith" if it was just an automatic trek.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.  2 Timothy 4:6-8

The Holy Scriptures say we can fall away from the faith and that, we are also secure in our faith at the same time. Again, we must deny ourselves, walk in the fear of the Lord, put seemingly opposing truths, paradoxes together and grasp the whole two edge sword of truth by Going Up to God's way of thinking (chapter 1)! In light of this, put the following scriptures together. All is true together, not just what we choose to believe.

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out . . . "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.  John 6:37&39

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."  John 10:27-30

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, and put Him to open shame.  Hebrews 6:4-6

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge (full experiential knowledge) of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire."  Peter 2:20-22

The words known and knowledge are from the Greek word; epignosis. These words have a more descriptive meaning; knowledge not only of a student, but full experiential knowledge.  This indicates one having a full experience in their  relationship with Christ.

Knowledge, Known;  (epignōsis) from <G1909> (epi) and <G1097> (ginosko); to know upon some mark, i.e. recognise; by implication to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge :- (ac-, have, take) know (-ledge, well), perceive. [iii]

Please do not misunderstand what I am saying about salvation. I believe those who are born again (John 3:1-6) know, continue to follow Christ personally as their Lord and savior, those living for Christ and not themselves, ones who are being sanctified possess eternal salvation. The Great Tribulation will not only be used for a further sanctification process that believers normally go through, but primarily for the preparing of Christ's Bride. Unfortunately, for those who fall away, those who depart from the faith and those during this trial period are ones who become apostates and are those who will utterly perish. Forbid it if I fall away and become an apostate, I too will utterly perish, forever! We must walk in the fear of the Lord (chapter 4), devote our lives to Jesus, then we will become victorious overcomers!

Further understanding on this topic can be found in the book of Hebrews. Take the time and study the whole book of Hebrews, yes the whole book! With an open mind / going up to God's way of thinking you will come away with a whole new perspective on this doctrine. The book of Hebrews is understanding the old and the new testaments together / from religion to relationship / from keeping the law to Christ as our High Priest / from Sinai to Zion.

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. And he * said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'"  Rev 19:7-9

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.  2 Cor 11:2&3

"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.  Rev 22:14-15 (NIV)

"TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY OF TRIAL IN THE WILDERNESS, WHERE YOUR FATHERS TRIED ME BY TESTING ME, AND SAW MY WORKS FOR FORTY YEARS. "THEREFORE I WAS ANGRY WITH THIS GENERATION, AND SAID, 'THEY ALWAYS GO ASTRAY IN THEIR HEART; AND THEY DID NOT KNOW MY WAYS' AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.'"  Heb 3:8-11

He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.  Revelation 3:5

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  1Thess 5:23 (NIV)

To God be the glory. God wants to be glorified. God is glorified by showing His mighty power by the deliverance of His people through tribulation (see the list of scriptures below where God is Glorified by triumphantly delivering His people through tribulation). Has God changed His mind, have we changed God’s mind!?  No!  He sustains His character and design regardless of what we think or believe!  True believers and new converts will Glorify Christ by their steadfast faith and a countless multitude will be freshly transformed saints who follow Christ during “The Great Tribulation.” 

The following scriptures are just a few examples of God being glorified how He delivers and brings His people through trials and tribulations. In fact, the devastating tribulation will bring a countless amount of believers into the kingdom, YES and AMEN!

Deliverance out of Egypt and through the Red Sea  (Exodus 14&15:1-20)

Deliverance through the fiery furnace and honored by the king  (Daniel 3:1 - 4:3)

The plot against Daniel, the lion’s den and his deliverance.  (Daniel 6:1-23)

God’s people spared from extinction,  (Ester 5-10)

Apostles delivered from prison (Acts 5:17-42)

Jonah delivered from the great fish (Jonah 1:17-2:10)

Lot Delivered from Sodom (Genesis 19:1-29)

Jesus through the 40 day desert trial (Matt 4:1-11)

Jesus All the way to the cross (

Peter’s arrest and deliverance  (Acts 12:1-19)

Paul and Silas Imprisoned, delivered and The Jailer Converted  (Acts 16:14-34)

The Apostle Paul delivered several times through a multitude of tribulations (2 Cor 11:16-33)

Faith and hope triumphs in times of trouble  (Romans 5:1-5)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"  All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever. Amen."  Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"  And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:9-14 (NKJV)

We see here that the devastating tribulation will deliver and bring a countless amount of believers in to the kingdom. What we think of as only devastation, God uses for eternal blessings and multiplication of many to His Eternal Kingdom.  We should be excited with what God will do with this purifying time, bringing many into His kingdom.  We should be especially joyous that Jews will finally come in groves and many will desire to know and follow their God!

Jesus will do the same for us. He will grant us the strength, grace and endurance we need to go through the tribulation. He will deliver us in the midst of it so He may be glorified. He will do the same for us as he did for our forefathers as we walk in faith as they did, those who have gone on before us!  Jesus will deliver through the Great Tribulation.   We will suffer during this ordeal and may even be martyred for His glory, but look at the outcome, graduation day, eternal life with the God of the universe!  We must keep an eternal perspective not the temporal one of this world. Remember, death is life, death is graduation to His followers.  To have this essential faith we must know The Word of God!

As it is written; “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”   Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." … without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 10:38,11:6 (NKJV)

"Death has been swallowed up in victory."  "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
1 Corinthians 15:54c-55 (NIV)

“We are confident, yes,... pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord”  2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV). 

"For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. "Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.  Matthew 24:21-22

We must not overlook the fact that many have and will give their lives for Christ’s glory.  As Jesus died, was delivered from death and rose from the dead, His followers will also be resurrected from the dead to be with the Lord forever (see Chapter 3). 

Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.  1 Corinthians 6:14

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.  Colossians 3:1-4 

…do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?  Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection.  Romans 6:3-5

Footnotes

 [i]   McKeever Christians will go through the Tribulation (Omega, 1980, p.5)

[ii]   American Heritage Dictionary  (ISBN 0-7630-1362-5)

[iii   Ibid

[iv]  Vines Expository Dictionary  (Thomas Nelson, Inc; 1997)

Last daze Letter to the Body of Christ

Joseph G. Wellhoff / jgw / 1999 - 2016

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