Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18
I’m sure most of us are familiar with the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the book of Daniel. If not, I would encourage you to read Daniel chapter 3. It’s an amazing story of faith, courage, and devotion to God on an epic scale. These men were committed to God, regardless of the consequences.
In complete contrast, I just finished reading the book of Ezekiel in the Bible. As I read, I had this uncanny feeling as if I were somehow privy to a letter written directly to the Church of today. Especially as it might pertain to the coming time of testing.
I will say up front, that I’m not one of those people who believes God chooses to overlook our sins and complacency, simply because we live in the Age of Grace. I think there are very vivid examples in the Bible of just the opposite, even in the New Testament; and I believe most people would agree that the corporate Church of today at least rivals the spiritual condition of Israel leading up to, and during the time of the Babylonian Exile. Why would we think God wouldn’t have any interest in dealing with us on that issue?
The idea that we will escape all testing, persecution, and suffering doesn’t agree with what the Bible teaches; much less the examples we see in the lives of the saints, and even Jesus himself. Suffering doesn’t of necessity equal punishment. God isn’t interested in punishing His children; He is interested in purifying us. Anyone who thinks otherwise, underestimates their own fleshly, sinful nature. If this weren’t true, we could just throw out that part in the New Testament that speaks of sanctification.
1 Peter 4:12-19 says,
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
1 Peter 4:12-19
Testing, persecution, and suffering. Peter tells us these things should not only be expected, but that we should rejoice in them; because through them we share in Christ’s sufferings. Suffering as a Christian is honorable. Why then do so many fight so hard to escape it? And why do so many accept without a reasonable doubt, that God is all about rescuing us from the coming time of tribulation? Anyone who teaches this is either unaware of what the Bible says, or is simply choosing to believe what they’ve been taught over that which is clearly communicated in so many scriptures.
We will be rescued, there is no question about that. But we are only promised immunity from God’s wrath (judgment upon the wicked); not tribulation. What’s more, there is no such thing as the so-called Seven Year Tribulation. Nowhere in the Bible is this concept taught. Research it for yourself and see. We are moving toward Daniels 70th Week (Daniel 9:24-27); a seven year period of time to be sure. But not seven years of tribulation. Will God choose to protect His children during this time? I believe He will protect, as He chooses. Will He protect by removing us from this earth? Yes, but only after the tribulation and just prior to the judgment of God upon the wicked. Otherwise known as, The Day of the Lord. (See my series “Should Christians Prepare for the Tribulation?” for a more comprehensive narrative on this subject.)
This is the part where someone says, “But what about Noah and Lot? They were rescued out of the tribulation of their time.”
Actually, no they weren’t. They were rescued out of the judgment of God upon the wicked. Which incidentally, began the very day their rescue was accomplished.
Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. ~Luke 17:26-29 (emphasis mine)
They trusted God to keep them from the destruction coming upon the wicked, and He did. They are given to us as examples of what the end times will be like; for believers and non-believers alike.
Why do I keep writing about this subject?
Because I want to warn as many brothers and sisters as possible, to be prepared. And I will keep writing about it. This coming time of tribulation will be beyond anything you can envision in your wildest imagination. So terrible, that Jesus said it would be the worst time of trouble since the beginning of the world, Matthew 24:21. Think about the implications of that. It will be so brutal, that the days [of tribulation] will have to be shortened in order for any Christians to survive at all, Matthew 24:22. And so treacherous, that even the elect will be deceived if that were possible, Matthew 24:24.
How can we escape deception?
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12.
First, don’t overestimate yourself. None of us stands a chance without a close, committed, and sold out relationship with our Savior. Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. We must stand firm in the face of anything that would compromise our commitment to God as the only One worthy of our allegiance. Regardless of the personal consequences and sacrifice.
Many Christians have been caught up in the debate about when the rapture will happen. Myself included. With everything that’s happening these days who doesn’t want to get out of here? But in the grand scheme of things I’m not convinced that the when really matters. What I want to be more focused on is preparing for what is to come. I want to be drawing nearer and nearer to God, especially as I see the day approaching; because I believe that as we draw nearer to God, and fill ourselves with His presence and the truth of His Word, we will stand firm in Him; and not find ourselves among those who are deceived and fall away.
Great post! We will definitely suffer. Just because we are Christians and serve and follow Yah/God does not mean that suddenly everything is rosy. With regards to the tribulation thing, I guess we will just have to wait and see how it pans out.
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Very true. Jesus never promised that we wouldn’t suffer. There are Christians suffering every day. The older I get the more I can’t wait until we’re all home and safe. God bless you. Thanks for your comments.
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And remember the followers of Jesus/Yahushua in China? They are persecuted. And in the Bible, it tells of a few followers of Yahushua/Jesus who were persecuted for following and serving Him.
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Yes. So why is it so difficult for many Christians to believe that we will go through suffering during the tribulation? Many people are going through this exact same suffering now, only it will be on a larger scale involving many more people/Christians during the tribulation. Again, it is mostly a western teaching. And us Westerners like our comfort and safety, and find it hard to imagine suffering on a scale of such grand proportions. I don’t want to suffer either, but I am preparing myself mentally and spiritually for what is coming.
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Agreed. It would be nice to avoid it, but the Bible says that we are going to go through it. We aren’t going to be raptured out of here before the Tribulation starts.
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I am in complete agreement with that. I believe that God is starting to open the eyes of many Christians to that truth. This is why so many think that end time prophecy is not understandable. They are trying to understand through the lens of a pre-trib rescue. But if you read it with the understanding that we will go through the tribulation, then it all falls into place.
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Yep. And if you read it literally and take it at face-value, it is easy to understand. It isn’t types and shadows and is not a metaphor to something else.
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So true! Throughout my Christian life I tried and tried to understand even just the book of Revelation and just kept getting confused. But I kept praying that God would give me understanding and when He did, I was so amazed at what I started seeing. I was like, what? How did I miss all this for so many years?!
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I know! It’s amazing! I have had that – there are some things in the Bible that I don’t understand, so pray about it and ask Yah/god to give me understanding, and He does! Praise God/Yah.
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He is amazing! And so good to us. Have a blessed day Racheal.
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He is so good to us! Thanks! You too (or night, which ever it is).
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It’s 7:16 AM in the southwestern US. Aaaaand I’m off to work. I think it’s pretty late for you, isn’t it? You must be a night person. G’night!
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It’s about 4:16 p.m. there now, isn’t it? I can stay up late if I want to.
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Yes, it’s 4:33 pm right now. And yes, you can stay up late if you want to!! LOL
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LOL.
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The timing of the Rapture is a big debate. I pray we all stand firm in Christ. Suffering is definitely part of the Christian life. Jesus promised we would have trouble in this world, but we can definitely take heart because He has overcome the world. God bless you Dee!
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Amen, Ryan. Suffering is a part of everyone’s life, but as Christians we can take comfort in knowing that our suffering is never for nothing if we’re walking with God. God bless you, too!
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Ryan, I realize that the timing of the Rapture is hotly debated. I also realize that most people form their opinion mainly from what they’re taught, and this colors their view when reading the Bible. I did the same thing for most of my Christian walk. However, God began showing me the fallacy in what the Church at large is teaching, so I decided to read and study the Bible without regard to that teaching and was amazed and terrified at what I began to see.
I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind. What I am trying to do is to encourage people to set aside their pre-conceived ideas that have been handed down to them, and read the Bible as if they know nothing. The truth is that the idea of a pre-trib rapture was not what the early Christians held to. That’s a documented fact. It’s a relatively new teaching (that is mostly held in the western world); it sounds good, and I wish it were true. But it doesn’t support itself when you take the Bible at face value.
If the Bible were presented to someone who had never read it or been taught it by anyone previously, I am certain that their view would be substantially different from ours. That’s how we should be reading the Bible. If we could rely on men to decipher the Bible and teach us its truths, we wouldn’t have so many views. This is evidence that we need the Holy Spirit as our guide and helper to understand the things of God. The Bereans were commended for checking everything to see if it lined up with the truth of God’s word. We should do the same.
Bless you, brother.
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I’m a pre-Trib Rapture believer and I could go into why I believe that using the Greek root words and the history and all that, but thankfully it is not a salvation issue. We both believe in Jesus and believe faith in Him is the only way to be saved. I wrote a post about The Rapture when I first started my blog. The 7 year Tribulation comes from the 3.5 years plus 3.5 years=7. I also wrote a post warning people not to get the mark of the beast. God bless you Dee!
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I should clarify my statement about the so-called 7 year tribulation. I realize that the 70th week of Daniel is 7 years long. However, not all of those 7 years are referred to as a tribulation event. The 7 years encompasses the tribulation, as well as the the Day of the Lord, which takes place after the tribulation and is not referred to as part of the tribulation time period. They are two distinct events.
Again, I’m not trying to change your mind. And yes, this is not a salvation issue. We can totally agree to disagree. 🙂 Bless you, Ryan.
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Agreed!
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