The Great Tribulation

(Matt. 24:21)  "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."  The word "then," speaks of the last half of the tribulation period which is called the "great tribulation."  In scripture God divides the tribulation period into two 3 1/2 year time periods. The first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation is described as a time of peace, but it will also be a time of great deception for ant-Christ somehow convinces the entire world that he is the Messiah and this world's savior. The last 3 1/2 years however is called the "great tribulation" because anti-Christ begins to greatly persecute and exterminate all the true believers, as well as those that refuse his world-wide political, social, and religious system. These last 31/2 years will also be a time of "great judgment" because God will unleash His terrible wrath upon the people of this world for their unbelief and continued wickedness. How sad, that even during the last 3 1/2 years many will still refuse to believe in Jesus and "repent"(Rev. 16:9, 11). Thank God that the 7 yr. tribulation is not for the Church, for God promised us that we will not be here when it comes. But the question still remains, where will you be when it does come ?

Israel Judged For 490 Years

(Dan. 9:24) "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." For 430 years Israel refused to obey God's command to let their crop land rest every 7th year (Lev. 25:1-6) and because they didn't obey, God determined that "Seventy" more "weeks" of judgment be upon His people and their holy city "to finish the transgression." A "week" in Bible prophesy is considered 7 years, thus (70 weeks x7 years = 490 years). In (Dan.9:25), as soon as Israel began to rebuild its broken down walls, God's 490 years of judgment began to count down until Jesus was crucified 483 years later, or until "Messiah be cut off" (v.26). Although hundreds of thousands of Jews were saved at Christ's first coming, Israel as a nation rejected him as their Messiah. Ever since, the last 7 years of God's judgment upon Israel has been on hold waiting to be fulfilled. The last 7 years remaining or "week," is called the "tribulation period in scripture, where God "will finish the transgression, make an end of sins, make reconciliation for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, and anoint the most Holy" Jesus Christ as our King!

The Second Coming Of Christ

(Rev. 19:1) "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. At the end of the 7 year tribulation period, God's Word tells us that Jesus Christ will return to this earth. His purpose is three fold; 1) To fight for Israel and destroy the armies that have surrounded her. 2) To judge the nations of this earth and to separate the saved from the unsaved. 3) To set up his kingdom upon this earth, where he will reign for a thousand years. And so, in the above verse heaven opens once again to allow Christ to come to this earth to fight for Israel. The first time heaven opened was at Jesus's ascension to receive him up into glory (Acts 1:11), the second time heaven opened was for him to come in the Rapture for his bride (the Church), the above verse is the third time. You See the first time Jesus came to this earth it was to save men from their sin, the second time it will be to judge men for their sin. The second coming of Jesus will be in accordance with truth and righteousness, for the only people of this earth that will be judged with hell and destroyed will be those that refuse to repent of their wickedness and sin. It is sad but his judgment has been the same throughout the ages, for the Bible says that God does not wish that any should perish. So if any man does perish, he perishes of his own choosing! 

Where Is The Church During The Tribulation Period

(Rev. 4:1,2) "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne…" While the tribulation is taking place on earth, where is the church? Well, you will be glad to know that the church will be learning all about heaven (their new home) and enjoying time with Jesus their bridegroom. In the above verse God is introducing John the Apostle to heaven in a vision. This vision though given to John at the end of the first century, gives to the church of all ages a glimpse of what will happen immediately after the church dead and alive is raptured. Once in heaven the Church will stand immediately at the judgment seat of Christ where all our works will be rewarded for what we have done on this earth, whether they be "good or bad, (2 Cor. 5:10)." The rest of (Rev. 4) deals with the splendor and Glory of Christ, as well as what goes on around His throne on a regular basis. So while the rest of the world is going through 7 years of a terrible time of tribulation, we (the bride of Christ), will be preparing for the great "marriage of the Lamb," that takes place in heaven before our  return to earth with Christ, (Rev. 19:7-16). Indeed. the Church has much to look forward to in Christ Jesus.

Christ’s Kingdom On Earth

(Acts 1:6)  "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" This question was asked to Jesus right before his ascension into heaven. To which he replied, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." While it is true that we do not know the exact date we do know how and when it will happen, for the time of Israel's restoration and Christ's kingdom will be at the same time. When Jesus returns he will rule and reign over this earth for 1000 yrs. and it will be during this same time that Israel's kingdom will be restored. It will also be a time of great joy and peace for  the whole earth, for not only will it begin with only saved people, but it will be a time where there is no more war, division of country,  religion, politics, or race. Nature will also be no longer hostile toward man or crops, for all creation will yield its fruit in season, and all God's creatures will cohabitate together peacefully again. It will be a time of justice, equality, knowledge, health, longevity of life, but also prosperity for Jesus Christ sits as the head of the whole earth. It will truly be called a paradise on earth!

The Judgement Of Our Works By Christ

(2Cor. 5:10) "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."  There is coming a day when every Christian will stand before Jesus Christ and give an account of his works in this life. Since the Christian has been justified from the condemnation of his sin, he will not stand condemned for his sin, but he will stand in examination of how he lived and served after his salvation. For some reason today, some Christians think that because they are saved that they can live anyway they so desire without any consequences, but this is not true! One day, immediately following the Rapture of God's Church, the works of every believer in Christ Jesus will be judged. (1Co 3:13-15) "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." Every work and motive behind our works, & every secret thing that is unconfessed or hidden will be examined. "For the day shall declare it…" So the two questions that we need to answer are,  1) Are we ready,  2) What will be our reward?

MOTHER

(Eph. 6:2-3) "Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." Mother's Day is a day that is set aside by man to honor mothers. Once in a year we are asked to give respect and appreciation to the one that not only birthed us, but that taught and nourished us up in this life. She is honored because of the godly example that she portrays. 1) (M)erciful.  Mess up, fail, lose, get hurt, or whatever, mom will always be there to pick up the pieces. 2) (O)bedient. God has placed her in a role of both authority and submission, and through her own obedience she reflects upon her children both as she teaches them right from wrong. 3) (T)rust. A godly mom will give up her last morsel of food to feed her children, and though all others forsake us or abandon us in life she will never. 4) (H)ome. A godly mom's home is her life. She decorates it, and prepares it well just as a mother bird feathers her nest so that her young are safe and well cared for.  For her family and home is her life. 5) (E)xtraordianry and (R)eliable. She is able to wear many hats and still have time to always be there. For even after we grow up and leave her nest, she will even carry her love for us to her grave! All these traits cannot help but reflectl M-O-T-H-E-R.

Our Calling Is To Honor Christ

(1Cor. 1:26) "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise;…" God didn't intend this verse to be demeaning to the average Christian, He intended this verse to be a proclamation of honor to the average Christian. God knew from the very beginning that not all men would respond to the call of salvation. In the above verse God says that some intelligent people will respond, some men of great abilities and talents will, and even some of nobility, but by in large most of the people that get saved are just average folks who have very little to offer but faith. God doesn't need the strengths and abilities of mighty men to accomplish His will, but He does count on the average saint to do great things in His name! Therefore, there is not a person that comes to Christ that cannot be used if he/she will just surrender to God's will and purpose. For as children of God, we need to see ourselves not as weak, foolish, or unusable people, but rather as empowered vessels of God able to do the impossible. Just as (Phil. 4:13) says," I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". Men like Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Paul, were not super human men,  but average men until they surrendered to the call and will of God!

Man’s Death Is Different Than An Animal’s

(1 Jn. 5:13) “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” Where do men go when they die?  How often  we hear; “Well at least now they are no longer in pain,” or “ they’re better off now,”  but is this always true?  In this world there are a lot of theories about death, but only those that know the Bible really know for sure where the dead go. 1) Man is different than an animal. An animal has a spirit but not an eternal soul. Man was created in the image of God, and he has the moral capability to mentally & spiritually obey God or not, and although we like the animal both die physically our end is vastly different. 2) Man is judged for his sin after death.  (Heb 9:27) “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Man's spirit lives on after death and will either go to an eternal Hell or Heaven, based on his/her acceptance or rejection of Jesus Christ. (Ec 3:21) says, "Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?"  3) Therefore, man needs a Savior. Why? (Rom. 6:23)  “wages of (his) sin is death (or Hell), but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Without Jesus all men will go to Hell when they die, but man does not have to. Thank God that freely salvation is available to anyone who repents and trusts in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior!

The Power Of Christ’s Love

(Rom. 12:19)  "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."  The above verse is one of those verses that's easier read than practiced. In our flesh we desire retribution for wrongs that have been done unto us, and sometimes we see it happen in life, but more often than not wrongs seem to go unpunished. It would be nice in life if every situation ended up like a happy movie, but the main reason that it doesn't is because God desires for us to learn to love people despite the outcome. I think that we forget sometimes that the weapons of our warfare are spiritual not carnal. We have been called as believers to "overcome evil with good," to "recompense to no man evil for evil." The Christian must remember at all times that the outcome of any evil attack in this world can be turned into God's glory if we just remember to love rather than hate, to seek peace first rather than war, and to do good back to those who do bad to us. In this life we may not see vengeance upon our enemies, but if we practice the love of Christ we will see the blessing of God upon our obedience and lives.Vengeance will never produce the same outcome as God's love.

Once Saved We Have A New Vocation

(Eph. 1:4) "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,…" This verse was penned by the Apostle Paul to challenge the Ephesians to look at salvation as a vocation. It has been said that how we act and how we live is heard more than our words. As believers we have been called to a new vocation, a vocation that is not just for so-called  professionals. In God's Word all who are saved are given the title of "saint," meaning "sacred ones," or better said, "holy ministers of God."  In the above verse Paul saw himself captivated by this calling, and he challenged all who are saved to consider their Christian walk as a"vocation." God saved us to go to the world and not just preach Christ, but live Christ. That's what is meant by "walking worthy."It's a known fact that some Christians serve in their worldly vocation with more zeal and respect than they do God's vocation. In the world I wonder how many employers would put up with us being late, not showing up, or not doing our job well, yet God's people commit these infractions on a weekly basis. The problem therefore is not in our love for Christ, but rather in our view of God's vocation. The only way to walkworthy therefore is to die to our ways and  surrender to walk God's way!

 

Practicing The Love Of Christ Within The Church

(Rom. 12:10) "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;" Just how important is the love of Christ to those we come in contact with? Important enough for God to command us 24 times in (Romans Chp.12) to practice it! You might say I don't see the word love written 24 times? No, but it's taught in application just as it is in the above verse. Jesus didn't think like us, nor did he respond to others like us either. No, he placed his problems and feelings second to those of others, so that the other person would experience the help and brotherly love of God through him. One thing that I have learned about people over the years is that we all go through trials and blessings. Each of us have bad days and good, hurtful days and blessed, problem days and joyful, and so if we experience low times so do others as well. Our job as a Christian isn't to throw salt on the wounds of others but rather to be a salve of comfort and grace. Too often we get so wrapped up in our own world that we don't see that the others around us might have a greater need. "Kindly affectioned" people realize that they haven't been called to a life of selfishness, but rather a life given over to helping others. God's command therefore is to love others by placing their needs even above ours!