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.