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Q&A-39

Tribulation.docx

The Tribulation

Q&A on The Seven Year Tribulation: Who Goes Through it & Why? Who Can be Saved During the Tribulation & How? What Lessons can Believers Today get from the Tribulation Coming?

The Seven Year Tribulation: Who Goes Through it & Why?

  1. Israel because it is the time of Jacob’s troubles.

Jeremiah 30:7 (NKJV) Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it. [Note also Jeremiah 31].

  1. The whole world.

Daniel 7:23 (NKJV) “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces.

Luke 21:35 (NKJV)  For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Revelation 13:7 (NKJV) It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.

Who Can be Saved During the Tribulation & How?  

  1. Anyone who calls on the Lord

Joel 2:32

New King James Version (NKJV)

32 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved
.
For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance,
As the Lord has said,
Among the remnant whom the Lord calls.

Romans 10:13

New King James Version (NKJV)

13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

  1. Those who receive the love of truth

2 Thessalonians 2:10

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

  1. Those who are not deceived and do not take the mark of the Beast.

Revelation 14:9-11

New King James Version (NKJV)

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

Revelation 20:4

New King James Version (NKJV)

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I sawthe souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

What Lessons can Believers Today get from the Tribulation Coming?

  1. The best preparation for the Tribulation is what I call Christ’s Tribulation Survival Guide, which He taught in Luke 21.

Pre-Tribulation Survival Tips

Jesus gave us these words before the end of days, before the tribulation arrives.

So, Luke 21 is a “Pre-Tribulation” Survival Guide. What ever your view of the Tribulation: pre, post, or not at all, this passage has powerful lessons for all believers. Don’t miss His great lessons because of a theologically different view of eschatology.

In Luke 21 we see the end of everyone’s life as it was. Time stops. Life ends. Nothing is the same again. Christ’s Coming simply reveals what people have been all the time. Paul tells us later that “each man’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it” (1 Corinthians 3:13).

So either the Rapture, or our own death, or the Second Coming of Christ and the Tribulation that precedes it, will end life comfortably going on as we know it.

The dangers Jesus warned of are what His church has faced from the beginning. There have always been deceiving teachers, persecution, and disasters. But what He says is that each of these areas will increase and intensify as Christ’s Coming draws near.

There will be religious deception (Luke 21:8)

Survival Guide Lesson-1: I can choose to—Know God’s Word so I won’t be deceived. Luke 21:8 And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.

How to we keep from being deceived? Make sure the truth you have, has traveled the 18 inches that separate the saved from the lost. Truth must go from “head” to the “heart”.

John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

 

Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

 

There will also be global distress (Luke 21:9–11)

Survival Guide Lesson-2: I can choose to—Trust God’s Promises so I won’t live a fearful life. Luke 21:9 But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end will not come immediately.”

2 Timothy 1:12-14 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

There will be religious persecution, public (Luke 21:12–15) and personal (Luke 21:16–19).

Survival Guide Lesson-3: I can choose to—Speak for Jesus in any circumstance. Luke 21:13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 5:20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

Survival Guide Lesson-4: I can choose to—never quit even when those closest to me fail me. Luke 21:16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.

Mark 13:13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

 

True believers are “are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation” (1 Pet. 1:5). The guarantee of our perseverance is built into Christ’s New Covenant promise.

Survival Guide Lesson-5: I can choose to—Expect that life will be hard and full of trials. Luke 21:17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Survival Guide Lesson-6: I can choose to—Trust Jesus with my fears about physical death. Luke 21:18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost.

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Survival Guide Lesson-7: I can choose to—Give my emotions into Christ’s care and live in the peace He gave to me. Luke 21:19 By your patience possess your souls.

 

Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

To obey Jesus we must “watch and pray”. That is how we can resist the temptations that lure us. Then we will be ready when our Lord returns.

Survival Guide Lesson-8: I can choose to—Believe God’s Word about the future! Luke 21:20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.

Survival Guide Lesson-9: I can choose to—Trust Christ’s Promise that He is coming for me.   Luke 21:27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Survival Guide Lesson-10: I can choose to—Wait for Jesus daily and even more when I realize I am living at the end of the age.  Luke 21:28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

 

Survival Guide Lesson-11: I can choose to—Honor Jesus with my choices I make in this life.  Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 

Life is so difficult at times, and it becomes easy for us to “get weighted down” v. 34, with the cares of this life and the temptations of the world and the flesh[1].

Two powerful lessons:

  1. Things are temporary—build for eternity.

Years ago someone put a poem on the wall of the McAuley Rescue Mission in New York City that captured the disjuncture between profession and practice:

Angels from their realms on high
Look down on us with wondering eye,
That where we are but passing guests,
We build such strong and solid nests;
But where we hope to dwell for aye [ever],
We scarce take heed one stone to lay.4

  1. Life is fragile—live for your true home.

St. John of the Cross was right. “God is at home. We are in the far country.” And if we are at home in this world we need to be confronted once again with the truth about the world.

 

All of the magnificent buildings of Solomon, including the Temple are gone.

All of the wonderful buildings of Herod are rubble.

The Pyramids are crumbling, the Tower of Pisa is leaning . . . nothing on earth ever lasts.

Jesus came to His disciples with an offer of something they could become a part of that never ends. And that is what you and are doing here at Calvary—worshipping God, offering our lives in service to His Son, and loving one another.

Make this service your offering anew of your life to Christ’s control.

 

Survival Guide Lesson-12: I can choose to—Watch for Jesus all my life! Luke 21:35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Christ’s admonitions to “watch & pray” apply to believers in every age. “Watch!” does not mean to spend your life looking for signs. It means, “Be awake! Be alert! Don’t get caught unprepared!” This is a warning for us today.

Watch comes from two words. The first is the Greek form called an alpha privative a which means “not”. The second word we get hypnotize from in English, in Greek it is hupneo. So when they are put together it is a-hupneo.

 

It means to avoid allowing the world around you to lull you to sleep. It is a present active imperative. Jesus says, “I command you to always avoid getting hypnotized by the world”.

Mark 13:33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

 

Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Pray is one of seven different words used for prayer; and it means “to earnestly” seek the hand of the Lord in a time of need. Note how Luke uses this word in his two books (15 of the 22 usages are in Luke and Acts).

The Greek dictionary defines deomi as “to want, desire, long for, ask, beg, pray, make supplications”. Here are Luke’s usages:

Luke 5:12 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

 

Luke 8:28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!”

Luke 8:38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying,

Luke 9:38-40 Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him. 40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

Luke 10:2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

 

Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

What are you intensely asking (begging) God to be doing through your life that will last forever?

Christ said here is something anyone in my family can do! Here is what you do that I love, and I make your investments in these areas last forever. Jesus said:

  • I collect all of your prayers – PRAY!

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. (KJV)

  • I multiply sacrificial gifts – GIVE!

Mark 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. (KJV) do rest

  • I count souls you lead to me – WIN!

Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. (KJV)

1st thes 2.19

 

  • I remember humble service – SERVE!

Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. (KJV)  

 

  • I love missionaries that do outreach – GO!

Matthew 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. (KJV)

To obey Jesus we must “watch and pray”. That is how we can resist the temptations that lure us. Then we will be ready when our Lord returns.

[1]  See also Christ’s warnings in Luke 12:35-48.

4 4. Quoted by Joseph Bayly, “Out of My Mind,” Eternity (Sept., 1981): 57.

5 5. Cf. Watchman Nee, Love Not the World (Fort Washington: Christian Literature Crusade, 1968), 9.