As we head into the tribulation like a freight train, I think we have to keep our eyes on the promise of escape from what's about to happen. It's going to take faith to be ready for this escape when it comes, because as we get closer and closer to the fiery trial set to test this world, many people will begin to doubt whether there will be any escape at all.
Consider this:
Rev 7
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Okay, so what's going on here ^^^? The servants of God are being sealed, right? Who are these servants of God? Here's the answer in verse 4:
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Do you find it at all troubling that the servants of God are mentioned, and the church is NOWHERE to be seen? I know the true church is a small flock, but not one mention of "servants of God" and "the church?" Why is it that the only servants of God sealed are children of Israel?
How about..because the true church, the little flock, just left the earth. In Rev 2-3 the Lord speaks in DETAIL to the churches, then the rest of the book of Revelation is barren of mention of the church and FULL of mention of the children of Israel. How can we make sense of that? The church isn't here. People have tried to make a case that the church is around, but they cannot make a case for the detailed address to the church in Rev 2-3 and then POOF, nothing about the church. Was it too hard for the Lord to use the same language that he used in Rev 2-3 to speak to the churches throughout the entire book of Revelation OR is it that the true church is no longer around on the earth?
If you want proof that the church is no longer around on earth, but is in heaven, the Lord gives it to you IMMEDIATELY after the picture of the children of Israel being sealed:
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
So...we see the children of Israel getting sealed to serve God on earth, then immediately after we see a scene IN HEAVEN of a great multitude that no man could number of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues....what does that mean? This great multitude is IN HEAVEN, that means not on earth right?
who is this great multitude?
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Came out of great tribulation?
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Matt 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
What is the tribulation anyway? It's a great TEST...to TRY them that live on the earth. What happens when the Lord has already tested you and found you worthy of his kingdom, do you need to be tested some more? Everyone is TESTED in life, they always have been and always will be.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith;
... the faith. Test yourselves! You know, don't you, that Jesus the Messiahlives in you? Could it be that you are failing the test?
2 Corinthians 2:9 For to this end also I wrote, so that I
... I had also written to you to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in every way. ... I had also written to you to test you.
Psalm 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind
... <<>>. ... Examine me, O LORD, and try me; Test my mind and my heart
James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once
... When he has passed the test, he will receive the victor's crown of life thatGod has promised to those who keep on loving him
Whoa nellie..did you read that? "who KEEP ON LOVING HIM" What? Is that saying that passing the test involves an ONGOING COMMITTMENT to love God (which means obey his commandments) NOT just a one time 'decision.' Yea, that's what it says.....
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal ...
... Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is taking place amongyou to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is ...
... You have been put to no test but such as is common to man: and God is true, whowill not let any test come on you which you are not able to undergo; but he ...
Psalm 17:3 You have tried my heart; You have visited me by
... You have put my heart to the test, searching me in the night; you have put me tothe test and seen no evil purpose in me; I will keep my mouth from sin. ...
I could go on and on quoting from the bible on this idea of testing. The big picture of the meaning of life, heaven and hell, good and evil, life in general is a TEST of where your heart really is.
All military special forces use very difficult TESTS before admitting members into their ranks to determine how bad the recruits really want to get in. The only way to find out what a person REALLY wants is through time and TESTing. If you have been tested, and have passed the test, and the tribulation is a great test, does it make any sense that God would put you through a test you've already passed?
All the people who have already died in the Lord were TESTED in life. They did NOT go through the tribulation in any form or fashion, they were tested in life. To say that the true church today must go through the tribulation to be tested is nonsense. When we have PASSED THE SAME TEST that our fathers did, being tested in life, and remaining "in Christ" what need do we have of further testing?
Our faith is being tested today. Our love, our obedience, our faithfulness, are all being tested. Go re-read all the quotes posted above relating to our testing. Open a bible search for yourself on TESTing. I hope you are beginning to see why Luke 21:36 says:
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
There is a worthiness test to be able to escape what's about to happen. WATCH and PRAY that you will be counted worthy of escaping ALL that's about to happen. There is a test facing you today. Will you remain faithful, will you remain obedient, will you strive to please the Lord in every way? Is your love for the Lord real today or just something you did 10 years ago? Do you believe the Lord will do what he said he'd do? What is in your heart........
Time is short, a storm is coming, be watching, be ready...grace and peace
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