Judgment and The Church Tribulation First

2000.11.1.04 Judgment and The Church Tribulation First

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

Further to the recent mailings on "Persecution of Christians", "Wheat and Tares" and "Rick Joyner" there are a number of developments over the past few days and months which it seems important to bring to your attention.

Some of these items are items which relate to my personal Christian walk and experience in the recent past but which appear to have wider relevance and others relate to world events.

Most specifically, the events in the Middle East appear to satisfy most, if not all the requirements for a Third World War in which most or all the nations of the world array themselves for battle against Israel. This is being confirmed increasingly by prophetic voices and by observation, particularly since the events that led to the current conflict came to a head at the time of Yom Kippur AND were directly associated with developments on the Temple Mount, as indicated in a posting some time ago.

In the event of a major war against Israel, many Christians, who are increasingly becoming aware of the fact that Christianity is grafted into the Vine of Israel, that Jesus Christ was a Jew and that it is not possible to be a true Christian without recognizing the Jewish heritage of Christianity, will find themselves facing a MAJOR dilemma - what does one do if one's country declares war on Israel? This is not the subject of this mail, but it is a subject which should be receiving attention in our prayers right now!

The possibility of a major international war against Israel also brings the prospect of many of the plagues of Revelation closer to potential reality (a third of mankind being destroyed, etc). It also suggests the possibility of major world wide anti-Jewish and anti-Christian sentiment resulting in pogroms and detention of Jews, Christians and others in the concentration camps of which rumours continue to surface.

Associated with this are ongoing indications of revival and major outpourings of the Holy Spirit around the world, reinforcing the expectation of major judgment - great darkness is generally associated with great revival - in times of hardship, people either turn TO GOD or away from God and we will see both in increasing measure in the days ahead. At the same time, there will be those who like Daniel will survive the Lions den unscathed (Daniel 6) or like Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego will walk in the fiery furnace with a man who looks like the "Son of God" without a hair being singed (Daniel 3), etc.

In this mail and, God willing, some that will follow, we will seek to place current developments in the world in a scriptural context with a view to assisting readers to set their own spiritual priorities for the months ahead.

A key aspect on which there is widespread disagreement in the Body of Christ today is the question of whether the Church will have to endure persecution and tribulation or whether the Church will be removed or "raptured" before judgment comes on the world.

THE WORD TRIBULATION IS ALMOST ALWAYS APPLIED TO THE CHURCH / BELIEVERS

Please consider that the word TRIBULATION in the following verses of Scripture always applies to BELIEVERS:

Matthew 13:2121 "yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (NKJ)

Matthew 24:99 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. (NKJ)

Matthew 24:2121 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (NKJ)

Matthew 24:2929 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (NKJ)

Mark 4:1717 "and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. (NKJ)

Mark 13:1919 "For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. (NKJ)

Mark 13:2424 "But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; (NKJ)

John 16:3333 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (NKJ)

Romans 2:99 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; (NKJ)

Romans 5:33 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; (NKJ)

Romans 8:3535 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (NKJ)

Romans 12:1212 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; (NKJ)

2 Corinthians 1:44 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (NKJ)

2 Corinthians 7:44 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. (NKJ)

1 Thessalonians 3:44 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. (NKJ)

Revelation 1:99 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (NKJ)

Revelation 2:99 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. (NKJ)

Revelation 2:1010 "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (NKJ)

Rev 2:2222 "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. (NKJ)

The only verse in the entire New Testament in the New King James translation which does not relate the word "tribulation" to believers, is:

II Thessalonians 1:66 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, (NKJ)

WE MUST THEREFORE CONCLUDE THAT WHEN SCRIPTURE SPEAKS OF TRIBULATION IT IS REFERRING TO TRIBULATION OF BELIEVERS!!

JUDGMENT ON THE CHURCH FORETOLD IN REVELATION 2 & 3

Consider also the following passages in the book of Revelation, WRITTEN TO THE CHURCHES:

Revelation 2:11 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, 'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: (NKJ)

EACH OF THE PASSAGES THAT FOLLOW ARE PRECEDED BY THE WORDS - "TO THE ANGEL OF THE CHURCH OF" - ALL THESE SCRIPTURES ARE WRITTEN TO THE CHURCH!!

Revelation 2:55 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-- unless you repent. (NKJ)

Revelation 2:1111 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."' (NKJ)

In other words - he who does NOT OVERCOME SHALL BE HURT BY THE SECOND DEATH!

Revelation 2:1616 'Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. (NKJ)

JESUS WILL FIGHT AGAINST BELIEVERS!!

Revelation 2:20-2320 "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.21 "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.22 "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.23 "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works. (NKJ)

BELIEVERS WILL BE CAST INTO GREAT TRIBULATION!!

Revelation 3:3-53 "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.4 "You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (NKJ)

A FEW OF THESE BELIEVERS NAMES WILL NOT BE BLOTTED OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE!!!

Revelation 3:10-1210 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.11 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.12 "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. (NKJ)

SOME WILL BE KEPT FROM TRIAL BUT EVEN THEY ARE WARNED THAT THEIR CROWN CAN BE TAKEN AWAY!!

Revelation 3:16-1816 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked--18 "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. (NKJ)

BECAUSE THESE BELIEVERS ARE LUKEWARM, JESUS WILL VOMIT THEM OUT OF HIS MOUTH!!!

Revelation 3:2222 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' " (NKJ)

THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT EVERY BELIEVER IS IN JEOPARDY OF THESE JUDGMENTS IF THEY DO NOT DO WHAT GOD REQUIRES OF THEM!!

A FURTHER ASPECT - MATTHEW 24

Matthew 24:1-511 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple.2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

THESE ARE BELIEVERS SPEAKING TO JESUS

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.5 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.6 "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.7 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.8 "All these are the beginning of sorrows.9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.

YOU = JESUS DISCIPLES - WILL BE DELIVERED UP TO TRIBULATION AND THEY WILL BE HATED BY ALL NATIONS!!

10 "And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.11 "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.12 "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.13 "But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

HE WHO ENDURES TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED - THEY WILL NOT BE SAVED AT THE BEGINNING

14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.17 "Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.18 "And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.19 "But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!20 "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.21 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

THEN THERE WILL BE GREAT TRIBULATION - JESUS IS STILL SPEAKING TO BELIEVERS

22 "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.23 "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.24 "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.25 "See, I have told you beforehand.26 "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.27 "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.28 "For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION

30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

THEN THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN WILL APPEAR IN HEAVEN AND THE WILL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING

31 "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

AND HE WILL SEND HIS ANGELS TO GATHER HIS ELECT - AFTER THE TRIBULATION

32 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33 "So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near-- at the doors!34 "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.38 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,39 "and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

NOAH WAS ONLY REMOVED AT THE LAST MOMENT, AS JUDGMENT CAME ON THE EARTH (not before the judgment began)

40 "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.42 "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.43 "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.44 "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.45 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?46 "Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.47 "Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.48 "But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,'49 "and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,50 "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,51 "and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (NKJ)

THE SERVANT = BELIEVER WILL BE APPOINTED HIS PORTION WITH THE HYPOCRITES AND THERE WILL BE WEEPING AND GNASHING OF TEETH

There can be no doubt that BELIEVERS / THE CHURCH must go THROUGH GREAT TRIBULATION BEFORE THE LORD RETURNS.

There is every indication that this tribulation HAS ALREADY BEGUN IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM and will shortly manifest in the physical realm - in fact, the war in Israel is almost certainly the beginning of this.

Sort by: Newest First Oldest First Most Popular Most unliked