In these uncertain times, our perception can be easily overwhelmed by the negativity that dominates the media, conversations with friends and even family and news that divides and tears down our social safety nets and threatens our inner peace. We are surrounded by signs in world events, the climate and in humanity itself that the Bible reveals will precede the end of civilization as we know it. The hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth (Revelation 3:10).
Mathew 24:21-22 states, “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” This is the great tribulation spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Daniel 12:1) and Christians must be prepared to endure hardship and remain faithful.
Rather than entering this period with apprehension and despair, Christians are to lean into the rock that is Jesus Christ and embrace the coming storm with confidence and security in the name that is higher than all names, Jesus Christ our Redeemer who has conquered death. In the same way that God protected the Israelites of old from calamity, he has promised protection for believers during the great tribulation.
When the seven seals are broken in Revelation chapter 6:1-17 and 8:1-5, they mark the beginning of God’s judgement of an unrepentant mankind. Christians will be persecuted during this time, as they already are today, and have been for two thousand years. Scripture tells us there is a predetermined number of saints that must be killed this way (Revelation 6:11). The Bible also tells us that true believers will be sealed for protection (John 6:27, 2 Timothy 2:19, Revelation 6:9; 7:2 and 9:4) from God’s judgements as he punishes humanity in the last days.
The apostle Paul reminds us, “The Lord knows who are his,” 2 Timothy 2:19, and John conveys, “They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” Revelation 9:4. These words are consistent with other passages of scripture that tell us believers are not appointed to suffer God’s wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).
While many Christians today are counting on a pretribulation rapture to save them from the hand of the antichrist, the Bible makes no such guarantee. Paul tells us in his second letter to the church at Thessalonica, “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us – whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter – asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (see also Revelation 13:14-17; Daniel 9:27).
Jesus said, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Mathew 24:36 (also refer to my article entitled I Tell You a Mystery, March 19, 2021). Christ also warned, “but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Mathew 24:13.
Revelation 8:4 informs us, “The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.” This indicates true believers will still be on earth praying when the seventh seal is broken. At this point there is silence in heaven for about a half hour. Much like the moment of silence observed in reverence for fallen soldiers every November 11 at 11 am, every heart in heaven pauses to reflect and contemplate what has happened, is happening and is about to transpire upon the earth.
Regarding the rapture of the saints, Paul wrote, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed,” 1 Corinthians 15:52.
The last trumpet is the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:15-19) and the tribulation is well under way when it is blown which means God will protect true believers in other ways during this time of distress, before the rapture occurs. The most severe judgements occur after the seventh trumpet when God’s wrath is poured out full strength upon the world in the seven bowl judgements. Before hell literally breaks loose, however, the true Church, the bride of Christ is snatched away by the Bridegroom (see The Bride of Christ posted Feb. 9, 2021).
Perhaps the verse that resonates the loudest is found in Luke 21:28, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Indeed, the dominoes are falling quickly evidenced by the current pandemic and the response to it. Believers can take solace in the fact that as the world is bombarded with turmoil and signs of the impending apocalypse, God has made provision for our well-being and has a plan of rescue already in place.
While we don’t know the timing of the rapture, our comfort lies in the promise that we will be delivered. “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people – everyone whose name is found written in the book – will be delivered.” Daniel 12:1. “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” Revelation 3:10.
We are called into a situational awareness, to be cognizant of what is happening so that we are ready to meet Jesus in the air. For many, he will come like a thief in the night and they will be asleep, despite the Bible’s warnings for us to remain vigilant. “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” Revelation 3:2-3.
The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:3-4, “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” Yet many who identify as Christian don’t study the Bible and remain oblivious to the late hour we are living in.
The entire world is groaning under the weight of the sins of mankind as we witness the last days, yet most of society does not see it. Jesus said this time would be like the days of Noah before the flood (Mathew 24:37-39) and people will go on about life as if nothing was different, yet destruction came swiftly. Christians are called to take refuge in the name that is above all names. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’” Psalm 91:1-2.
As the song goes, “Be still, my soul, our God is a refuge, the rest for our souls. Be still, and know, there’s no other rescue, he’s bringing us home.” Let the storm winds blow and the noise of civilization’s mockery and self-glorification pass over you. Let the frustrations of tyrannical governments, draconian health restrictions and social injustice not trouble you as you dial into Christ and focus on salvation. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7.
Jesus has already won the victory and all we have to do is cling to him and that victory is ours! The battle has been won! And around the victor is a calmness of peace. Surrounding the Prince of Peace. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Our faith is in Jesus Christ, who has paid the price of our salvation and defeated death in the process. In 2 Timothy 4:8, Paul asserts, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Through Jesus, our faith is credited to us as righteousness and because of him we are called children of God. As God’s children we can enter into his kingdom and find rest for our weary souls. We can have peace and we will have peace. “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following the example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:9-11.
