Matthew 24:21: "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."

1)   The Lord spoke to my heart for a few months leading up to Jan. 2011, that 2011 would be a year of preparation.  Preparation for what?  I believe preparation for two things:  Bad times in the natural realm and glorious times in the spiritual realm.  Let's look at possible bad times in the near months or years just ahead of us.

Now, everything I am about to say is just my opinion, of course, but it is a studied opinion.  If you disagree with me, don't write me an angry retort.  Just listen to one person's take on what, in these last days, may be one of the most important truths for the church, because it will flavor everything you do in preparation for the last days. 

Many in the church believe what is called the pre-tribulation rapture theory which embraces the idea that Christ is going to come first secretly for the church and then, after a 7 year tribulation period, He will then return to the earth for His Second Coming.   Tim LaHaye's "Left Behind" fiction series popularized and furthered this theory.  (I must remind those of you who read his books, that they are only fiction!). 

Nowhere does the Bible say conclusively that we will be raptured before the Great Tribulation.  This conclusion is based on a broad interpretation of many Scriptures put together, assumed symbolisms of Jewish feasts along with several types from the Old Testament.  Some view the pre-tribulation rapture theory as "gospel."  I think it is important for you to know that neither the early church nor few in the church through the ages taught this.  In fact, it wasn't even popularly believed until the 1800's when it was taught and promoted by a man named James Darby. 

Though many godly leaders today are convinced of its verity, you should know that many other godly leaders are just as convinced that we are going through the Great Tribulation (though some believe we will be raptured half way through the tribulation before "The Wrath of God" is poured out as predicted in the book of Revelation).  At one time I also believed the PTR (pre-tribulation rapture theory abbreviated henceforth for brevity).  Then, back in the 70's I kept hearing more and more voices teaching that we would be going  through the tribulation. 

I was frustrated about the dispute, so one day determined to read through the book of Revelation for myself with a truly open mind and decide for myself.  As I did so, a revelation came to my heart:  PTR is NOT taught in the book of Revelation!  I knew then in my heart that the church would be here for at least 1/2 the Great Tribulation.  (Tomorrow I start discussing the reasons I am convinced of this even 34 years later).

For two weeks, I was deeply depressed.  Why?  Because I was like the persons who had bumper stickers on their cars that say: 

"Warning!  This vehicle will be self-destruct in the rapture."

I was just expecting to be driving along praising the Lord and one day, I'd be raptured out of the trials of life.  But, unfortunately at that time, I was a carnal Christian (saved but not very sanctified!), and the thought of facing persecution, famines, wars, and even martyrdom was a consideration that I was not at all prepared for. 

This is one reason I am writing this.  I believe the "escapist" mentality of most Christians expecting to leave this planet before any really hard times might come to earth has left millions reading fiction books about a planet careening into hell as we feast in heaven, virtually oblivious of any need to prepare physically or spiritually for possible horrible times just ahead. 

Though I don't want to be just another "cry wolf" prophet, I still have a right to my opinion.  Hear it out!  I'll be the first to admit that the end times certainly could be far off in the future (45 years ago, I told my backslidden cousin Dave Williams that I believed the Lord was returning within a year. Ha, ha!).  Nevertheless to be forewarned is to be forearmed. 

"Be prepared" is a Boy Scout adage.  It is always wise to be prepared:  for economic downturns, bad weather, crime, persecution, etc!  And I am sure you would agree that great tribulation would require the greatest preparation!

We certainly must be ready for Christ's return at any moment and I could be wrong about this and we may soon be raptured out of this planet as many believe.  If so, on our way up, you can point your finger at me and laugh at how wrong I was and we'll celebrate together forever.  But, just as important is to be ready for any possible tribulation.

Pastor Jack Hayford (founding pastor of the Church on the Way, Van Nuys, Calif.) is someone you likely have heard teaching on TBN.  He is like a "father in the faith" to me.  He was a counselor to me at LIFE Bible College when I was a student there in the 1960's.  He married my wife and me (no wonder our marriage has last 39 years!).  No man on earth has influenced me more spiritually than Jack Hayford.  I was at his home one time and this is what he told me personally (verbatim):  

 "There is no pre-tribulation rapture!"

Other men of God from Martin Luther to Pat Robertson believe the same.  Dare any of us cavalierly reject these great, wise men's opinions?  You are reading this because you believe God brought me into your life to help minister to you.  So, please, open your mind and heart and consider as you read these devotionals for the next few days, the possibility that there is no PTR!  And, if this is true, could the Great Tribulation be soon upon us? 

Let this teaching be used of the Holy Spirit to make you ask this weekend, "Lord, what preparations do you want me to be making this year?"  And, this is especially true if 2012 is a year of earthly calamities or possibly even the beginning of the Great Tribulation!

Let me finish on a positive note.  I wouldn't want you to become depressed and worried if this is the first time you have accepted the possibility of going into the tribulation.  So, I remind you what Jesus said after warning the disciples of the perilous times to come:

"When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near."  (Luke 21:28)

Prepare as God leads you.  But, also, keep your head up high, looking towards heaven, for all these last day's signs are merely announcing:  Jesus is coming soon!

 “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.”  (II Thess. 2:3)

 Mistakes that those who believe in a Pre-tribulation Rapture make . . .

Mistake # 1 - The “left behind” concept of the pre-tribulation rapture theory is based on a very debatable interpretation of what Jesus called “one taken and the other left”.

Matt. 24:37-42: “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. 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.”

PTR theorists interpret verses 40 and 41 as meaning two people will be just minding their own business doing things they usually do when suddenly, one of them will be taken to heaven and the other left. (Thus the name for the “Left Behind” series).  The amazing thing to me is that Jesus had just gotten through giving the analogy of Noah’s ark.  People were eating, drinking and having weddings until the flood came, “So also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”  What happened in the days of Noah?  Noah’s family was safe on the ark and as for those who rejected Noah’s preaching, the Bible clearly says the flood “took them all away.”  They were taken . . . not Noah and his family.  Using this analogy, Jesus says two will be in a field:  one will be taken . . . where, to heaven?  No, they will be taken away in a flood of judgment.  The other will be left safe on the ark.  Two will be grinding at a mill: One will be taken in a flood of judgment.  The other will be left safe in the arms of the Savior. 

I believe this PTR”s misinterpretation of Scripture is a clear example of circular reasoning:  begin with a false idea, and then go around in the Bible to find verses that “prove” your theory.

Luke 17:36-37: continues the thought about one being taken and the other left:  “Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left.”And they answered and said to Him, “Where, Lord?”   So He said to them, “Wherever the body is, there the eagles (the Greek word translated eagles can also be translated vultures) will be gathered together.”   Is it eagles (representative of power and strength) or vultures Jesus was talking about?

In Matt. 24:28, Jesus uses the same word, but the NIV makes it clear what is going on there:  “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.”  This is, to me, clearly not a picture of an American Bald eagle triumphantly coming to lift a Christian out of tribulation and take him to heaven.  This is a picture of death:  of a carnal, dead in trespasses and sins person, forever lost whose stench of his wicked life attracts the carrion-eating vultures from above who come to lift pieces of flesh from his dead body to take away to judgment, not heavenly reward!

Also, there is no mention anywhere in the Bible of a “secret rapture.”  This idea has been preached and illustrated and written about so many times until people actually believe this is a clearly established doctrine, but it isn’t found in the Scriptures (You find one and let me know!).  When speaking of His coming, Jesus said his return would be like lightening shining from the east to the west.  Lightening is sudden and unexpected, but is visible to all: from the east to the west. 

Error #2:   An interpretation of types (symbolic, metaphorical shadows and pictures pointing to something in the future) and Old Testament Jewish feasts are used as “proof” of the Pre-Tribulation rapture theory:

However, some of the types used are a far stretch to “prove” the PTR theory.  For instance, Enoch being translated without dying before the flood is seen as a type of the church being raptured before the tribulation.  However, Enoch was only one man: nowhere else in Scripture is one man used as a type for the church! 

Lot and his family being taken out of Sodom and Gomorrah before God destroyed them is used as a type of the church “leaving” before the tribulation.  However, having your wife turned to salt on the way out, ending up living in a cave getting drunk with your daughters “raping” you is hardly my idea of the marriage supper of the Lamb!

Noah and his family riding safely on the arc while the world was judged with water is another suggested type of the church safe in heaven while the world below is in tribulation.  However, note that they were still here very much on earth (just riding on water) and were in a smelly ark full of dirty animals for a year: quite a stretch to make that symbolize heaven (but it sure sounds to me like it could picture the church living safely on an “ark,” protected and fed, while the world is being judged)!

An interpretation of Jewish feasts are also claimed by PTR’s as proof of a Pre-tribulation rapture. In their view, the feat of trumpets symbolizes the rapture of the church; the feast of atonement is the Second coming (at the end of the Tribulation); and the feast of Tabernacles is when Christ sets up his Kingdom in Jerusalem.  This interpretation of the feasts could of course be correct, however, there is no Scriptural evidence that proves such.  And, I remind you that both theologians and the followers of Christ did not understand from types and feasts that He was the Messiah.  No one knew that the feast of Pentecost would be fulfilled by speaking in tongues and a glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  It was only after the events that the full prophetic purpose of the feast was seen.  You simply cannot build a doctrine from a type or symbolic feast; that is until after the type is fulfilled! 

None of the disciples knew that the candle in the Holy Place represented Christ.  No Jew celebrating the Passover understood that Christ’s shed blood was symbolized in the paschal lamb’s blood.  No one knew until AFTER it was shed.  “Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face.  Now we know in part, but then we shall know even as we are known.” (KJV) is a truth that will stand until Christ at last comes.

And, concerning Jewish feasts, there are those who see just the opposite in the Jewish feasts:  that is a post-tribulation rapture.  See http://endtimepilgrim.org/fallfeasts.htm and study about it yourself if you are interested.

Error #3:  A most important verse used to “prove” the Pre-tribulation rapture theory is a real long-shot:

II Thess. 2:6, 7:  “And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness (Gr. Anomia=without law) is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” These two verses are a continuation of Paul’s vv. 3-5 discussion on the “man of sin” or the antichrist.  The “mystery of lawlessness” is a mysterious invisible force that is “already at work.”  John refers to this mysterious force of Satanically inspired iniquity on earth in  1 John 4:3: “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”  (KJV)

PTR theorists believe that the Holy Spirit and His influence on earth through His church is what is restraining this anti-Christ evil from completely taking over the world at the eventual rise of the anti-Christ.  So when it says “He who now restrains” (He is capitalized by some translators who believe this is referring to the Holy Spirit, however there is no justification in the Greek for this assumption!  It could just as easily be interpreted “he”- some man), they believe this is referring to the Holy Spirit.  Then, PTR theorists believe at the rapture “He (the Holy Spirit) is taken out of the way (that is off of the planet earth).”  With the church and the Holy Spirit gone, the anti-Christ can come to power. 

That “He” refers to the Holy Spirit is pure conjecture.  He could be referring to the Roman emperor who personifies civil government.  Throughout history, it has been good leaders in civil governments that have restrained “lawlessness.”  Couldn’t a financial collapse or world-wide geophysical catastrophes or some world war related anarchy also bring an end to the effectiveness of civil government to hold back the tide of complete lawlessness (Gr. anomia- meaning without law)?  Also, couldn’t such a scenario be the perfect environment for a great world leader (the antichrist) to rise to power only to crush the church’s influence against lawlessness on earth?

Paul tells us about the rise of the anti-Christ in the context of Christ’s return in II Thess. 2:1-3:

1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,
2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

Notice above:  “The coming of our Lord Jesus and our gathering together to Him.”  Doesn’t that sound like the rapture?  Doesn’t that sound like the time when we rise to meet the Lord in the air?  And, look what it says will happen before that time comes in v. 3:

“That day WILL NOT COME unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed.”  The man of sin is the antichrist.  And Paul said that Jesus would not come until the antichrist is revealed.  So, how could there be a secret rapture before the time of the antichrist?  The only way PTR’s get around this, is to claim that this is talking about the Second Coming when Christ will return to earth with His saints, not the rapture.  But, again this is circular reasoning:  making up one’s mind and then contriving interpretations to fit a pre-conceived prophetic scheme. 

To me, it is clear:  the “Day of Christ” (also translated the “Day of the Lord”) is the period of time when Christ comes and the Saints receive the Kingdom (It doesn’t have to be one 24 hour day: a day is with the Lord as a thousand years).  The “Day of the Lord” could last 7 years.  There could be a mid-trib. rapture, a 3 year period in heaven (while God’s wrath is poured out on earth), and then Christ’s and our return to earth, of course.  But, as I and many others believe, we are any way you look at it, going to be here during the rise of the anti-Christ for at least the first half of the tribulation!

Remember, in our devotional verse today referring to Christ’s coming, Paul firstly said, “Let no one deceive you.”  Don’t be lulled into some false hope about escaping persecution and calamities in the last days.  We’ll still be here, but trust for the Lord to help you to “prepare an ark for the saving of your household” (Heb. 11:7), so that at least you will be riding out the judgment, protected and fed like Noah and His family in the ark!

3)  God wouldn’t make Americans go through Tribulation! “Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:13)   

We must keep a Scriptural attitude towards any coming suffering:  we are to “Rejoice . . . and be glad with exceeding joy.”  Keep this in mind as we continue with yesterday’s examination of Mistakes that Pre-Tribulation Rapture theorists make.

Error #4: Many PTR people mistakenly think the Lord will not make His church go through such terrible times as a Great Tribulation. 

This idea is totally out of character with both the Scriptures and how God has historically dealt with his people throughout history.   God didn’t deliver Israel from Egypt during the times of the outpouring of the plagues.  They were right in the middle of it!  He gave grace, but they were there for the troublesome times. 

During Israel’s Babylonian judgments, the godly were either martyred, hauled off to Babylon in captivity or kept in the subjugated land under the firm hand of the Babylonian king.  They were not safely taken to some distant “Garden of Eden.”   11 of the 12 apostles died as martyrs, tradition says.  They weren’t raptured to heaven before they died. 

In 3 centuries of Roman persecution of Christians they were murdered, crucified, fed to lions and other wild beasts. In Tacitus' Annals XV.44 record: "...a vast multitude, were convicted (accused by Nero of attempting to burn down Rome) And in their deaths they were made the subjects of sport; for they were wrapped in the hides of wild beasts and torn to pieces by dogs, or nailed to crosses, or set on fire, and when day declined, were burned to serve for nocturnal lights."  There was no pre-tribulation escape for the early church.  Paul the apostle died a martyr.  When Mao Tse Tung and the communists took over China, the Christians were not raptured out of tribulation and millions of them died a martyr’s death.

Following are scriptures that prove that allowing Christians to go through tribulation, hardship and persecution is not inconsistent with God’s character or the way He has always dealt with His people.  Please read them carefully and see if you discern any conflict with the idea of a Pre-Tribulation rapture helping us escape coming trouble . . .

Daniel 7:21,25: “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them . . . He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law.  Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.                                    
Daniel 8:23-25: And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. “Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart.  He shall destroy many in their prosperity.  He shall even rise against the Prince of princes                                              
Daniel 11:33-35: And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. 34 Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. 35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.                                                                                    

Psalm 44:22: Yet for Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.                       

John 16:33: 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.”                              

Acts 14:22: strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

Romans 5:3: And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

Romans 8:17-18: and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.   For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8:35:  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?       

Philippians 1:29: For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,    II Cor. 2:3-10 God of all comfort, 4 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   

1 Thess. 3:3-4: No one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened    

2 Thessalonians 1:4: so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,    

2 Timothy 3:12:  Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.     Hebrews 11:35-38: Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.   

James 5:10,11: My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.    

1 Peter 2:20, 21: But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving usan example, that you should follow His steps:  

1 Peter 4:1: Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,   

1 Peter 4:12, 13: Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.    1

Peter 4:16-19: 1 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.  For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?  Now  “ If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good

Revelation 2:9-10:   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. 10 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.

With the above “great cloud of witnesses” of Scriptures, it would seem to me only fair that the present day American church which lives in the most luxury, with the least hardships and least persecution, should have to go through the same tribulation that other saints have throughout history! 

Thus Rev. 6:9-11: “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.”

As we see throughout the Scriptures, God’s people have always experienced tribulation, and I believe they will continue to do so until Jesus at last comes to earth to set up His kingdom! May a teachable reading of the above verses also cause you to humble yourself before your God and make wise decisions in your fight against sin, your prayer-life, your Bible study and memorization, and your preparation of an ark for the saving of your household!

4)  The Last Trumpet

“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”  (Rev. 11:15)

Error #5:  Pre-tribulation theorists assume that the book of Revelation is a chronologically (or sequentially) written prophetic book              

PTR theorists believe that the rapture takes place before Revelation chapter 5 and before the tribulation begins in chapter 6. 

“(There was a) . . .  door open in heaven.  And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying.  “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” (Rev. 4:1)

A “door open in heaven,” voice “like a trumpet” and “Come up here”  are interpreted as proofs that this is speaking specifically of the rapture.  Thus, to the PTR’s the Rev. 5:8 twenty-four elders represent the raptured saints praising and rejoicing in heaven.  Personally, I think it seems far more logical that the 24 elders are the 12 apostles and the 12 patriarchs of Israel!  Then, the first picture of the raptured church could be the “great multitude” who were “clothed in white robes” in Rev. 7:9 (which, if Revelation is written chronologically would happen AFTER the Rev. chapter 6 tribulation calamities!).

The mistake made in interpreting the book of Revelation chronologically (or sequentially) is that one very important fact is not taken into account:  The prophets throughout the Old Testament didn’t always prophesy things sequentially.  They would, for instance, in one verse be speaking about the future millennial kingdom and in the next; they would speak of Christ’s first coming.  An example is in Isa. 60:19, 20 which speaks of the day when Israel will no longer need the sun, for the Lord would be their light (compare with Rev. 21:27).   Then, a few verses later, Isaiah prophesies Christ first coming (Isa. 61:1): a verse that Christ quoted in Luke 4:18 and explained in v. 21, “Today, this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”  So, a verse in chapter 61 was fulfilled at least 2000 years before a verse in chapter 60 is to be fulfilled. 

Many or all of the things that happened in the book of Revelation could have been revealed and written in their appropriate sequence.  But it is just as possible (and my view) that John wrote everything simply in the order that it was revealed to him (discursively: like the Old Testament prophets spoke). 

But even if you do want to interpret John chronologically, then you better take a closer look at the chronology of seven trumpets which are “sounded” by 7 angels.  To me, these trumpets give the clearest evidence in the Bible as to when Jesus comes.

1 Thess. 4:14-17:  “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

Compare the above verses with the following . . .

1 Corinthians 15:51-52: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Rev. 8:6:  “The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves tosound.” Rev. 10:6, 7:  “The angel “swore . . . that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.”

Rev. 11:15:  “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

Jesus is coming at “the last trumpet” according to 1 Thess. 4.  The last trumpet mentioned in the Bible is the 7th trumpet of the seventh angel of Revelation.  10:7 and 11:15 clearly explains that this “sounding” is announcing the end of the church age and the beginning of the reign of Christ.  And, this seventh trumpet isn’t sounded until there are seven seals of judgments on earth in Chapter 6, such as:  war, famine, widespread death, martyrdom, a great earthquake and fearful sights in the heavens, etc.

So, chronologically, instead of being raptured in chapter 4, it would appear that we are raptured in chapter 11!  There is no doubt that the events of chapter 8 and 9 are speaking of things that happen during the Great tribulation.  So, chronologically, that would mean that we would be here for at least part of the tribulation! 

There are some who believe there will be a two-part second coming with the chapter 11 speaking of the time Christians are taken off the planet earth just before the final and horrible wrath “bowl judgments” of chapter 16 (what some believe in a what is called a “mid-trib” rapture).  I have not come to a final conclusion personally about at which point of the tribulation Christ comes for His church.  But, there is one thing I am fully-convinced of:  If there is a two-part event in Christ’s coming, the first part will not be before the tribulation!

Go with me in my time machine back to the 1970’s. (I mentioned a few days ago about this, but I want to explain it in more detail). I was pastoring in Walla Walla, Washington.  The Lord began to speak a prophetic word through me to the congregation.  I forget what I was prophesying, but I remember saying something that sounded like we were actually going to be here on earth during the Great Tribulation!  It alarmed me, because I didn’t believe that. 

Most of the pastors I had been exposed to and writers of books I had read believed in a pre-tribulation rapture.  And, I liked what I heard and thought there was good scriptural basis for it.  However, in the seventies, I began to hear more and more voices suggesting that maybe we would be around after all for the hard times coming. 

In my next pastorate, in Lakeview, Oregon, I determined that I had to settle the matter in my own heart once and for all.  So, I decided to read through the book of Revelation with an open and a receptive heart and began doing so.

The more I read, the more depressed I became, because as I did, I simply could not see a pre-tribulation rapture taking place.  I became personally convinced that I was going to have to go through at least ½ the tribulation period (31/2 years).  For weeks I was terribly depressed, because I was a carnal, selfish Christian.  I knew I was ready spiritually for Christ to come and knew I would make heaven my home, but I was just as unprepared for persecution and terrible hardship. 

1976 changed my life, because of two things: 

1)  I became convinced that I had to prepare myself for a very, very troublesome future (and why I am trying to help prepare you for the same).

2)  I felt the Lord was saying to me that the ministry that He had called me to (with mighty signs and wonders to win the lost to Christ) was primarily for the last days.  And, I believe the same is true of the ministry of many of you reading this today!

The trumpets of the book of Revelation are about to be sounded!  Be sure that before the last trumpet (the 7th trumpet of Revelation) is sounded, we have much work to do!  We must get ready physically, emotionally, and spiritually for hard, hard times.  We must “prepare an ark to the saving of (our) household.” (Heb. 11:7). 

Even more important, we must get ready to both be worthy of receiving and to handle the greatest anointing of all time that God is giving His people to reap the final harvest before the call to leave this planet (with as many converts as possible at our heels!).  It wouldn’t make sense for God to have trained, tried and purified us all these years, just to take us out when our experiences and knowledge of the ways of God will do others the most good!  You go up in a pre-tribulation rapture if you want, but I want to stay around for a while and lead all these lost, fearful, and tormented sinners to Christ!

5/  Corrie Ten Boom Knows Best

“These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation.”  (Rev. 7:14:)

Corrie Ten Boom is the author of the book, “The Hiding Place” (I recommend it highly if you haven’t read it yet!).  A holocaust survivor, she spent ten months in a Nazi prison camp.  After her release, she became a traveling speaker, ministering in many countries and making television appearances.  Her story was made into a movie, “The Hiding Place” shown in theaters in the 70’s.  Corrie even ministered at a Billy Graham crusade. She authored a number of other books as well.  Corrie had a powerful ministry before the Lord took her home, so we should not take lightly her following words, from an article she wrote in 1974 (edited):

“The world is deathly ill. It is dying. The Great Physician has already signed the death certificate. Yet there is still a great work for Christians to do.   Christians are ambassadors for Christ. They are representatives from Heaven to this dying world. And because of our presence here, things will change.

My sister, Betsy, and I were in the Nazi concentration camp at Ravensbruck because we committed the crime of loving Jews. Seven hundred of us were herded into a room built for two hundred. As far as I knew, Betsy and I were the only two representatives of Heaven in that room.

Because of our presence there, things changed. Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We too, are to be overcomers – bringing the light of Jesus into a world filled with darkness and hate.

Sometimes I get frightened as I read the Bible, and as I look in this world and see all of the tribulation and persecution promised by the Bible coming true. Now I can tell you, though, if you too are afraid, that I have just read the last pages. I can now come to shouting “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” for I have found where it is written that Jesus said, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be His God, and he shall be My son.” This is the future and hope . . . that we shall be overcomers in the midst of a dying world.

Betsy and I, in the concentration camp, prayed that God would heal Betsy who was so weak and sick. “Yes, the Lord will heal me,” Betsy said with confidence. She died the next day and I could not understand it. They laid her thin body on the concrete floor along with all the other corpses of the women who died that day.   It was hard for me to understand, to believe that God had a purpose for all that. Yet because of Betsy’s death, today I am traveling all over the world telling people about Jesus.

There are some among us teaching there will be no tribulation, that the Christians will be able to escape all this. These are the false teachers that Jesus was warning us to expect in the latter days. Most of them have little knowledge of what is already going on across the world. I have been in countries where the saints are already suffering terrible persecution. In China, the Christians were told, “Don’t worry, before the tribulation comes you will be translated – raptured.” Then came a terrible persecution. Millions of Christians were tortured to death. Later I heard a Bishop from China say, sadly, “We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first. Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution, how to stand when the tribulation comes – to stand and not faint.”

I feel I have a divine mandate to go and tell the people of this world that it is possible to be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are in training for the tribulation, but more than sixty percent of the Body of Christ across the world has already entered into the tribulation. There is no way to escape it. We are next.

Since I have already gone through prison for Jesus’ sake, and since I met the Bishop in China, now every time I read a good Bible text I think, “Hey, I can use that in the time of tribulation.” Then I write it down and learn it by heart.

When I was in the concentration camp, a camp where only twenty percent of the women came out alive, we tried to cheer each other up by saying, “Nothing could be any worse than today.” But we would find the next day was even worse. During this time a Bible verse that I had committed to memory gave me great hope and joy. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part evil is spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.” (I Peter 3:14- KJV). I found myself saying, “Hallelujah! Because I am suffering, Jesus is glorified!”

In America, the churches sing, “Let the congregation escape tribulation”, but in China and Africa the tribulation has already arrived. This last year alone more than two hundred thousand Christians were martyred in Africa. Now things like that never get into the newspapers because they cause bad political relations. But I know. I have been there. We need to think about that when we sit down in our nice houses with our nice clothes to eat our steak dinners. Many, many members of the Body of Christ are being tortured to death at this very moment, yet we continue right on as though we are all going to escape the tribulation.

Several years ago I was in Africa in a nation where a new government had come into power. The first night I was there some of the Christians were commanded to come to the police station to register. When they arrived they were arrested and that same night they were executed. The next day the same thing happened with other Christians. The third day it was the same. All the Christians in the district were being systematically murdered.

The fourth day I was to speak in a little church. The people came, but they were filled with fear and tension. All during the service they were looking at each other, their eyes asking, “Will this one I am sitting beside be the next one killed? Will I be the next one?” I told them a story out of my childhood.

“When I was a little girl,” I said, “I went to my father and said, “Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.” “Tell me,” said Father, “When you take a train trip to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?” “No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.” “That is right,” my father said, “and so it is with God’s strength. Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ. He will supply all you need – just in time…”

My African friends were nodding and smiling. Suddenly a spirit of joy descended upon that church and the people began singing,” In the sweet, by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.” Later that week, half the congregation of that church was executed. I heard later that the other half was killed some months ago.

How can we get ready for the persecution? First we need to feed on the word of God, digest it, and make it a part of our being. This will mean disciplined Bible study each day as we not only memorize long passages of scripture, but put the principles to work in our lives.

Next we need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

We must be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Those earthly disciples could never have stood up under the persecution of the Jews and Romans had they not waited for Pentecost. Each of us needs our own personal Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We will never be able to stand in the tribulation without it.

In the coming persecution we must be ready to help each other and encourage each other. But we must not wait until the tribulation comes before starting. The fruit of the Spirit should be the dominant force of every Christian’s life.

Many are fearful of the coming tribulation, they want to run. I, too, am a little bit afraid when I think that after all my eighty years, including the horrible Nazi concentration camp that I might have to go through the tribulation also. But then I read the Bible and I am glad.

When I am weak, then I shall be strong, the Bible says. Betsy and I were prisoners for the Lord, we were so weak, but we got power because the Holy Spirit was on us. That mighty inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit helped us through. No, you will not be strong in yourself when the tribulation comes. Rather, you will be strong in the power of Him who will not forsake you. For seventy-six years I have known the Lord Jesus and not once has He ever left me, or let me down. Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him, for I know that to all who overcome, He shall give the crown of life. Hallelujah!”

(End of Corrie’s quote)

I couldn’t have said it better.  And Corrie is no mere theorist either:  she lived through her own great tribulation, so is an expert on the subject of tribulation.  Glean what you can from her wisdom in the above article.

Again, even if Americans won’t be going through the Great Tribulation, we still may be going through very serious personal tribulations as a family, a town, a nation, or the world (See World War 2 in Europe and Asia!).

After describing a “great multitude wearing white robes” says: 

“These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation.”  (Rev. 7:14). 

Notice that it doesn’t say at what point they “come out” of the tribulation, but it sure doesn’t say they “come out” before it starts!  So, let’s serve God faithfully so that we are ready at any point of the tribulation to rise to meet Him in the air!

6)  Promises Govern me:  Not Problems!

“All the promises in Him are yes and in Him are amen, to the glory of God by us.”  (II Cor. 1:20).

If the PTR’s are right,  we still could experience terrible times in America, even as they have in many nations in Africa or in China.  And if the PTR’s are right, we still have to do our best to get people saved for Christ’s soon return. 

But, my concern is that, if you believe in a PTR, you will read the terrible things prophesied in Isaiah, Daniel and Revelation and think to yourself, “The people left behind sure are gonna have it tough.  (Yawn), I wonder what’s for lunch?”   But, if you read these terrible things and are convinced that you will be here during those times, it will cause you to be far more attentive and sober about what your responsibilities are.

If PTR’s are wrong, if American Christians are going to have to go through the Great Tribulation, as I’m convinced, as Corrie Ten Boom was convinced, and if present world-events are Matthew 24 signs that the last days are just upon us, we must avoid an escapist mentality.  Instead, we must prepare our homes, our families, our churches, and our hearts for what difficulties we may soon experience. 

In the tribulation, some places will be safer and less troublesome than others (as was true during every war or calamity of the past).  The Lord may lead some of you, for instance, to leave the LA area, where a great earthquake (which could bring its own great tribulation) could happen in a moment.  Others, he may lead you to live in Watts (as He did John Dawson, a great man of God).  Others, He may instruct you to live on top of the San Andreas Fault (as Agnes Sanford did, so she could pray against the earthquake).  Someone has to be around help minister to the miserable and lost.   Is that someone you (or are you looking for an escape?).

I have written before that after the 9/11 attacks on America; Pastor Jack Hayford called the pastor of a leading New York City church and asked him what his comments were about those Christians who had lost their lives at the World Trade Center. The pastor’s answer was . . .

“Some weren’t listening and some were on assignment.” 

The most important thing we can do if terrible times of any kind come, is to be listening to the Holy Spirit.  (No wonder that before John’s revelation of the horrible events of the Great Tribulation, Jesus 7 times said, “He who has ears, let Him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 

What is the Spirit saying to you?  Is He saying to you to move to Montana, stockpile bottles of water, buy canned and dried food, store extra blankets, candles, fuel, or even buy a weapon?  Or, is He just saying to sit tight and trust? 

What is your assignment?  Do you need to once and for all conquer that depression (You think you’re depressed now!).  Is it time to break any yokes of fear (If you can’t break it in good times, how will you break it in the worst times of all?)  Remember what Jesus said about those who were crucifying Him:

“If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in a dry?”  (Lu. 23:31).

In other words, if we can’t get a grip in good times, how in the world we do so in bad times? 

Are you to get out of debt?  Memorize scriptures for possible jail time?  Are you to strongly develop some gift of the Spirit to utilize it to better reap the final harvest?  

I tried to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2005, partly out of wanting to avoid the future hardships of living in Southern California.  But, the Lord moved us back to California, and we’ll be here until the Lord says move again.  Don’t get ahead of the Lord!  But, by the same token, don’t get too far behind Him.

I know what my assignment is.  I am to be a national evangelist who preaches under the anointing and works miracles and wonders by the power of the Holy Spirit and writes daily emails to help people.  Why?  Because these are the last days; the tribulation is soon to start; and I must do all we can do while we can!

I don’t relish the suffering, but I relish my assignment. I have found many Scriptures however to help me and others during future difficult times.  The name of today’s devotional is a powerful truth:  we should all be able to confess it boldly!

“Promises govern me; not problems!”

Problems are facing us in probably the very near future.  Let us “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3), striving to make sure promises, not problems rule our lives and decisions.

Below today's "prayer and confession" is a list of some of the best promises in the Bible to hang on to during hard times: promises of protection, provision, healing, etc.  Print them up, mark them in your Bible, or tape the list on the front cover or on your office wall.  Believe me, you will need them and you might need them sooner than you think!

There are probably many who have read this and are still unconvinced that you might have to go through the Great Tribulation.  That is fine: we can agree to disagree.  Just remain sober and watchful and remember the words of Rick Joyner:

"Your Great Tribulation may begin at the next traffic light!"

Old Testament:  Exodus 23:25; Leviticus 26:7, 8; Joshua 1:8, ; Job 5;19-26;  22:24-28; 36:11; Psalms 1;1-3;  5:11, 12;  23:1-6;  34:1-22;  37:4-7a;  37:23-25;  41:1-3;  46:1-4;  91:1-16;  103:1-5;  112:1-7;  Proverbs 3:24-26;  Isaiah 4:5;  26:3, 9, 20;  33:15-17;  40:29-31;  41:10, 13, 17, 18;  43:2, 18-21, 25;  44:1-3;  48:17;  49:14-16, 25;  51;11;  54:1-5, 13-17;  60:1-3;  Jeremiah 1:19;  17:7-8;  29:11-13;  33:3;  Lamentations 3:22-26, 33, 39-41; Ezekiel 36:9-11;  Daniel 12:1-3;  Nahum 1:7;  Zephaniah 3:17, Malachi 3:8-11a

New Testament: John 14:1-3, 26, 27;   15:7, 16; 16:33;  Romans 5:1-9;  8:1-4, 14-18, 26-39;  15:4, 13;  16:20;  1 Corinthians 10:13;  15:51-58;  II Corinthians 1:3, 4, 9, 10, 20;  2:14;  3:5, 6, 17, 18;  4:16-18;  9:8;  10:3-5;  Galatians 6:9;  Ephesians 1:4-6, 11, 12, 16-23;  2:6-10;  3:10-21;  6:10-18;  Philippians 1:6, 20, 21, 28, 29;  2:9-13; 3:7-10. 13. 14;  4:4-8, 11-13, 19;  Colossians 1;9-14; 3:1-4, 15-17, 23;  1 Thessalonians 3:3;   4:16-18; 5:1-9; 16-24;  II Thessalonians 1;3-10;  1 Timothy 6:6-12a;  II Timothy 1:6-8, 12, 14;  4:5-8;  Titus 2;11-15;  3:5-8;  Hebrews 2:9, 10, 14, 15; 4:9-16;  6:10, 12, 15,   18,19;  7:25;  8:12;  9:17, 28;  10:19-25, 35, 36;  12:1, 2, 26-29;  13:5, 6;  James 1:2-6, 12;  4:6-10;  5:13-18;  1 Peter 1:5-8;  3:12;  4:1, 12-19;  5:6-11;  II Peter 1:3, 4;  3:8-15;  1 John 1:7-9; 2:14-17, 28;  3:2, 3, 8, 20-22;  4:4, 16-18;  5:4, 12-16;  II John 2;  Jude 3, 20-25;  Revelation 1:3, 5-7;  2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 7, 10-12;  19-21;  7:14-17;  11:15;  12:7-12;  13:10;  14:13;  15:2, 3a;  18:1-4;  21:1-8; 22:1-14

7)  The Most Blessed People in History

“Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.”  (Dan. 12:2).

Daniel says that we are “blessed” if we “wait” for the end of the 3 ½ year Great Tribulation.  We’ll discuss this truth later in this study.

If you are watching the news today, you know that turmoil is in the world.  It appears that extremist Muslim groups are seeing an opportunity to destabilize democracies and monarchies in the Middle East through mass demonstrations.  Their goal is clear:  to establish sharia law on earth and to defeat democracy, Judaism and Christianity on this planet.   Is an antichrist rising to power in Europe the force that will stop this Muslim advance?  Is a financial collapse going to bring an end to the Middle Eastern oil money that finances the Sharia advance?  Or, as I hope, is a mighty revival begun by a newly anointed and empowered church going to stop it?   We shall see, but one thing we know, we see how quickly the world can become destabilized!  (Something the antichrist needs to come to power). 

Those who believe in a “secret rapture” often quote Jesus’ words:

 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matt. 25:13).

PTR’s use this as a “proof text” to say, “How could Jesus come half-way through the tribulation or at the end of the tribulation when we don’t know the ‘day nor the hour.’  If we were here during the tribulation, we would know when Jesus was coming and it wouldn’t be a surprise.

I answer that statement with two of my own: 
1) Jesus said, we won’t know “the day nor the hour” when He is coming.  But, He didn’t say we wouldn’t know the month or the year!

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.” (1 Thess. 5:1-5).

The day of the Lord’s coming is not going to take His church “as a thief.”  We are children of light.  We will not be all confused and in the dark about what God is doing in His final chapter of His-story on earth. 

According to 1 Thess. 5:1-5, we see that Jesus will not come until the antichrist is revealed.  And, Jesus said that there would be a confluence of signs pointing to the nearness of His coming (See Matt. 24 and Luke 21). 

Jesus himself gave us an alarm clock indicating the time of his coming:

“When these things begin to happen . . . your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21:28). 

We will KNOW when Christ’s coming is near!  He will NOT come “like a thief” to His church.  We will be ready and in full joyful expectation and anticipation of His return.  When this final time at last comes to our planet, we may have a few more years or months or so of persecution and tribulation and work to do down here, but we will know for sure the nearness of that time!

Important prophecies concerning the church and our work during the last days have yet to be fulfilled. Jesus is coming for “a glorious church without spot or wrinkle.”  (Eph. 5:27).  Is today’s church without spot or wrinkle? 

I was recently in a small church where the pastor admitted that there were four couples in his small church living together:  unmarried!  Many churches have done away with prayer meetings.  Sunday nights had to be done away with in most churches because of poor attendance.  Wednesday nights, instead of “prayer meeting,” have become “home fellowship groups.”

Christians today think any little excuse in the world is adequate to miss services:  work, sports, “family time,” etc.  This is not glorious church today!  This church is not spotless (You should hear the things Christians confess to this deliverance evangelist in the prayer lines!).

Something very, very dramatic has got to happen to prepare this unprepared people for His coming. 

“Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:3). 

The church, in anticipation of Christ’s return, must purify itself. 

An angel, speaking to Daniel of the last days, explains:

“Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined.” (Dan. 12:9,10).

What will purify and refine this church at “the time of the end?”  The Bible says how in Mal. 3:2, 3 . . .

“But who can endure the day of His coming?  And who can stand when He appears?  For He is like a refiner’s fire  And like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi,
And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness.” 

The Lord, in anticipation of His coming, intends to purify “the sons of Levi.”  Remember, the Levites were the priests of the Old Testament.  Rev. 1:6 says that Jesus “has made us kings and priests to His God and Father.”  Yes, God is going to especially deal with natural Israel during the Great Tribulation, but He is also going to deal with all His people!  Daniel 11:32-35 . . .

“And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.

Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help . . .

And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.”

In the last days, the church will be v. 35 . . .

 “refined, purified, and made white.”

How will this be accomplished?  V.32  by . . .

 “sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.” 

How long will this last?  Dan. 12:7 compared with 12:11 explains:

12:7:  “It shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.”

12:12: “Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.”

So, this “time, times and half a time” is explained as 1335 days (approximately 3 ½ years).  Many believe Jesus returns half-way through the 7 years tribulation.  So then, it is this 3 ½ years that will purify the church and make it ready for His return.  (Many preachers believe what is called a “Pre-wrath Rapture.”  This is based on 1 Thess. 5:9:

“God did not appoint us to wrath.” 

It is believed that the horrible bowl judgments of Rev. 16, which are called “the bowls of the wrath of God” (in v. 1) pictures God’s final dealings with a Christ rejecting world.  We will be taken safely to heaven before this time, as Paul says above, “God did not appoint us to wrath.”  God has appointed us for “tribulation” but not “wrath.” 

“No one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.”  (1 Thess. 3:3, 4).

We are not “appointed to wrath” but “we are appointed . . . to suffer tribulation.”  I tend to be a pre-wrath preacher. 

Granted, even 3 ½ years of tribulation may seem scary, but look what Daniel says about those days in v. 12:

As our devotional verse today says, “Blessed is he who waits and comes to” those 3 ½ years.

The last day church is blessed!  In fact, we are

The Most Blessed People in History!

Why?  Because we are that specially chosen last day people of the Daniel 11:35 appointed time.   Think of the honor: to be the people on earth who prepare the world for His coming and shine more brightly than the church has ever shined!  What a privilege!

“Many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.” (Matt. 19:30).  The last Church on earth shall be first place in privilege and the first place in power!

I am not sure if God will pour out His last day’s power before the Great Tribulation starts, or soon after it begins.  But, one thing we know, if we suddenly discover that the antichrist has risen and realize that the Great Tribulation is here, then we also know that the promised triumph will also soon be here!  When the prophecies concerning the Great Tribulation are fulfilled, we also are assured that we will see the promises of power equally fulfilled!

Make sure that you are cooperating with all that the Holy Spirit is doing in your life to ‘purify, refine and make white.”  In our final days down here, you don’t want to have to be concentrating on learning to pray, fast, read the word or overcoming sin the last moment all hell is literally breaking loose around us.  Learn all this now!  Then, let’s spend all our remaining moments concentrating on the work of helping others in bondage get ready for His return!

8/  It’s gonna be an E ticket ride!

“The people who do know their God shall be strong and do great exploits.” (Dan. 11:32).

Read the verses before Dan. 11:32 and you will see that it is the last day (tribulation) “people who do know their God (that) shall be strong and do great exploits (“accomplish notable feats: MLB).” (Dan. 11:32).

What kind of “great exploits” or “notable feats” can we expect to be manifested through His last day church?  Well, for one thing, we can expect to see miracles even greater than those performed by Jesus (And he raised the dead after 4 days!  That must mean that we’ll raise them from the dead after 40 days!)   John 14:12 . . .

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”

Are we seeing “greater works” in our churches?  No, we are not!  But, Jesus is no false prophet:  we will certainly yet see them!  Great, great miracles can be expected in these closing days of time.

Then, every nation will have had an opportunity to hear the gospel.  Matthew. 24:14:  “

“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.”

The end will not come until virtually everyone on earth has had the opportunity to get saved.  Thank God, through the internet, we have the most ideal tool to get the final message out to every nation (and most every household!).  You are using this tool even as you read this!  (And I do hope you often forward them on to others to spread the word!).

WE will also have a marvelous and unprecedented outpouring of the Holy Spirit with prophesies, visions, dreams and wonders: Joel 2:28-31 . . .

“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,  Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.  And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke.  The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.”

When we see the “daily sacrifice” in Israel taken away by the forces of the antichrist, God will give us an extra measure of power to reap the final harvest:

“And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” (Dan. 11:31, 32).

Hallelujah!  During the tribulation, those of us who “know their God” shall “be strong.”  God is giving us power and grace to get through these last days.  But, not only that, Daniel says we will “carry out great exploits.”  No more aches and pains divine healing services: instead, blind eyes opening, deaf ears hearing, wheelchair bound running, death bed resurrections!  I have waited in anticipation for this last day anointing for 35 years!

Yes, some of us will fall, as Daniel said earlier.  Some of us will die as martyrs.  But, nevertheless, don’t fear the tribulation!  Rev. 2:10:

“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.”

Isaiah prophesied a time when:

“The darkness shall cover the earth.  And deep darkness the people.” (Isa. 60:2).

But, read what also is going to happen at this, the darkest time in all of history . . .

“Arise, shine: For your light has come!  The glory of the Lord is risen upon you . . . The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Is. 60:1, 3).

The church is “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14).  But, unfortunately, we haven’t shown very brightly lately.  However, during the time when “darkness shall cover the earth” we are going to shine so brightly that the “Gentiles (heathen: those without a covenant with God) shall “come to” our light.  Even “kings” will come to the “brightness of (our) rising.”  This greatest harvest of history will reach from the poorest in heathen nations around the world to the “highest” in king’s courts of the richest nations. 

Romans 8:17, 18 promises tribulation in the Christian life:

We are “heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” 

We have an inheritance: a birthright.  But, we will only receive that inheritance if we also suffer.  It is in the midst of the greatest last day sufferings that a glorious promise will be fulfilled at last.  (The very next verse) Rom. 8:19 . . .

“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing (manifestation: KJV) of the sons of God”

The whole of history; The entire creation; has been eagerly waiting for answers: (Unwittingly, they are blind to the fact that the church and God’s people has their long-awaited answer!).  Really, what they have been hoping and longing for (instinctively, subconsciously), is the glorious grand climax of all history:  the revealing of who the sons of God really are.  And, the tribulation will be the time, I believe, that this will finally happen!

I’m confident, that I am about to be revealed as one (I am but one, but I am one!) anointed son of God manifested to an eagerly waiting and needy world:  a world waiting for someone to preach the gospel to them; waiting for someone to cast the devil out of their life; waiting for someone to help them get their miracle of healing and salvation.  It is the final manifestation of what God had planned all along for His children (sons).  Are you a son of God?  If so, your last day “unveiling” is also on the horizon!

Very soon now, I believe we’ll also see the unveiling of the antichrist.  Some thought it was Hitler; Some Mussolini; some even think it’s our President (ridiculous!).  I don’t know who anti-Christ is, but I’m going to know who it is.  And, so are you!

“Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.  Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.”

(II Thess. 2;1-3)

Two things must happen before Jesus comes for us:

1/ There must be a falling away.  I believe the persecution that will come during the Great Tribulation (including the mark of the beast) is what will precipitate a mass exodus of “Christians” from the church, leaving only those Daniel people who “know their God” (and those that we lead to a true saving knowledge of Christ) to wrap up the church age.

2/ The antichrist must be revealed.  The world is not going to know it is the antichrist.  “All the world wondered after the beast.” (Rev. 13:3).  But, the true church of Christ will know it:  we will not be deceived by him!  But, it will certainly be our wake up call to finish the work before “the hour comes when no man can work.” (John 9:4).

Some PTRs make fun of us “tribulation” preachers.  They say, “I’m not looking to the revealing of the antichrist.  I’m looking for the revealing of the Son of God.”  Well, I’m not looking for the revealing of the anti-Christ either.  I’m looking and waiting in great expectation for the soon coming, last days revealing of the sons of God (Then, Jesus will come!).

Jesus is coming soon.  The anti-Christ is coming soon.  Dea’s coming soon. Are you coming soon?  Let’s get ready for the journey.  

Keep your seat belt on!  That is . . .

“Let your loins be girt about with truth” (Eph. 6:14).  I like the way the contemporary English version puts it:

“Be ready! Let the truth be like a belt around your waist.”

Be ready for the end times . . .

“Let no man deceive you . . . That day SHALL NOT COME UNTIL” certain things begin to happen on earth. (II Thess. 2:3).  Remember . . . .

“The truth shall make you free.” 

The truth is (in my studied opinion) that we are about to enter Great Tribulation.  And, thank God, the truth also is that we are about to experience the greatest power ever given to the church!  Great Darkness, Great brightness.  And then, the last trumpet sounds!  What a way to go!  It’s going to be an E ticket ride!        Fear not!  Lift up your heads!  The sons of God are about to be revealed to this planet!  (Won’t the devil be mad! Rev. 12:12).