The most popular teaching on the End Times
includes a secret Rapture of believers
before a 7 year tribulation.
While appealing,
it is not supported by scripture.
There is literally no place in the Bible that states
that Jesus comes half way back to Earth,
to remove the believers and take them to heaven.
I know the passages that are sometimes used
to support this theory,
and I've discussed them in greater detail,
in many of the videos on this channel.
Today I'm going to focus on the reasons
a believer should NOT be afraid
of the coming time of Tribulation.
First off I'd like to point out
nowhere in the Bible will you find
the Great Tribulation as being 7 years in length.
The Bible repeatedly tells us
in Daniel and Revelation
that it will only last for 3 and half years,
or 42 months,
or 1260 days.
7 years is not mentioned.
So, where did the idea
that the Great Tribulation
is to last 7 years
come from?
Most agree that it started with
the teachings of John Nelson Darby
and later from people reading
the Scofield reference bible
at the beginning of the 20th century.
Others have continued to teach this theory
for the last 150 years.
The theory is based on how dispensationalists
interpret the 70 weeks of Daniel.
And divide God's dealings with Israel and the Church.
I've gone into more depth in other videos on why I disagree.
A good one to review would be =
Is There a 2,000 Year Gap in Daniel's 70 weeks
Or just simply read Daniel chapter 9 verses 25-27 yourself,
for what it says,
without trying to read anything into it
that is not actually being said.
Another point I'd like you to consider is that
God's wrath is directed to the unbelievers,
and not the true Christians.
We, as Christians should not be afraid
of the tribulation period
or the antichrist's kingdom.
As Paul points out in Romans chapter 8,
we are children of God,
and nothing can separate us from His Love.
In chapter 8 verse 35 - 39
We read
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril,
or sword?
As it is written:
"For Your sake
we are killed all day long;
We are accounted
We are accounted
as sheep for the slaughter."
Yet in all these things
we are more than conquerors
through Him
who loved us.
For I am persuaded that
neither death
nor life,
nor angels
nor principalities
nor powers,
nor things present
nor things to come,
nor height
nor depth,
nor any
other created thing,
shall be able to separate us
from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It is true that suffering and death
may come to many believers
during the Great Tribulation,
but you must realize,
This is already true for Christians today
in many parts of the world,
and has always been the case
throughout the ages.
Jesus tells we should to be
of good cheer -
undaunted -
to have courage
in John 16:33
He said,
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."
We are told in many places
and in many different ways,
throughout the Bible,
that we should not be troubled or afraid.
Instead we are to be trusting in God.
For Example,
In the book of Isaiah chapter 41 and verse 13,
we find this promise
For I, the Lord your God,
will hold your right hand,
Saying to you,
Saying to you,
'Fear not, I will help you.'
In the New Testament we are told
to not worry about anything,
but to pray
in Philipians chapter 4 verses 6 and 7
In 1 Peter 5:7,
we read
casting all your care upon Him,
for He cares for you.
What I am trying to point out is,
that no matter what is going to happen
we have nothing to fear.
God can provide and protect you
if you ask Him for help.
And if death comes to a Christian,
That is something to be happy about.
We are to be looking towards
our future with Christ.
Death is just like a doorway
we will be passing through.
Our new life starts when
Jesus resurrects
the believers who have died,
and transforms those who are still alive
upon His return.
This is the promise
found in I Thessalonians 4:13-18
and chapter 15 of 1st Corinthians.
For more on the coming Resurrection
and our new Bodies,
see this video =
When Do Believers Get Their New Bodies?
The Bible is full of examples of God
providing for His people.
And we can grow in faith
by reading about them.
Also by praying
about everything.
Then God will show Himself strong and active
in your life today.
The more you learn to rely upon God
as your Father
who loves you,
the more you will find
your fears
replaced by His peace.
Whatever problems you are facing today,
He wants to help you.
And whatever happens in the future,
Even the events foretold in the book of Revelation,
you can rest in the knowledge that
nothing will separate you
from the love of Christ.
He knows your every need.
Which really boils down to just two things,
Food and Clothing.
If we should find ourselves
in the Great Tribulation,
we are to be getting excited that
the return of Jesus
is at hand.
Please consider and take to heart,
the words of Jesus
found in Luke chapter 21 verses 25 - 28
we read,
"And there will be signs in the sun,
in the moon,
and in the stars;
and on the earth distress of nations,
with perplexity,
the sea and the waves roaring;
men's hearts failing them from fear
and the expectation of those things
which are coming on the earth,
for the powers of the heavens
will be shaken.
Then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud
with power and great glory.
Now when these things begin to happen,
look up and lift up your heads,
because your redemption draws near."
Thanks for making it to the end of this video.
If you liked it, please check out some of the other
videos posted on this channel.
Until next time,
Maranatha
Saved by Grace,
Andrew Cross
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25
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