Monthly Archives: April 2022

Church, Daniel and Revelation, Personal Journey With Jesus

Christ’s Message to Sardis

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A few notes.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.  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. 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. 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.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3: 1-6

Each message to the seven churches ends with these words: “let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Each church has personalized council from Christ Himself.  But also, every person who “has an ear” has the same direction. No one is excluded.  However, there is something in the message that many fail to understand.  It is this: the message is primarily to His church!  Those who profess His leadership.

God’s desire for the body of Christ to prosper spiritually is found in each letter.  If each member heeded the words, the church would go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit to be co-workers with the Godhead.

Today, I was studying the challenges of the Sardis church with an “ear to hear” what that ancient city of Sardis has in common with me personally.  Here are a few of my notes:

The City and the Church

There are five application levels when reading to understand Christ’s messages to the church.  First, it was a literal message to an early historical church.  In this case, it is to the church in Sardis.  It was for them. 

But there is a second level.  It is a message to all churches throughout history in similar situations. 

The third level is a customized message to local churches with similar challenges.  

The fourth level is highly applicable to the different stages of church history.  The message describes the church’s struggles from the book of Acts to our day in the 21st century.   To understand this part, a study of church history is necessary.

But, lastly and most importantly, it is the message to the individual who makes up the church.  The person who “has an ear.”  The council is very personal and understandable to anyone brought under the conviction of the message.

The message to the historical church at Sardis is highly appropriate when considering its location and condition:

” Sardis was built on a hill so steep that it was considered a natural citadel, and its defenses seemed secure.  The location of the city made the citizens overconfident; as a result, the city walls were carelessly guarded.  The city was captured twice by surprise, first by Cyrus the Persian (549 B.C.) and later by Antiochus (218 B.C.)  On both occasions, enemy troops climbed the precipice by night and found that the Sardians had set no guard.  The city was captured and destroyed because of the overconfidence of the citizens and the failure of the guards to watch.  It seemed that this carelessness had crept into the church, hence the warning: “Keep watching.” Revelation of Jesus Christ, Stefanovic p. 138

So, the highest application level for this church and today’s church is to “keep watching.”  Watching for what?  This is undoubtedly a spiritual application of being aware of our surroundings and attack threats.  Can you see the attacks on the churches today?  Can you see the attacks on you personally?

For the churches and individuals of our day, we are directed to watch and be prepared for the second return of Christ.  If not, He will come unexpectedly, and therefore, the person is unprepared.

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.

Revelation 3:3

Jesus warned in His sermon on the mount:

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. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

Matthew 24:43-44

Notice the admonition to “watch” and “be ready.”  The follower of Christ must be watchful and understanding of their surroundings but must go further and prepare their hearts, so they know they are ready.

Paul compares the return of Christ with a thief who comes at night. The key concept here is the surprise element.

“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”

1 Thessalonians 5:2

A couple of verses later, Paul clarifies that the followers of Christ are not in darkness (uninformed), and they are not overtaken by the experience of an unexpected visit of a thief.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.

1 Thessalonians 5:4

Sadly, many churches today try to compare the thief’s experience with quietness to support the secret rapture theory.  But, Peter leaves no doubt that the second coming and the church rising to meet the Lord in the air is loud and destructive:

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise (loud), and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up (destructive).

2 Peter 3:10

So, when He comes, there are no second chances.  Therefore, the individual must watch and be prepared.  This is the primary message to the church at Sardis and all those lazy in their experience with Christ.

This leads to Christ’s counsel to “repent.”  If not, then those who think they are of the body of Christ and written in the book of life will be surprised, as are those who do not know Christ and therefore lost.

Book of Life

“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. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  Revelation 3: 5-6

Whether the book of life is a literal book or not, it has life-and-death significance to those professing Christ.  The once-saved, always-saved doctrine doesn’t line up with the message here.  The follower can have their name blotted out of the book of life.  Therefore, overcoming is minimized in this passage to those who hold on to the dangerous doctrine.  Overcoming in Christ is the key here.  No amount of self-will or exercise is enough.  The will and the doing come only through Jesus.  Any self-actions, whether grit, determination, morning devotions, memorizing Bible texts, diet, you name it, are ropes of sand.  Why?  It is because we can do nothing without Jesus.  He gives us the will (desire) and performs His will through us.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2: 12-13

This is righteousness by faith in Christ alone.  We are legalists if we don’t seek righteousness through Him alone.  Our choice is to repent and seek to be “in Him” at all times.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

John 15: 5

Other writers confirm Jesus’ statement of warning about the book of life.

Moses: 

“Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”

Exodus 32: 32-33

David:

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living,

And not be written with the righteous.

Psalm 69:28

Only those who remain in the book of life will be spared destruction in the lake of file.

: And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 20:15

Conclusion

I ask the question after reading Christ’s message to Sardis:  Why does Jesus give these warnings and council to all the churches and individuals if there was no possibility of having their names blotted from the book of life?  The answer is obvious. 

It is God’s purpose to correct our journey with Him. It is not a one-time trip down the aisle of the church.  It is a daily choice to live “in Jesus” or live in our own power.   We often are tempted and pulled away from Him.  Our best course is found in the council to Sardis to “watch.”  Be aware of the workings of Satan and our sinful flesh.  Repent if we know we are not in line with God’s will.  Turn over the steering wheel of life to the only One who can save us from our sins and give us the power to be victorious.   Otherwise, we deceive ourselves and are in danger of thinking we are religious enough to be saved.

The Sardis church was lazy and comfortable.  It would lead to defeat.  But those few who had an ear listened and followed Jesus’ words were given the gift of eternal life.  They are made worthy by the white robe of Christ’s righteousness.

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.

Revelation 3:4

Death and Resurrection, What to Do With Doubt

WHAT TO DO WITH DOUBT-(RESURRECTION)

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 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

John 20: 26, 27

The resurrection is not preached and taught enough. It is mostly mentioned at Easter services once a year. So sad! Jesus overcoming death and rising from death was the hope of the Apostles’ letters, preaching, and teaching, especially Paul’s. We should contemplate what that means to us as followers of Christ. There is more here than you might not have considered. Paul said,

“…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3: 10, 11

Jesus’ resurrection is not only proof of His divinity, but it also gives us hope of the same when He returns as it did all the disciples. But, If Jesus was not resurrected, our faith is in vain. I didn’t say this; Paul did!

Have you ever thought about the claims of Jesus when he said,  

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”

John 11:25

For every person, there is death, but we shall all live when our resurrections occur. How important is the resurrection of Jesus? Was it a real event or did Jesus’ disciples just dream it up?  What will our bodies be like when we are resurrected?  What happens before then?

Doubt is demolished when a person comes to truly believe that Jesus was resurrected and He has the same plan for us when He returns.

_________________________

This account is from Thomas, who separated himself from the other disciples after the crucifixion and did not see them again for about eight days after Jesus appeared to them (John 20:24-26).  

____________________________________________

Greetings.  I am Thomas, one of his original 12 disciples.  Jesus commissioned me to do mighty works for the kingdom of God, but I am confused and skeptical, just as you may be.  Let me tell you what I know and the timelines.  I have not seen the other disciples since the last supper, which was the day before the Preparation Day.  You will call it Thursday.  Most of us were scattered when He went to trial and was crucified.  I think I saw Peter on the other side of the hill weeping on that day.

First of all, I know that Jesus is dead!  I saw him beaten, scourged, and eventually nailed to that cruel Roman Cross. He died on the afternoon of the Preparation Day.  This is the day you Gentiles call Friday.  It is the day us Jews and the converts prepare for the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship.  I have always enjoyed the Sabbath, especially with Jesus, but this Sabbath was different.  We all retreated to a secret spot to literally rest from the events of the previous 24 hours, but our souls were not at rest.  The women had seen the body of Jesus and were resting according to the Sabbath commandment.  Their plan was to go to the tomb of Jesus at the rising of the sun on the First Day of the week to prepare his body. (John 20:19 and Luke 23:56)

The Scribes and Pharisees wanted Jesus dead because they said He claimed to be God and that he could tear down the temple and build it again in three days.  Often Jesus would say things like this that made little sense to me. But, later, he would explain it to His followers, and we could see its true meaning.

Since the religious leaders didn’t want Jesus and the two thieves hanging on the cross during the Sabbath, they broke the legs of the thieves to hurry the death process.  You see, a man hanging on the cross with broken legs is unable to push up against the nails in his feet to get a breath with their legs broken.  The diaphragm will collapse in such a way that they smother to death.  Such a disgusting and uncomfortable slow death, but since the Sabbath was only a few hours from the beginning, they were fortunate and did not have to suffer for days as have many others.  The Romans are so cruel! But, I don’t put all the blame on them.  Our own religious leaders pushed and pushed until they finally got what they wanted…the scourging and death of Jesus.

But, when the soldiers came to Jesus, they supposed he was already dead and did not break his legs but rather took a sword and pierced his side just to make sure (John 19: 31-37).  Blood and water came forth.  I saw it even though I watched from a distance to protect myself from the same fate.   It was horrible!  It took the air out of me (so to speak) and made me wonder why I followed Jesus in the first place.  So, I know Jesus to be dead!  Even the women knew He was dead and went to His tomb that Friday afternoon to look at his body and to prepare spices to anoint him early on Sunday morning.

Mary Magdalene, who Jesus had cast out seven demons, said that she had seen Jesus at the tomb with two angels.  But I don’t know about her.  She did have demons, didn’t she?  Jesus cast out several demons out of her, but maybe one was leftover, making her mad.  The whole city must be mad because it is reported that many people who were dead were resurrected and appeared to many! (Matthew 27:53)  I have not seen any, but I must admit I have not been going out much lately. I feel lost and with no purpose or direction.  I just want to rest.

Then I heard that about eight days ago, on the day you Gentiles call Sunday, Cleopas and his friend were on their way to Emmaus and had an encounter with a spirit or something. It was reported to me by the other disciples that a stranger spent a good three hours giving a comparative study of the writings of the Tanakh or the Old Testament as you call it.

As they walked down the dusty road towards Emmaus, the stranger told them about how Jesus could be found all through scripture.  As they began to understand from the Tanakh about Jesus, they could see why He had to die on the cross. They said it made their “hearts burn within them.”  I remember Jesus saying something about dying and being resurrected, but it was so far from my thinking that I put it out of my mind.

Cleopas reported that they begged him to stay when they reached their destination and tell them more of what he knew.  But, the stranger turned out to be Jesus himself!  They apparently recognized him as He broke bread, and then He disappeared.  Can you imagine that?  He just disappeared!

They then raced back to Jerusalem with the news of what had just happened.   But the disciples were skeptical as I am. Now the other disciples are claiming Jesus showed up at their meeting and that he also gave them a comparative study from the Tanakh about himself.  He then asked for something to eat, and he ate some fish. Does a spirit eat food? Quite unusual.

So that is what I know so far.  It is all only rumor and wishful thinking as far as I am concerned.  Tragic events like this can lead you to think weird things.  So I think I will walk over and see how my friends are doing. The last time I saw them, they were fearful and unbelieving as I am, but something has come over them the last week.  They swear they have seen Jesus.

As I walk in, I notice the doors are not shut, and there is a certain confidence and happiness in the countenance of each one.  Peter rushes over to me and says,

“We have seen the Lord!”

My response is quick and to the point,

“Unless I see, in His hands, the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

John 20:25

I am serious too.  His death has been difficult to both understand and accept.  My mind begins to fall back to those final moments before he died.  He said,

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Luke 23:34

What did He mean by this?  Is there more to this than forgiveness?

As I am thinking about this, I look up, and right there in front of me is Jesus!  But….Jesus…you….are… Do I see a spirit?  I don’t believe in ghosts!  Then I hear His voice and His words:

Thomas…. “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:27

I take my trembling finger and place it on the place where the nails were…both hands!  It is strange to feel a scar where I saw nails piercing his skin only a week or so ago.   I reach out and put my hand inside His robe and feel the warmth of His skin and the scar where the sword had been.  I then look up at His eyes. I see the kindness and royalty of a wise and gentle king and savior.  He IS alive!  I fall at his feet and say in remorse and acknowledgment.

“My Lord and my God!”

John 20:28

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“…we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body.”

Philippians 3: 20, 21

How Important is the Resurrection in your life?

How important is it in your experience and understanding of the Second Coming? Why is this so important?  Can’t we just believe that he existed and that be enough?

Jesus told Thomas these important words:

“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20: 29

We will never have the experience that Thomas had when he touched the risen and glorified body of Jesus, but we can still find evidence that will result in faith to believe that Jesus is alive and is preparing a place for those who believe and love Him.  You see, faith is based on substance and evidence.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1

If Christ was not raised, then the disciples are liars. We have no hope. We are not saved from anything.  Those who have “fallen asleep” in Christ have perished.  And when we sleep in Christ, there is no resurrection for us.  If we only have a Christ that died and did not come back to life, He is just like every other person who claims to be God.  Follow the logic of Paul’s argument in the following portion of scripture:

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty, and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if, in fact, the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”  

1 Corinthians 15:  12-19

Here is the logic:

1.) If Resurrection is not possible, nor important, then Jesus has not been raised.

2.) If Jesus has not been raised, then preaching and teaching is in vain.

3.) If Preaching and teaching are in vain then faith is empty (It has no substance-nor basis).

4.) If faith is empty, then the disciples are false witnesses because they said they saw him alive.

4.) If the Disciples are false witnesses, then Christ has not risen.

5.) If Christ has not risen, then our faith in Christ is futile. All those who have died have perished.

6.) Since there is no hope of a resurrection, we are of men, most pitiable.

Paul told us that he did not want us to be ignorant about the resurrection and those who have fallen asleep (died).  If we are ignorant about it, we will sorrow like everyone else that does not have hope.  But, the fact that Jesus died and was resurrected gives us the hope of one day coming back to life through the resurrection.

Our hope is that Jesus is all that He claimed to be.  He claims to have the keys to the grave and death (Revelation 1:8). He claims to be the resurrection and the life and

“even though we die, we will live again.”

John 11:25

“ But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep (died), lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will bring (resurrect) with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13, 14

Paul goes so far as to provide us with the clearest passage in the Bible about the day when all who have died in Christ will be resurrected.  It will happen this way: The Lord will descend from heaven.  It will be loud because there is a shout and a loud trumpet.  Also, the sky will be lit up with the angels and the glory of Jesus and the Father.

Those in the grave will hear his voice and will meet with those who are alive at the 2nd coming and meet them in the air.  This is the start of eternity with Jesus.  This picture described by Paul is the comfort for us who are to be resurrected. One day we will all be reunited with those alive at His coming.  Not at any other time, but at His second coming:

“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.”

 I Thessalonians 4:15-18

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works.  (Note: our reward is when he comes)

Matthew 16:27 

Then the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. 

Matthew 25:31

So how important is the resurrection?  It is critical to our salvation:

 “… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” 

Romans 10:9

Why is the resurrection not discussed more?  It is the bedrock of the faith we follow regarding Jesus.

Many of the writers of the Bible believed in and put their hope in the resurrection.  Here is but a few:

Job:

“For I know that my Redeemer lives,

And He shall stand at last on the earth;

And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,

That in my flesh I shall see God,

Whom I shall see for myself,

And my eyes shall behold, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27

Isaiah:

Your dead shall live;

Together with my dead body, they shall arise.

Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust;

For your dew is like the dew of herbs,

And the earth shall cast out the dead. Isaiah 26:19

Daniel:

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Daniel 12:2

David:

 “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” Psalm 17:15

Abraham:

Of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead Hebrews 11:18

There is no precedence for the resurrection except for Jesus. No other person has raised themselves from the dead. Jesus said this about the resurrection:

Jesus said,

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” 

John 11:25

And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” 

John 6:40

Until the Lord returns, the dead sleep and wait for the last day when Jesus will raise them up.  What a day that will be!

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there (heaven), the Lord Jesus Christ,  who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

Philippians 3: 20-21

Look again at the resurrection of Jesus and His body.  Here you will see what our bodies shall look like.  As the verse above, and many others, tell us:  We “wait” for that glorious day when He returns and changes us.  It is not until that day that we can say,

 “Oh death, where is thy sting?  Oh grave, where is thy victory?”

1 Corinthians 15:55

We cannot say this at a funeral.  The context tells us, these words cannot be said until our risen Savior returns and changes our bodies like to his risen body:

 “Behold, I show 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

1 Corinthians 15: 51-55

In conclusion, let us not be a doubting Thomas but believe.  We are promised a blessing if we believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and that He can do the same for us!  He has promised to do that very thing when he returns.  Oh, what a day that will be!  The great “getting up morning”!

“In that great gettin’ up mornin’ fare the well, fare the well.”

Faith, Time of Trouble

THE TIME OF TROUBLE-GOD GLORIFIED

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“At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Everyone who is found written in the book.

Daniel 12:1

The Doctrine of Fear?

A well-meaning friend with concern about end-times said,

” I hope I am not alive when Jesus returns because I don’t think I could endure the time of trouble.”

A different statement from another friend:

“I don’t worry about the time of trouble because God will rapture the church before it all starts.”

Regardless of what one believes about tribulation, “pre-tribulation” or “post-tribulation,” there is a danger in both of the two responses above.

For the easy-way-out person, i.e., “I don’t have to worry about the time of trouble,” spiritual preparation to trust God to the uttermost becomes a low priority. The health and wealth “gospel” and mindset leave a person with the possibility of great disappointment and exposure should their thinking be incorrect.

The believer who worries that they want to escape trials and trouble through death is equally in danger. They don’t have faith in God to strengthen and protect them even when times are rough before the great time of trouble.

There is a third response. It is a response of faith that can conquer any situation.

“I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me,”
Pilippians 4:14

Paul

Can this mindset be true even during a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation? Trust in God to the uttermost has been demonstrated throughout the Church’s history. Persecution of believers who have this level of faith reflects God’s power, truth, and grace even while being burned at the stake.

Endurance and Salvation

The endurance of believers is the theme of encouragement for us in the last days. They are found all through the Bible and the history of Jesus’ church. It is a biblical certainty prophesied by Jesus and recorded for us in Matthew, John, and Mark.

“…If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you…
John 15:20

Jesus

And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 10:22

Jesus

When Jesus spoke about the last generation on planet earth, He said,

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  but he who endures to the end shall be saved.  Matthew 24:12

Jesus

At the end of time, the strong in Christ endure the pressure of the beast’s power (political and religious entity). They are faithful and obedient to the commands of God. As a result, they are recognized specifically as those…

…who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name,
Revelation 15:2 

John

There is no doubt that the believers, i.e., His Church, go through this terrible time of trouble to glorify God and reward those who endure to the end. They are singled out as victorious over anything the Beast Satan (dragon) can throw at them.

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 12:17

John

God’s Purpose

What is the purpose of all persecution and suffering? Paul said it this way:

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. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Romans 8:1

Paul

Suffering has a purpose: God’s glory revealed in us!

Enduring times of trouble is an opportunity to demonstrate the level of faith and strength God gives you in mini-trials throughout your Jesus’ journey. The daily exercises in faith build the bone and muscle of the believer’s confidence!

The ancient prophet, Jeremiah, asks this relevant and revealing question:

“If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with horses? 
Jeremiah 12:5

Jeremiah

In modern terms, If we can’t trust God in the small challenges of life, how will we have confidence in Him in the large things? Paul, that great man of God, encourages us to be conquerors and tells us nothing can separate us from God. Is this fact of Jesus true for you today? Do you believe He is with you through good times and bad times?

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.
Romans 8: 37-39

Paul

God’s continual presence, love, and victory is are demonstrated in the conquering power God gives us!

Protection During The Time of Trouble

When modern Bible fiction writers and their followers talk about the time of trouble, they emphasize the terrible conditions during the great tribulation predicted by Daniel and Jesus. They paint a dark, bleak picture of the beast’s actions in Revelation 13 and the Anti-Christ, followed by God’s judgments of the seven last plagues of Revelation 16. And, I might say, “rightly so.” These judgments are not warnings; they are actions of a Holy God, who has determined enough is enough!

These judgments fall on the people of the earth who have rejected God. At the same time, His people are protected from the effects of the judgments falling on planet earth. There is precise precedence for this type of situation.

A foreshadowing of God’s protection during the plagues is presented in the story of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

Just as God protected His people in the days before they were delivered from the might of Egypt, God will protect His people in the last days of rescue from a fallen world.

As you read the story of Israel’s preparation for deliverance, notice the plagues fell on the Pharaoh and Egypt while God’s people were still in Egypt! When the last plague of the death angel who slew the firstborn. God asked the Israelites to put their protection in the blood of the lamb by putting the lamb’s blood on the doorposts. The angel of death “passed over” the home that had followed God’s commands. That event is celebrated to this day through the ceremony of The Passover. So it will be in the last days, God will pass over those who are hidden in Christ and depend upon His blood for their salvation! David must have been reflecting on the power of God’s protection when he wrote:

Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
Psalm 91: 9-10

David

There were ten plagues in Egypt; there will be seven in the time of trouble. Just as God protected His people in Egypt, God will protect His people in the final days of the planet in rebellion against God.

The view of faith to endure via God’s grace and strength is more Biblical than the easy way out. The person who fears such times may lack the faith that is available every day until the proclamation of God seals the fate of those who have faith in Christ and are alive just before He comes.

He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him [e]be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Revelation 22: 11-12

“…when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:8

Jesus

Jesus asked this rhetorical question directed at the disciples, with the Pharisees nearby, demonstrating the importance of faith before He returns.

Trust (faith) in Jesus propels the believer through the toughest of times, even the great tribulation.

As mentioned at the start, some pastors ignore the topic of the coming great tribulation, saying things like, “I won’t be here anyway.” The proverbial head in the sand would apply here. To give an easy way out of the turmoil upon the earth in the final days eliminates the story of victory, the rejoicing of overcoming, and the glorification of God through us! The demonstration to the universe of believers staying faithful to God even amid extreme difficulty is lost if their faith is not seen! It is a smooth doctrine of peace and safety for an escape.

“At That Time”

In the final chapter of Daniel, the angel describes a point where Michael “stands up.” This motion is a powerful allusion to strength, decision, and finality. In modern terminology, Jesus has had enough. The wicked and their leaders have crossed a line. Their continuous battles and wars have gone too far (See Daniel 11 for context).

In Daniel 12: 1, the “time” is described in this order:

1.) Jesus, who watches over His people, stands up.

2.) A time of trouble begins after Jesus stands up

3.) At that time (time of trouble), the people are delivered whose name is written in the book of life. This is not a deliverance FROM the time of trouble but THROUGH the time of trouble. This is not wordplay but the context of precedence. Think of all the characters in the Bible and Church History. They did not escape persecution; they endured it. Examples: the disciples, the early Christians, those in the dark ages against the powerful Roman church, and even those in modern-day Islamic-controlled countries.

After Jesus stands up, He returns to take up His people to where He is now (John 14: 1-3). Those who remain alive after the terrible catastrophes on the earth AND those who sleep in the dust! Those who never see death are few and far between, but they have endured through the power of their faithful God and Jesus Christ. These faithful few will witness the most spectacular event of all times…” never since there was a nation.” Here is a description from three inspired writers of the Bible:

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake…”
Daniel 12:2

Daniel

And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Job 19:26

Job

The context of the above verses gives hope to believers that the dead will come to live again.

Christian brothers, we want you to know for sure about those who have died. You have no reason to have sorrow as those who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and then came to life again. Because we believe this, we know that God will bring to life again all those who belong to Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4: 13-14

Paul

Book of Life-And Believers at the End

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:8
John

The context of Revelation 13:8 is the two beasts that enforce economic sanctions on earth’s people (verses 1 and 11-17). Those not in the book of life will worship him (the sea beast). Conversely, those written in the book of life don’t worship the beast and his image. This last group is the believers. They are on earth to glorify God and demonstrate His power.

Since the anti-Christ and the beast are part of the time of trouble, it confirms God’s people are still on earth and standing faithfully for the Lord by obeying His command to have no other gods before them, not to bow down and worship graven images. This same scenario is found in Daniel 3. The golden image and the command to bow down and worship it under the duress of the death decrees. But God’s people stand firm.

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation 14:12

John

Notice that this small group has patience, and they are identified as loyal to God’s commandments and have faith like Jesus!

Is this deliverance before or during the time of trouble? Delivered from what? How is the deliverance accomplished? The next verse in Daniel 12 adds context to the deliverance.

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life…
Daniel 12: 2

Daniel

At this time, those living in peace and safety in our society are a sensitive narcissistic generation who could care less about God. They are caught unaware when the Lord “stands up.”

They have become like the people of Noah,’ and Lot’s generations. They are described as going about their normal routines of life just before destruction. Jesus described it this way,

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:  They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.
Luke 17: 26-30

Jesus

These unbelievers wrapped up in everyday life apart from God are contrasted with those who stay faithful to God. Their eyes are looking upward. They are protected and saved. The others are looking to nature to save them:

Two Different Responses:

Those who have made God their refuge…their hiding place, stand in the open as Jesus returns and proclaims,

“Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
Isaiah 25:9

Isaiah

Those who have failed at faith or ignored it, will say,

and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Revelation 6:16-17

The answer to the question in Revelation is this:.

Those who are able to stand are the believers who have put their complete trust in Jesus and His word daily. This choice has resulted in faith that is able to endure the most difficult time of planet earth.

My friend, Jesus wants to save you to the uttermost. Take time just now to examine yourself and commit your whole life and situations to total trust in Jesus every step of the way. You will develope strength for whatever is thrown your way. Would you do it just now?

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”
2 Corinthians 13:5

Paul