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#SpiritualBattle
#SpiritualJourney
CONGRATULATIONS !!!
YOU’VE BEGUN YOUR —
SPIRITUAL JOURNEY !!!
You’ve finally figured out . . .
5 Billion Christians can’t be wrong . . .
#NeverGiveUp
#KeepClimbing
It may seem hard some days…but know that He who has begun a good work in you…will continue until the very hour He appears. This means that the struggles you are having may continue right up until the hour of your delivery. But do not #Fear for you may only then have the Victory Over Sin for an hour or even a minute before the Judgement Hour…
But that doesn’t mean you have FAILED — CHRIST NEVER FAILS !!!
Keep climbing that mountain…you may never reach the top but He will transform you every step of the way.
#FieryTrial
#Tribulation
#TimeOfTrouble
The Four Tribulations
It’s important for us to note that there are really four different types of Tribulation encompassed in Matthew chapter 24 —
A Tribulation that applied to Israel,
A Tribulation of the church,
A global final Tribulation, &
A personal Tribulation.
Obviously, when Jesus said there wouldn’t be one stone left upon another in the temple, He was talking about the fall of Jerusalem and the literal destruction of the temple.
This is the first Tribulation, the one that profoundly affected the nation of Israel. The historian Josephus tells us that 1.1 million Jews died when the Romans attacked Jerusalem in AD 70.
But then His prophecy becomes broader, even more comprehensive.
There’s also a Tribulation that especially afflicted the New Testament church.
Matthew 24 Verse 9 says:
“They will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations.”
That phrase “all nations” implies a global persecution, and Revelation chapter 11 speaks of a specific time for this tribulation.
“They will tread the holy city [God’s people] underfoot for forty-two months” (v. 2).
Since a Jewish month has thirty days, forty-two months equals 1,260 days, which in prophetic terms equals 1,260 years.
And once again, this prophecy was precisely fulfilled.
The Pure Church was ground down and oppressed by spiritual Babylon during this vast age, the time of great Papal Persecution—from AD 538, when the papacy gained military power, to 1798, when it temporarily lost its political power because of Napoleon. For 1,260 years, those faithful to God and His commandments fled into the wilderness.
These Dark Ages were a time of intense tribulation.
Historians estimate somewhere in the neighbourhood of:
150 Million #Christians #Muslims & #Jews were killed, in various campaigns like the Spanish Inquisition & supposedly Heretic Christian Crusades, over this span of time (1,260yrs).
#SevenLastPlaques
With this background, what is the Great Tribulation of the Last Days?
Simply put, it’s the Seven Last Plagues.
“I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.’ ” (Revelation 16:1)
Scripture goes on to describe men being scorched by great heat and afflicted with sores because they worshipped the Beast.
The waters of the earth are turned to Blood.
What are the seven last plagues and when will they occur?
Revelation 15 and 16 tells us about these plagues. The seventh plague comes just before Jesus comes.
We don’t have a specific date.
Scripture:
Revelation 15:1-8, Revelation 16:1-21
https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/media/e/1131/f/6/t/what-are-the-seven-last-plagues-and-when-will-they-occur-
#JacobsTrouble
#EarthsFinalWarning
Time Of Trouble
When Jesus says it will be a Time of Trouble like there has never been seen before, & will never be seen again . . .
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. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.
(Daniel 12:1, 2)
From the Reference to the Book of Life and the Resurrection, we can see that this passage applies to the Church and the “Mark Of The Beast” End-Time Tribulation occurring just before the Second Coming.
Daniel tells us that Michael, whom I believe to be an Old Testament term for the Messiah, stands up at that time.
When a judge is seated, he’s listening to evidence. When the judge hits his gavel and stands up, it means “case closed.”
Probation Closes
With Judgment concluded, Michael stands up to come rescue His people.
http://www.end-times-prophecy.org/time-of-trouble.html
But there’s another implication:
The Closing Of Probation
There will be a period of time just before Jesus returns when the lost cannot be saved. Life will go on, but the saved are saved, and the lost are lost.
(See Revelation 22:11)
Like the Flood there will be a time where the lost will be completely overtaken by demonic spirits.
Point Of No Return
While God is patient with all people, it’s possible to reach a point of no return.
Consider that Jesus said the end time will be as it was in Noah’s day. When Noah stood at the entrance of the ark and made his final appeal, nobody but his family responded. He then went inside and the door was shut.
The Bible says that life went on for the doomed souls outside the ark.
Their probation had closed, yet they still got up the next seven days—eating, drinking, building, marrying, and laughing at Noah—unaware that it was too late.
Likewise, there will be a similar period of time near the End when Probation has Closed but ‘Life Goes On’.
Before the great Tribulation of the End Times, before the Seven Last Plagues, there will be a ‘Small Time Of Trouble’, a testing time, during which a Law will be passed that you cannot buy or sell unless you bear the ‘Mark Of The Beast’.
(See Revelation chapter 13)
From there, problems will escalate until those who refuse to Worship the Beast are threatened with death.
Once Probation Closes, I don’t believe there will be any martyrs, but there may be some put to death for their convictions during the small time of trouble.
Indeed, there are Christians dying for their Faith in many parts of the World Today.
The small time of trouble will involve persecution through religious laws.
#AbominationOfDesolation
Many will flee from the great cities of population when the “Abomination Of Desolation” occurs—when our freedom to worship according to the Commands of the One True God will be taken away.
At this time, Apostate Protestantism will join Papal Rome in sponsoring Laws that tell us how, when and whom to worship.
Roman Papacy Is The Sea Beast . . .
USA Is The Land Beast . . .
. . .In Revelation 13
Many people question whether the United States could actually sink to this level of religious persecution.
But as we’ve seen historically, when people are afraid, they’re willing to sacrifice freedom for some illusion of security. When severe problems strike, people also look for someone to blame.
In this case, the majority will believe that God is punishing the planet because of the insubordinate minority.
Those who refuse to cooperate will be seen as Religious Fanatics and will become obvious targets.
I can easily see how all of that could unfold. Can’t you?
Surviving Tribulation
Most of us who have lived a few years can honestly say, “I’ve gone through Tribulation.”
We all experience major troubles in this life.
For you, it might be a health problem, a serious family issue, a financial crisis, or you might live in a country that’s at war.
But perhaps the biggest Tribulation you and I face occurs within our hearts.
“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood,” says Ephesians 6:12, “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
The greatest Tribulation in the life of Christ was probably the Garden of Gethsemane, just before the cross.
His suffering was so intense, “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)
But what happened?
Jesus fully surrendered to the will of the Father, praying three times that “not my will be done.”
The surrender of self is the Greatest Tribulation faced by believers.
The apostle described the Battle in this way:
“You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.” (Hebrews 12:4)
We all experience Tribulations that we would prefer to avoid. But at the same time, Tribulation produces Character.
“We also glory in TRIBULATIONS, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
(Romans 5:3, 4)
Do you want Hope?
Do you want Character?
You can actually rejoice in Tribulations because these qualities are produced by Troubles.
Do you want to be found pure when Jesus comes?
It’s through the tribulations and the trials we experience that our hearts are made ready.
We must pray, “Lord, not my will but thy will be done.”
Nowhere in Scripture are we taught that God will vacuum up His people before the Great Tribulation.
The Bible says, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22)
Does God promise to save His Church from Tribulation or through Tribulation?
It’s an important distinction.
Did God save Noah from the flood, or did He save him through the flood?
Did God save the young Hebrews from the fiery furnace? Or did He save them through the furnace?
The children of Israel were in Egypt when the plagues fell, but God saved them through the plagues.
He didn’t snatch away any of these people before these crises happened.
That might sound scary, but look closely—it’s also why you don’t need to fear the seven last plagues.
God even promises, “No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.” (Psalm 91:10)
But while I’m not worried about the Plagues, I do want to make sure that any Tribulation that comes into My Life before then prepares me so that I’m ready for the Tribulation.
Thus, the key to surviving the Great Tribulation is to allow God to transform you now.
If you’re faithful in the little tribulations that come, in the fiery trials you go through, saying, “Lord, purify me, purge me, whatever You need to do”—if you embrace those things that humble you now, if you are willing to learn the lessons of righteousness—He will prepare you.
You’ll have nothing to fear from the Great Tribulation.
Indeed, your faith will be strengthened as you see Prophesy being fulfilled.
Nothing To Fear
I remember hearing a story about a wagon train of settlers who were crossing a great Western prairie. Suddenly, off in the distance, they saw the thing they feared most—smoke and a raging wildfire. The grass was four feet tall, and the wind was driving the scorching flames toward their company. Not knowing what to do, the settlers were about to panic, but the wagon master said, “Trust me.”
He then lit a fire behind their caravan, and the wind blew it away from them. A grass fire burns quickly, so the grass immediately turned to ash. Then, just in time, he directed the whole camp to move their wagons and animals to the large section where the grass was already burnt.
The children cried as they saw the approaching wildfire, but their parents reassured them, “The fire cannot hurt us now because we’re standing where it has already burned.” The flames roared around them, but other than some annoying smoke, they were safe.
You don’t have to worry about the Trouble of the Last Days, If God has already purged everything that’s flammable in your life—but you must allow Him to do that work.
Our only safety comes through putting Our Faith in Him.
More important, if you are abiding in Christ, He has already taken the wrath of the Father upon Himself on your behalf.
To be prepared for the Great Tribulation, we need to face with faith the fiery storms that come into our lives now and embrace the things that transform us into the image of Christ.
Jesus assures us that if we remain in Him, we can be of good courage—through any Tribulation—because He has already “overcome the world.”
(John 16:33)
Psalm 46:1-11 (KJV)
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 27:5-14 (KJV)
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Philippians 1:6-11 (KJV)
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/42/t/point-of-no-return
https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/5004/t/no-turning-back
https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/11/t/anything-but-secret
https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/study-guide/e/4989/t/1000-years-of-peace
