What can the Bible teach us about the Great Tribulation?
Of it, Jesus said; "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened." (Matt.24:22)
[To see that the locusts of Joel 1:4,6; 2:2,25,32; Rev.9:2-3 are responsible for the Great Tribulation;
please see:
[time shortened: (Rev.12:12; Rev.20:3 NIV )
Why necessary?
Amos 7:2; Isa.1:9; Rom.9:27-29; Micah 4:7-8,9-10]
(See the connection between Matt.24:22 and its context in Matt.24:8 of the same chapter and conversation, and the connection between tribulation and labor pains)...
John16: 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. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.... (Ps.126:5-6; Luke 8:11,15; 3John 1:4; 1Thess. 2:19-20) ...21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world."
Rev.12: "Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 5 She bore a male Child who was to *rule all nations with a rod of iron.* And her Child was caught up to God and His throne."
Rev.2: "26 And he who overcomes, (1John 5:4) and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27 ‘He shall *rule them with a rod of iron;*
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’—
as I also have received from My Father"
Rev.3: 21 "To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne."
Eph.2: "6 He has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus"
This great "tribulation" comes from a word that means to sift wheat. Satan has demanded to test all those slated for eternal life (Luke 22:31 ESV ). That tribulation is a test that Christ encourages all of us to overcome. In the time of the End (Matt.24:3; 1Cor. 15:24), the demonic, oppressive testing, takes on an intensity and effectiveness, never before experienced (Matt.24:21-22). Unless God limits that test, "no one could be saved".
"No flesh being saved" is not speaking of the physical. The flesh is against the spirit, and represents our practice of sin (Gal.5:17). Those who live by the flesh, are not saved (Rom.8:13; Gal.6:8). Being saved in the flesh is of no value, according to Jesus (John 6:63; Matt.10:28). It is the spirit that needs to be saved (1Cor. 5:5; Matt.24:22).
Only by the intervention of God, is salvation made possible (1Cor. 6:9-11; Rom.7:24-25; 8:2).
The disciples asked Jesus; "Who really can be saved?" (Matt.19:25-26). They asked this about a rich man, who left off following Jesus... not about a physical threat. Jesus replied by saying that "with men, salvation is not possible, but with God, all things, (including salvation), become possible."
During the Great Test/tribulation; the saints are conquered and taken captive to demonic teaching
(Dan.8:24; Rev.13:7,10; Col.2:8; Luke 21:24)(1Tim. 4:1; Rev.16:13-15; Dan.8:11-13; Rev.11:2; Luke 21:24; Rev.20:7-9; Luke 21:20).
If God did not limit that test, none would achieve salvation. But God does limit Satan's final test.
If it were not for God "cutting short" those days of deception...
(Matt.24:22; 2Thess. 2:4,9; Dan.11:36-37; 8:11-12; Rev.12:9; 13:11,14; 14:8),
...no flesh would be saved
(Luke 13:23-24; 1Pet. 4:18; Rom.9:29; Isa.1:9; 10:21-22; 30:28; Rev.14:20 NIV )
(Eze.17:22; 36:8; Mark 13:14; Psalm 72:16; Luke 12:42-43) (LINK).
To allow His deceived people more of a choice, God does cut this sifting tribulation by Satan short, limiting it's lethal effects for some.
(Luke 22:31; Amos 4:11; Isa.48:9; Mark 13:20).
YHVH God restricts the damage, just as a log is snatched out of a fire, for the sake of His Holy Name (Eze.36:22; Dan.12:1; Zech.3:2-3,4; (Rev.19:8) Zech.2:12; Jude 1:23; Rev.9:14).
What is it that saves the remnant from being drowned by this flood of Satanic lies? (Rev.12:15)
How are His people given one more chance at life?
Along with this plague of horsemen (including a spiritual famine - Rev.6:8; Amos 8:11; Hosea 4:6);
He limits their ability to harm/destroy totally, the "olive oil and the wine". (Isa.65:8-9; John 15:5)
Rev.3:20
A remnant will be awoken spiritually (Matt.25:6-7; Luke 12:37; Rev.9:14; 11:3-4). These will have the resolve to base their teachings upon Holy Spirit, despite Satan's persecution and the wrath of the Wild Beast (John 15:4-5; 16:2; 1John 2:28; Rev.13:15; Mark 8:35; Rev.11:7; 20:4)
The fruit the faithful bear, will remain (John 15:16; 1Cor. 3:13,14).
The "blessing within it" (Isa.65:8), will become manifested (Matt.13:43; Dan.12:3; 11:33,35; 12:10; Prov.4:18; 11:30).
Please check out what the source of the Great Tribulation is during the end time, by seeing how the Bible interprets that greatest spiritual test upon those belonging to Christ:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please share below, your thoughts about this post.