What Is To Come?

I feel the need to share with you some thoughts and insights that I feel led by the Lord to share concerning this whole matter of end-times prophecies and how they will apply to the body of believers that will live to see them.

First of all, I must say, that I truly believe my generation will live to see these events come to pass before our eyes, and I have believed this in my heart for many years. Current world events are certainly bearing out this conclusion, wouldn't you say? (if you don't think so, look through the dozens and dozens of posts on this blog).

I do believe, however, that the church is being deceived into believing a convenient and satisfying lie with regards to whether or not believers will be raptured to heaven before these events occur. This would, in essence, save them from having to endure any of the hardships and tribulations that will occur during this time.

While this is a most enticing view to have towards these things, I do not believe that it lines up with what Scripture teaches us.

Jesus says in John 15:20, "Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.'"

Jesus suffered the most horrible, excruciating torture that any human being has ever endured, and He plainly tells us, in essence, I went through it, and so will you. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," Acts 14:22

Revelation 6:9 says, "When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained."

Revelation gives us numerous passages that make it quite clear that Christians will not be spared from these events.

Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?" I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:13 & 14

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." Revelation 12:11

"He (Satan) was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. Revelation 13:7

"He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints." Revelation 13:9 & 10

A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he too will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus." Revelation: 14:9-12

My point in sharing my thoughts as well as these passages of Scripture with you, is not to discourage, frighten, or leave you without hope. On the contrary, knowing that we will witness these trials and tribulations, can help us strengthen our faith in Christ and realize that the outcome has been decided, the game has been won already. This should strengthen our resolve to prepare ourselves for the coming days.

The Rider on the White Horse

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.

Revelation 19:11-15

There are many ways to prepare us spiritually for these coming times. Things such as praying for guidance and the strengthening of our faith, wisdom and guidance related to our preparation, all have a major role and impact on whether we and our families will be prepared for what is to come, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Much prayer will be required to ensure that this is, indeed, the case.

We can also prepare ourselves and our families physically, which is often overlooked because it is not "spiritual enough".

Nothing could be further from the truth! Look at some of the following Scripture passages related to the whole aspect of providing for ourselves and our families physical needs.

Proverbs 12:11 "He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment."

Proverbs 14:23 "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

Proverbs 21:25 "The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work."

Proverbs 21:5 "The plans of the diligent lead to profit, as surely as haste leads to poverty."

Proverbs 22:3 "A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it."

Proverbs 6:6-15 "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

A scoundrel and villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up dissension. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy."

Proverbs 21:20 "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has."

1 Timothy 5:8 "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

On Self-Defense

Psalms 144:1 "Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."

Yes, as Christians, our battles are mainly spiritual, but we must also be prepared to defend our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, against evildoers!

I want to reiterate how important it is for you to be prepared, not only spiritually, but also mentally, emotionally, and physically.

What form these preparations take is for you to pray about, and decide what is best for yourself and your families. There are many good and useful resources out there on topics such as food and water storage, power backup and generation, gardening, self-defense, etc.

In closing, I want to warn you that many, many people will scoff, belittle, and even insult you for taking the time and effort to make sure you and your family are prepared. Don't let them detract or distract you from what you have prayed about and decided is the path you should take.

I seem to recall a little story about a man named Noah, who was mocked and insulted for building a boat in the desert. I wonder how they felt when it started raining!

God Bless