A Letter From Heaven

A Letter From Hell

A Love Letter From Jesus

An Invitation to Accept Christ

Biblical Answers to Spiritual Questions

Heaven - Our Eternal Home

Our Relationships in Heaven

Overcoming Pornography

The Dark Night of the Soul

The Furnace of Suffering

There is Hope

What Happens the Moment After You Die?

Will We Know Each Other In Heaven?

Alfred, New York

Amish

Autumn Scenes

Birds

 

Flowers:

Blue

Orange

Pink

Purple

White

Yellow

Guest Gallery

Lakes

Old Houses and Barns

Rustic

 

State Parks:

Gettysburg National Park

Letchworth State Park

Robert H. Treman

Stony Brook

Watkins Glen

Woodlands

Zoo Animals

I asked Jesus, “How much do you love me?” He said, “This much” and stretched out His hands and died. Died for me, a fallen sinner! He died for you too.

***

The night before My death, you were on my mind. How I desired to have a relationship with you, to spend eternity with you in heaven. Yet, sin separated you from Me and My Father. A sacrifice of innocent blood was needed for the payment of your sins.

The hour had come when I was to lay down my life for you. With heaviness of heart I went out to the garden to pray. In agony of soul I sweat, as it were, drops of blood as I cried out to God… “…O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” ~ Matthew 26:39

While I was in the garden the soldiers came to arrest Me even though I was innocent of any crime. They brought Me before Pilate’s hall. I stood before My accusers. Then Pilate took Me and scourged Me. Lacerations cut deeply into My back as I took the beating for you. Then the soldiers stripped me, and put a scarlet robe on Me. They platted a crown of thorns upon My head. Blood flowed down My face… there was no beauty that you should desire Me.

Then the soldiers mocked Me, saying, ” Hail, King of the Jews! They brought Me before the cheering crowd, shouting, “Crucify Him. Crucify Him.” I stood there silently, bloody, bruised and beaten. Wounded for your transgressions, bruised for your iniquities. Despised and rejected of men.

Pilate sought to release Me but gave in to the pressure of the crowd. “Take ye Him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him.” he said to them. Then he delivered Me to be crucified.

You were on my mind when I carried My cross up the lonesome hill to Golgotha. I fell beneath its weight. It was my love for you, and to do My Father’s will that gave Me the strength to bear beneath its heavy load. There, I bore your griefs and I carried your sorrows laying down My life for the sin of mankind.

The soldiers sneered giving heavy blows of the hammer driving the nails deeply into My hands and feet. Love nailed your sins to the cross, never to be dealt with again. They hoisted Me up and left Me to die. Yet, they did not take My life. I willingly gave it.

The sky grew black. Even the sun stopped shining. My body wracked with excruciating pain took the weight of your sin and bore it’s punishment so that the wrath of God could be satisfied.

When all things were accomplished. I committed My spirit into My Father’s hands, and breathed out My final words,”It is finished.” I bowed my head and gave up the ghost.

I Love you… Jesus.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” ~ John 15:13

Dear Soul,

Today the road may have seemed steep, and you feel alone. Someone you trust has disappointed you. God sees your tears. He feels your pain. He longs to comfort you, for He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

God loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die in your place. He will forgive you for every sin you have committed, if you are willing to leave your sins and turn from them.

The Scripture says, “…I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” ~ Mark 2:17b

Soul, that includes you and me.

No matter how far into the pit you have fallen, God’s grace is greater still. The dirty despondent souls, He came to save. He’ll reach down His hand to hold yours.

Maybe you’re like this fallen sinner who came to Jesus, knowing He was the One who could save her. With tears streaming down her face, she began to wash His feet with her tears, and  wipe them with her hair. He said, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven…” Soul, can He say that of you tonight?

Perhaps you’ve looked at pornography and you feel ashamed, or you’ve committed adultery and you want to be forgiven.  The same Jesus who’s forgiven her will also forgive you tonight.

Maybe you thought about giving your life to Christ, but put it off for one reason or another. “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” ~ Hebrews 4:7b

The Scripture says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 3:23

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” ~ Romans 10:9

Don’t fall asleep without Jesus until you are assured of a place in heaven.

Tonight, if you would like to receive the gift of eternal life, first you must believe in the Lord. You have to ask for your sins to be forgiven and put your trust in the Lord. To be a believer in the Lord, ask for eternal life. There’s only one way to heaven, and that’s through the Lord Jesus. That’s God’s wonderful plan of salvation.

You can begin a personal relationship with Him by praying from your heart a prayer such as the following:

“Oh God, I’m a sinner. I’ve been a sinner all of my life. Forgive me, Lord. I receive Jesus as my Savior. I trust Him as my Lord. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Have you been considering whether or not there is a higher power? A power that formed the Universe and all that’s in it. A power that took nothing and created the earth, the sky, water, and living things?Where did the simplest plant come from? The most complicated creature… man? I struggled with the question for years. I sought the answer in science.

Surely the answer can be found through the study of these things all around that amaze and mystify us. The answer had to be in the most minute part of every creature and thing. The atom! The essence of life must be found there. It wasn’t. It wasn’t found in the nuclear material or in the electrons spinning around it. It wasn’t in the empty space that makes up most of everything we can touch and see.

All these thousands of years of looking and no one has found the essence of life inside the common things around us. I knew there must be a force, a power, that was doing all this around me. Was it God? Okay, why doesn’t He just reveal Himself to me? Why not? If this force is a living God why all the mystery? Wouldn’t it be more logical for Him to say, Okay, here I am. I did all this. Now go about your business.”

Not until I met a special woman who I reluctentantly went to a Bible study with did I start to understand any of this. The people there were studying the Scriptures and I thought they must be searching for the same thing I was, but just haven’t found it yet. The leader of the group read a passage from the Bible written by a man who used to hate Christians but was changed. Changed in an amazing way. His name was Paul and he wrote,

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” ~ Ephesians 2:8-9

Those words “grace” and “faith” fascinated me. What did they really mean? Later that night she asked me to go see a movie, of course she tricked me into going to a Christian movie. At the end of the show there was a short message by Billy Graham. Here he was, a farm boy from North Carolina, explaining to me the very thing that I had been struggling with all along. He said, “You can’t explain God scientifically, philosophically, or in any other intellectual way. “You simply have to believe God is real.

You have to have faith that what He said He did as it is written in the Bible. That He created the heavens and the earth, that He created the plants and animals, that He spoke all this into existence as it is written in the book of Genesis in the Bible. That He breathed life into a lifeless form and it became man. That He wanted to have a closer relationship with the people He created so He took on the form of a man who was God’s Son and came to the earth and lived among us. This Man, Jesus, paid the debt of sin for those who will believe by being crucified on the cross.

How could it be so simple? Just believe? Have faith that all this was the truth? I went home that night and got little sleep. I struggled with the issue of God giving me grace – through faith to believe. That He was that force, that essence of life and creation of all that ever was and is. Then He came to me. I knew that I simply had to believe. It was by God’s grace that He showed me His love. That He was the answer and that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for me so that I could believe. That I could have a relationship with Him. He revealed Himself to me in that moment.

I called her to tell her that I now understand. That now I believe and want to give my life to Christ. She told me that she prayed that I would not sleep until I took that leap of faith and believed in God. My life was changed forever. Yes, forever, because now I can look forward to spending eternity in a wonderful place called heaven.

No longer do I concern myself with needing evidence to prove that Jesus could actually walk on water, or that the Red Sea could have parted to allow the Israelites to pass through, or any of the dozen other seemingly impossible events written in the Bible.

God has proven Himself over and over in my life. He can reveal Himself to you also. If you find yourself seeking proof of His existence ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Take that leap of faith as a child, and truly believe in Him. Open yourself up to His love by faith, not evidence.

Living in this fallen world with its heartaches, disappointments and suffering, we long for heaven! Our eyes turn upward when our spirit is bent to our eternal home in glory that the Lord Himself is preparing for those who love Him.

The Lord has planned the new earth to be far more beautiful, beyond our imagination.

“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing… ~ Isaiah 35:1-2

“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.” ~ Isaiah 35:5-6

“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” ~ Isaiah 35:10

What shall we say in His presence? Oh, the tears that shall flow when we behold His nail scarred hands and feet! The uncertainties of life shall be made known to us, when we see our Savior face to face.

Most of all we shall see Him! We shall behold His glory! He shall shine as the sun in pure radiance, as He welcomes us home in glory.

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:8

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ~ Revelation 21:2

…”And he will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.” ~ Revelation 21:3b

“And they shall see His face…” “…and they shall reign forever and ever.” ~ Revelation 22:4a&5b

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” ~ Revelation 21:4

Many people wonder as they turn from the grave of their loved ones, “Will we know our loved ones in heaven”? “Will we see their face again”?

The Lord understands our griefs. He carries our sorrows… For He wept at the grave of His dear friend Lazarus even though He knew He would raise him up within a few moments.

There He comforteth His beloved friends.

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” ~ John 11:25

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with them. 1 Thessalonians 4:14

Now, we sorrow for those who fall asleep in Jesus, but not as those who have no hope.

“For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” ~ Matthew 22:30

Although our earthly marriage will not remain in heaven, our relationships will be pure and wholesome. For it is but a portrait that served its purpose until believers in Christ shall be married to the Lord.

“And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things shall be past away.” ~ Revelation 21:2

He brought me up also out of an
horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock,
and established my goings.

Psalm 40:2

Let me speak to your heart for a moment.. I’m not here to condemn you, or to judge where you have been. I understand just how easy it is to get caught in the web of pornography.

Temptation is everywhere. It’s an issue that we are all faced with. It may seem like a little thing to look at that which is pleasing to the eye. The trouble is, looking turns into lusting, and lusting is a desire that is never satisfied.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin, and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”  ~ James 1:14-15

Often this is what draws a soul into the web of pornography.

The Scriptures deal with this common issue…

“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”

“And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” ~ Matthew 5:28-29

Satan sees our struggle. He laughs at us deliriously! “Art thou also become as weak as we?  God can’t reach you now, your soul is beyond His reach.”

Many die in its entanglement, others question their faith in God. “Have I wandered too far from His grace? Will His hand reach down to me now?”

Its moments of pleasure are dimly lit, as loneliness sets in having been deceived. No matter how far into the pit you have fallen, God’s grace is greater still. The fallen sinner He longs to save, He’ll reach down His hand to hold yours.

Oh, the dark night of the soul, when we hang our harps upon the willows and find comfort only in the Lord!

Separation is sorrowful. Who of us haven’t grieved the loss of a loved one, nor felt its sorrow having wept in each other’s arms no longer to enjoy their loving friendship, to help us through the hardships of life?

Many are passing through the valley as you read this. You can relate, having lost a companion yourself and are now experiencing the heartache of separation, wondering how you will cope with the lonely hours ahead.

Being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart… We are homesick for heaven and anticipate the reunion of our loved ones as we long for a better place.

The familiar was so comforting. It’s never easy to let go. For they are the crutches that have held us up, the places that have given us comfort, the visits that have given us joy. We hold on to what is precious till it’s taken from us often with deep anguish of soul.

Sometimes its sadness washes over us like ocean waves crashing over our soul. We shield ourselves from its pain, finding shelter under the wings of the Lord.

We’d lose ourselves in the valley of grief if it were not for the Shepherd to guide us through the long and lonely nights. In the dark night of the soul He is our Comforter, a Loving Presence who shares in our pain and in our suffering.

With each tear that falls, the sorrow nudges us towards heaven, where no death, nor sorrow, nor tear shall fall. Weeping may last for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. He carries us in our moments of deepest pain.

Through teary eyes we anticipate our joyful reunion when we will be with our loved ones in the Lord.

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” ~ Matthew 5:4

May the Lord bless you and keep you all the days of your life, until you are in the presence of the Lord in heaven.

The furnace of suffering! How it hurts and brings us pain. It is there that the Lord trains us for battle.  It is there that we learn to pray.

It is there that God gets alone with us and reveals to us who we really are. It is there where He prunes away our comforts and burns away the sin in our lives.

It is there that He uses our failures to prepare us for His work. It is there, in the furnace, when we have nothing to offer, when we have no song in the night.

It is there that we feel like our life is over when every thing we enjoy is being taken away from us. It is then that we begin to realize that we are under the wings of the Lord. He will take care of us.

It is there that we often fail to recognize the hidden work of God in our most barren times.  It is there, in the furnace, that no tear is wasted  but fulfills His purposes in our lives.

It is there that He weaves the black thread into the tapestry of our life.  It is there where He reveals that all things work together for good to those who love Him.

It is there that we get real with God, when all else is said and done. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in him.” It is when we fall out of love with this life, and live in the light of eternity to come.

It is there that He reveals the depths of love that He has for us, ” For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time  are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  ~ Romans 8:18

It is there, in the furnace, that we realize ” For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17

It is there that we fall in love with Jesus and appreciate the depth of our eternal home,  knowing that the sufferings of our past won’t cause us pain, but would rather enhance His glory.

It is when we come out of the furnace that spring begins to blossom. After He reduces us to tears we offer liquefied prayers that touch the heart of God.

“…but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” ~ Romans 5:3-4

Dear friend,

Do you know who Jesus is? Jesus is your spiritual lifeguard. Confused? Well just read on.

You see, God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to forgive us of our sins and to save us from everlasting torture in a place called hell.

In hell, you are by yourself in total darkness screaming for your life. You are being burned alive for all eternity. Eternity lasts forever!

You smell sulfur in hell, and hear blood curdling screams  of those who rejected the Lord Jesus Christ. On top of that, You’ll remember all the horrible things that you have ever done, all the people you have picked on.  These memories are going to haunt you  forever and ever! It is never going to stop. And you’ll wish that you paid attention to all the people who warned you about hell.

There is hope though. Hope that is found in Jesus Christ.

God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus to die for our sins. He was hung on a cross, mocked and beaten, a crown of thorns were thrown upon His head, paying for the sins of the world for those who will believe on Him.

He is preparing a place for them in a place called heaven, where no tears, sorrows or pain will inflict them. No worries or cares.

It’s a place so beautiful that it’s indescribable. If you would like to go to heaven and spend eternity with God, confess to God that you are a sinner deserving of hell and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.

Who of us hasn’t wept at the graveside of a loved one,
or mourned their loss with so many questions unanswered? Will we know our loved ones in heaven? Will we see their face again?

Death is sorrowful with its separation, it’s hard for those that we leave behind. Those who love much often grieve deeply, feeling the heartache of their empty chair.

Yet, we sorrow for those who fall asleep in Jesus, but not as those who have no hope. The Scriptures are woven with the comfort that not only will we know our loved ones in heaven, but we will be together with them also.

Although we grieve the loss of our loved ones, we’ll have eternity to be with those in the Lord. The familiar sound of their voice will call out your name. So shall we ever be with the Lord.

What about our loved ones who may have died without Jesus? Will you see their face again? Who knows that they haven’t trusted Jesus in their last moments? We may never know this side of heaven.

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ~ Romans 8:18

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

The Bible does not use the term, “cashless society”, but it does indirectly imply it when it talks about the Anti-Christ who with the help of the False Prophet desecrates the temple in Jerusalem during the Tribulation.  This event is called the Abomination of Desolation. The Mark of the Beast is only mentioned in Revelation 13:16-18; 14:9-12 and 19:20.  Obviously if the ruler requires his mark to buy or sell, it implies society will be cashless.  Revelation 13:16-18 says, “He causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is,the name of the beast or the number of its name.  This calls for wisdom, let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

The Beast (Anti-Christ) is a world ruler who, with the power of the dragon (Satan – Revelation 12:9 & 13:2) and the help of the False Prophet sets himself up and demands to be worshiped as God.  This specific event occurs in the middle of the tribulation when he stops the offerings and the sacrifices in the temple.  (Read carefully Daniel 9:24-27; 11:31 & 12:11; Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; I Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 and Revelation chapter 13.)  The False Prophet demands that an image of the Beast be built and be worshiped.  These events occur during the Tribulation where in Revelation 13 we see the Anti-Christ requiring his mark on everyone in order for them to buy or sell.

Taking the mark of the Beast will be a choice but 2 Thessalonians 2 shows that those who refuse to accept Jesus as God and Savior from sin will be blinded and deceived.  Most born again believers are convinced the Rapture of the church occurs before this and that we will not suffer God’s wrath (I Thessalonians 5:9).  I think many people fear we may accidentally take this mark.  God’s word says in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a sound mind.”  Most of the passages on this topic say that we should have wisdom and understanding.  I think that we should read the Scriptures and study  them carefully so we are knowledgeable concerning this topic.  We are in the process of answering other questions on this subject (the Tribulation).  Please read them when they are posted and read other web sites by reputable Evangelical sources and read and study these Scriptures: The Books of Daniel and Revelation (God promises a blessing on those who read this last book), Matthew chapter 24; Mark chapter 13; Luke chapter 21; I Thessalonians, especially chapters 4 & 5; 2 Thessalonians chapter 2; Ezekiel chapters 33-39; Isaiah  chapter 26; the Book of Amos and any other Scriptures on this topic.

Be careful of cults which predict dates and claim that Jesus is here; instead look for Scriptural signs of the coming of the last days and Jesus’ return, especially 2 Thessalonians 2 and Matthew 24.  There are events which have not occurred yet that must happen before the Tribulation can take place: 1).  The gospel must be preached to all the nations (ethnos).  2).  There will be a new Jewish temple in Jerusalem which is not there yet, but the Jews are ready to build it.  3).  2 Thessalonians 2 indicates that the beast (Anti-Christ, Man of Sin) will be revealed.  As yet we do not know who he is. 4). Scripture reveals he will arise from a 10 nation confederacy made up of nations who have roots in the old Roman Empire (See Daniel 2, 7, 9, 11, 12).  5).  He will make a treaty with many (probably this concerns Israel).  None of these events have occurred as of yet, but all are possible in the near future.  I believe these events are being set up in our lifetime.  Israel is set to build a temple; the European Union does exist, and could easily be the forerunner of the confederacy;  a cashless society is possible and is certainly being discussed today.  Matthew and Luke’s signs of earthquakes and pestilences and wars are certainly true.  It also says we should be watchful and ready for the Lord’s return.

The way to be ready is to follow God by first believing the Gospel about His Son and accepting Him as your Savior.  Read I Corinthians 15:1-4 which says we need to believe that He died on the cross to pay the debt for our sins.    Matthew 26:28 says, “This is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.”  We need to trust and follow Him. 2 Timothy 1:12 says, “He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”  Jude 24&25 says, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever.  Amen.”  We can trust and be watchful and not be fearful.  We are warned by Scripture to be ready.  I believe our generation is setting the stage of circumstances to enable the Anti-Christ to gain power and we need to understand God’s Word and be ready by accepting the Victor (Revelation 19:19-21), the Lord Jesus Christ who can give us the victory (I Corinthians 15:58).  Hebrews 2:3 warns, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation.”

Read 2 Thessalonians chapter 2.  Verse 10 says, “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”  Hebrews 4:2 says, “For we also have had the gospel preached to us just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard it did not combine it with faith.”  Revelation 13:8 says, “All who dwell on the earth will worship him (the beast), everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.”  Revelation 14:9-11 says, “Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’ ”  Contrast this with God’s promise in John 3:36, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”  Verse 18 says, “He who believes in Him is not judged; but he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of God’s One and Only Son.”  John 1:12 promises, “Yet to all who received Him, to all who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the children of God.”  John 10:28 says, “I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

The New Testament talks about prophesying and describes prophecy as a spiritual gift.  Someone asked if a person prophesies today is his utterance equal to Scripture.  The book General Biblical Introduction gives this definition of prophecy on page 18: “Prophecy is the message of God given through a prophet.  It does not imply prediction; in fact none of the Hebrew words for ‘prophecy’ mean prediction.  A prophet was a person who spoke for God…  He was essentially a preacher and a teacher…’according to the uniform teaching of the Bible.’ ”

I would like to give you Scriptures and observations to help you understand this topic.  First I would say that if a person’s prophetic statement were Scripture, we would have volumes of new Scripture continuously and we would have to conclude that the Scripture is incomplete.  Let’s look and see the differences described between prophecy in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.

In the Old Testament the prophets were often the leaders of God’s people and God sent them to guide His people and to pave the way for the coming Savior.  God gave His people specific instructions to identify genuine from false prophets.  Please read Deuteronomy 18:17-22 and also chapter 13:1-11 for those tests.  First, if the prophet predicted something, he had to be 100% accurate.  Each prophecy had to come to pass.  Then chapter 13 said that if He told the people to worship any god but the LORD (Jehovah), he was a false prophet and was to be stoned to death.  Prophets also wrote down what they said and what occurred at God’s command and direction.  Hebrews 1:1 says, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways.”  These writings were immediately considered to be Scripture – God’s Word.  When the prophets ceased the Jewish people considered that the “canon” (collection) of Scripture had closed, or was completed.

Similarly, the New Testament was largely written by the original disciples or those close to them.  They were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ life.  The church accepted their writings as Scripture, and shortly after Jude and Revelation were written, ceased to accept other writings as Scripture.  Actually, they saw the other later writings as contrary to Scripture and false by comparing them to the Scriptures, the words written by the prophets and apostles as Peter said in I Peter 3:1-4, where he tells the church how to determine scoffers and false teaching.  He said, “recall the words of the prophets and commands given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.”

The New Testament says in I Corinthians 14:31 that now every believer can prophesy.

The idea most often given in the New Testament is to TEST everything.  Jude 3 says the “faith” was “once for all delivered to the saints.”  The Book of Revelation, which reveals the future of our world, strictly warns us in chapter 22 verse 18 not to add or subtract anything to the words of that book.  This is a clear indicator that Scripture was completed. But Scripture gives repeated warnings concerning heresy and false teaching as seen in 2 Peter 3:1-3; 2 Peter chapters 2&3; I Timothy 1:3&4; Jude 3&4 and Ephesians 4:14.  Ephesians 4:14&15 says, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is Christ.”  Nothing is equal to Scripture, and all so-called prophecy is to be tested by it.  I Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Test everything, hold fast what is good.”  I John 4:1 says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”  We are to test everything, every prophet, every teacher and every doctrine.  The best example of how we do this is found in Acts 17:11.

Acts 17:11 tells us about Paul and Silas.  They went to Berea to preach the Gospel.  Acts tells us that the Berean people received the message eagerly, and they are commended and called noble because “they searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true.”  They tested what the Apostle Paul said by the SCRIPTURES.  That is the key.  Scripture is the truth.  It is what we use to test everything.  Jesus called it the Truth (John 17:10).  This is the one and only way to measure anything, person or doctrine, truth versus apostasy, by the Truth – Scripture, the Word of God.

In Matthew 4:1-10 Jesus set the example of how to defeat Satan’s temptations, and also indirectly taught us to use Scripture in order to test and rebuke false teaching.  He used the Word of God, saying, “It is written.”  However this necessitates that we arm ourselves with a thorough knowledge of the Word of God as Peter implied.

The New Testament is different from the Old Testament because in the New Testament God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us whereas in the Old Testament He came upon prophets and teachers often for just a period of time.  We have the Holy Spirit who guides us into truth.    In this new covenant God has saved us and has given us spiritual gifts.  One of these gifts is prophecy.  (See I Corinthians 12:1-11, 28-31; Romans 12:3-8 and Ephesians 4:11-16.)  God gave these gifts to help us grow in grace as believers.  We are to use these gifts to the best of our ability (I Peter 4:10&11), not as authoritative, infallible Scripture, but to encourage one another.  2 Peter 1:3 says that God has given us all that we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him (Jesus).  The writing of Scripture seems to have passed from the prophets to the apostles and other eyewitnesses.  Remember that in this new church we are to test everything.  I Corinthians 14:14 & 29-33 says that “all may prophesy, but let the others judge.”  I Corinthians 13:19 says, “we prophesy in part” which, I believe, means that we only have partial understanding.  Therefore we judge everything by the Word as the Bereans did, always being watchful of false teaching.

I think it is wise to say that God teaches and admonishes and encourages His children to follow and live according to Scripture.

There are many different ideas out there about what the Bible actually predicts will happen in the “last days.” This will be a brief summary of what we believe and why we believe it. To make sense of the differing positions on the Millennium, the Tribulation and the Rapture of the Church, one must first understand some basic presuppositions. A fairly large segment of professing Christianity believes in what is often called “Replacement Theology.” This is the idea that when the Jewish people rejected Jesus as their Messiah, God in turn rejected the Jews and the Jewish people were replaced by the Church as the people of God. A person who believes this will read the Old Testament prophecies about Israel and say they are spiritually fulfilled in the Church. When they read the Book of Revelation and find the words “Jews” or “Israel” they will interpret these words to mean the Church.

This idea is closely related to another idea. Many people believe that statements about future things are all symbolic and not to be taken literally. A number of years ago I listened to an audio tape on the Book of Revelation and the teacher repeatedly said: “If the plain sense makes common sense seek no other sense or you will end up with nonsense.” That is the approach we will take with Bible prophecy. Words will be taken to mean exactly what they ordinarily mean unless there is something in the context that indicates otherwise.

So the first issue to be settled is the issue of “Replacement Theology.” Paul asks in Romans 11:1&2a “Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people whom he foreknew.” Romans 11:5 says, “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” Romans 11:11&12 says, “Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!”

Romans 11:26-29 says, “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.’ As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” We believe the promises to Israel will be literally fulfilled to Israel and when the New Testament says Israel or Jews it means exactly what it says.

So what does the Bible teach about the Millenium. The relevant Scripture is Revelation 20:1-7. The word “millennium” comes from Latin and means a thousand years. The words “a thousand years” occur six times in the passage and we believe they mean exactly that. We also believe that Satan will be locked up in the Abyss for that time to keep him from deceiving the nations. Since verse four says people reign with Christ for a thousand years, we believe Christ comes back before the Millenium. (The Second Coming of Christ is described in Revelation 19:11-21.) At the end of the Millenium Satan is released and inspires a final revolt against God which is defeated and then comes the judgment of unbelievers and eternity begins. (Revelation 20:7-21:1)

So what does the Bible teach about the Tribulation? The only passage that describes what begins it, how long it is, what happens in the middle of it and the purpose for it is Daniel 9:24-27. Daniel has been praying about the end of the 70 years of captivity predicted by the prophet Jeremiah. 2 Chronicles 36:20 tells us, “The land enjoyed it sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah.” Simple math tells us that for 490 years, 70×7, the Jews did not observe the sabbath year, and so God removed them from the land for 70 years to give the land its sabbath rest. The regulations for the sabbath year are in Leviticus 25:1-7. The punishment for not keeping it is in Leviticus 26:33-35, “I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out my sword and pursue you. Your land will be laid waste, and your cities will lie in ruins. Then the land will enjoy its sabbath years all the time that it lies desolate and you are in the country of your enemies; then the land will rest and enjoy its sabbaths. All the time that it lies desolate, the land will have the rest it did not have during the sabbaths you lived on it.”

In response to his prayer about seventy sevens of years of unfaithfulness, Daniel is told in Daniel 9:24 (NIV), “Seventy ‘sevens’ are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.” Notice this is decreed for Daniel’s people and Daniel’s holy city. The Hebrew word for week is the word “seven” and although it most frequently refers to a seven day week, the context here points to seventy “sevens” of years. (When Daniel wants to indicate a week of seven days in Daniel 10:2&3, the Hebrew text literally says “sevens of days” both times the phrase occurs.)

Daniel predicts it will be 69 sevens, 483 years, from the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah chapter 2) until the Anointed One (the Messiah, the Christ) comes. (This is fulfilled in either Jesus’ baptism or the Triumphal Entry.) After the 483 years the Messiah will be put to death. After the Messiah is put to death “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” This happened in 70 AD. He (the ruler who is to come) will confirm a covenant with “many” for the final seven years. “In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.” Notice how all of this is about the Jewish people, the city of Jerusalem and the temple in Jerusalem.

According to Zechariah 12 and 14 the LORD returns to rescue Jerusalem and the Jewish people. When this happens, Zechariah 12:10 says, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” This seems to be when “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). The seven year Tribulation is primarily about the Jewish people.

There are a number of reasons to believe the Rapture of the church described in I Thessalonians 4:13-18 and I Corinthians 15:50-54 will happen before the seven year Tribulation. 1). The church is described as the dwelling place of God in Ephesians 2:19-22. Revelation 13:6 in the Holman Christian Standard Bible (the most literal translation I could find for this passage) says, “He began to speak blasphemies against God: to blaspheme His name and His dwelling – those who dwell in heaven.” This puts the church in heaven while the beast is on earth.

2). The structure of the Book of Revelation is given in chapter one, verse nineteen, “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” What John had seen is recorded in chapter one. Then follows letters to seven churches that were then in existence, the “what is now.” “Later” in the NIV is literally “after these things,” “meta tauta” in Greek. “Meta tauta” is translated “after this” twice in the NIV translation of Revelation 4:1 and seems to mean the things that happen after the churches. There is no reference to the Church on earth using distinctive church terminology after that.

3). After describing the Rapture of the Church in I Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul talks about the coming “Day of the Lord” in I Thessalonians 5:1-3. He says in verse 3, “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” Notice the pronouns “them” and “they.” Verse 9 says, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

To sum up, we believe the Bible teaches the Rapture of the Church precedes the Tribulation, which is primarily about the Jewish people. We believe the Tribulation lasts for seven years and ends with the Second Coming of Christ. When Christ comes back, He then reigns for 1,000 years, the Millenium.

The tribulation is a period of seven years predicted in Daniel 9:24-27.  It says, “Seventy-sevens are decreed for your people and your city (i.e. Israel and Jerusalem) to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy Place.”  It goes on to say in verses 26b and 27, “the people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.  The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed.  He will confirm a covenant with many for one “seven” (7 years); in the middle of the seven he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.  And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”  Daniel 11:31 and 12:11 explain the interpretation of this seventieth week as seven years, the last half of which in actual days is three and one-half years.  Jeremiah 30:7 describes this as the day of Jacob’s trouble saying, “Alas, for that day is great, so that none is like it; it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”  It is described in detail in Revelation chapters 6-18 and is a seven year period in which God will “pour out” his wrath against the nations, against sin and against those who rebel against God, refusing to believe in and worship Him and His Anointed One.  I Thessalonians 1:6-10 says, “You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.  For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything.  For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”

The Tribulation centers around Israel and God’s Holy City, Jerusalem.  It starts with a ruler coming up out of a ten nation confederacy which comes from the roots of the historic Roman Empire in Europe.  At first he will appear to be a peace maker and then rise up to be evil.  After three and one-half years in which he gains power, he desecrates the temple in Jerusalem and sets himself up as “god” and demands to be worshiped.  (Read Matthew chapters 24&25; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 and Revelation chapter 13.)  God judges the nations who have been hostile to and tried to destroy His people (Israel). He also judges the ruler (the Anti-Christ) who sets himself up as god.  When the nations of the world all gather together to destroy His people and City at the valley of Armageddon, to battle against God, Jesus will return to destroy His enemies and rescue His people and the City.  Jesus will return visibly and be seen by the whole world (Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 1:7) and His people Israel (Zechariah 12:1-14 and 14:1-9).

When Jesus returns, the Old Testament saints, the Church and armies of angels will come with Him to conquer.  When the remnant of Israel sees Him they will recognize Him as the One they pierced and mourn and they will all be saved (Romans 11:26).  Then Jesus will set up His Millennial Kingdom and reign with His people for 1,000 years.

ARE WE IN THE TRIBULATION?

No, not yet, but we are probably in the time just prior to that.  As we stated earlier, the tribulation begins when the Anti-Christ will be revealed and form a treaty with Israel (See Daniel 9:27 and 2 Thessalonians 2).  Daniel 7 & 9 say that he will arise out of a ten nation union and then take more control.  As of yet, the 10 nation group is not formed.

Another reason why we are not yet in the tribulation is that during the tribulation, at 3&1/2 years the Anti-Christ will defile the temple in Jerusalem and set himself up as god and at the present time there is no temple on the Mount in Israel, though the Jews are prepared and ready to build it.

What we do see is a time of increased war and unrest which Jesus said would occur (See Matthew 24:7&8; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11).  This is the sign of the impending wrath of God.  These verses say there will be increased wars between countries and ethnic groups, pestilence, earthquakes and other signs from heaven.

Another thing which must occur is that the gospel must be preached to all the nations, tongues and peoples, because some of these people will believe and will be in heaven, praising God and the Lamb (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 5:9&10).

We know we are close because God is gathering His scattered people, Israel, from the world and returning them to Israel, the Holy Land, never to leave again.  Amos 9:11-15 says, “I will plant them upon the land, and they will no more be pulled up out of the land I have given them.”

Most fundamental Christians believe that the rapture of the church will also come first (see I Corinthians 15:50-56; I Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12) because the church “is not appointed unto wrath”, but this point is not as clear and can be controversial.  However God’s Word does say that the angels will gather His saints “from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31), not from one end of the earth to another, and that they will join with the armies of God, including the angels (I Thessalonians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:14) to come to earth to defeat Israel’s enemies at the Lord’s return.  Colossians 3:4 says, “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

Since the Greek noun translated apostasy in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 comes from a verb that is usually translated to depart, this verse may be referring to the rapture and that would be consistent with the chapter context.  Read also Isaiah 26:19-21 which seems to picture a resurrection and an event in which these people are hidden away to escape God’s wrath and judgment.  The rapture has not occurred yet.

HOW CAN WE ESCAPE THE TRIBULATION?

Most evangelicals accept the concept of the Rapture of the church, but there is controversy as to when it occurs.  If it occurs prior to the start of the tribulation then only the unbelievers who remain on earth after the Rapture will enter the tribulation, the time of God’s wrath, because only those who believe that Jesus died to save us from our sins will be raptured.  If we are wrong about the timing of the Rapture and it occurs later, during or at the end of the seven year tribulation, we will be left with everyone else and go through the tribulation, although most of the people who believe this believe we will somehow be protected from God’s wrath during that time.

You don’t want to be against God, you want to be on God’s side, otherwise, you will not only go through the tribulation but also face God’s judgment and eternal wrath and be cast into the lake of fire with the devil and his angels.  Revelation 20:10-15 says, “And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.  Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away and no place was found for them.  And I saw the dead, the great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.  Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.  This is the second death, the lake of fire.  And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”  (See also Matthew 25:41.)

As I stated, most Christians are convinced that believers will be raptured and not enter the tribulation.  I Corinthians 15:51&52 says, “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable; and we will be changed.”  I think it is very interesting that the Scriptures about the Rapture (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:8-10; I Corinthians 15:52) say, “we shall be forever with the Lord,” and that, “we should comfort one another with these words.”

Jewish believers use the illustration of the Jewish Marriage ceremony as it was during the time of Christ to illustrate this point of view.  Some argue that Jesus never used it and yet He did.  He used the marriage customs several times to describe or explain events surrounding  His Second Coming.  The Characters are: The bride is the church; the groom is Christ; the Father of the Groom is God the Father.

The basic events are:

1).        The Betrothal: The bride and groom drink a cup of wine together and promise not to drink again of the fruit of the vine until the actual wedding happens.  Jesus used the words the groom would use when He said in Matthew 26:29 “But I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s Kingdom.”  When the bride drinks from the cup of wine and the bride price is paid by the groom, it is a picture of the payment made for us for our sins and our acceptance of Jesus as our Savior. We are the bride.

2).        The Groom goes away to build a house for his bride.  In John 14 Jesus goes to heaven to prepare a house for us.  John 14:1-3 says, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also,” (the rapture).

3).        The Father decides when the groom will return for the bride.  Matthew 24:36 says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”  The Father alone knows when Jesus will return.

4).        The groom comes unexpectedly for His bride who is waiting, often as long as a year, for Him to come back.  Jesus raptures the church (I Thessalonians 4:13-18).

5).        The bride is cloistered for a week in the room prepared for her in the Father’s house.  The church is in heaven for seven years during the Tribulation.  Read Isaiah 26:19-21.

6).        The Marriage Supper happens in the Fathers house at the end of the marriage celebration (Revelation 19:7-9).  After the marriage supper, the bride comes forth and is presented to everyone.  Jesus returns to earth with His bride (the church) and the Old Testament saints and angels to subdue His enemies (Revelation 19:11-21).

Yes, Jesus did use the wedding customs of His day to illustrate last days’ events.  Scripture refers to the church as the bride of Christ and Jesus says that He is going to prepare a home for us.  Jesus also talks about coming back for His church and that we should be ready for His return (Matthew 25:1-13).  As we said, He also says only the Father knows when He will return.

There is no New Testament reference to the seven day seclusion of the bride, however there is one Old Testament reference – a prophecy which parallels the resurrection of those who die and then they are to “go to their rooms or chambers till God’s wrath is complete.”  Read Isaiah 26: 19-26, which looks like it may be about the rapture of the church before the tribulation.  After this you have the marriage supper and then the saints, the redeemed and myriads of angels coming “from heaven” to defeat Jesus’ enemies (Revelation 19:11-22) and to rule and reign on earth (Revelation 20:1-6).

Either way, the only way to avoid God’s wrath is to believe in Jesus.  (See John 3:14-18 and 36.  Verse 36 says, “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him.”)  We must believe that Jesus paid the penalty, the debt and punishment for of our sin, by dying on the cross.  I Corinthians 15:1-4 says, “I declare the gospel…by which also you are saved…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”  Matthew 26:28 says, “This is My blood… which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”  I Peter 2:24 says, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the cross.”  (Read Isaiah 53:1-12.)  John 20:31 says, “But these are written, that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His name.”

If you come to Jesus, He will not turn you away.  John 6:37 says, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”  Verses 39&40 say, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.  For this is the will of the Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”  Read also John 10:28&29 which says, “I give unto them eternal life and they shall NEVER perish and neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand…”  Read also Romans 8:35 which says, “Who shall separate us from the love of God, shall tribulation or distress…”  And verses 38&39 say, “that neither death, nor life, nor angels…nor things to come.. shall be able to separate us from the love of God.”  (See also I John 5:13)

But God says in Hebrews 2:3, “How can we escape if we neglect so great salvation.”  2 Timothy 1:12 says, “I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

You must carefully read and understand several Scriptures to get the answer to this question. They are: I Thessalonians 5:1-11; 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 and Revelation chapter 7. In First and Second Thessalonians Paul is writing to believers (those who have received Jesus as their Savior) to comfort and assure them that they are not in the Tribulation and that they have not been left behind after the Rapture, because I Thessalonians 5:9&10 tells us we are destined to be saved and live with Him and we have NOT been destined to the wrath of God. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 he tells them that they will not be “left behind” and that the Anti-Christ, who will make himself the world ruler and make a treaty with Israel, has not been revealed yet. His treaty with Israel signals the beginning of the Tribulation (“the day of the Lord”). This passage gives a warning which tells us that Jesus will come suddenly and unexpectedly and rapture His children – the believers. Those who have heard the Gospel and “refused to love the truth”, those who reject Jesus, “so as to be saved”, will be deceived by Satan during the Tribulation (verses 10&11) and “God will send them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (continued to enjoy the pleasures of sin). So do not think that you can put off accepting Jesus and do it during the Tribulation.

Revelation gives us a few verses which seem to indicate that a multitude of people will be saved during the Tribulation because they will be in heaven rejoicing before the throne of God, some from every tribe, tongue, people and nation. It does not say exactly who they are; perhaps they are people who had never heard the gospel previously. We have a clearer view of who they are not: those who rejected Him and those who take the mark of the beast. Many, if not most of the saints of the tribulation will be martyred.

Here is a list of verses from Revelation which indicate that people will be saved during that time:

Revelation 7:14

“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 20:4

And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image; and had not received the mark on the forehead and on their hand and they came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 14:13

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

The reason for this is because they refused to follow the Anti-Christ and refused to take his mark. Revelation makes it very clear that ANYONE who receives the mark or number of the beast in his forehead or hand will be thrown into the lake of fire at the final judgment, along with the beast and the false prophet and eventually Satan himself. Revelation 14:9-11 says, “Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of his anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’ ” (See also Revelation 15:2; 16:2; 18:20 and 20:11-15.) They can never be saved. This is the one thing, that is, taking the mark of the beast during the tribulation, that will keep you from redemption and salvation.

There are two times where God uses the phrase “from every tongue, tribe, people and nation” to refer to saved people: Revelation 5:8&9 and Revelation chapter 7. Revelation 5:8&9 speaks of our present age and the preaching of the Gospel and the promise that some from each of these ethnic groups will be saved and will worship God in heaven. These are the saints saved before the Tribulation. (See Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10; Luke 24:47 and Revelation 1:4-6.) In Revelation chapter 7 God speaks of saints from every “tongue, tribe, people and nation” who are saved “out of”, that is, during the Tribulation. Revelation 14:6 speaks about an angel who preaches the Gospel. The picture of the martyrs presented in Revelation 20:4 clearly shows a multitude are saved during the Tribulation.

If you are a believer, I Thessalonians 5:8-11 says to be comforted, hope in God’s promised salvation and not be shaken. Now the word “hope” in the Scripture does not mean what it does in English as in “I hope something will happen.” Our HOPE in Scripture is a “sure thing, something that God says and promises will occur. These promises are spoken by the Faithful God Who cannot lie. Titus 1:2 says, “In the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the ages of time began.” Verse 9 of I Thessalonians 5 promises that believers will “live together with Him forever,” and, as we have seen, verse 9 says we are “not appointed to wrath but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” We believe, as do the majority of evangelical Christians, that the Rapture precedes the Tribulation based on 2 Thessalonians 2:1&2 which says we will be gathered to Him and I Thessalonians 5:9 which says, “We are not appointed to wrath.”

If you are not a believer and are rejecting Jesus so you can continue in sin, be warned, you will not get a second chance in the Tribulation. You will be deluded by Satan. You will be lost forever. Our “sure hope” is in the Gospel. Read John 3:14-36; 5:24; 20:31; 2 Peter 2:24 and I Corinthians 15:1-4, which give the Gospel of Christ, and believe. Receive Him. John 1:12&13 says, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor or human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” You can read more about this on this site on “How To Be Saved” or ask more questions. The most important thing is to believe. Don’t wait; don’t delay – for Jesus will return suddenly and unexpectedly and you will be forever lost.

If you believe, be “comforted” and “stand fast” (I Thessalonians 4:18 and 5:23 and 2 Thessalonians chapter 2) and don’t be afraid. I Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”