Preparing For The Tribulation

14 July 2024 admin Outreach Training Comments Off on Preparing For The Tribulation
The Tribulation
The Tribulation

The Divine Perspective: Why Christians Should Focus on God’s Judgements Over Satan’s Deceptions

Introduction: A Post Tribulation Perspective

When thinking about the end times, Christians often worry about how Satan deceives people. However, it’s more important to understand the judgements God sends to an unbelieving world. This perspective not only aligns with the Bible but also offers comfort and assurance to believers, showing God’s protection during these tough times. This article explains why Christians should focus on God’s judgements instead of Satan’s deceptions, how God will protect believers, and the events leading up to Christ’s return based on post-tribulation theology.

God’s Judgements: A Wake-Up Call

The plagues and judgements God sends are meant to wake up the unbelieving world and show His sovereignty and justice. The Book of Revelation describes many of these judgements, including the Seven Seals, the Seven Trumpets, and the Seven Bowls, each bringing more devastation. These aren’t random acts of anger but are meant to turn people back to God.

1. The Seven Seals (Revelation 6)

  • The first four seals release the Four Horsemen, bringing conquest, war, famine, and death.
  • The fifth seal shows the martyrs crying for justice.
  • The sixth seal causes cosmic disturbances, and people hide from God’s wrath.
  • The seventh seal introduces the seven trumpets.

2. The Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8-11)

  • The first four trumpets cause ecological disasters.
  • The fifth and sixth trumpets release demonic forces to torment and kill.
  • The seventh trumpet announces God’s kingdom and judgment.

3. The Seven Bowls (Revelation 16)

  • These final judgements cause complete devastation, targeting those who bear the mark of the beast.

God’s Protection for Believers

Amidst these terrifying judgements, God promises to protect and provide for His people. All believers are part of New Covenant Israel (Hebrews 7 & 8; Romans 11), and God’s protection covers them during the tribulation. However, it’s important to understand that many believers will be martyred for their faith. This doesn’t mean God didn’t protect them; rather, He takes them home early to receive a martyr’s reward. They are protected from eternal death because they have eternal life.

The Bible has many examples of God’s protection during times of judgment, like the Israelites in Egypt during the plagues (Exodus 8:22-23; 9:26). During the Great Tribulation, God will protect His people. Importantly, only unbelievers will worship the Beast as described in Revelation 13:7-8 (NASB): “It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority was given to him over every tribe, people, language, and nation. All who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slaughtered.”

The Sequence of Events Leading to Christ’s Return

Post-tribulation theology teaches that the Church will go through the Great Tribulation, experiencing trials and witnessing God’s judgements before Christ’s second coming. The sequence of events is as follows:

1. The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21)

  • A period of extreme suffering and persecution for everyone.

2. The Rise of the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13)

  • A charismatic leader who deceives many and demands worship, opposing God’s people.

3. The Outpouring of Divine Judgements (Revelation 6-16)

  • God’s judgements increase, leading to the Battle of Armageddon.

4. The Second Coming of Christ (Matthew 24:29-31; Revelation 19:11-16)

  • After the tribulation, Christ returns in glory, gathering His Church first with the dead in Christ rising, followed by those alive in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

5. God’s Final Wrath and Judgement (Revelation 19:11-21)

  • With His Church, Christ pours out His final wrath on the unbelieving world. This is the ultimate judgment against those who reject Him.

6. The Millennial Reign (Revelation 20:1-6)

  • After His second coming and the outpouring of wrath upon the unbelieving world, Christ will establish His millennial reign on earth. This period of a thousand years will be characterised by justice and peace, with those who have repented and turned to Him at His second coming. The Church, which was raptured before His final wrath was released at His second coming, will rule and reign with Christ over those who turned to Him at the outpouring of His final wrath on the unbelieving world.

This thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, also known as the Millennium, is prophesied in Revelation 20:1-6. It follows His return in glory and the final judgment upon the unbelieving world. During this time, Christ will reign with His saints who were raptured, bringing about a period of unparalleled peace and righteousness on earth.

7. The Final Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)

  • Everyone is judged according to their deeds. Those not found in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire.

8. The New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21-22)

  • God creates a perfect new world where He lives with His people forever.

Conclusion

During the end times, Christians should focus more on God’s judgements than on Satan’s deceptions. Understanding God’s purpose behind these judgements helps believers keep their faith and trust in His plan. God promises protection and provision, assuring Christians that despite the trials of the Great Tribulation, He remains their refuge. Even though many believers will be martyred, they receive a martyr’s reward and eternal life. Only unbelievers will worship the Beast, as all whose names are in the Book of Life will remain faithful. After the tribulation, Jesus will return for His Church, first the dead in Christ and then those alive in Christ, pouring out His final wrath on the unbelieving world. Those who repent and turn to Him will repopulate the earth during the millennium, while those who reject Him will be destroyed forever. God’s final wrath is reserved only for unbelievers, as all believers will be raptured before it is poured out. By understanding the events leading to Christ’s return, believers can face these challenging times with hope, knowing that ultimate redemption and eternal fellowship with God are near.

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