En Route to Global Occupation .pdf - Equal Parenting-BC

154 En Route to Global Occupation
The other view contends that Christians will go through the
entire tribulation period, not being rescued until the actual second
coming of Christ This interpretation is known as the post-tribulation
rapture theory and has been the more traditional view.
Other less accepted views also exist, placing the rapture at some
point during the seven year period.
The question of the rapture remains a source of debate within
the Church, as it is truly difficult to determine from the Bible the
precise moment when the rapture will occur. But regardless of when
the Lord takes His people home, too many Christians believe as they
do for the wrong reasons.
I have heard it said repeatedly that God will spare the Church
from going through the tribulation because He would never allow
Christians to endure such hardship or persecution. But people forget
that many in the early church were martyred for the sake of Christ
Nearly everyone of jesus' disciples died in. the face of persecution. And
these were the very ones who were closest to God. Are we to believe
that He had forgotten them
And what about the millions of faithful Christians of our own
generation who have suffered death and persecution at the hands of
communism. Are they not as important to God since they have suffered
and we have not
Some believers tend to confuse Satan's persecution of Christians
with God's judgment of a sinful, unrepentant world. They do not
believe that Christians will be persecuted, because God would never
judge His own. The fact is, the earthly persecution of Christians has
nothing to do with God's judgment. To the contrary, it is Satan, the
prince of this world, who persecutes us.
God's judgment falls only upon those who have denied Him or
rebelled against Hint; whereas the persecution of God's people is the
result of Satan lashing out in anger against those whom he is unable
to deceive or overcome.
During the time of the great tribulation, as described in Revelation,
God's wrath will be poured out upon those who take the mark.
This wrath will be in the form of plagues (Rev. 16:2). It will later be
followed by His judgment-eternal damnation (Rev. 14:9-12). Satan's
fury, on the other hand, will be experienced by those who do not take
the mark or bow to worship him. This persecution will be in the form
of imprisonment, torture, or death. Christians, however, should draw
comfort from the fact that Satan's persecution is limited to this world;
God's principle judgment against the wicked will last for eternity.
The Coming World Crisis
This ongoing battle is part of the spiritual warfare being waged
between God and Satan over our souls. It explains why those who
are doing the most for God are often the ones who suffer most
The life of the apostle Paul best illustrates this point He was
probably the most resilient and dedicated follower of Christ in the
early church. Yet, he suffered more tragedy, pain, and suffering than
anyone else of his time. He was pursued everywhere he went and
was eventually put to death.
Paul summarized his persecution in 2 Corinthians.
I have worked much harder, been in prison more fre.
quently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed
to death again and again. Five times I received from the
Jews forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten
with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked,
I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I
have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger
from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from
my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger
in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at
sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored
and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have
known hunger and thirst and have often gone without
food; I have been cold and naked. (2 Cor. 11:23b-27)
Was this God's judgment against Paul~bviously not It was
Satan's persecution against an unswerving man of God. Paul understood
the nature of this warfare and even took comfort in the fact
that he was being afflicted. He knew that his problems were a direct
result of his faithful service to Christ This enabled him to keep things
in perspective.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses,
in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)
Paul adds that all Christians must be prepared.
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not
only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since
you are going through the same struggle you saw I had.
... (Phil. 1:29-30a)
Beginning with the first century church and continuing to the
present day, those who have suffered the greatest persecution have
commonly been those who were closest to God. Yet today the mtssage
of self-sacrifice and suffering for the cause of Christ has aU but
disappeared from our churches. It is no longer aught that cros.~s In
life must precede the crown. Yet jesus said to His disciples, "1( any