I am praying today for my parents today, because my day fell down and he broke his hip bone. He just had surgery two nights ago. As the Lord leads you, thank you for praying for Kim and Betty as well.
Jesus said this: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words” – what? – “shall not pass away.”
Honestly, I wouldn't at all mind beating my parents Home (with a Rapture event) to welcome them both there when the Rapture happens. Here steps and some good reasons why anyone sucking air can become ready and not have to fear their future (1. repent, 2. believe, 3. come to Christ right now).
Jesus said, "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." Matthew 24:32-35 nkjv
Christ declared with unmistakable finality, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” His authority is unchanging, eternal, and absolute. Again and again He affirmed this truth: in Luke 16:17 He taught that it would be easier for the cosmos itself to dissolve than for even the smallest stroke of God’s Law to fail; in Matthew 5:18 He proclaimed that not one jot or tittle would pass away until all is fulfilled; and in John 10:35 He sealed it plainly—Scripture cannot be broken. The Word of God stands immovable, and therefore what it declares will surely come to pass.
That certainty presses a solemn and gracious question upon every heart: Are you ready? Ready to be gathered to Christ and dwell forever in His presence, or unprepared and left to face the judgment that follows? Knowing these things, Peter asks, “What manner of persons ought you to be?” The answer is clear—lives marked by holiness and godliness, eyes lifted in expectancy, hearts growing in grace, and souls anchored in hope. We are a redeemed people, living as pilgrims in a passing world, eagerly awaiting our Savior.
Father God, we thank You for Your living and enduring Word - Jesus. Take what is eternal from Your written word and bind it deeply to our hearts. Teach us to walk close with Jesus, to obey the word, to live with heaven in view, to hold very loosely to what is temporary, and to be fruitful and faithfully in the light of eternity too. We love you, Jesus. Amen.
Sup With Jesus Using His Olivet Discourse “Birth Pangs” Metaphor?
Well, it fits huh? Increasing intensity, ever closer proximity to the last pain felt, and more pain here until the time of birth.
Core Passages (Explicit Use of Birth Pangs Language)
Matthew 24:6–8 (NIV)
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars… but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come… All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
Mark 13:7–8 (NIV)
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.”
Parallel Expansion
Luke 21:9–11 – Wars, revolutions, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, fearful sights
Luke 21:12–19 – Persecution precedes consummation
* Key Insight from Jesus
Birth pangs:
Increase in frequency
Increase in intensity
Do not equal the end
Guarantee an outcome — new life, not annihilation
Jesus deliberately chose a metaphor that ends in life, not death.
II. Birth Pangs Across the Whole Bible
(This is not really some New Testament invention)
A. Old Testament Foundations
1. Creation & Curse
Genesis 3:16 – Pain in childbirth introduced after the Fall
→ Physical labor mirrors cosmic redemption struggle
2. Israel as a Woman in Labor
Isaiah 26:17–18
“As a woman with child… writhes and cries out in her pangs…”
Isaiah 66:7–9
“Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?”
Jeremiah 30:6–7
“Ask now, and see, can a man bear a child? … Alas! for that day is great… the time of Jacob’s trouble”
Micah 4:9–10
“Writhe and groan, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor”
* Key OT Pattern
Judgment → Travail → Restoration
B. New Testament Expansion
1. Cosmic Birth Pangs
Romans 8:22
“The whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.”
2. Sudden Onset
1 Thessalonians 5:3
“Then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”
3. Church-Age Expectation
John 16:20–22
“A woman giving birth..has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered..she no longer remembers the anguish”
4. Apocalyptic Fulfillment
Revelation 12:1–5 – The woman, the child, the dragon
Revelation 6–19 – Seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments intensifying like labor contractions
III. Events Explicitly Called “Birth Pangs” by Jesus
1. Global Conflict
Wars and rumors of wars
Ethnic and geopolitical instability (Matthew 24:6–7)
2. Natural Disasters
Earthquakes “in various places”
Famines and pestilence (Luke 21:11)
3. Moral & Spiritual Collapse
Lawlessness increasing
Love growing cold (Matthew 24:12)
4. Religious Deception
False Christs and false prophets (Matthew 24:24)
5. Persecution
Betrayal, hatred, martyrdom (Matthew 24:9–10)
IV. Israel and Birth Pangs (Biblical & Observational)
Biblical Role of Israel
Jeremiah 30:7 – “The time of Jacob’s trouble”
Zechariah 12–14 – Jerusalem as a trembling stone
Romans 11:25–29 – Israel’s partial hardening until fullness of Gentiles
Observational (Non-Sensational, Real Trends)
Israel remains even more so:
A focal point of disproportionate global attention
A recurring epicenter of geopolitical tension
The only ancient people regathered to their land with preserved language and identity
* Biblical Lens
Israel is not the cause of any birth pangs—
Israel is basically the clock God placed for us in history.
V. Christian Voices from the Early Church on Birth Pangs (Trusted & Timeless)
Augustine
“The earth is in travail, and from her pains the City of God is being born.”
Reformation
John Calvin
“God shakes the world, not to destroy His Church, but to awaken it.”
Modern Evangelical
A.W. Tozer
“God is always doing ten thousand things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.”
John Walvoord
“The birth pangs are not signs of the end, but signs that the end is nearer.”
Chuck Smith Sr.
“Just as labor pains come closer together, so the events Jesus described would intensify as His return approaches.”
VI. Theology of Hope (Why Jesus Chose This Metaphor)
Aspect
Meaning
Pain -
Real suffering
Increase -
Acceleration, not randomness
Inevitability
- God’s plan cannot be stopped
Outcome -
New creation, not chaos
Birth pangs are painful, but they are purposeful.
Birth pangs are painful, but they are purposeful.
VII. The Rapture, the Antichrist, and the Restrainer
The Church is removed before the 7 years of tribulation wrath on earth
The Antichrist is revealed after the Restrainer (the Holy Spirit in the real Church) is removed from the earth.
Tribulation saints (many Jewish believers) endure and overcome
Evil has a timetable
Christ wins visibly and finally
VIII. Closing Truths
Jesus did not give the birth pangs teaching to make His people fearful—but faithful.
Not panic — preparedness
Not date-setting — devotion
Not despair — discernment
“When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
— Luke 21:28
“All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
— Jesus Christ, Matthew 24:8
Jesus did not choose His words casually. When He sat on the Mount of Olives and described wars, earthquakes, famines, deception, and persecution, He reached for one of the most profound metaphors in all of human experience—childbirth. Not collapse. Not extinction. Not chaos without meaning. But birth pangs.
Painful, yes indeed. Increasing, certainly. Yet purposeful—and leading somewhere glorious.
The world often interprets crisis as proof that everything is falling apart. Jesus tells us something far more hopeful: things are coming together, even when it feels like they are unraveling.
When the pains were really intense, and the water broke, I didn't have to guess. I just knew that Liney and I were about to firsthand see what's often called the miracle of a brand new life! Exciting times!
Why Jesus Spoke of Birth Pangs
I will one day ask Him. I think it's because birth pains are not the end of life; they are the threshold of a whole new beginning of a life. They increase in intensity and frequency, but they also signal inevitability—the birth will come. Once they begin, the outcome is no longer in doubt.
Jesus explained it plainly:
“Nation will rise against nation.. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are but the beginning of birth pains.”— Mark 13:8
He wanted His disciples—and us—to understand three essential truths:
Escalation is normal
Suffering is not meaningless
Redemption is drawing near
Groans, tears, frets, and sorrow.
A Groaning World and yet God and His Promises Remain Faithful!
Scripture teaches that this labor is not limited to human history alone.
“The whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” —Paul, Romans 8:22
Creation itself longs for release, restoration, and renewal. Earthquakes, environmental upheaval, and global instability are not random; they are symptoms of a fallen world yearning for resurrection.
Charles Spurgeon captured this beautifully when he said:
“The world is not a wreck drifting toward annihilation—it is a ship being guided by a wise hand toward a destined harbor.”
Israel and the Clock of History
Throughout Scripture, Israel stands at the center of God’s redemptive timetable.
“Alas! For that day is great.. it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.” — Jeremiah 30:7
From Isaiah to Zechariah to Romans 11, the Bible consistently presents Israel as both a signpost and a promise. Her preservation, regathering, and continued global focus are not accidents of history—they are reminders that God keeps covenant.
Chuck Smith Sr. reminded us believers there in Costa Mesa:
“When you see Israel back in the land, you are watching Bible prophecy move from the pages of Scripture onto the stage of history.”
Not Fear—But Readiness
Jesus never intended prophecy to produce panic. He gave these signs so His people would remain steady, sober, and hopeful.
“When these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” — Luke 21:28
Billy Graham echoed this pastoral balance:
“The Bible does not tell us to be alarmists; it tells us to be alert.”
And Greg Laurie often told us there in Orange County CA:
“Prophecy is not meant to scare us—it’s meant to prepare us.”
So become a praying soul-winner for God's glory.
False Peace vs. True Hope
The world continually promises peace without repentance, unity without truth, and salvation without Christ. Scripture warns us that such assurances will collapse suddenly.
“When they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:3
D.L. Moody put it plainly:
“This world is not getting better and better—it is getting riper and riper.”
Yet ripeness is not despair. It is readiness for harvest.
The Blessed Hope of the Church
For believers in Christ, the increase of birth pangs does not mean we are appointed for wrath, but that we are nearing our blessed hope.
“The Lord Himself will descend from heaven.. and we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
John MacArthur wisely notes:
“God has not destined the Church for judgment, but for glory. The tribulation is not the Church’s purifying fire—it is Israel’s refining furnace.”
This is why believers can watch world events with clarity without dread.
Pain With a Purpose
Jesus reminded His disciples:
“A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but when she has delivered the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born.”— John 16:21
Billy Sunday once said:
“If you’re looking for the grave, you won’t find it empty—but if you’re looking for Christ, you’ll find the grave empty every time.”
- The pain is temporary. - The joy is eternal. - The King Jesus is coming here soon. He said He'd return for His own.
How Then Shall We Live?
Not distracted, but devoted
Not fearful, but faithful
Not asleep, but awake
Not angry at the darkness, but shining as light
C.H. Spurgeon summarized it best:
“Live as if Christ died yesterday, rose today, and is coming back tomorrow.”
Before entering Christ’s Millenial Kingdom on earth, so many Tribulation Saints will be resurrected receiving their glorified bodies. Some people will of course be hardened during the wrath and be judged, and some will survive those Tribulation years entering Christ's millennium. Sure, because they will marry and produce some baby, some of which will also be saved and get their glorified bodies later.
These times are a ways after that earlier Harpazo moment the Church's rescue.
Millions of saints will get saved and then slaughtered during the tribulation years, especially in the second half. Those 144 thousand sealed Jewish evangelists will be doing a good job of reaping here.
Let's all stay focused on Jesus all the way Home no matter how long we live.
Before the millennium, and before the Great Tribulation, and the Tribulation years is the time I look forward to. The righteous dead will come out of their graves, and then with those believers who are still alive will be snatched away up to meet the Lord in the sky (new bodies in the air, that's the Rapture). Man, that sounds far better than the very exciting (harvest) yet very horrific terroristic trib-years.
Will there be physical resurrections for the saints of the tribulation and believers born in the millennium.. sure there will be, and when?
The Apostle John in the Bible declairs, "Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years." Rev 20:4, 5 #emph.mine
In due season God will judge everything man does, both good and bad. Ecclesiastes 3:17
It is not right to favor the guilty and keep the innocent from receiving justice. Proverbs 18:5
The Lord hates cheating and delights in honesty. Proverbs 11:1
The Lord God has told us what is right and what He demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.” Micah 6:8
Learn to do what is good. Seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause. Isaiah 1:17
Never twist justice to benefit a rich man, and never accept bribes. For bribes blind the eyes of the wisest and corrupt their decisions. Justice must prevail. Deuteronomy 16:19,20
The Lord watches to see if we are fair or if we cheat others. Proverbs 16:11
Happy are those who do right, who do what is fair at all times. Psalm 106:3
When justice is done, good people are happy, but evil people are ruined. Proverbs 21:15
Accountability is coming.. and it ain't a bad word at all.
All real Christians will get glorified bodies -- yes, physically resurrected:
1- The Righteous dead (saint's body’s sleep, no, not a soul sleep), but then raised.
2- Raptured saints, raised mid-flight.
3- Trib-Saints, raised at the 2nd coming of Jesus to earth.
4- The 2 witnesses with miraculous abilities get killed by the beast. They are out on public streets for 3 1/2 days and then they are raised(Revelation 11:7-13)!
Who are these two? We can't say really. They were given power to hold back the rain, to summon fire down from heaven and to strike the earth with real plagues. They witness with boldness, and at the end of their testimony, the beast from the pit will attack and kill them. He will leave their bodies out in a street in Jerusalem. Who are they?
(1) Moses and Elijah, (2) Enoch and Elijah, and (3) two unknown believers whom God calls to be His witnesses in the end times? We aren't sure.You know how Zechariah has a vision in which he sees a solid gold lampstand. On top is a bowl of oil, and an olive tree stands on each side there (see verses 3–4). The lampstand casts out its bright light without human maintenance, being constantly supplied by the olive oil flowing from the trees right into the bowl. God’s message to Zechariah was that God’s work (speaking of rebuilding the temple) would be accomplished “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit” (verse 6).
Rememeber Zechariah (in 4) asks about the meaning of these olive trees and these branches that supply the oil, and the angel who spoke to him says, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth” (Zechariah 4:14, ESV). In other words, God’s power to sustain His work is flowing through two individuals set apart for the task. What's that remind you of? In the context, these two individuals are clearly Joshua (the current high priest) and Zerubbabel (the current governor of Judah then). We see a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ here too, as the Messiah would combine the offices of priest and king. Now we look at Revelation 11:4. In the description of the two witnesses, John says, “They are ‘the two olive trees’ and the two lampstands, and ‘they stand before the Lord of the earth.’” The Apostle John quotes from Zechariah 4. The two witnesses of Revelation, like Joshua and Zerubbabel, will have God’s power flowing through them to fully accomplish God’s specific work for them. So, who are the two witnesses of Revelation? The Bible does not clearly say, so we will remain silent on this question.
5- The people born during the millennium that get saved, will at the end of the 1000 year reign ..also get raised with glorified bodies.
Tribulation Saints: Please Be Strong And Faithful Witnesses Of Jesus During The Earth's Darkest Hour!
The tribulation saints are those who place their faith in Jesus Christ during the tribulation, a time of unparalleled chaos and judgment upon the earth. While we believe the church will be raptured before this period begins, God’s mercy and grace continue to shine even in the darkest of times. Scripture reveals that a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue will come to salvation, though at great personal cost.
The Apostle John, in his vision of heaven, saw these saints standing before the throne of God, clothed in white robes and holding palm branches as their symbol of victory.
When asked who these people are, the answer is clear: “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 (Jesus Christ)” (Revelation 7:14).
These faithful believers will endure unspeakable suffering, yet their eternal salvation is secure, their robes washed clean by the blood of Christ.
The tribulation will be a time of dual intensity—God’s righteous judgment upon a rebellious world and the fierce persecution of believers by the Antichrist. As Daniel prophesied, "As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them," Daniel 7:21 esv
Yet, this defeat is only temporary, for Daniel also foresaw the Ancient of Days rendering judgment in favor of the saints, who will one day reign in the kingdom of God.
“As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days arrived and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for them to possess the kingdom. This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it." Dan. 7:21-23
A Great Harvest Amid Judgment
Even in judgment, God’s merciful heart for people, longing to give them His salvation remains evident. During the tribulation, the gospel will continue to go out reaching people through various means:
The Bible: Many will turn to the Scriptures left behind, seeking answers as they witness God’s judgments unfold.
The Two Witnesses: These prophetic figures will preach and perform miracles for three and a half years, boldly proclaiming God’s truth (Revelation 11:3–6).
Israel, soon a nation of evangelism! The 144,000 Jewish Evangelists: They will be winning both humble Jews and gentiles who are open to the truth. Sealed and redeemed by God, these servants will spread the gospel across the globe, leading countless souls to Christ.
"After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.” Revelation 7:1–8 esv
Following the ministry of the two witnesses, John describes a great multitude of believers saved from every corner of the earth, their faith unshaken despite the horrors surrounding them (Revelation 7:9–17).
By God’s Grace Remain Faithful to the End
The tribulation saints will serve Christ in a world rife with hostility, demonstrating unshakable faith even unto death. They will triumph not through force, but through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, holding fast to their faith regardless of the cost (Revelation 12:11). Though many will be martyred, their death marks their victory, and their eternal reward is assured:
“Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:16–17).
Are You Still Outside In The Darkness? God Is Light, Respond To Christ Today
The tribulation will be a time of both judgment and grace—a time when God judges the unbelieving world while by His kind graces is extending salvation to all who will believe, to Jews and Gentiles alike. But why wait for such that horrific perilous time to repent and believe/accept Christ? The door of salvation is open right now. To all who will receive Him, God freely gives the right to become children of God.
As for the tribulation saints, their really tough story does not end in martyrdom. You won't be forgotten.
Even in the midst of wrath being poured out on earth, God extends His grace. The tribulation will be a radical time of judgment, but also a time of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles—yes, for both Israel and anyone who will repent and believe in Jesus. Yet why wait? Now is good!
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." John 1:12-13 esv
The tribulation saints, though they will miss Christ's Rapture experience for the Church believers (who gain their glorified bodies mid-flight), will one day be physically resurrected and glorified as well, joining the redeemed in eternal ongoing worship of God with JOY unspeakable. I say, please don’t wait any longer, just repent and by faith receive Christ today! Why enter those seven years of tribulation? Why risk facing the horrors of the great tribulation when God’s mercy is still available for you here and now? His arms are open wide for you now, His grace is free in this age of grace, and He is His perfect love is waiting for you—don’t delay.
Many Rightly Pray for Revial and Awakening Before the Rapture Happens. Some Aledgedly Prophecy About It Happening Then. I hope It Does, But we Don't see those Verses in the Bible.
Lord, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven.
Biblically, The Greatest Awakening Of All Time Will Indeed Happen Amidst The Greatest Tribulation Years!
A time is coming unlike any other where Jews will know and preach Jesus here.
A time of unparalleled destruction will happen during this time—and yet, of unprecedented salvation too. Muse through the seventh chapter of Revelation. God unveils a staggering reality here: in the darkest years of all human history, the greatest awakening this world has ever seen will break forth. Revival is for the Church to get on fire spiritually, and the Church has been raptured out.
Millions will come to Christ during the wrath of God being poured on on the trib-ungodly. The Christian's prayers of generations deeply longing for a mighty international, global awakening will be answered by God—but at the highest cost. Many who come to Christ will be beheaded (that's why we see an accumulation of martyers under the altar in heaven who then emerge from under that altar as more believers get killed on earth).
A World On Fire In A Really Bad Sort OF Way
This will not be a season of peace or prosperity on earth. It will be the worst of times and the best of evangelism. The fury of tribulation wrath will descend like a storm, unleashing terror, horrific-chaos, and judgment here. It's been pretty bad for years in Western Nations with liberal and Rino leader exploiting all they can, but it will get far worse before it gets better here on earth.
Thank about the attacks of late. There are only three institutions which God has established in the earth, and all three have been severely under such fierce attack.
1. The family,
2. Human government,
3. The real Church.
God didn't establish schools or para Church organizations or other business organizations here. Just those three institutions above, and the ene.my knows and has known that if he can take those three institutions down then the gospel simply won't have a venue here.
God's estimation of the importance of the family over the decades hasn't changed one iota. Not a bit. He has felt so highly of the family and He still does. Yes, so much so that when He sent His own son here, Jesus moved and functioned for 33 years within a family.
God still deeply cares about the Church and human governments here as well, because he cares about people who need to get saved.
The Antichrist will rise up, empowered by Satan himself, and will rule with a bloodthirsty hatred of Christ and of all believers. He will war, he will rage.. famines will spread, plagues will ravage, and nature it self will convulse wildly. The earth will shake and quake, the heavens will tremble, and physical death will claim untold multitudes of people. Saved and unsaved sinners will be killed. Evil will seem unstoppable for so long. The Holy Spirit’s restraining will have been lifted (when the believers are snatched away), and sin will then really run rampant like never before. You think you've already seen hell on earth?
Yet, in the midst of all this nightmare, something miraculous will unfold again and again and again. The Jews will witness and people will repent.
A Multitude Beyond Number
So many will get saved during the tribulation years, and they will get resurrected bodies before ending the millennial years. Some will get born physically and then saved during the millennial years too and then they will receive their glorified bodies at the end of the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth.
God will not cease His saving work during the tribulation years. Instead, He will move with mighty power like never before.
John’s vision in Revelation 7 (remember what he saw while stuck on the Isle of Patmos?) reveals a breathtaking sight for us: a vast multitude, beyond human counting, righteous, and standing before the throne of God, clothed in really white robes, worshiping the Lamb of God. Blood doesn't normally make clothes white, but we are so thankful for the shed blood of Jesus.
When asked who these people are, the explanation resounds—these are the tribulation saints, those who have come through it.. to faith in Christ during the horrific Tribulation. Their salvation like ours was free, but they have paid for it with their lives.
Despite the horrors of this age and the tribulation years, the gospel will not be silenced. People will be persecuted and killed, but the Word of God will still remain. God will still use people. The testimony of the two mighty witnesses in Jerusalem will pierce the darkness. The 144,000 sealed Jewish evangelists will carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. And even angels will proclaim the everlasting gospel from the skies.
"Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people." Revelation 14:6 esv
No soul will be left without a witness. And millions—Jews and Gentiles alike—will believe.
"He said in a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” niv
How cool is that? Our God is into saving people! A literal angel flies through the sky and preaches the everlasting gospel to all people on Earth. The angel's message is to fear God, give him glory, and worship him.
"Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.' And another angel followed, saying, 'Babylon[a] is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.' Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 'If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall 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 ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.' Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying [d]to me, 'Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'” Revelation 14:6-13 nkjv
Victory in Death, for the Believers
Their salvation was free (paid for by Christ), however, following Jesus will cost them everything. The Antichrist (anti means against or in place of) will hunt them down, He will gladly imprison and torture them, and then execute them.
The enemy is a liar, a counterfeiter, a deceiver, an accuser, and a murderer. Satan and the demons also love to destroy every chance they get. Fast or slow they want to kill your countrymen, but they prefer fast. Misery loves company and the lake of fire awaits.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 niv
The world will despise and persecute Christians, yet heaven will embrace and welcome them. During the Tribulation years, many Christians will not shrink from torture and death, for they will stand firm in Jesus by the Spirit who encourages them.
The Bible says, "They triumphed over 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 niv
And their suffering will not be in vain. For faithful Trib-saints, physical death is NOT a defeat. They too will be physically resurrected.
Honestly come to Christ as you are today. Never forget that the strongest men are not only found in the gym doing more than talking.
They are more importantly found in the Bible, in a healthy church, and often on their knees. Yep, regularly in the presence of God. http://fish4souls.org
There might be multiple assassination attempts where the government refuses to help or properly address it. I hate that. It's happened, let's pray for our real leaders and their safety. It's no time to stop.
History is filled with examples of people who made an initial positive response to Christ only to fall away later. In the parable of the sower and the seed, some of the seed sprung up quickly, only to wither away or be choked out by weeds. Don't allow the cares of this world to choke you out.
Jesus: “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful” (Matthew 13:20–22).
Be ready, stay ready! Think soundly and quickly in any and every situation, to act wisely responding to things that you were and are not expecting. Even if you are surrounded by those who are not speaking or acting responsibly.
It's election season in the USA again and many people can be choked out by the cares of this world. Many Americans.. with good reason.. feel very concerned. During these perilous times we live in, pray without ceasing and with Christ leading as Lord.. walk wisely, even circumspectly. It's no time to be playing around or be overcome by fears. Put on the full armor of Christ in Him. Being concerned enough to focus on Christ, get right with Him while praying and acting rightly means ..we can do something positive that helps.. yet mere worrying means we do nothing but live in fear. That helps no one.
God loves you. He loves the people in this evil world and He's done something about it (Read the Bible and by faith wisely apply what you read. John 3:16–21).
Jesus said in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
He has a good short-term and long-term plan for your life. Call out to, go back to him for the specifics.
Habakkuk 1:2–4, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.”
Ecclesiastes 4:1–3, “Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.”
Psalm 10:1, “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?”
Psalm 22:1–2, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.”
Psalm 83:1–2, “O God, do not remain silent; do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God. See how your enemies growl, how your foes rear their heads.”
John 16:2–4, “They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when their time comes you will remember that I warned you about them.”
Romans 8:36, “As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’“
Revelation 6:9–10, “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. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’”
For many Americans, the "problem of evil" in our Land presents a profound challenge to the belief in an all-powerful, Sovereign, and all-loving God, particularly in light of this suffering due to the evil that permeates human existence here. Is America due to all the sinful choices really experiencing the wrath of abandonment (one type of God's wrath or judgment here). Yes (from Scripture, I just taught on this), and we're not in the beginning of it.
In Acts 14:16 the Bible says that God in the past allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. True. He let each of them walk in their own ways.
Listen, whether you're talking about all the nations or whether you're talking about the nation of Israel, there is a point reached at which God lets them go. God gives them up. You've got to be careful with what you want or ask for.. you might get it.
To the pre-flood, the antediluvian society, God said way back in Genesis, "My Spirit will not always strive with man." It doesn't go on forever.
Study Romans 1. How did this abandonment ever happen? God certainly hasn't and won't abandon born-again Christians in these sinful nations.
How did God ever get to the point where He chose to give a people up, where He just turned them over, let them go? What is it that could happen to bring God to such a place where He feels so angry at the destructive evil and sin, so full of wrath that He just lets that people go, that He just takes off the restraint?
Answer: Go back Romans 1:18 and there you see the descent of man presented in successive steps downard, leading up to verse 24. In fact go back to verse 16 and let's remind ourselves that Paul has designs in the book of Romans of preaching the gospel for sinners to get saved. We each can choose to repent, believe and get saved. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ and we shouldn't in our day be ashamed. Paul wants to make his gospel presentation very clear -- this is the standard of salvation for everyone that believes in Jesus.
Many people grapple or struggle in different Lands that are suffering due to the evil (and much of it comes from evil "leaders" and corrupt politicians).
Many people have the notion that if God is indeed omnipotent and benevolent, then the presence of evil here must either negate His existence, or it must diminish His goodness and His power to act.
However, this perspective overlooks a crucial biblical teaching: evil is not a creation of God, nor was it part of His original intention for any humanity of any Land.
Instead, the existence of evil here is a necessary consequence of our.. of human's free will.
If we are genuinely free, we must have the capacity to choose against God's will, which includes the potential for moral evil. The Scriptures emphasize that there are significant repercussions for such choices—impacting individuals, communities, and the spiritual realm.
The authors of the Bible were acutely aware of the reality of evil and suffering. They expressed their anguish and confusion to God, especially when His actions seemed misaligned with their expectations. Yet, despite their struggles, these writers also maintained a steadfast belief in God's ultimate goodness and His promise to rectify the wrongs of the world in due time. This belief underscores the idea that our experiences of suffering do not contradict the existence of God. In fact, the Bible not only articulates the reality of evil but also reveals God's active role in addressing it.
Where is the Bible at on this, what's it's stance?
The Scriptures firmly reject the notion that God created or endorses any evil. Instead, the word of God depicts a Father God who actively combats evil in various ways.
And God limits the effects of evil. He warns all of humanity of its dangers. He intervenes to halt its spread. He provides avenues for people to escape from the evil situations, and ultimately He promises to vanquish all evil forever.
This divine engagement illustrates that the presence of evil does not negate God's existence or His goodness; rather, it highlights His commitment to restoring a broken world.
While the problem of evil in any era poses significant philosophical questions, the biblical narrative offers a robust response that affirms both the reality of human suffering and the unwavering goodness of God. Jesus is the ultimate solution for us having to deal with this evil here.
Genesis 1:31, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”
Genesis 2:16–17, “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’“
Genesis 3:17–19, “To Adam he said, ‘Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.”
Proverbs 19:3, “A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.”
Matthew 5:3–11, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”
John 9:1–3, “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’”
Romans 1:18–28, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.. Just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.”
Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:12, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”
Hebrews 2:2–3, “For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?”
Taken together, Scripture shows us that physical evils—sickness, famine, war, and death—are the result of moral evil. And moral evil is something human beings are all responsible for, on a personal and a communal level. We suffer because of our own sins at times. Other times, we suffer because of the sins of others. In some situations, we suffer from simple cause-and-effect. And we sometimes suffer for a special purpose, in order to bring hope or help—or a warning—to others (see 2 Corinthians 1:4).
The Bible “frames” the problem of evil by keeping it in the proper context. “Evil” is meaningless without something to compare it to. For comparison, we have the original creation of God, called “very good” (Genesis 1:31). We have the standard of goodness in God Himself. And we have an explanation for the various causes of evil and suffering.
Likewise, we see that this physical world is not all there is. Nor is this mortal life all we have been made for. We can experience physical struggles such as “mourning” and “persecution” (Matthew 5:4, 11) while looking to a greater, more permanent state of being “blessed.”
The Bible teaches that God has indeed responded. He has actively intervened to mitigate the effects of evil in this nation and world. I recently saw God protect my president from some bullets fired at him. There were two attempts!
I will focus on the living word and yet be practical. God has provided us with clear guidance on how to avoid engaging in evil actions and He has made spiritual power accessible to those seeking liberation from evil's grasp. Turn from sin to Christ and pray daily. Act wisely.
From the get-go outset (see Genesis 3:15), God initiated a divine plan aimed at rectifying all wrongs and ultimately eradicating our experiences of evil and suffering here.
The existence of evil often poses a significant challenge for believers, primarily due to misleading dichotomies. Many assume that for God to be good, He must eliminate all evil at this time; otherwise, He is (by many people) deemed malevolent.
Similarly, the belief that God should immediately punish all wrongdoers (right now) while sparing the innocent leads to questions about His omnipotence. However, these assumptions overlook the ways in which Scripture addresses the problem of evil.
The Biblical Perspective - God in the Bible does not shy away from acknowledging the reality of evil.
The Bible frames the issue accurately and illustrates how God stands against it. More importantly, Scripture reveals that the existence of the one God (the God of the Bible, there is no other) provides a profound resolution to the problem of evil.
God's actions are not merely reactive. He wisely responds -- they are part of a larger narrative that emphasizes His loving commitment to full justice and full restoration. Through God's interventions, the Fathe in Heaven equips humanity with the Scriptural tools to resist evil, to gain forgiveness, to gain boldness, and He offers a living hope to reborn believers for a future where suffering is no more.
The shedding of blood just had to happen. The OT and NT Scriptures point to the bloody cross of Christ. That's where my sins were judged so they won't have to be judged at the Great White Throne Judgement Seat. We each can choose where our sins will be fully dealt with.
This comprehensive approach not only affirms God's goodness but also highlights His active role in combating the very evils that challenge a believer's walk.
Genesis 3:21, “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”
Genesis 4:10–15, “The Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.’ Cain said to the Lord, ‘My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.’”
Genesis 6:5–8, “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.’ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”
Genesis 7:1–4, “The Lord then said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. . . . Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.’”
Deuteronomy 9:5, “It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
Deuteronomy 30:15–18, “See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.”
Jonah 3:6–10, “When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: ‘By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.’ When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”
Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 23:37, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.”
1 Corinthians 6:9–11, “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Colossians 1:13, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”
2 Thessalonians 2:7, “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.”
2 Peter 2:9, “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.”
Revelation 19:11, “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 wages war.”
Revelation 20:11–15, “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. . . . I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. . . . The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. . . . Each person was judged according to what they had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 21:1–5, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. . . . I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”
The Bible acknowledges evil, but we don't need to be passive.
Matthew 16:21, “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Luke 22:19–20, “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’”
John 14:6, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
John 19:16–18, “Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.”
John 19:30, “Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
John 20:19–20, “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.”
John 20:30–31, “Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.”
Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
1 John 3:1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”
Colossians 1:21–22, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
The Bible presents evil as something God has allowed for a time, not forever, (but He's never endorsed the evil), to preserve the liberty of human free will. This allowance of free will is not an endorsement; rather, it is a necessary condition for genuine freedom. Throughout history, God has actively worked to limit the influence of evil, demonstrating His commitment to guiding humanity towards His sinless holy Son Jesus (the flawless hero of every book in the Bible). Towards obtaining righteousness in a relationship with His Son. . Most significantly, God took upon Himself the consequences of human sin at Calvary's cross, offering everyone the opportunity for His free forgiveness and wonderful salvation. We don't have to worry in Christ -- He gives us peace. This sacrificial act of God's underscores the promise that all sin, all evil here, and all suffering will ultimately be eradicated. A new earth is coming. The Bible assures believers that a time will come when these afflictions here will be completely ended, fulfilling God's plan for a restored creation. . Contrary to what many TV preachers say, there will be some more suffering, testing, and trails here for a time. Jesus warned us in advance.
Let's pray, believe and share the gospel when we can. Beyond all types of debates today, God in the Bible provides a powerful response to the "problem of evil." By illustrating God's proactive measures against evil and His ultimate plan for redemption from it, the Bible reassures spiritually reborn believers that God's existence and goodness are not negated by the presence of evil but are instead affirmed through His ongoing work to overcome it. His timing is perfect -- He will effectively neutralize all evil and evil persons (human and fallen angelic) will be cast into the lake.
