Tag: 1 Thessalonians 5:9

Light in the Last Days – Day 18

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment
Photography by Bob Sabo

Jeremiah 30:7a  Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble;

Whether this series serves as a new eye-opener or a helpful refresher, it’s vital to understand the ‘Time of Jacob’s Trouble.’ As we touched on previously, Scripture uses this specific term to describe Israel’s Great Tribulation. Because the name refers directly to the descendants of Jacob, it stands to reason that this period is centered on the Jewish people rather than the Church. Just as the Church remained a ‘mystery’ unmentioned in the Old Testament, she remains absent from this specific time of trouble. Today’s verse shows that this period immediately precedes the Second Coming, when Jesus returns as the Messiah to save His people.

We are still waiting for the conclusion of Daniel’s prophecy to unfold, as the 70th week has not yet begun. The angel’s message to Daniel was clear regarding who this period concerns, stating that seventy weeks were specifically ‘determined upon thy people’ (Daniel 9:24).

Daniel 9:24  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

Scripture never characterizes the Tribulation as a period of testing or judgment for the believer. Because we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, our judgment has already taken place at the Cross. Our sins were washed away the moment we accepted His gift of eternal life. Instead, the Bible clarifies that this coming wrath is reserved specifically for the ‘children of disobedience’.

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The specific designation ‘children of disobedience’ is found exactly three times in the King James Version. By examining its first occurrence, we gain a clear definition of who these individuals are and the spiritual nature of their rebellion:

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Satan is the ‘prince’ mentioned here; it is his spirit that currently drives the ‘children of disobedience.’ While God has provided us with clear scriptural warnings, a pattern for holy living, and a perfect plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, the enemy is obsessed with dragging souls toward destruction. It’s no surprise, then, that he works to shift the focus of believers away from the Pre-Tribulation Rapture. By fixating on the horrors of the Tribulation rather than the hope of Christ, believers are distracted from the Lord and begin bracing for the enemy’s reign. Make no mistake: the ‘prince of the power of the air’ is preparing to step into his role as the reigning Antichrist.

Those who hold a post-Tribulation view often argue that the Church must endure this period of testing. However, to maintain this stance, they must ‘spiritualize’ the 144,000 Jewish believers mentioned in Revelation 7:2-8. If the Church were truly present, it’s unlikely John would have omitted the word ‘church’ here, especially after using it so frequently in the opening chapters. This perspective overlooks the transition of dispensations: we are currently in the Age of Grace, but once this ‘Ecclesiastical Dispensation’ ends, God will resume His specific dealings with Israel. This explains why Revelation returns to imagery from the Age of Law, such as the Temple. You cannot merge the Age of Law and the Age of Grace; they are distinct periods, and Scripture promises that the Church is not the target of the judgments found in Revelation.

1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Paul points us toward the ‘blessed hope’ (Titus 2:13), a phrase that breathes confidence and joy into the Christian life. This stands in stark contrast to the severe and terrifying judgments we read about in Revelation. If Paul intended for us to suffer through the Tribulation, he wouldn’t have called our outlook ‘blessed.’ He was careful to teach the truth so that we would be anchored, safe from confusing doctrines that take our eyes off Christ’s return.

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Beyond those initial warnings, the Bible provides a mountain of evidence regarding the targets of divine wrath. God is crystal clear on exactly who will endure the Tribulation—and it isn’t His Church. Look at what the Scriptures say:

John 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Romans 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Revelation 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Revelation 14:19  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

Revelation 15:1  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Revelation 15:7  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 16:1  And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

To suggest the Church goes through the Tribulation is to suggest she must endure God’s wrath. But why would the Lord subject His Church to judgment after already redeeming her? It defies the heart of the Gospel. If an earthly husband would do anything to protect his wife from harm, how much more will the Lord Jesus protect His Bride from the coming storm? A Groom does not put His Bride through a massacre; He rescues her from it.

Because the Holy Spirit lives within each member of Christ’s Bride, the Church is intricately linked to God’s own presence. It is difficult to reconcile the idea of the Holy Spirit enduring a global outpouring of divine wrath. Why would such a catastrophic judgment fall upon the very Spirit of Christ?

1 Thessalonians 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

To the one who is not saved, this is a scary time. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 17

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment
Photography by Bonnie Cipriani

Revelation 19:7-8  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. ( 8 ) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Recall our discussion on the vision in Revelation 19: as Jesus descends on a white horse, He is not alone. An army follows in His wake, distinguished by their garments of fine linen, clean and bright. We must then ask—who is this group following the Lord into battle?

According to Revelation 19:8, this fine linen represents the ‘righteousness of the saints.’ Only the Church, the Bride, is dressed in fine linen. All other references to Saints in Revelation are dressed in white robes only. This detail is crucial: if the Church is already in heaven, dressed and ready to return with Christ to battle the Antichrist, a post-Tribulation Rapture becomes logically impossible. The Tribulation is still technically ongoing at this moment, yet the saints are already appearing with Christ to wage war.

Revelation 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

I repeat these Scriptures often because a true understanding of the end times requires looking at the entire Bible, not just a few scattered passages. As we study the whole of Scripture, we must ask: ‘To whom is this judgment directed?’ When we do, we find the comforting truth that the Church is exempt from the wrath to come.

Romans 8:1-4  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

God’s judgment on the unbelieving world is coming, but the Church will be kept from it by way of the Rapture. No judgment since the time of Christ has affected the entire planet simultaneously—until the one that is approaching. It is from this unprecedented time of trouble that Jesus promised to rescue His Church:

Revelation 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

1 Thessalonians 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The wrath of God is not destined for those who are born again! Instead, His judgment is directed specifically toward the ‘children of disobedience’—those who have not received His salvation. We can truly praise the Lord for His mercy! 🙌

Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 8

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment
Photography by Jill Petrillo

Isaiah 13:6-13  Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.  (7)  Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt:  ( 8 )  And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.  (9)  Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.  (10)  For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.  (11)  And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.  (12)  I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.  (13)  Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

We’re diving into a heavy topic today. Isaiah calls the Great Tribulation the “day of God’s wrath.” Some believe Christians will have to face part or all of that time, but as we’ve discussed before, that doesn’t align with Scripture. We can take comfort in the fact that God didn’t design His wrath for those who follow Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Jesus used Noah and Lot to show us how God handles judgment. Just as they were pulled out of harm’s way before the destruction started, we see a blueprint for the Rapture. It’s hard to square a Mid- or Post-Tribulation view with these stories, isn’t it? God consistently rescues His own before the judgment falls.

Luke 17:26-37  And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  (27)  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.  (28)  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;  (29)  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  (30)  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.  (31)  In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.  (32)  Remember Lot’s wife.  (33)  Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.  (34)  I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.  (35)  Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (36)  Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (37)  And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

It is significant that the word “church” disappears from the Book of Revelation after chapter 3, verse 22. Immediately following this, Revelation 4:1 issues the command: “Come up hither!” This shift suggests a change in location; the Church is no longer mentioned on Earth during the dispensing of judgments because we have been delivered from the coming wrath. Through the grace of our Groom, Jesus Christ, we have been granted a way to escape the judgment intended for the world.

Luke 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

I find such joy in these promises, and I hope you do too. But if you aren’t sure of your future, don’t ignore this moment. You aren’t here by chance; you are here by divine appointment. Today is the day to step into the safety of God’s grace. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 6

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment

Revelation 6:16-17  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:  (17)  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

To imagine living in a time where biblical prophecies are actually shifting from “future events” to “current headlines” is both sobering and awe-inspiring. This shift began with Israel becoming a nation on May 15, 1948! (See Ezekiel 11:17, 37:22, and Jeremiah 31:10) It suggests a world where the veil between the physical and spiritual realms is narrowing. For the believer, this isn’t a cause for panic, but a signal to wake up and recognize the weight of the moment. If you’re not born again, I pray that you will be disturbed enough by what you read that it stirs your heart to be saved!!

Today’s verses talk about the wrath of the Lamb that is to come. What is this wrath? Who is going to suffer this wrath? The Lamb is Jesus Christ, the ultimate Judge and Redeemer, and when His judgment upon this earth begins, there will be no turning back; no opportunity for repentance. Each judgment will be worse than the one before, and will come more rapidly, creating fear and despair among those left behind. Jesus spoke of this time as birth pains, illustrating the inevitable and intense nature of these forthcoming tribulations. Just as a woman’s labor pains intensify and come closer together, so too will the end-time events unfold with increasing severity and frequency, overwhelming the world with chaos and a great suffering never seen before. The Rapture of the church will have already happened, a moment of great hope and salvation for believers, and those who remain will find themselves entangled in a horrific time on this earth like no other, known as the Tribulation. This will look like something out of a sci-fi movie but, friend, it will be reality. This intense period is called the time of God’s wrath upon the earth, His response to the unrepentant hearts of mankind. It has been prophesied from the Old Testament, where warnings were issued through the prophets, all the way through to the last book in the New Testament in the Book of Revelation, reinforcing the call for all to recognize the signs and prepare for what is inevitably on the horizon.

It is true that history is marked by cycles of suffering. From the Roman arenas to modern-day conflicts like the killing of Jews and Christians, faith has often been tested by fire. However, the argument here is that these events, while terribly tragic, were “geographically or culturally contained.” They were “shadows” of a larger, global event yet to come.

Revelation 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Mid-Tribulation and Post Tribulation believers say that Christians will go through half or all of the Tribulation. However, this doesn’t jive with the Scriptures because the Tribulation saints won’t be delivered from the wrath but will be overcome by it.

Revelation 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Proponents of the Pre-Tribulation view argue that Mid and Post-Tribulation theories fail to account for the fundamental nature of the seven-year period.

  • The Promise of Deliverance: The Church is specifically promised that it is not “appointed to wrath” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). If the Tribulation—from the very first seal—is defined as the “wrath of the Lamb,” then the Church must be removed before it begins.
  • A Different Mandate: The Church is promised that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” yet the Tribulation saints are described as being overcome by the beast (Revelation 13:7). This suggests two different groups under two different divine missions.

The fate of believers during the Tribulation stands in distinct contrast to the destiny of the Church. Scripture explicitly states that the Antichrist will be permitted to “make war with the saints and to overcome them” (Daniel 7:21; Revelation 13:7). Their victory is not found in physical escape, but in faithfulness unto death. In contrast, the Church is told to look for a “Blessed Hope”—the imminent return of Christ to rescue them from the “hour of trial” (Revelation 3:10).

The term “saints” simply means “holy ones” or “believers.” Mid and Post-Tribulation views often assume “saints” always refers to the Church. However, the Pre-Tribulation view argues:

  1. The Church is Absent: After Revelation chapter 3, the word “Church” (ekklesia) is never mentioned again until the very end of the book.
  2. A New Group: The “Tribulation Saints” are those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb after the Tribulation has already begun. (Revelation 7:14) They endure the wrath that the Church was specifically promised to avoid. As well, their robes are made white. The Bride’s (the Church) robes are made of fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:14)

We are told in the Scriptures that, just as in Noah’s day when God shut the door to the ark, that God will shut the door after the Rapture and no one will be able to escape the Tribulation. Jesus described it in the Parable of the Ten Virgins also. These passages refer to a door being open and shut. When God shut the door to the Ark, Noah and His family were protected. When God shuts the door after the Rapture, the Church will be protected from the wrath of the Lamb.

Matthew 25:6-10  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  (7)  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  ( 8 )  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  (9)  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  (10)  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Revelation 3:8,10; 4:1  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.  (10)  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Once the door is shut, no one can enter. Those who are alive at the time appointed by God to Rapture His Church, will be kept from the hour of temptation that will come upon the whole earth. All other times of persecution during history did not occur upon the whole earth, but just parts of it. The antichrist will be in power in order to cause havoc upon the entire earth. The Church has been taken up in the Rapture. The word “church” occurs 80 times in 79 verses in the King James Bible. It is found only seven times in the Book of Revelation and only in chapters 2 and 3; the word churches appears at the end of Revelation. It is not mentioned once in between those chapters. Once Jesus opens the door to Heaven to Rapture the Church, that door is shut and no one can open it. It is done at that point.

Revelation 3:7-8  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;  (8)  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

The Apostle John was given the opportunity to see and hear what would happen during the Tribulation. God called him up through an opened door. This is indicative of the Rapture of the Church. We now see that the following chapters now refer to the Jews. The Jews rejected Christ at His first coming and the Gospel of Christ was entrusted to the Church until Christ came at the Rapture. After this event, the Jews will come back into the picture and will ultimately see Jesus Christ is their long-awaited Messiah!

If you are a born-again Christian and have never studied this out, I hope you are blessed by it and encouraged in your heart. If you are not born again, I urge you to settle the matter right now! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

The Time of JACOB’S Trouble

On By KateIn Devotionals, Thoughts and MeditationsLeave a comment

Jer 30:7a  Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble;

What a blessed day it is!! Are you excited? Are you afraid? There is no greater way to start your day than to be in the Word and listen to God as He speaks to you. This series may be an eye opener for some, and a refresher course for others. In my previous post, we touched a bit on the “time of Jacob’s Trouble.” In a few Scripture references, the Bible refers to the Israel’s great tribulation as this time of Jacob’s trouble. This phrase refers to the descendants of Jacob so it stands to reason that it is meant for only the Jews, not the Church. Just as the Church isn’t mentioned in the Old Testament, the Church won’t play a role in the “time of Jacob’s Trouble.” Their will be people who will come to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ during the Tribulation period but they will not be referred to as the Church, but as Tribulation saints. Today’s verse states that this trouble will come just before the Lord Jesus, Israel’s Messiah, returns to save them at His Second Coming.

That final week of Daniel’s 70th week hasn’t taken place yet. An angel told Daniel that, “70 weeks are determined upon thy people” (Dan 9:24).

Dan 9:24  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

The Bible doesn’t say that the Tribulation is meant as a time of testing and judgment for the Church. We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus and, therefore, our sins have been judged already. (Romans 8:1) Our sins have been washed away once we receive salvation through Christ and eternal life with Him. The Bible does say that God’s wrath will be upon the “children of disobedience.” The Tribulation period will begin after the Rapture of the Church. We do not know how long it will be after the Rapture, but the Tribulation won’t start with the Church still on earth. We know this because God’s wrath is not meant for the Church but for those “children of disobedience.”

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Col 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The phrase, “children of disobedience,” appears three times in the KJV Bible. The first appearance explains exactly who these children are:

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Satan is this prince – it is his ‘spirit’ that lives within the children of disobedience. God gave us plenty of warnings in the Scriptures. He gave us a pattern for living. He gave us His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. However, the devil wants nothing to do with Jesus Christ and he is adamant about taking as many souls with him to Hell! Is it any wonder that the devil has managed to cause Christians who used to believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church to change their views? The devil does not want believers to concentrate on Christ but to concentrate on the horrible events of the Tribulation! Satan wants believers to take their eyes off the Lord and prepare themselves for his (Satan’s) reign! Satan will go from being the prince of the power of the air to the reigning antichrist!

Some proponents of the post-Tribulation viewpoint claim that Christians will be tested during the Tribulation. To make this fit into that viewpoint, they have to “spiritualize” the 144,000 Jewish believers in Revelation 7:2-8 who receive God’s protective seal. If the Church was to go through the Tribulation, don’t you think the Apostle John would have used the word “church” here as he did in chapters one through three? The Post-Tribulation proponents are forgetting the different dispensations. Before the Ecclesiastical Dispensation (the Age of Grace or the Church Age), there was the Legal Dispensation, the Age of Law. After the Church Age, God is dealing with Israel once again and only Israel. That is why references to the Age of Law (i.e., the temple), are made in Revelation. The post-Tribulation view tries to combine these two dispensations of the Law and Grace into the Tribulation. Only one age can happen at a time so this does not jive at all! Revelation is filled with judgment and the Scriptures tells us that God’s wrath is not upon the church.

1 Thess 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

This is why Paul said that we have the blessed hope, Christian! (Titus 2:13) This is such a positive and powerful verse.  Does it even resemble Paul trying to tell us that we would go through the judgments of the Tribulation? Not to me, it doesn’t! The judgments of Revelation are severe and horrifying! Paul wanted to make sure that his followers were well taught about what was to come so they wouldn’t fall for every wind of doctrine.

(Tit 2:13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

The three verses above about the children of disobedience aren’t the only verses that speak of the wrath. God is very clear on who will receive that wrath during the Tribulation:

(Joh 3:36)  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

(Rom 1:18)  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

(Rev 14:10)  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

(Rev 14:19)  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

(Rev 15:1)  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

(Rev 15:7)  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

(Rev 16:1)  And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Logically speaking, if the Church is to go through the Tribulation, they would also receive God’s wrath. Why would the Lord do this to His Church if we are not appointed unto wrath? Why would the Groom, the Lord Jesus, allow His wife, the Church, to be tortured and killed? Would any husband allow this in his home? Of course not!

1 Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

To the one who is not saved, this is a scary time. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

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Who is the Army?

On By KateIn Any Day Now, Devotionals, Thoughts and MeditationsLeave a comment

Rev 19:7-8  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. ( 8 ) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

When Jesus returns in Revelation 19, an army follows Him. He is riding on a white horse, and His army is clothed in fine linen that is white and clean. But who exactly is this army?

In Revelation 19:8, the Scriptures say that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. If the saints of God are returning with Christ to wage war on the Antichrist, then it is not possible to have a post-Tribulation Rapture view because the Tribulation has not yet ended.

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

The Church is the one that is clothed in fine linen, white and clean as we saw in Revelation 19:8 above. This is the righteousness of the saints, which cannot be earned because the Church has received Jesus Christ’s righteousness. Here are several verses that confirm this:

1 Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2 Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We see here the righteous are those who placed their faith in Jesus Christ! The saints are going to be the ones coming with Christ to wage war. One cannot base a viewpoint on Scripture’s teachings on just a few verses. This is why I repeat myself, and quote Scriptures throughout. One must take ALL of Scripture into account. One must determine who the judgments are meant for. It is clear that the church is not under judgment.

Rom 8:1-4  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

IF there is no condemnation for the Church, then why would the Church go through seven years of tribulation and condemnation?! The Church, through the Rapture, will be kept from this judgment that God will impose upon all the unbelieving world. Since Christ went to Heaven, there has not been any judgment that has come upon the entire earth. Horrible events have occurred in various places, but not upon the entire world. Jesus promised to keep His church from that time:

Rev 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

1 Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Col 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The wrath of God does not come on those that are born again! The wrath of God comes specifically for those “children of disobedience,” which are those who are not born again. Praise the Lord! \o/ Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

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Any Day Now – Day 18

On By KateIn Any Day Now, DevotionalsLeave a comment
Photography by Bob Sabo

Jer 30:7a  Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble;

What a blessed day it is!! Are you excited? Are you afraid? There is no greater way to start your day than to be in the Word and listen to God as He speaks to you. This series may be an eye opener for some, and a refresher course for others. In my previous post, we touched a bit on the “time of Jacob’s Trouble.” In a few Scripture references, the Bible refers to the Israel’s great tribulation as this time of Jacob’s trouble. This phrase refers to the descendants of Jacob so it stands to reason that it is meant for only the Jews, not the Church. Just as the Church isn’t mentioned in the Old Testament, the Church won’t play a role in the “time of Jacob’s Trouble.” Today’s verse states that this trouble will come just before the Lord Jesus, their Messiah, returns to save them at His Second Coming.

That final week of Daniel’s 70th week hasn’t taken place yet. An angel told Daniel that, “70 weeks are determined upon thy people” (Dan 9:24).

Dan 9:24  Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

The Bible doesn’t say that the Tribulation is meant as a time of testing and judgment for believers. We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus and, therefore, our sins have been judged already. They have been washed away once we receive salvation through Christ and eternal life with Him. The Bible does say that God’s wrath will be upon the “children of disobedience.”

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Col 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The phrase, “children of disobedience,” appears three times in the KJV Bible. The first appearance explains exactly who these children are:

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Satan is this prince – it is his ‘spirit’ that lives within the children of disobedience. God gave us plenty of warnings in the Scriptures. He gave us a pattern for living. He gave us His plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. However, the devil wants nothing to do with Jesus Christ and he is adamant about taking as many souls with him to Hell! Is it any wonder that the devil has managed to cause Christians who used to believe in the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church to change their views? The devil does not want believers to concentrate on Christ but to concentrate on the horrible events of the Tribulation! Satan wants believers to take their eyes off the Lord and prepare themselves for his (Satan’s) reign! Satan will go from being the prince of the power of the air to the reigning antichrist!

Some proponents of the post-Tribulation viewpoint claim that Christians will be tested during the Tribulation. To make this fit into that viewpoint, they have to “spiritualize” the 144,000 Jewish believers in Revelation 7:2-8 who receive God’s protective seal. If the Church was to go through the Tribulation, don’t you think the Apostle John would have used the word “church” here as he did in chapters one through three? The Post-Tribulation proponents are forgetting the different dispensations. Before the Ecclesiastical Dispensation (the Age of Grace or the Church Age), there was the Legal Dispensation, the Age of Law. After the Church Age, God is dealing with Israel once again and only Israel. That is why references to the Age of Law (i.e., the temple), are made in Revelation. The post-Tribulation view tries to combine these two dispensations of the Law and Grace into the Tribulation. Only one age can happen at a time so this does not jive at all! Revelation is filled with judgment and the Scriptures tells us that God’s wrath is not upon the church.

1 Thess 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

This is why Paul said that we have the blessed hope, Christian! (Titus 2:13) This is such a positive and powerful verse. 😃 Does it even resemble Paul trying to tell us that we would go through the judgments of the Tribulation? Not to me, it doesn’t! The judgments of Revelation are severe and horrifying! Paul wanted to make sure that his followers were well taught about what was to come so they wouldn’t fall for every wind of doctrine.

(Tit 2:13)  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

The three verses above about the children of disobedience aren’t the only verses that speak of the wrath. God is very clear on who will receive that wrath during the Tribulation:

(Joh 3:36)  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

(Rom 1:18)  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

(Rev 14:10)  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

(Rev 14:19)  And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

(Rev 15:1)  And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

(Rev 15:7)  And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

(Rev 16:1)  And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Logically speaking, if the Church is to go through the Tribulation, they would also receive God’s wrath. Why would the Lord do this to His Church if we are not appointed unto wrath? Why would the Groom, the Lord Jesus, allow His wife, the Church, to be tortured and killed? Would any husband allow this in his home? Of course not!

1 Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

To the one who is not saved, this is a scary time. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 17

On By KateIn Any Day Now, DevotionalsLeave a comment
Photography by Bonnie Cipriani

Rev 19:7-8  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Good morning, reader! As we discussed in a previous post, when Jesus returns in Revelation 19, an army follows Him. He is riding on a white horse, and His army is clothed in fine linen that is white and clean. Who is this army?

In Revelation 19:8, the Scriptures say that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. If the saints of God are returning with Christ to wage war on the Antichrist, then it is not possible to have a post-Tribulation Rapture view because the Tribulation has not yet ended. We see here the saints are coming with Christ to wage war.

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

One cannot base a viewpoint on Scripture’s teachings on just a few verses. This is why I repeat myself, and quote Scriptures throughout this whole series. One must take ALL of Scripture into account. One must determine who the judgments are meant for. It is clear that the church is not under judgment.

Rom 8:1-4  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The Church through the Rapture will be kept from this judgment that God will impose upon all the unbelieving world. Since Christ went to Heaven, there has not been any judgment that has come upon the entire earth. Jesus promised to keep His church from that time:

Rev 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

1 Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Col 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The wrath of God does not come on those that are born again! The wrath of God comes specifically for those “children of disobedience,” which are those who are not born again. Praise the Lord! \o/ Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day now – Day 8

On By KateIn Any Day Now, DevotionalsLeave a comment
Photography by Jill Petrillo

Isa 13:6-13  Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.  (7)  Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt:  ( 8 )  And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.  (9)  Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.  (10)  For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.  (11)  And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.  (12)  I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.  (13)  Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Good morning! Today’s topic is frightening, to say the least. According to Isaiah, the Great Tribulation is referred to as the day of God’s wrath. Those who believe in the Rapture occurring in the middle of the Tribulation or after the Tribulation, believe that Christians will go through part or all of God’s wrath. But we have learned that this cannot be possible as we covered in previous posts. God did not appoint born again believers to wrath.

1 Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Jesus referred to both Noah and Lot when He spoke of the Tribulation. In both instances, Noah and Lot were removed from the coming judgment on the unbelieving world. This is not possible when one believes in the mid or post Tribulation Rapture, amen?

Luk 17:26-37  And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  (27)  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.  (28)  Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;  (29)  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  (30)  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.  (31)  In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.  (32)  Remember Lot’s wife.  (33)  Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.  (34)  I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.  (35)  Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (36)  Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (37)  And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

The last time the Book of Revelation refers to the church is in Revelation 3:22. The very next verse, Revelation 4:1, calls the church up: “Come up hither”! The word “church” does not appear again. Why is this? It is because we are not on earth but have been removed from the wrath that is to come on the whole earth. We have been given an opportunity to escape this wrath because of our Groom, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Luke 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Does this excite you, reader? 😃 It surely does me  But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!