Unconfused! Holy Bible Prophecies And The Tribulation
There seems to be a lot of confusion on how the Rapture and Tribulation take place as well as when Jesus will actually return again to the earth. The Holy Bible contains many prophecies and verses about the tribulation.
Here are some key verses that will help in gaining a better understanding:
THESSALONIANS
1 Thessalonians 5:2: “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
DANIEL
Daniel 12:4: “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”
Daniel 9:27: “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.”
TIMOTHY
1 Timothy 4:1: “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.
2 Timothy 3:1-2: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
MATTHEW
Matthew 24:6: “You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.”
Matthew 24:10 : “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.” “At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.”
Matthew 24:21: “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.”
Matthew 24:24: “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”
ACTS
Acts 2:17: “‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams.”
2 PETER
2 Peter 3:3: “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts.”
HABAKKUK
Habakkuk 2:3: “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.
REVELATIONS
Revelation 7:14: “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Revelation 20:4: “Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
The Signs of End Times
These prophecies speak to a variety of events and conditions that will occur in the end times, including wars, natural disasters, spiritual awakenings, and the rise of false prophets.
As for preparation, Christians are advised to grow in Christ-like character that includes faith, moral quality, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
Moreover, believers are encouraged to prepare for the end times with boldness, conviction and hope by giving their hearts, minds, and souls humbly before God, and learning His Word, while seeking His wisdom and discernment wholeheartedly.
Remember, the most important thing is to trust in God’s faithfulness and His promises, and extend hope to those who need it.
The Bible mentions several signs of the end times, and if you look close enough you can see many of these happening in our time:
- Increase in Knowledge: Daniel 12:4 predicts an increase in knowledge in the end times.
- Wars and Rumors of Wars: Matthew 24:6 mentions that there will be wars and rumors of wars.
- Nation Against Nation: Matthew 24:7 predicts that nation will rise against nation.
- False Prophets: Matthew 24:24 warns of false prophets who will perform great signs and wonders.
- Moral Decay: 2 Timothy 3:1-2 talks about people becoming lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, and unholy.
- Signs in the Stars: Acts 2:17 predicts that in the last days, God will pour forth of His Spirit on all mankind.
- A Great Tribulation: Matthew 24:21 warns of a great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time.
These signs serve as a reminder for Christians to be vigilant and maintain their faith. and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Rapture And The Second Coming of Jesus
The Rapture and the Second Coming are two separate and distinct events in the Bible, but they are often confused. Even by preachers and churches. Here are some key differences.
Before Tribulation vs. After Tribulation: The Rapture is prophesied in the Holy Bible to happen before the Tribulation, while the Second Coming will happen at the end of the Tribulation.
Deliverance vs. Judgment: In the Rapture, believers are taken from the earth by God as an act of deliverance, because of their faith, belief and repentance. The Second Coming, however, is a time of judgment when all left on the earth will be judged.
Hiddenness vs. Visibility: The Rapture is often described as a “hidden” event where Jesus comes for His church but never comes to earth. The Second Coming, on the other hand, is a visible event where every eye will see Him as He descends from the clouds with His true believers that were raptured before the tribulation to the ground.
Preparing For The Rapture
Preparing for the end times, according to the Bible, is more of a spiritual endeavor than a physical one. Here are some ways to prepare:
1. Grow in Faith: Deepen your relationship with God. Spend time in prayer, worship, and reading the Bible.
2. Repentance: Turn away from sins and ask for God’s forgiveness. Without repentance there is no place in heaven.
3. Receive Jesus Christ: By faith, receive Jesus Christ into your heart and life and follow Him in obedience as your Lord and Savior. Once you do, the Holy Spirit will come into you and guide you through life to salvation.
4. Spiritual Awareness: Be aware of the signs and warnings provided for us in Scripture about sin, compassion, understanding, repentance, rapture and the tribulation.
5. Love and Kindness: Show love, kindness, and forgiveness to others.
6. Community: Engage with a community of believers for support and encouragement, and be a volunteer to show God’s kindness and loving spirit. It does not have to be a church. It can be a home or location where other faithful believers gather. Ask around your neighbor to see if there are any local groups.
7. Share the Gospel: Share the good news of Jesus Christ with others, because there are many who are not aware or unsure of the gospel. As Christians we all have the ability to give our testimonies to those who are willing to listen.
Remember, every day draws us closer to the second arrival of our blessed Hope, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, it’s important to live each day in a way that honors God.
If you have any questions, thoughts or comments please write them in the comments box or email us directly at: john@ourdividedworld.com or jean@ourdividedworld.com
“Blessing to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ“
H John and Jean
john@ourdividedworld.com
jean@ourdividedworld.com
Our Divided World Ministry
www.ourdividedworld.com
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