So you want to talk about ‘end times’ and ‘tribulation’?

I’ll go there, and the reason I will is because too many sincere ‘believers’ today think they will be ‘long gone’ when the ‘end times and tribulation’ unfolds. There’s just one small ‘catch’ that we forget sometimes. Every generation has their ‘end of time’ or ‘end of the ages’ or ‘last days’, do they not? And did Paul not remind us that “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22). Trust me....I know how our ‘flesh’ bristles at such talk.

And yet...there it is...plainly written out for us to read and take to heart.

Jesus gave us an exhaustive description as to what unfolds in the ‘last days’ leading up to His return...talking of widespread deception and wars and how men’s hearts will harden because of the increasing amount of lawlessness and sin (5,12). He also points out that “he who endures to the end shall be saved”. (13)

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he speaks of ‘perilous times’ coming in the last days, giving a rather depressing description as to how many presumed 'believers’ would be behaving yet continue to ‘walk in a form of godliness’. (2 Tim. 3:1-5). He then adds: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (12). Notice he said ‘all’, and not just ‘some who live in heathen countries where false religions abound’.

You might read where Jesus gave a heads up to His disciples as to what they would most likely encounter when they began preaching His gospel (as opposed to all those ‘other gospels’ that would pop up) there in Matt. 10:16-22. Have you ever noticed how much effort is put in to making the gospel ‘less offensive’ to people today in so many places where ‘seekers’ attend?

And please know...this is not about going out to be blunt or offensive or ‘in your face rude’, either. We are to ‘speak the truth in love and gentleness’, yet avoid shunning away from declaring the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)

God’s judgement and wrath is upon the earth...and has been ever since sin entered into the world.(Rom. 5:12; John 3:36). For generations upon generations, God made provision for people to still walk in covenant with Him as He promised them protection and health and provision, provided they agreed to walk according to His ways and not theirs. Yet, men continued to walk according to the dictates of their own hearts. And they suffered the consequences of that as well.

Finally, God’s ultimate plan for redemption included sending His only beloved Son...to die and take upon Himself all the sins of the world and the penalty that comes with sin (death). While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8). And with His miraculous resurrection three days after His death, showing that He had power over all of sin, death, and darkness (including the prince of darkness), He invites us to walk in covenant with Him today - A ‘better covenant with better promises’, I might add. (Heb. 8:6)

But make no mistake about it: We still have to agree to His terms and walk in His ways. Period. There is still a law that was never done away with that needs to be fulfilled. (Matt. 5:17; Rom. 2:13). The good news here is that Jesus does not expect us to do that on our own. He empowers us with His grace to walk this out as He did. (Rom. 8:4; 1 John 2:6).

Should we choose to not follow His leading, then we remain under the law and all that it brings, like wrath and death and curse and condemnation. (Gal. 5:18; Rom. 8:1). And let’s not forget...He did not come to condemn us...but to save us...and it is the wrath of God that He came to save us from. (John 3:17; Rom. 5:9).

How does He do that? By leading us to put to death everything in our sinful nature that causes us to sin...so that we can ‘go and sin no more’. (Rom. 8:13-14). And those...who abide in Him...’sin no more’. (1 John 3:6). Why is that? Because those who belong to Christ have ‘put to death the flesh with its passions and desires’. (Gal 5:24). Oh, and why is that so important? Well, look back a few verses there (19-21) where Paul lists how all those ‘passions and desires’ manifest...wrapping up with a sobering reminder that ‘those who continue to practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God’. His words, not mine.

Once again: God’s wrath and judgment is still upon the earth today (and will only increase -Rom. 1:18; Matt. 3:7). What is unfortunate is the amount of people who have been led to believe (falsely) that if they just say some prayer and claim that they trust and believe in Jesus, that they are somehow exempt or immune to God’s wrath. Yet Paul warns us...”let no one deceive you with empty words....because of such things, the wrath of God comes...” (Eph. 5:6). And then there is that brief warning made by Jesus about going and ‘sinning no more or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14)

What was the opening sermon that Jesus preached when He first appeared on the scene? “Repent...for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17)

When He pointed out in Luke 13:1-5 that just because you see people experiencing tragedy and suffering, don’t conclude they are ‘any worse sinners’ than anyone else. Twice we are told by Him...’unless you repent...you will all...likewise perish.” And not only did His message first command that we ‘repent’ (which means we turn)...it was followed up by ‘follow Me’. (Matt. 4:19). That is...the gospel in a nutshell...”repent...and follow Jesus’.

He does not hide the fact either, that this ‘following’ will include taking up a cross and laying down our lives and loving Him first and foremost...even above family. (Luke 14:25-33; Matt.10:34-39). We have to be ‘willing to come to Him’...and make Him ‘Lord of all’.

Nowhere in scripture will you find some ‘easy, one size fits all formula’ that suggest we say a simple prayer, then join a local church and do your best to be faithful and committed as you profess you trust in Him while you continue to live our your life pursuing your dreams. If Jesus does not become ‘Lord of all’, then He will not be “Lord at all”. Why would we call Him, ‘Lord, Lord’, and not do the things He says? (Luke 6:46; John 2:5)

The ‘floods of wrath and darkness’ are here...and are only going to increase as time goes on.(Matt. 7:25;Luke 17:27; Isa. 59:19) If/should...the ‘rapture’ occur sooner than later...then great...we can all sing and shout in the great ‘bye and bye’. But what I continue to be compelled to write about and admonish and exhort believers who are still here...is that if we are not truly abiding in Him...we are on very shaky ground. And I don’t say that lightly.

Think of it this way...If you were trapped in a burning building high above the ground surrounded by smoke and flames and your chance of surviving looked bleak, until that fireman shows up and tells you to ‘follow him’...you would do well to stay as close to him as humanly possible. And the reassuring tone of his voice that calms your soul as he promises to lead you to safety might sound similar to those who ‘hear the voice of our Shepherd...and follow Him’. (John 10:27)

If you were by chance, one of those kidnapped Americans in Gaza right now, held prisoner by Hamas terrorist as bombs and missiles are raining down all around you...and then ‘Seal Team 6’ shows up in the middle of the night to rescue you and lead you out of that mess...you would do well, once again to stay on their heels and do everything they tell you if you have hopes of reuniting with your loved ones once again on American soil.

If I went on some safari to take pictures deep in an African jungle and wandered off and got lost, clueless to where I was and how to find my way back; if by chance some local native or safari guide found me and wanted to lead me to safety, I would do well to follow them and obey. Especially if the jungle was filled with all kinds of dangerous predators and lethal pitfalls.

Or imagine a scene from an old WWII movie where someone is trapped behind enemy lines and the only thing that separates them from freedom is traversing a large mine-field where one misstep could be devastating. If by chance the one who knew where all the mines were planted and was going to lead them through...once again...they would be wise to take heed and pay attention and follow him in his steps. No doubt, there might still be some ‘fear and trembling’ involved as well.

And who did Jesus become the source of eternal salvation for according to Hebrews 5:9 

May I encourage you to read Psalm 91 in closing today...paying close attention, maybe even highlighting or underlining such phrases you come across there like ‘dwelling in the secret place’ or ‘abide under the shadow’ or being ‘covered under His wings’...(1-4). Friends...this ‘abiding’ thing is no small matter or some ‘option for super-saints’. If you are not abiding...you may be among those ‘thousand who fall at the side or those ten-thousand’ who are on the outside looking in. Those who are abiding in Christ are promised that ‘no evil shall befall you nor shall any plague come near your dwelling...and His angels will keep charge over you.” (9-11). Sounds like those other promises we read in Ps. 34:7 and 1 John 5:18.

Of this, you can be sure: there is an ‘enemy’ on the loose that we are to remain vigilant to. (1 Pet. 5:8). Yet, “when a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Prov. 16:7) Another reason as to why we should be diligent to follow the Spirit as He leads us to put to death all the deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:13)...because those who remain carnal minded are hostile to God, unable to submit to His law...nor are they able to ‘please Him’. (Rom. 8:7). 

But...oh my...to those who do abide in His presence...there is fullness of joy and it comes with a peace that passes all understanding.