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Well Watered
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Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun. ~ Ecclesiates 11:7 (KJV)
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"Well come on and let me know...Should I stay or should I go?"
~lyrics from "The Clash"
We've reached Day #22 in Counting the Omer. Throughout scripture, the number 22 is associated with light. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet which were used to compose the Old Testament which is a "lamp unto our feet and light unto our path." (Psalm 119:115). In the Gospel of John, Jesus states "I have come as a Light unto the world." John 12:46.
Today we see more and more evil every day in the form of a "darkness covering the earth and a deep darkness the people." (Isaiah 60:2). There's a core visceral sense that we are, indeed, entering "dark times." Thus, there has been a marked increase on social media chatter regarding the various "Rapture" views.
What exactly is "tribulation" and where does it appear in the Bible? Should we expect, teach and welcome the idea of NO end times tribulation for the "faithful?" Let's go to the ultimate source...God's Holy Word.
When researching this information, I typed the word "tribulation" into Strong's Concordance. I found there are 22 references in the Old and New Testament! So, I humbly propose that God intends to give us some light and clarity on this issue today if we earnestly seek the Truth.
In this world of "fake news," it is popular to just pluck the narrative that we like and discard any other evidence in order to bolster our preconceived notions. In order to avoid this, I will briefly touch on all 22 verses. The scriptural evidence will show that NOT ONE single verse on tribulation confirms the false belief that Christians will not experience it. I exhort and encourage you to take out your Bible and review all 22 verses again after you read this. Buckle your seat-belt of Truth.
Let's begin. First let's examine the meaning of the word "tribulation" in both the Hebrew and Greek. It means:
"narrow, tight, straits, distress, adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor, pressing together, affliction, distress, compressed, to press (as grapes), to press hard upon."
Now on to the 22 verses to enlighten us:
1) Deuteronomy 4:30: Scripture says "When" not "if" when describing God's people experiencing tribulation.
2) Judges 10:14: God chastises idolaters and says "go ask your gods for help" during their tribulation, which suggests that believers get help during their trials and tribulations.
3) 1 Samuel 26:24: David asks for deliverance from tribulation by being merciful to another during his tribulation.
4) Matthew 13:21: Tribulation will only be endured by those whose roots are deep. The shallow shall not endure.
5) Matthew 24:21-22: End time tribulation will be so severe, that unless God cuts that time short...NO ONE WOULD SURVIVE IT. He specifically mentions "the Elect" of God. If we believe that we are not to experience any end times tribulation at all, why would God have to "cut it short" for the sake of the Elect?
6) Matthew 24:29-31: Jesus does not return until AFTER the Great Tribulation.
Let's take a pause right here. To me, this is very "cut and dry." I cannot understand how anyone is reading this to mean that the Church will not be here during the Great Tribulation when Jesus has not arrived yet in His Second Coming!
7)
Mark 13:24, 26: In those days, AFTER that TRIBULATION, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light...THEN they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
8)
John 16:33:
Yeshua instructs us to maintain our peace during tribulation, as He has overcome the world.
9)
Acts 14:22:
We MUST go through tribulation in order to enter into the Kingdom of God.
10)
Romans 2:9: Tribulation PLUS Anguish will be upon every soul that does evil. First to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. This suggests we are spared from ANGUISH alone if we repent now.
11)
Romans 5:3: We GLORY in tribulation because it produces the Fruit of Patience. WOW! We rarely hear that preached anymore!
12)
Romans 8:35: No tribulation will ever separate us from the Love of Christ
(described as: distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril and sword).
13)
Romans 12:12: During tribulation, be patient and continue in prayer.
14)
2 Cor 1:4: God comforts us in tribulation as we comfort others.
15)
2 Cor 7:4: We are to be JOYFUL in tribulation.
16)
1 Thess 3:4: VERILY ~ WE SHALL SUFFER TRIBULATION (no way to spin this verse!).
17)
2 Thess 1:6:
We endure tribulation, THEN God pays back (recompenses) those that trouble us.
18)
Rev 1:9: The Blessed brethren (Church) is our companion in tribulation.
19)
Rev 2:9: Revelation Church of Smyrna is described as facing tribulation, which makes them spiritually rich (although they are monetarily poor).
20)
Rev 2:10: For some of us, tribulation may include PRISON and POSSIBLY EVEN DEATH.
21)
Rev 2:22: Great Tribulation will afflict the adulterous Church.
22)
Rev 7:14: Those who pass successfully through tribulation shall serve God and dwell with God in Heaven around His Throne.
So, to sum up, what does God's Holy Word say about tribulation?
As sincere Christians, tribulation should be expected, it will increase our faith, it will give us opportunities to exhort and comfort others, it will be experienced by all prior to His Second Coming, it is necessary for us to undergo, it will allow us to see our enemies receive recompense, it will increase the bonds of Unity for the Church, it will make us spiritually rich, and it will be the defining criteria of those serving before God's Throne.
All 22 verses, say absolutely NOTHING about getting a Disney Rapture FastPass or a special Golden Rapture Ticket. This is simply childish and immature theology albeit not surprising based on the "Christian-lite" preaching that has been "tickling ears."
Let's re-phrase this: In essence, when we say we want or expect NO TRIBULATION, we are hardening our hearts against God's Holy Word. We are really saying:
We don't wish to grow up, we don't think there is any benefit to further purification, we don't wish to assist any others into the Kingdom, and we don't wish to offer comfort to the suffering.
ISN'T THIS THE VERY "ANTI-ESSENCE" OF CHRISTIANITY AND THE CHURCH'S FUNCTION?
Finally, let's look what the Apostle Paul has to say on the matter of "staying" or "going."
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
~Philippians 1: 20-26
We must go through tribulation so that we grow in Christ and, at the same time, be an example to non-believers so that many will come to repentance and enter His Kingdom. Tribulation is not only inevitable but, with the purification of the Holy Spirit, a BLESSING, to grow towards Christ and assist others into the Kingdom.
For to you it has been GRANTED on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him,
but also to suffer for His sake.
~Philippians 1:29
Tribulation is a precious gift, A SHARED EXPERIENCE, which causes us to love Him and each other all the more. Those who depend on a false "cheap grace" instead of true repentance risk missing the fullness of Christ and His eternal rewards.
Those who patiently wait for His return, acknowledging their need for faithful obedience, fulfilling all of the King's expectations and requirements; those who are zealous to repent and follow His path of purity; those who endure and overcome...
They will become full-fledged citizens of God's Eternal Kingdom.
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"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His Throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
~Revelation 3:21-22 (NKJV)
Prayer:
Most High God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, Master of the Universe it is to You that we bow our knee. You require us to be a holy people as You are Holy. Open the eyes of Your Church to receive this timely and necessary instruction. Stiffen our backbones as we "gird up" for the current spiritual battle. Put a righteous desire upon our hearts to be salt and light to a dying world. Thank you for being with each of us as we go through trials, tribulation and persecution. Let us willingly embrace, and not shy away from, suffering as we follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Your said that each of us must pick up our own individual cross in order to follow You. You taught us that whoever tries to save his own life will lose it and whoever loses his life for Your sake will find it. Through REPENTANCE may we abide in You and seek Your covering. While our flesh would like to have this cup pass from us, Your ways are higher than our ways, help us to say: "Not my will but Thine be done" as did our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in whose Name we pray.
~ Amen
National Day of Repentance
Those who have read our 40-day Devotional book tell us there are powerful experiences of repentance awaiting a reader of River & Streams in the Desert! This is a 40-day repentance devotional based on the 40/40's of Scripture.
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
"River & Streams in the Desert" ~ Pastor Jeffrey Daly
Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 200 pages | ISBN 9781973661863
Softcover | 6 x 9in | 200 pages | ISBN 9781973661856
E-Book | 200 pages | ISBN 9781973661870
Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble
We welcome comments, feedback and insights from all of our participants. Please send them via email to
pastorjeff@repentday.com
for consideration.
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LINKS: (Free Chapters of our 50 Day Devotional Book)
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