The anxiety being created by the condition of the world is reaching a point we haven’t seen in our lifetime. Taking a look at Luke 21:25-28, “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and on the earth, distress of nations in perplexity, because of the sea and the waves; people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” {And now for the good news for all believers} And then, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now, when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (emphasis mine)
It would appear that for the whole world to see Jesus, this would refer to His actual touch-earth return to end the tribulation and start the Millennium. Luke 21:33, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” This clearly refers to the end of the Millennium when the new Heavens and Earth are created by God to replace this current evil world we live in (Revelation 21:1-2).
With what we are witnessing in the world and the obvious rise in evil, we should consider our remaining time here to be short. Satan is gaining ground, as allowed by God, and is using every measure possible to draw souls away from Christ. People have a choice to make: receive Jesus and accept His free gift of eternal Salvation; or accept Satan’s evil and be cast into outer darkness forever. Either way, it’s an individual choice that each person has to make.
Satanic followers are out in the open more than ever before. Matthew 24, 2 Timothy 3 and 1 John 2–5 tell us that evil would abound just before the coming of Jesus. Jesus knew the vast majority would follow their earthly desires, and be on that broad path leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). For true believers, we are on the straight and narrow path, and understand our only hope is to be a part of Jesus’ flock (John 14:6).
Because we place our faith and hope in the Son of the Lord God Jehovah, He promised that we will not go through the terrible wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Romans 5:9). When we look through the Bible, any time God sent His wrath on anyone, it was because they had turned against Him and worshiped gods of this world. There are no cases where He spent His wrath on those who were faithful.
We will still slip and sin for as long as we are on this earth; however, believers have 1 John 1:8-10 as a means of getting forgiveness. This does not mean we will not be subject to discipline, but that is very different than having His wrath put upon us. The wrath will be for the habitual sinners who don’t plan on repenting, but are comfortable with their evil lifestyles.
The seven-year wrath is also for the Father to give His full attention to His chosen, the Jews, and to demonstrate to them He is their God, and Jesus is their Messiah. At the end of the seven-years, all surviving Jews (about 1/3 total) will be believers. At the present time, only about 1%-2% of the total world Jewish population believes Jesus is their Messiah. That group will avoid the Tribulation when the Rapture takes place. It was recently reported that the Jewish population in Israel has topped 9 million persons with a worldwide population of over 14 million.
For the Father to keep us from the wrath, all living believers will be removed from the earth. Those who have died “in Christ” from Calvary to the moment of the Rapture will also be taken up to meet Jesus in the clouds as given in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. It will be when the “fullness of the Gentiles” takes place, described in Romans 11:25; and at that time, God will focus His full attention on the Jews. At the present time, the full power of the “lawless one” (antichrist) is being held back by a “restrainer” which is understood to be the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10).
For anyone who had the opportunity to accept Jesus before the Rapture but failed to do so, 2 Thessalonians 2:11 tells that God will send them a “deluding influence” so they will believe all of Satan’s lies.
Hebrews 6:4-6 goes even further, “For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened (knew about Jesus), who have tasted the Heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the power of the age to come (and this is critical). and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance; since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm, and holding Him up to contempt.”
This refers to those who heard the Word, and for whatever reason went through all the motions, but never really truly believed nor formed a real relationship with Jesus. Their hearts were still lost in the desires of this world, but were operating on an “emotional high.” There are even some well-known evangelical “ministers” today who have turned away from the Lord. In 2 Peter 2:21, “For it would have been better for them, never to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn back from the Holy Commandment delivered to them.” Their appearance at the Great White Throne will not be pleasant at all.
No matter what the condition this world is in, and no matter what takes place before the Tribulation, believers have a protection that the non-believers do not. We will continue to feel the hate of the world because they see us as a threat to their worldly ways. They want no one to tell them they are sinners, and what to do to be saved. They are too ingrained with Satan and this world to realize their eternal souls are at stake.
In 1969, Dottie Rambo wrote “Sheltered in The Arms of God.” In an interview she said she had an idea for a song, but couldn’t quite bring it out. She said she was walking on a beach and talking to the Father, and told Him she needed His inspiration to complete a song that she wanted so very much to Honor Him. Her next comment was, she felt a hand on her shoulder; and at that moment, the song formed in her mind. Consider the lyrics:
(1) I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender. They’re leading me in paths that I must trod. I have no fear when Jesus walks beside me; for I’m sheltered in the arms of God.
(chorus) So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise; they won’t worry me. For I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God. He walks with me, and naught of earth shall harm me. For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.
(2) Soon I shall hear the call from Heaven’s portal; “Come Home, My Child; it’s the last mile you must trod.” I’ll fall asleep, and wake in God’s new Heaven. Sheltered safe, within the arms of God. (chorus)
On Mother’s Day weekend in 2008, Miss Dottie was on her tour bus on the way to Texas for a series of concerts. The bus was blown off the road near Mt. Vernon, Missouri, and she went home to be with Jesus. She left a legacy of many marvelous hymns.
As stated earlier, anyone who has received Jesus and has accepted His wonderful free gift of eternal life can face what’s coming with confidence. We realize this world is temporary. No, we are not comfortable with the evil that is increasing almost hourly; however, we are assured this will pass, and we will be with our Savior. The only time we will be truly satisfied is when we will be with Him. Those of this world that have ultimately chosen Satan will never be satisfied for all eternity.
All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:9-13). Jesus could come for His Church (all Believers) at any moment. Choose to be one of those who is not left behind to face the 7-year Wrath of the Father. The so-called pleasures of this world that Satan is using to tempt everyone with are not worth losing your eternal soul to the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
Jesus will turn no one away that truly calls on Him. He will not force anyone to do so, but those who will receive Him will be “Sheltered in The Arms of God” forever!
Ahava B’Shem Yeshua (Love in the Name of Jesus)