THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS “WHY” GOD CHOOSES TO SHELTER US, NOT “HOW” OR “WHERE”
Most prophecies are given as warnings from Prophets and emphasize why disaster is coming, who is with God, and who is not with God and His protection. God sends His words of warning to His people, normally based on their behavior. Those who are in a loving, close relationship with God are protected, and those backsliding into idolatry are cursed. God no longer protects them.
2 Chronicles 32:7-8, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. 8 …but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles…”
The people of God were protected miraculously because they were close to God. The “why one is protected” is the most crucial issue in many, many examples in the Bible.
2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Healing and protecting the people revolved around their closeness to God. Why one is protected is based on spiritual closeness to God. This would apply both individually and as groups. Some even doubt whether God will protect believers during the great tribulation. However note this scripture:
Revelation 3:9-11, “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie –– indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”
Why are these believers saved from the horrible trial coming on the entire earth? Why, because they are obedient and persevere for the truth in strong faith and trust in Christ. They love God and God really loves them. They are protected individually and as a group because they are close to God.
Verse 11, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
Jesusis saying also do not backslide or let yourself be deceived. The key to safety for them is their godly action, period. Some level of end time protection is prophesied.
Revelation 12:13-17, “Now when the dragon ... persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent … 16 But the earth helped the woman … 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
The nation of Judah gave birth to Jesus and Satan is at war with Judah, but note God will not allow Judah to be destroyed. Who are Judah’s offspring? It is the true Jews, the believers, the church. Paul explains that the church members, Jew or gentile, are the true spiritual “Jews,” see Rev. 3:9 above and Rom. 2:29. It says “the rest,” indicating that some offspring already are protected. Some of the offspring, we assume the late converts, are not under protection and Satan will go after those remaining offspring. Those converted during the tribulation are the new target. Many heroic martyrs will exist among them, to their credit and glory.
BEWARE OF THE BACKLASH TO ABUSES OF THIS ISSUE
We should look carefully into the problems of the past and how they are possibly affecting some. Some leaders have used the issue to proclaim that they and or the organization they controlled were the gatekeepers. No one could go to the one place of SAFETY in all the planet without their approval. Ridiculous! They often cried “Wolf, wolf!” about when the great tribulation would begin. These gatekeepers cannot stop anyone from safety –– only Jesus can make that decision. What misguided power, what arrogance they display. This is obviously not biblical.
Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”
These overly authoritative leaders have left many burned out regarding the place of safety. Just because some have abused an issue does not mean that we should run in the opposite direction and ignore it. We hope that no one goes so far that they stop watching prophetic events. The adversary loves to encourage this over reaction.
Luke 21:34-36, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
What does the word escape mean? It means escape frommost of the horrors of the tribulation. Note also Christ’s emphasis on our behavior to remain worthy. The “why” we are being protected is most important –– whether secured at home or in other places of safety. The details are unknown now, but God warns us never to stop watching for the second coming of the Messiah. Pray for healing. Those so burned out must grow beyond this problem. Those in cultist groups should find more balanced congregations.
Deuteronomy 5:32, “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”
Joshua 1:7, “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”
God desires balanced, kind leadership in the Church of God –– leaders and believers who do not run away from issues but stay balanced. Paul warned that overly authoritative leaders, often greedy for money and POWER as well, were a threat to believers’ freedom.
Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
Bad leaders have used the place of safety issue as a means of holding some in bondage. This is wrong –– period. Ask Jesus for help in healing. Those so burned out must grow beyond this problem. Those in cultist groups should find more balanced congregations.
Believers can have varying views on how God will protect us if we are alive when the tribulation arrives.
SOME SURPRISES AND POSSIBLE MISCALCULATIONS ARE COMING
The Bible implies that some surprises are coming in the future. Humble servants can handle a miscalculation and then adjust and keep on staying close to Christ. If we allow disillusionment over any issue to drive us away from watching for fulfilled prophecy, we have entered a dangerous thinking pattern. Believers should expect things to not be easy. Scripture implies this pattern:
1. Events will appear to slow down and that Christ is delaying his second coming.
2. Pressure to backslide will increase.
3. Then suddenly His coming will draw near, catching the backsliders off guard. Those burned out by abuse of the place of safety issue and those also suffering from those crying “wolf, wolf” unwisely could be the most vulnerable. Note the ten virgins in Matt. 25, caught off guard and Jesus’ end time warning:
Matthew 24:42-51, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming… 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect… 46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' 49 … and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
We true believers must watch events and not fly blind, but most of all remember to persevere and expect some surprises. Never forget that great deception is coming. We must not neglect studying and discussing prophetic events in the news and if we are burnout victims from abuses of power, move toward healing.
