If this wasn’t the generation that takes the path of least resistance then it could be argued that they could prepare for the 2nd coming of Christ (the rapture so-called) without the trials and difficulties that produce firmness of character and a fitness for heaven by victory over sin. If this wasn’t the age of indolence it could be considered that people could strengthen and firm up those noble traits of courage, honor, patience, faith that are necessary to live through “a time of trouble (tribulation) such as never was since there was a nation” (Dan. 12:1) The trouble ahead will create the refining process that purifies from sin.
God warns us, “… who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth (rapture so-called)? for he is like a refiner’s fire…And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver… (Mal 3:1-3)
Are we allowing God’s word to convict us of sin and cleanse us by confession and putting away sin? Paul states in the last days a problem in the church would be that many would have a “a form of godliness, but denying the power” of God.” (2 Tim. 3:5) If God’s people think to measure the strength of the church by their praise and worship service alone they will be sadly mistaken for being in the beloved, and the fruit relationship with Christ is being empowered to do His will and obedience. Lets look at it, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” Jn 14:21, 23 So we can see that if we love God we will be keeping His commandments and will be abiding in Him.
I find in the bible that as soon as disciples were won to Christ they immediately suffered affliction: “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:” (1Th1:6 )
I find when the apostles had been thrown in jail “they (were) …rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”( Act 5:41)
This is the generation that avoids trials at all cost. They want to get rich quick, seeking reward without due labor, instant gratification is met with fast food dispersed in poor quality on every corner and now this worldly concept permeates the church with the idea of being a disciple of Christ without discipline, and spiritual success without sacrifice.
We will see that the bible says that God’s chosen people, even His “very elect” are going through the coming trials and tribulations ahead.
Look at it: Mat 24:3 “…the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”
“And Jesus answered and said unto them,Take heed that no man deceive you. ” (Mat 24:4) The first thing Jesus warns is that men would be deceiving people about the second coming of Christ.
And Jesus said, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Mat 24:13”). So Jesus says you have to have endurance to go all the way to the very end to be saved.
What end is that? Jesus tells us: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Mat 24:14)
When is that? Jesus tells us. “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time… (Mat 24:21)” Now we will see that the very elect go through the tribulation all the way to the end to the second coming of Christ…
For Jesus says: “Immediately after the tribulation of those days…then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Mat 24:29-31)
When are the elect gathered and taken up to meet Christ in the air? It is “Immediately after the tribulation” as seen above.
Where are all the others who are left on earth? Jesus says:
Luk 17:34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.
Luk 17:35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Luk 17:36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Luk 17:37 And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Mat 24:28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. So we see they are left dead for the birds to eat.
Those that are taken are in the clouds with the Lord. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Th. 4:16-7)
When we will sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb, but [that are left lay down at another supper: (Rev 19:17) “And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.” (Rev 19:18)
Why is this so important? Because Jesus said regarding the truth about the 2nd coming Satan would use much deception to deceive and destroy many souls. If he can keep people from “study(ing) to show thyself approved” (2Tim 2:15) and cause them to transfer their stewardship to someone deemed more knowledgeable than themselves than they have sold their spiritual birthright.
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Mat24:24)
Why aren’t the “very elect” able to be deceived? We need to know how and why so we can become a part of the very elect. That we can escape the general destruction coming upon the world… we need to know how to escape the abomination of desolation whch occurs just before Christ returns spoken of by Jesus in this same chapter of Mat. 24 for it has much to do regarding the deceptive teaching on the 2nd coming.
If we don’t understand these bible subjects Satan has a tremendous advantage over us.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee… seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. (Hos4:6) In the days of Christ the people were not finally destroyed because of a misunderstanding, or a shortage of information, it was because they chose what their leaders taught instead of seeking to following God for themselves. Few were willing to stand apart from a system that dominated every facet of their lives and denied Jesus of Nazareth.
Our generation will be involved in a deception very similar to the Jews. The Jews reject Jews in person as this generation is rejecting Jesus in His word, His prophecies left misunderstood, His authority and His law. They are enticed by easier way and what Paul valued as a dung hill they count as gain. “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Php 3:7-8)
Why would we allow such a wicked general to out-marshall us by a lack of knowledge when deception can destroy us ? Could it be because we live in the most perverse generation of all time and the exercise of living faith is so rare? “…Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luk18:8)
Luk_9:41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you?…
Act_20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Dan 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
We see in Daniel 12:1 That at that time, the time of the tribulation God’s people are delivered… John the revelator even sees them 3 verses after the enforcement of the mark of the beast in Rev. 14:12.
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Rev 14:12 “
In the verse above there are three character traits that distinguish God’s people from everyone else upon the earth and if you want to be saved you need all three:
1. They developed patience. The greek word for patience is very important. It is hupomonē. It is a compound word hupo = abide and mone = under. It means to remain connected and abiding under Christ as the branch is connected to the vine for sap during a time of famine. It is the chapter of John 15.
hoop-om-on-ay’
From G5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: – enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).
2. “they… keep the commandments of God”. And obedience to God’s Authoritative word, “they… keep the commandments of God” they are God’s commandments and not the one’s changed by man. Obedi
3. “the faith of Jesus” The believe like Jesus does, exercise faith in God’s word like Jesus does, they keep God’s commandments like Jesus does, therefore they abide in His love. ” If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” Jn 15:10
Would you like to know you are in a relationship with God that is on the correct path? You can, but you must follow His word, love His leading, and enjoy His correction. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2Ti3:16) Before Christ returns God’s people will have to give up many wrong ideas and receive the true revelations of His Character. It may not be easy but it will develop in them the capacity to follow Christ closer and further with ever initial step, and each step will increase in love, happiness, and joy.