Surviving Tribulation

Revelation 7:9-12

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”  All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,
Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,
Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”

Will people still be able to receive salvation through Jesus Christ during the Great Tribulation?  Many have asked the question, and many have different answers.  I read in Revelation 7 that there is a “great multitude” that will make it through.  The large group from all nations, tribes, people and tongues tells us that even through the tribulation, the 144,000 (discussed previously) having been marked with God’s seal, will be actively spreading the good news to all people during the tribulation.  

This great multitude, referred to as gentiles, are dressed in white garments and standing before the Lamb, crying out that salvation comes from the Lord and the Lamb.  They are claiming salvation in Jesus Christ alone.  Later in Chapter 7 and elder tells John just who these people are.  (v14)“These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”  Around these people are ALL the angels (thousands upon thousands), elders, and the creatures near the throne fall to their faces before the throne and lift up their worship to the Lord.

Can you imagine the scene?  An uncountable multitude, all of the angels and elders before the Throne of God, worshipping Him.  This is heaven.  If you envision heaven as sitting around on puffy clouds, relaxing, chilling, while playing your harp, you’ve watched too many cartoons.  Heaven in God’s presence is endless worship, praise, and recognition of His glory.  No pain, no suffering, no anxiety, no greed, no anger, no war, no sin, no evil will exist in His heavenly realm.  You will be there to glorify Him in all that you do.  

I believe that those who have given their life to Jesus Christ prior to the tribulation will be removed before the wrath of God comes upon the earth.  Just as God removed Noah from the great flood, and just as God removed Abraham and Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah before the great destruction from fire, I believe He will remove His children as well.  But this chapter in Revelation gives hope to those left behind during the tribulation.  Hope for salvation still exists for a great multitude of people.  This may include Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Atheists, and yes, even some pseudo-Christians who were acting the part, but not really saved.  

God tells us in several verses that He wants none shall perish, and through His 144,000 sealed, He will make one final attempt to soften the hearts of the angry, confused, and misinformed.  They will suffer through tribulation, though, and many will be martyred as a result.  But His plan of salvation does not end just because His wrath is poured out.  Continue praying for those whom you know do not have a relationship with Christ.  Pray for their salvation to come before the days of wrath are poured out.

Words of a King – “Serve Him”

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” – Matthew 4:10

In the early 1930’s the world watched as a man rose in Germany to become the leader of the Third Reich.  His name was Adolf Hitler and he demanded the respect and obedience of every individual in Germany at the time.  He was worshipped by millions as a Supreme Being above mortal man.  Many believed he had the power over life and death, that even the weather was within his control.  Their confidence in him as their leader was so strong that they believed they could never be defeated as long as he was alive.  With a mandatory salute of respect, “Heil Hitler”, the people worshipped him where ever he went, and whenever he was in the public eye. 

In China, Mao Zedung is described as the founding father of the People’s Republic of China.  He rose to power through revolutionary tactics, and ruled over China from the 1950’s through his death in 1976.  He is seen by many as the savior of China and people come from all over China each year to visit his mausoleum.  His photo hangs in many businesses, public areas and most homes across the large populous country still to this day.  He was a ruthless dictator that ruled China with a ferocious fist, but was loved and worshipped by the masses while doing so, “For the betterment of China”.

In America, Presidents are often held on high regard and worshipped in a manner which separates them from the general population.  George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and even our current President Obama have all been regarded men above the norm.  We line the streets, push and shove and do everything we can to actually see them in person as if they were worthy of our praise and worship.

In England, the world watches and people praise the new born Prince George.  Women are seen crying tears of joy at his first public appearance.  The people crowd the palace to see the one who might deliver them from their current state of life today, anticipating his future reign as a change for the better.

How are we any different today than the Philistines, the Amorites, the Persians and the Babylonians and other societies of the Old Testament who worshipped their King, their god rather than the One and only God.  In the 21^st century we are filled with desire and passion for things that stand between us and God Almighty.  Examples include: money, cars, celebrities, lust, religion, relationships, selfishness and pride.  We serve and worship things and people and minimize the single focal point of all things – God, the Father.

Is Baal alive and well in the 21^st century world.  Absolutely, but we are so blinded by our self- righteousness we don’t even see the connection to the ancient world.  We claim Christianity and a love of Jesus Christ, yet stand by while the world destroys the very name of the one we claim to serve.  We are more interested in how we are getting ahead in life and succeeding in the eyes of those around us than we are in the eyes of the Lord. 

Who do you serve?  Who do you worship?  What does it mean to you to become a worshiper of God alone?

These words of Jesus Christ to Satan are words that should be followed by every man, woman and child from here to eternity.  Yet, I fear that most of us have succumbed to the tempter by allowing our inner desire for personal gain to cloud our vision.  Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate exactly where you are going in this life and why.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts