The Tribulation and
God's People
by Ron Wyatt
(First published in newsletter # 17/18 in 1997)
There are an endless number of statements in Scripture that, if followed, will prepare us to live a successful and rewarding earthly life and an endless eternal life with a loving God. We wish to share several of these with you that we think support an important insight into what we can expect to take place in the near future.
Romans 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetimes were written for our LEARNING, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Learning from Scripture -"rightly dividing the word of truth"-. (2 Tim. 2:15) is especially important to us who live at a time in history when thousands of "voices" are shouting to get our attention, insisting that this or that "smooth thing" is truth. 1 Thes 5:3 tells us
For when they shall say, peace and safety: then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.!
The Bible nowhere predicts smooth sailing for the faithful followers of God. 2 Tim 3:12, tells us ;
" Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
This is not a popular idea! Truth seldom is! God has entrusted us with His last (show and tell) warning message. We have no choice but to tell it like it is.
"Will God chastise His bride?" has become the rallying cry for those who want us to join them in believing their "no tribulation" doctrine.
Zach. 13:7-9 informs us; "And it shall come to pass saith the lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the SHEEP (BELIEVERS) shall be scattered and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left there in. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
1 Pet. 1:7 states."That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
Rev. 21:27. Says. "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
It appears to me that those who have, or will, die before the Lord comes, who were committing sins of ignorance though striving to serve God and calling upon Him for forgiveness and cleansing in the Name of Jesus, will be saved. However, those who are alive to see the Lord's coming must be "without spot or wrinkle " (sin) or they will suffer the same fate as the "man of sin" spoken of in 2 Thes. 2:8
"Then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."
There are two texts that indicate this:
Acts. 10:24 " Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons."
and Acts 17:30 " And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Another revealing text says: Mat. 7:21,22: " Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me ye that work iniquity."
Everything Changes- But God
We all have become accustomed to change. Few are the things that do not change. Love often changes to hate. Youth changes to agedness. Happiness changes to mourning. How refreshing. In our lives filled with change, is the realization that God never changes!
Mal. 3:6 says "I AM THE LORD I CHANGE NOT."
James 1:17, says "EVERY GOOD GIFT AND EVERY PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE, AND COMETH DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHTS, WITH WHOM IS NO VARIABLENESS, NEITHER SHADOW OF TURNING."
HEB. 13:8 says, "JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TO DAY, AND FOREVER."
PSA. 89:34 says, "MY COVENANT WILL I NOT BREAK, NOR ALTER THE THING THAT HAS GONE OUT OF MY LIPS."
God has made it abundantly clear that NOTHING HE HAS EVER SAID IS EVER CHANGED, THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS!
In the ninth century B.C., Jeroboam had taken the ten northern tribes of Israel from Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. He set up two golden calves, one in Bethel in the south of his kingdom and one in Dan in the north of his kingdom. He instructed his subjects to worship these instead of traveling to Jerusalem to participate in the worship of God. He placed vile and corrupt men in the offices of priest and led the people away from the true God.
He was offering incense upon the altar in Bethel when a "man of God delivered a prophecy against him and the altar". The entire drama is recorded in 1Kings 13:1-32. The king didn't like the prophecy and ordered the arrest of the man of God. The king's arm was withered and restored by the power of God. Knowing not to fight against the power of God, he invited the prophet to his house for food, water and refreshment. The prophet responded:
1KI 13:8... If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:
The man of God headed back to Judah by a different way than he had came to Bethel because God had instructed him to do so. All was going well; God's power had been displayed, none doubted the power of God or that this prophet was truly a man of God. He had resisted a "reward" offered by one whom he knew to be an enemy of God. Now comes one who claims to be a prophet:
1KI 13:18 He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.
[The Lord had NOT said this- the man was a "false prophet"].) But, the man of God took his word and went back with him and
19... did eat bread in his house, and drank water. 20 And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back: 21 And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee, 22 But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the Lord did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcass shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers. 23 And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. 24 And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcass was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcass.
The "man of God" disobeyed God and paid with his mortal life and probably with his eternal life. Only God knows about his eternal life. Yet, the Bible calls him "a man of God". He disobeyed once, and he never had the chance to disobey again.
False Prophets Say God CHANGED His Law
Some false shepherds and false prophets point to the Mosaic (sacrificial) laws and say; " these are no longer in effect, does this prove that God changes His instructions?" They also quote Paul's comments to the Galatians whom unconverted Jews had influenced to perform animal sacrifices according to the law of Moses- and this after Christ ,"the lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world." had been sacrificed, ending the blood sacrifice system. They tell us that the law here spoken of is the Ten Commandments spoken by the mouth (lips) of God (Exo. 20:1) and written in stone by the finger of God! (Exo. 24:12).
GAL.3:17-19 says; "And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? it was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.."
If Paul was speaking of the Ten Commandments, God's reason for adding it could not have been " because of transgressions" (Rom 4:15) because "the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression." (1 John 3:4). "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."
In simple terms, there would have been no such thing as "sin" or "transgression" if God's Law had not already existed. The "law" Paul spoke of was "added" because the people WERE continually breaking God's Law.
ROM.5:13,14. says; (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is NO LAW. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come."
Paul was referring to the sacrificial law and not to the TEN COMMANDMENTS about which it was said of Abraham; "because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Paul clearly states that the law he was speaking of "came four hundred and thirty years after" God gave the promise to Abrahan because he "kept my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Abraham kept God's Law. But the "sacrificial and levitical law, or the Mosaic Law, wasn't even in existence at that time. What "law" could Abraham have kept except God's Great Law.
Those Who Enter New Jerusalem are Without Sin
The Bible speaks of those who enter the New Jerusalem:
Rev 22:13,14. says; "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev. 21:27 says; " And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."
We have read " sin is the transgression of the Law." And " ..the wages (results) of sin is death."
Conditions in New Jerusalem and on the earth made new (restored) prove that only those that "do His commandments" will be there.
Rev 21:1-8 says; "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH, NEITHER SORROW , NOR CRYING, NEITHER SHALL THERE BE ANY MORE PAIN: for the former things are passed away. 5 And He that sat upon the throne said; Behold I make all things new, And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And He said unto me, It is done, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and SORCERERS ( PSYCHICS), and idolaters(ONE WHO PLACES ANY THING OR ANYONE AHEAD OF THEIR DUTY TO GOD), and all LIARS, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Isa. 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. God wanted to do this for ancient Israel "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how oft would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and YE WOULD NOT! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate".
God was not able to do for ancient Israel many of the things that He wanted to do, because they refused to "keep My laws and My statues". However, He will do all these things for "the nations of them which are saved." (Rev. 21:24.)
Isa. 65:21-25 speaks of our experience in the renewed earth.
ISA 65:21 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Among all the numberless hosts of the "nations of them which are saved", THERE IS NOT ONE WHO IS WILLING TO OR CAPABLE OF CAUSING SORROW OR PAIN.
Friends, Christ does not wave a magic wand over His professed followers at His second coming. If He did, He would be obliged to wave it over every one, satan included.
ACT 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
THE ONLY WAY WE WILL BE AMONG THE INHABITANTS OF THE NEW JERUSALEM AND THE NEW EARTH IS TO ASK OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IN THE NAME AND BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST (MESSIAH) TO FORGIVE OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM SINFUL THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS!
1JO 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
HEB 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
EPH 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
HEB 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; ...HEB 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
1PE 4:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The Discoveries of Ron Wyatt