Category: Devotionals Page 4 of 55

Keep Your Lamp Filled

On January 28, 2025

Mat 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (2) And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (3) They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: (4) But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (5) While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (6) And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. (7) Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. ( 8 ) And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. (9) But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. (10) And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (11) Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. (12) But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (13) Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Who is the Army?

By Kate Plourde

On January 27, 2025

In Devotionals

Rev 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. ( 8 ) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

When Jesus returns in Revelation 19, an army follows Him. He is riding on a white horse, and His army is clothed in fine linen that is white and clean. But who exactly is this army?

In Revelation 19:8, the Scriptures say that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. If the saints of God are returning with Christ to wage war on the Antichrist, then it is not possible to have a post-Tribulation Rapture view because the Tribulation has not yet ended.

Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

The Church is the one that is clothed in fine linen, white and clean as we saw in Revelation 19:8 above. This is the righteousness of the saints, which cannot be earned because the Church has received Jesus Christ’s righteousness. Here are several verses that confirm this:

1 Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2 Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We see here the righteous are those who placed their faith in Jesus Christ! The saints are going to be the ones coming with Christ to wage war. One cannot base a viewpoint on Scripture’s teachings on just a few verses. This is why I repeat myself, and quote Scriptures throughout. One must take ALL of Scripture into account. One must determine who the judgments are meant for. It is clear that the church is not under judgment.

Rom 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

IF there is no condemnation for the Church, then why would the Church go through seven years of tribulation and condemnation?! The Church, through the Rapture, will be kept from this judgment that God will impose upon all the unbelieving world. Since Christ went to Heaven, there has not been any judgment that has come upon the entire earth. Horrible events have occurred in various places, but not upon the entire world. Jesus promised to keep His church from that time:

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Col 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The wrath of God does not come on those that are born again! The wrath of God comes specifically for those “children of disobedience,” which are those who are not born again. Praise the Lord! \o/ Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

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Tribulatio vs. Great Tribulation

By Kate Plourde

On January 26, 2025

In Devotionals, Read Through Psalms & Proverbs

What’s the difference between the day-to-day tribulation or persecution that we suffer and the great Tribulation? Let’s research the two. According to Daniel Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, the word tribulation is defined as:

TRIBULA’TION, n. [L. tribulo, to thrash, to beat.] Severe affliction; distresses of life; vexations. In Scripture, it often denotes the troubles and distresses which proceed from persecution.

When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, he is offended. Mat 13:21

In the world ye shall have tribulation. John 16.

The phrase “great tribulation” occurs three times in the Bible, and only in the New Testament. I find it interesting that the word “great” in the Greek is megas, where we get our English word “mega.” I also find it interesting that the definition for the Greek word megas is:

Including the prolonged forms, femine μεγάλη megalē, plural μέγάλοι megaloi, etc.; compare also G3176, G3187], big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application): – (+ fear) exceedingly, great (-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.

Now put them together and you have a period of time that is worse than any other period of time in history. We have learned how great persecution came upon the early Church when Nero came to power. We have learned how the Jews suffered greatly at the hand of Hitler. But this time it is different. It affects the entire world, according to Jesus!

Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

This is no joke! There is a time coming that the Church will NOT be a participant. The Rapture will occur before the Tribulation!

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Great Verses on the Rapture

By Kate Plourde

On January 25, 2025

In Devotionals

Php 3:20-21 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

1 Th 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Co 15:51-52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Th 4:16-18 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: (17) 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. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

The Door is Opened!

By Kate Plourde

On January 24, 2025

In Devotionals

Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

The Book of Revelation used to be a difficult book for me. But as I read, studied and researched it, it was no longer difficult. The Lord promised a blessing to those who read, hear and keep the words written in it. It is the only book of the Bible that promises a blessing if you read it! Therefore, let’s dive in this morning and get blessed!

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Rev 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

In my research many years ago, I learned that whatever image the Apostle John saw, if it seemed like it was something out of Star Trek and not believable, it should be interpreted symbolically. A good example of this is:

Rev 9:7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

This is definitely a good example, isn’t it? But when other verses seemed to be realistic, I should interpret it as literal. A good example of this is:

Rev 8:10-11 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; (11) And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

The star could mean a comet or an asteroid. It is likely that Wormwood will be discovered by NASA at some point in the near future. Or it could be the result of a comet or asteroid’s impact of polluting water at its impact. Either way, the name “Wormwood” was assigned to it. I find it interesting that there is a purpose for every word in Scripture. The word wormwood is defined by Noah Webster as:

WORMWOOD, n. [G.] A plant, the artemisia. It has a bitter nauseous taste;

So we can interpret the verses above literally. An object will fall to earth from the heavens and destroy a third part of the rivers and fountains of waters (fresh water) and make the waters bitter and undrinkable. So now we know what to take literally and what to take symbolically.

Let’s get back on track now and discuss the Pre-Tribulation Rapture as it relates to Revelation. If we are to believe the mid or post tribulation viewpoint, then the Church would have a lot of warning. There would be instructions to the Church outlining what to preach/teach during the seven-year Tribulation period. The Apostle John would have instructions for the Church specifically. How then does one explain that the church is never mentioned between chapter three and 22??? This is key here! The word “church” is mentioned seven times in chapter two and the word “churches” is mentioned 11 times in chapters one through three. That’s a total of 18 times that “church(es)” appears in just three chapters! The word “church or churches” is not mentioned again until the last chapter, Chapter 22, in verse 16!

Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

It is also interesting to note that in Revelation 3:22 (the last verse in this chapter) is the last use of the word churches. Immediately after in Revelation 4:1, “a door is opened in heaven” and Jesus says “Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.” When the Bible was first written, there were no chapters and verses. The assigning of chapters and verses was finished in the year 1551. How exciting is that? Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 4:1 were originally one verse apart. One is referring to the churches and the very next verse speaks of a door opening. Following Rev. 4:1, there is no other mention of the church. It means a lot more when you look at it like that, doesn’t it?

Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Rev 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Jesus is not coming to earth in Rev. 4:1. However, John is taken up to where Jesus is located. Secondly, Jesus says He will show John what must be hereafter. None of the judgments have begun yet. The rest of chapter 4 and chapter 5 discuss Heaven and events going on there. One of these events is chapter 4:4.

Rev 4:4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Believers earn crowns for their works for the Lord after their salvation and the way they conduct themselves on earth. They receive these crowns in Heaven and cast them at Christ’s feet.

Rev 4:10-11 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, (11) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The phrase “four and twenty” appears seven times in the Book of Revelation. (Revelation 4:4 twice, Revelation 4:10, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 11:16, and Revelation 19:4) The 24 elders are clothed in white raiment wearing crowns of gold in Revelation 4:4 and they cast their crowns at Jesus’ feet in Revelation 4:10.

So the Pre-Tribulation viewpoint fits in perfectly: the Church goes up to where Jesus is (as the Apostle John goes to Jesus) and the judgments begin after the Church goes up.

Just as Noah was protected in the ark, the Lord Jesus is our Ark and He protects His Bride, the Church, by taking her to Heaven to be with Him in His Father’s house. (John 14:1-3) We are safe with Him in Heaven; safe from judgment that is to come upon the whole earth. (Revelation 3:10)

Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Just as Noah lived by faith and remained faithful while building the ark, he was protected from the judgment of the flood which would come to the entire earth. Noah and his family were lifted high above the earth in the ark and were safe inside it. Just as Noah returned from the waters onto the mountains of Ararat and a new earth was his home, so will we return with Christ to live on a revitalized earth and Christ will reign in Jerusalem.

No man knows the hour that Jesus will take us up in the Rapture; but we can know the season of His return to rapture His Bride. Just as Noah didn’t know when the rains would come, neither will we know when Jesus will take us away. This is the ONLY version of the Rapture that makes sense. The mid-tribulation viewpoint has its exact days (1260) and the post-tribulation as well (2520). But Pre-Tribulation is imminent and can happen at any time. Once God shuts the door (of our Ark), that’s it! He shuts that same door and no one else can enter. (Matthew 25:10, Revelation 3:8)

Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Mat 24:36-42 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (37) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, (39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (40) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (42) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

It is worth repeating: after Revelation 4:1, the church is no longer mentioned (until Rev. 22:16). That is because we have been raptured and are already with Christ. At the beginning of the Tribulation (which occurs when the Antichrist comes to power), God’s focus goes back to Israel’s judgment. After Revelation 4:1, the Old Testament’s prophecies about the time of Jacob’s Troubles come into play. “Come up hither,” is a beautiful depiction of the rapture of the Church. It is prefaced by the wonderful teaching of the Church age in chapters two and three. After the shout to “come up hither,” the Church is not mentioned during the judgments. After so many uses of the word, if the Church were to go through the Tribulation, it would be mentioned. But the focus from that point on is now on Israel. As Daniel prophesied in chapter 9 about the 70 weeks, we see that sixty-nine weeks passed before Christ’s ascension. After that point, the church age began, and there was a pause on the focus around Israel. The focus was then placed on the church. This focus ends with the Rapture of the church. Once the antichrist makes himself known (Daniel 9:27) by signing a peace treaty with Israel, Daniel’s 70th week begins (seven years) the Tribulation. Jeremiah calls it “the time of Jacob’s trouble.”

Jer 30:3-7 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. (4) And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. (5) For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. (6) Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? (7) Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Believers need to realize that there are two groups of people that God especially loves! He loves the whole world but the faithful are close to His heart; He loves Israel and God loves born-again Christians, the Church. God dealt with Israel throughout the Old Testament. Because they would not obey nor would they lead others to Him, God opened the door to all mankind to accept salvation. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us all from our sins; this includes non-Jews, the Gentiles. It’s as though God in His mercy took a “break” from dealing with Israel, to open the door to the Gentile, and put Israel’s judgment on hold. This is not to say that Gentiles didn’t come to faith in the Old Testament. They most certainly did! Examples are Rahab and Ruth. Both were in Christ’s lineage!! However, it was the Jews’ responsibility to share their faith but they kept God to themselves.

The Church Age began with Christ and the Age of Law was put on pause (this ended Daniel’s 69th week). The Rapture of the church takes us out of the picture and God returns His focus to Israel. The Tribulation will begin when the Antichrist makes a pact with Israel. Half-way through the seven years, he will break that pact.

Dan 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

I know today’s post is a lot to absorb but it sure packs a wallop! Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

©All content on this site is protected under copyright. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is strictly prohibited.

Pre-Trib vs. Post-Trib Rapture?

By Kate Plourde

On January 22, 2025

In Devotionals

Some churches teach that Jesus will come back for the Rapture of the Church after the Tribulation, known as the post-Tribulation Rapture. The Bible should be our only source of information on any topic dealing with the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. To listen to a man’s findings should be the last thing we turn to. The verses listed below are about the Second Coming of Christ.

Rev. 19:14-17 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. (15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (17)

The only time the words “fine linen, white, and clean” appear together are found here in Revelation 19. Let the Bible interpret itself:

Revelation 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Notice that the Saints are clothed in fine linen, clean and white for their fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. The Church does not possess its own righteousness but has received the righteousness of Christ! We are also sanctified through Him and are redeemed!

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Therefore, those who have received the righteousness of Christ (the Church) will come back with Him at the Second Coming, as we see in Revelation 19:14!

At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus kills all the ungodly, as we see in Revelation 19:21. If the Church would receive their new bodies at the Second Coming, who would populate the earth during the millennium? There would be no living human beings left to do so. Therefore, it stands to reason that this viewpoint does not jive with Scripture.

The only belief that fits this viewpoint of the timing of the Rapture is when it occurs before the Tribulation. Then, during the Tribulation, souls will come to salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit through the two witnesses and the 144,000. Those who do not die for their faith, and remain until Christ’s return to earth, will be left to populate the earth. The Scriptures also say that all living Jews at the Second Coming will be saved as they see their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Those who make it through the tribulation go into the Millennium period; but those who took the mark of the beast are cast into hell.

Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Does this settle this viewpoint in your heart, reader? It surely does me! To the one who is not saved, it is a different story. There is no peace to be found for the one who enters the Tribulation. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Return from the Wedding

By Kate Plourde

On January 20, 2025

In Devotionals

Luk 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

We’ve been going over the various reasons supporting the Rapture of the Church occurring before the Tribulation begins. The marriage supper of the Lamb is one of those reasons. When Christ returns at the end of the Tribulation for His Second Coming, He will be returning from a wedding. So let’s look at Revelation 19:7-8, where we read about the marriage supper. According to Jewish custom, the marriage supper takes place before the marriage. First there is a marriage contract, which includes a dowry. That dowry is drawn up first.

Rev 19:7-8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. ( 8 ) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

How can we apply this to the Church? The contract is a comparison to when we trust Jesus to be our Savior. The dowry is His life, which was used to purchase our salvation. Nothing we do can ever be enough to take us to Heaven. Only Jesus’ life can do this!

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

When it’s time for the wedding, the groom goes to the bride’s house, unannounced. She comes out to meet him, and then he takes her to his father’s house. This fits perfectly with the Pre-Tribulation beliefs. Jesus, our Groom, comes down from Heaven to the clouds and calls up the Church, His bride. After meeting His bride in the air, the Groom and the bride return to His Father’s house which is Heaven. (Read 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) The marriage supper itself will take place there, while down here on earth the judgments of the seven-year Tribulation will be playing out.

After the marriage supper of Jewish tradition, the bride and groom are presented to the world as man and wife. This corresponds to the time when Jesus returns to earth at His Second Coming, accompanied by an army “clothed in fine linen, white and clean”!!! Glory!!! \o/

Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

The marriage supper of the Lamb occurs before He returns to earth at His Second Coming! Think about this for a moment. It occurs before Revelation 19:14 when Christ returns with His Bride. It fits perfectly with the Pre-Tribulation viewpoint. The post-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint cannot possibly by correct because that means they would be raptured and have the marriage supper THEN come back to earth with Jesus at the Second Coming! Who would be left to populate the earth during the millennium if all believers were raptured before the unbelievers are destroyed at the Lord’s Second Coming? It’s evident that this viewpoint cannot be correct.

Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Watch!

By Kate Plourde

On January 17, 2025

In Devotionals

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

I can remember the first time I ever heard about the Rapture and thought to myself what a wonderful gift the Lord is offering to His children!! He doesn’t offer anything but His wrath to the children of disobedience (the unsaved).

Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The prince of the power of the air is none other than Satan. Unbelievers follow his teachings whether they recognize that or not. We are seeing his influence in our world even more so than times past. The opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics is proof positive of the enemy’s influence in our world. This is most definitely a sign of the times mentioned in 2 Timothy 3:1-9.

2 Tim 3:1-9 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (4) Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, (7) Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ( 8 ) Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

So let’s get back on point on the topic of the Rapture. The most prevalent point to the Rapture is its timing. Mid and post tribulation believers have tried to discredit those who believe in the pre-Tribulation Rapture for years. But they cannot dispute the timing. There is most definitely a timing involved with mid and post Tribulation viewpoints. It’s not rocket science because we know the duration (seven years) and therefore can know the mid point (three and a half years) and the end of the Tribulation! The imminence of the pre-Tribulation Rapture involves:

not knowing when the Lord will Rapture His Church
busy doing the Lord’s work because our time is short; we don’t know when He will come but we keep busy telling others about salvation through Jesus Christ as well as discipling those who have come to faith in Him
constantly watching for the Lord’s return
seeing and recognizing the current events as a step closer to His return
encouraging brothers and sisters in Christ to keep going

Remember this, the Old Testament revolves around Israel and the judgment that is to come. The Old Testament doesn’t revolve around the church. The church isn’t even mentioned in the Book of Revelation after Revelation 4:1:

Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

The church reappears in Revelation 22:16! When we search the Scriptures which talk about Christ’s return, we find verses that tell us we won’t know the day and hour. Matthew 25:13 says Jesus will return at an unknown time. But yet we read in Revelation 12:6, there is an exact number of days specifying how long Israelites will be nourished in a place that God prepared for them: God takes care of them in the wilderness for 1260 days. That’s pretty specific, if you ask me.

Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The 1,260 days begin when the Antichrist stands in the Temple and declares himself to be God!

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

The 1260 days spoken of above are exactly three and a half years, which is in the middle of the Tribulation.

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

The Rapture and the Tribulation are two separate events. Jesus protects His Bride, the Church, from the Tribulation period which is to come for the purpose of opening Israel’s eyes to their Messiah.

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The Greek word for “from” is “ek,” which means “out of”!

ἐκ, ἐξ
ek ex
ek, ex
A primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds), from, out (of place, time or cause; literally or figuratively; direct or remote):

The Church age comes to an end at the Rapture. The time of the Jews resumes. That is why it is called Daniel’s 70th week. Israel is the central point of all of the Scriptures. A pause during this timeframe was given for the Church age due to Israel’s blindness of their Messiah. No hope or consolation can be given to people who are about to go through seven years of the worse time in history!

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

How can the Church comfort one another when they have to go through the judgments and martyrdom? (1 Thessalonians 4:18) The fourth seal in Revelation 6 reveals that a fourth of the population will die. The fifth seal reveals that Christians will be martyred. In fact, Revelation 13:6-7 shows us that the Antichrist overcomes the saints. Christ promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church. (Matthew 16:18) The Tribulation saints are not the church because the Antichrist will most certainly overcome the saints.

This period of God’s wrath is on the children of disobedience as we see in the opening verses. And to top it off, the Apostle Paul taught the most on the Rapture as a positive thing in 1 Thessalonians. Each chapter has at least one verse that encourages the believers of his day. Take the time and read – study!!!

Will the Church Go Through the Tribulation?

By Kate Plourde

On January 13, 2025

In Devotionals

Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Every era in time has brought persecution to the Church. However, these persecutions are nothing compared to what will happen during the Tribulation. Why? Because the persecutions of the past were due to the wrath of evil men led by the devil. However, the Tribulation is all about God’s wrath on an unbelieving Israel and a wicked earth.

Rev 6:16-17 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Rev 14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Some believers feel that the church will not be saved out of the time of wrath, but will be saved through it. Today’s verse, Revelation 13:7, tells us that those saints who are on earth during the Tribulation will not be delivered from wrath but will be overcome by the devil. The Church and those saints who are born again during the Tribulation are two different sets of Christians. The Church age ends with the Rapture. Those who are saved during the Tribulation are called Tribulation saints and they have to go through those horrific days. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 to comfort one another with the upcoming Rapture! If the Church is to go through the Tribulation, does this encourage you?

Look at today’s verse again:

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

These saints will be martyred by the Antichrist. If the church is to go through the Tribulation, that means that every born-again believer who enters the Tribulation will die – they will not go through the Tribulation. Furthermore, Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church!

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

To believe that the church will go through the Tribulation contradicts Jesus’ words in this verse!

The encouraging thing for the Church is that believers will experience the Rapture before the Antichrist is revealed and the Tribulation begins.

Luke 21:35-36 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. (36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

God’s Wrath is Coming

By Kate Plourde

On January 10, 2025

In Devotionals

You simply have to do a search to the word “wrath” in the Bible and you will find just who God’s wrath will fall upon. This is one of the main reasons I believe that the Church, the bride of Christ, will not go through the seven-year Tribulation. The phrase, “the wrath of God” appears ten times in the Bible; once in the Old Testament and nine times in the New Testament. Five of those New Testament verses are in the Book of Revelation alone! Some believe that God’s wrath is for the Church but there’s no way God would hurt those who love Him. Not one of the verses containing that phrase is pronounced on the Church!

(Psa 78:30-31) They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, (31) The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

(Joh 3:36) He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

(Rom 1:18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

(Eph 5:6) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

(Col 3:6) For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

(Rev 14:9-10) And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, (10) The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

(Rev 14:19) And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. (See Isaiah 63:2-6)

(Rev 15:1-3, 7) And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. (2) And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (3) And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Notice that these are Tribulation saints, not the Church. (7) And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.

(Rev 16:1-2) And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. (2) And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

It is obvious that God’s wrath is not poured out on the born-again believers of the Church. The Church is not even mentioned in chapters 5-19 when the judgments are come upon the earth.

I am trying to describe these events as simply as I can so that it is easily understood by those who are not born again. It may sound strange to you but with even just a little faith, you can be saved. This event is not something believers have to worry about because we will be in Heaven with Christ! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!