Bible Discussion Thread

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11

When we look at the ultimate and final meaning of this prophecy we see the Tribulation saint martyrs. We can certainly extrapolate today's suffering church as well as apply this to our daily death to the sin nature; the world system and Satan.

In light of this I have some personal thoughts; not a "thus saith the Lord" but nonetheless I find a need to get into it.

We are all aware; more or less at this site how late the hour is. Some if not most are already in a predetermined path to suffer in the Tribulation; and some will escape out of it as I see Scripture. There will be saved and unsaved at that time as God refines His people primarily to purge out the dross and goes through the predetermined phases of judgments leading to Armageddon and His arrival to overthrow the Beast and his partner in crime and establish the long awaited Kingdom of Christ in the Millennium.

My first warning is that mere factual assent isn't enough to save us and if we are saved the Spirit dwells in us ( John 16:8). For a true believer the enemy would love to sidetrack us to avoid effective witness and try to convince us we will be left behind (at least in my case). Whether it is this side of the Rapture or not we risk catastrophic spiritual defeat if we put our hopes; fears or dreams in this world system.

Prayer warriors are needed in this hour; much as they will during the Tribulation with the incense of their prayers mentioned before the seal and trumpet judgments. For those dying during this Tribulation period there is no vagueness about it; we will be along with the world well aware of our soul going to heaven after martyrdom.

Let us be wary to avoid traps which could ensnare us. The world as most here know is being set up ( Isaiah 8:14; 2 Thessalonians; etc). We all must guard our hearts ( Prov. 4:23).

Agape

There needs to be a distinction as there is in the scriptures between tribulation which all saints will go through "in this world ".

And the " great tribulation" which if Hod did not shorten ( the number) the days no one would be saved " This comes after what is commonly called the " rapture " but I think shouild be more accurately called the" translation" of the Bride who having been caught up to meet "the Lord in the air " goes to the marriage supper of the Lamb . ( see 5 wise virgins) .

In so leaving this earth all restraints on "the spirit of antichrist " are removed and we get the coming of the antichrist .

Much of the confusion about these end times comes from not making that distinction and counting tribulation as all one . But also misunderstanding and bad teaching also concerning the nature character and disposition of the Bride of Christ .

For the Bride is a body from a body . Even as Eve was taken from the body of the first Adam

So the Bride will be taken from the body of the last Adam .

To be BORN again qualifies us to " run the race" it does not win us the prize .

Every true born child of God is called to that " high calling" but it is our response determines the end .

Even as exposure to truth does not change a person but their response to it.

Out of all the disciples you had Peter James and John who saw and partook of things the others did not .

Out of all the tribes of Isreal who had an inheritance one tribe had no inheritance for " God was their inheritence".

There are other examples if you look for them .

When the Lord said " one of you shall betray me" they ALL said " "Is it I?" Apart from John who asked " who is it Lord" ? He knew it was not him and it was him who leaned upon his chest .