When Jesus went out to the temple, His disciples saw the magnificent outside wall of the temple. The disciples mentioned how awesome was the temple wall, but Jesus told them that the wall would soon be completely destroyed (more than 40 years after Jesus died on the cross and ascended back to Heaven, the Roman general Titus came and destroyed the temple and its wall in 70 AD because of people's rebellion against Rome). Peter, James, John, and Andrew were curious about when all these things would be, so they asked Jesus. Jesus told them what would happen in the future on judgment day. Jesus told them that there would be a time that Satan would rule on this earth for seven years, called the seven-year tribulation. During the seven-year tribulation, many people will pretend to be Jesus or the Savior to deceive many. There would be rumors of war, and eventually, the war against nations and kingdoms will come. There will be famine, but all these things are just the beginning of suffering. The believers of Christ will be persecuted before the governors; however, the gospel will continue to be preached to all nations despite the persecution. Jesus will comfort the believers during this time, "Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit." Because the persecution is dreadful, families will betray each other, and the believers will be hated. (Mark 13:1-13).
The seven-year tribulation is a time when Satan will rule on this earth. In the first half of the seven-year tribulation, Satan will come as a peacemaker and influence the religious and political system to persecute all believers on this earth. But before the seven-year tribulation occurs, the rapture of the believers will happen. The rapture of the believers is about God taking His children out of this earth so they will not experience the seven-year tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, "Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." And 1 Corinthians 15:52 says, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."
Only those who believed in the Lord Jesus and surrendered their lives to Him would be raptured, and the rest would be left behind and go through the seven-year tribulation. No one knows when the rapture will take place, only God knows. Let us keep persevering in our faith and live for Him, for we do not know when the rapture will occur, and the seven-year tribulation will begin.
Ask yourself these questions: What is the seven-year tribulation? What is the rapture of the believers? What will happen to the unbelievers and Christian pretenders during the rapture of the believers?
Write down all the worries you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you that I belong to you, and no matter what happens on this earth, I will be safe in your loving arms. I thank you that there will be a time that you will judge the wickedness of this earth, and you will gather all your children to yourself. Please help me faithfully live for you while I wait on the day you take me home to be with you. In your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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