The Daily Word of Righteousness

An Examination of Current Teaching, #20

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. (I Peter 4:1,2)

Christ will catch us up to Heaven so we do not have to suffer during the great tribulation.

The continual declaration today that God will not let the elect suffer is remarkable, given the history of the Christian Church. Even today Christians are suffering terribly in several countries of the world.

The record of God's people from the time of Abel is one of fiery trials and tribulations. In fact, we enter the Kingdom of God through much tribulation.

The historical evidence, plus the Scriptures, causes one to wonder how intelligent, devout believers could be deceived into believing God will carry them to Heaven so they will not suffer during the great tribulation.

There is coming to the earth a great tribulation, and also a time of great temptation and sin. Our concern ought to be that we are not led astray by the abundance of wickedness, for it is written that most believers will grow cold because of the wickedness of the last days.

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, (Matthew 24:12)

It is not the great tribulation but the great wickedness that is the danger of the last days. Tribulation creates patience in us. Wickedness lures us away from the Lord

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:3-5)

We know wickedness does not produce character and hope, but tribulation indeed does. We can see from this that the emphasis today on escaping the great tribulation comes from our fallen, sinful nature, not from the new creation of Christ in us.

We have been and are being deceived!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:35-37)

Trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, and sword have been experienced by Christian people throughout the centuries of the Church Era.

To be continued.