The world is likely standing at a precipice in time that has only been twice previously visited. A time such as the world had never experienced; a time that completely and radically redefined the globe.
The first time was at creation. “The earth was a formless and desolate emptiness, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”
Imagine. There had never been before been “light”. No sun. No moon. No stars. Just an unimaginable dark. Then suddenly – light, and life sprang forth!
A second time was the great global deluge (a.k.a., Noah’s Flood). “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.”
Imagine that neither rain (as mist once watered the earth) nor a flood had ever been experienced. (Rain could be the correct understanding of “things not yet seen,” or it could be referring to the Flood in general). Either way, something occurred such as the world had never experienced; and it was the second time that completely and radically redefined the globe.
We are now standing at a time that has been predicted (prophesied) by ancients that “there will be Great Tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be (again). And if those days had not been (and are not) cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”
Imagine one last time, there will be such a great tribulation such as has not been seen.
First we see, in Matthew 24:9 “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name”. The word for tribulation is thlípsis – which is pressure (what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that “hems someone in”; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, “without options”). It carries the challenge of coping with the internal pressure of a tribulation, especially when feeling there is “no way of escape” (“hemmed in”).
Then in Matthew 24:21 we see, “Then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again.” Again the Greek word ‘thlipsis’ is used, but is enhanced with adjective “great” or in the Greek language, “megas” – carries the notion of magnitude—exceedingly great in physical, numerical, moral, spiritual, and auditory measures.
Are these to be two separate events? No there are not two tribulations. There is one tribulation period, identified in phases by its intensification, scale and purpose.
The first phase is identified by Jesus as “birth pains” of tribulation (see Matthew 24:8). These began at the birth of Christ and have been identified by various names, most recognized as the tribulation seals one through five (1. Deception, 2. Wars and rumors of war, 3. Nations rising up against nations, 4. Famines and earthquakes, 5 . Persecutions and a great falling away from the faith also known as the great apostasy.
Seal Judgments
Description: The first set of judgments, which are initiated by the opening of seals.
Purpose: To reveal the unfolding of events leading to the end times.
Key Events: Includes various calamities and the emergence of significant figures like the Antichrist. (see “When Does the Tribulation Begin?”
The second phase is the Great Tribulation (see Matthew 24:15-31). And within the Great Tribulation period there are Judgment Periods
Trumpet Judgments (Revelation 8:2 – Revelation 9:20)
Description: The second set of judgments, which follow the seal judgments.
Purpose: To intensify the suffering and highlight God’s wrath against wickedness.
Key Events: Involves catastrophic events such as natural disasters and plagues affecting the earth and its inhabitants.
The third phase and the second set of judgments are the Bowl Judgments (Revelation 16:1-21)
Description: The final set of judgments, which are the most severe.
Purpose: To bring about the ultimate judgment and prepare for the return of Jesus.
Key Events: Includes devastating plagues and the culmination of God’s judgment on the earth.
The Tribulation: Brith Pains phase – from Jesus’ birth, also identified as the first five Tribulation seals, which lead to The Great Tribulation phase (cosmic and geologic cataclysms) which is identified as the sixth and seventh tribulation seals, leading to the Wrath of the Lamb phase or the seven Trumpet Judgments, concluding with the Great And Terrible Day of the Lord and the End of the Age identified by the judgments and events of the Seven Bowl Judgments.
(NOTE: The trumpet judgments are generally seen as a series of warnings that escalate in severity, while the bowl judgments represent the final and most severe outpouring of God’s wrath, resulting in complete destruction. Each bowl judgment is more intense and comprehensive than the corresponding trumpet judgment, indicating a progression in the severity of God’s judgment during the Great Tribulation).
Let’s now come back to the present day and ask, first, what does all this mean to you, the world-at-large and the world around you? Or better asked, “how are you to view these matters and how are you to prepare and respond to what is coming and is in fact upon us now?
The answer to that question is that you need look no farther than Jesus. He taught and demonstrated the model, the method and the mission that we are to follow. That is our discipleship program. That is the we are to view these matters and how we are to prepare for what is upon us and for what is yet to come.
Conversely the teachings and the theology of many twenty-first century churches look and sound like they align with scriptures, but their interpretation and application of the way of Jesus is often misrepresented and-or misapplied. Sadly, the presentation and the life and rhythm of the current-day church is more like the church at Corinth where various issues that had arisen such as divisions in the church, sexual immorality, directions on marriage, food sacrificed to idols, worship, and spiritual gifts, and the resurrection of Jesus because of false teaching, factionalism and division between members, competition for status, and ethical scandals. (The Apostle Paul’s role as a leader is reflected in his deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the Corinthians and his commitment to guiding them through their challenges which resulted in Paul’s teaching and guidance becoming a model for other churches).
The first step after surrendering your life to Jesus and having become a Christian is to realize that in order to prepare and successfully navigate the Last Days is to accept that as a Christ follower you are no longer “of this world” and your olds ways will not fit into your new life nor will they work to accomplish your new mission in life.
Adopting and embracing the teachings of Paul is a one great way to make the necessary changes to meet and navigate the now-at-hand and intensifying birth pains of the tribulation and to make preparation for coming Great Tribulation period.
But more importantly, come to know and experience God through His Son, Jesus – and to do exactly as He has done. Obey and follow His commands through the prompting and power of the Holy Spirit Who dwells within every believer.
NOTE: I am not writing you a crafty religious speech or a sermon. I am telling you that Jesus is saying (in a local vernacular), “Hey you! Yeah, you! Over here! I am talking to you. You are in big trouble here, and if you don’t listen to Me things won’t go well or end well for you. You need to escape from this place and take as many with you who will listen to you – and fast! Time is running out. I am the only One Who knows the way out and I am The Way (to safety). Come. Follow Me.”
Finally, be aware that Jesus has made a way of escape. But He also has a plan we are to follow. He prayed to The Father, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” We are in this world for this reason: To be made into the image and likeness of Jesus and to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” This message is to and for every believer in all the ages.
We are not here for politics, although that seems to be an effective ‘way maker’ it is not His Way. We are not here for religious institutions, although we are confused by the 501-c-3 government approved, tax exempt, socially acceptable, entertainment oriented, people pleasing ‘corporation church’; you and I are the Church of Jesus Christ. We are the Body of Christ Jesus. Not a building. Not an organization. Not a political or religious movement.
We, The Church, as the Body of Christ, are operating in enemy territory. We are being made uniquely in His image, with His attitude, His mind, His methods and His ways. We are foreigners and sojourners in a foreign land and we have a mission to complete before He comes and takes us away from here.
So, read and know the Bible so you will intimately know The Way – Jesus is The Way!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PS: The fact that we are ‘not of this world’ cannot be overstated and usually is woefully understated if not deliberately misstated in order to make it ‘more reasonable’ and palatable. But make no mistake, “the mind set on the flesh(ly things of this world) is death; but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace”. (Romans 8:6).
“So, set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:2-4)
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