XXX Tribulation Saints

XXXII: BELIEVERS IN

PERIL

In which we meet those who overcome Satan, those who become the margin of

victory in the battle of the ages..

A Production of

the skOG

Workshop

The believers of the 70th Week, commonly called

‘Tribulation Saints’, have a high calling if we reckon

with Revelation’s full treatment of them in Chapters

5-13. God calls on the Tribulation Saints to

overcome, not merely survive.

The believers of the 70th Week, commonly called

‘Tribulation Saints’, have a high calling if we reckon

with Revelation’s full treatment of them in Chapters

5-13. God calls on the Tribulation Saints to

overcome, not merely survive.

God places a measure of responsibility on their

shoulders which no other group of Saints has ever

aspired to. Their’s is the margin of victory in the

Battle of the Ages.

The believers of the 70th Week, commonly called

‘Tribulation Saints’, have a high calling if we reckon

with Revelation’s full treatment of them in Chapters

5-13. God calls on the Tribulation Saints to

overcome, not merely survive.

God places a measure of responsibility on their

shoulders which no other group of Saints has ever

aspired to. Their’s is the margin of victory in the

Battle of the Ages.

Come meet these triumphant believers!

I’m just filler . . . you know, ‘No

hyperlinks for you till Slide 4!” Contracts on the cat and the kid ran out and now Lenny’s using

me. ‘Best for last’ and all that!

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TRIBULATION SAINTS: CHRISTIANS OR WHAT??

TRIBULATION SAINTS: CHRISTIANS OR WHAT??

SUGGESTION: Let how

you answer this question

proceed independently of

whether you already hold a

pre- or post-tribulational

view of the Rapture and

Resurrection of the Saints.

WHAT STATUS DOES GOD GRANT THE TRIBULATION SAINTS?

They “keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Rev 12:17

They are “slain because of the Word of God and because of the testimony which they had maintained.” Rev 6:9

God sets their martyrs underneath His throne and gives them white robes as tokens of respect and calls them to patience while their vengeance awaits God’s timing. Rev 6:9-11 (Remember the promise of Relief for the Church in II Thess 1?)

WHAT STATUS SHOULD WE GIVE THE TRIBULATION SAINTS?

They, like Christians, have Satan for their accuser. (Revelation 12:10)

They overcome Satan, himself, by (Revelation 12:11)

The blood of the Lamb

The word of their testimony

They did not love their life to the death

They’re beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus, the word of God and they would not accept the Mark of the Beast (Revelation 20:4)

WHAT STATUS DO YOU GIVE THE TRIBULATION SAINTS?

They’re resurrected to reign with Christ. Revelation 20:4

One like the Son of Man gathers them from the earth when the Father tells Him to do so. Revelation 14:14-16

They have come out of the Great Tribulation and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14

They hold the harps of God and sing the Song of Moses and of the Lamb on the Sea of Glass Revelation 15:1-3

JUST WHO ARE THE TRIBULATION SAINTS?

God rewards them in Eternity: (Revelation 7:14-17)

They’re before God’s throne, which spreads like a tabernacle over them.

They serve God day and night in His temple.

Never hunger, thirst nor feel the sun’s heat again

God’s their shepherd, guiding them to the Water of Life.

God Himself wipes every tear from their eyes.

WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL STATUS OF THESE ‘SAINTS’ OF THE 70TH WEEK

Which Christian grace, what essential Christian attribute or what Christian act of faithfulness displayed by 1st Century Christians in Roman coliseums do the Saints of the 70th Week not display in facing Satan’s protege, the AntiChrist?

WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL STATUS OF THESE ‘SAINTS’ OF THE 70TH WEEK

Which Christian grace, what essential Christian attribute or what Christian act of faithfulness displayed by 1st Century Christians in Roman coliseums do the Saints of the 70th Week not display in facing Satan’s protege, the AntiChrist?

I think I know who these believers are:

Our brothers and sisters in Christ!

The last generation of the Church.

WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL STATUS OF THESE ‘SAINTS’ OF THE 70TH WEEK

Which Christian grace, what essential Christian attribute or what Christian act of faithfulness displayed by 1st Century Christians in Roman coliseums do the Saints of the 70th Week not display in facing Satan’s protege, the AntiChrist?

WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL STATUS OF THESE ‘SAINTS’ OF THE 70TH WEEK

Which Christian grace, what essential Christian attribute or what Christian act of faithfulness displayed by 1st Century Christians in Roman coliseums do the Saints of the 70th Week not display in facing Satan’s protege, the AntiChrist?

The belief that the Tribulation Saints are members

of the Body and Bride of Christ has implications for

how I understand the timing of the Rapture.

Such a belief makes me a Postribulationist.

Get set to look at The Tribulation Saints with two competing mindsets: Pessimism and Fear

VERSUSCourageous Steadfast Hope

Get set to look at The Tribulation Saints with two competing mindsets:

God enables believers to beat the odds! Right? The bigger they are . . .

Pessimism and Fear VERSUS

Courageous Steadfast Hope

TRIBULATION SAINTSMindset 1: The Case For Fear

ALIENS, STRANGERS AND EXILES ON THE EARTHCaught Behind Enemy Lines and Hunted Down

HATED: Believers will be delivered to tribulation, killed and hated. Matthew 24:9

BETRAYED: Many apparent ‘believers’ will, in fact prove false, falling away and betraying the real believers. Matthew 24:10

MARTYRED: Many will be martyred because of their testimony; relief and retribution will seem far off, if not completely lost. Revelation 6:9-11

DESTITUTE: Hungry . . . thirsty . . . exiled . . . naked . . . imprisoned . . . sick . . . Matthew 25:35-40

AND YET, THE TRIBULATION SAINTS’

BIGGEST DANGER IS–

DECEPTION!

Jesus’ First Words Of His Olivet Discourse: “See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying ‘I am He’ and will mislead many.” Matthew 24:4+5, Mark 13: 5+6

False Christs and False Prophets Abound: Jesus in the Olivet Discourse(s) repeatedly warns believers in the End-Times to shake off the deception of False Christs and False Prophets. Believers will hunger for word of Christ’s return and crave early relief from distress; Satan will offer many a counterfeit. Jesus methodically calls believers in the End-Times to identify every such attempt and avoid each one!

THE FORCES OF HELL ARRAY THEMSELVES AGAINST THE BELIEVERS IN THE 70TH WEEK

Satan Attacks Them:

“Woe to earth and sea-the devil has come down to you . . .” Rev 12:12

“The Dragon make(s) war with the rest of her (Israel’s) children, who keep the command-ments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Rev 12:17

AntiChrist Attacks Them: He makes war with the Saints and overcomes them. Rev 13:7

False Prophets Attacks Them: Kills those who refuse to worship the image of the Beast or receive his mark. Rev 13:15-18

UNBROKEN LANDSCAPE OF BLEAK DESPAIR AND CONSTANT DANGER

The earth-their habitat- wracked by God’s wrath.

Evil seemingly triumphant and celebrating its victory

Wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, famine and death stalk the earth and swallow up hope and justice.

TRIBULATION SAINTSMindset 2: The Case For Hope and Courage

Behold I Have Told You In Advance

God’s Word has thoroughly prepped the 70th Week believers to meet their challenges!

3 Olivet Discourse versions connect readers to OT prophecies and to the Tribulation, so called.

Paul in I Corinthians 15 and I Thess 4 and II Thess 1+2 details rapture and resurrection

Jude preps the reader for Revelation

John’s whole Revelation lays out the believers’ role, destiny, hope and challenge in 70th Week

Behold I Have Told You In Advance

God’s Word has thoroughly prepped the 70th Week believers to meet their challenges!

3 Olivet Discourse versions connect readers to OT prophecies and to the Tribulation, so called.

Paul in I Corinthians 15 and I Thess 4 and II Thess 1+2 details rapture and resurrection

Jude preps the reader for Revelation

John’s whole Revelation lays out the believers’ role, destiny, hope and challenge in 70th Week

Pay attention, oh, believer, and ready yourself!

CHRIST HAS SEALED THE BELIEVERS–

Believers do NOT serve as targets for the Father’s wrath.

Fact of Sealing: God seals all believers with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13)

Purpose of Sealing: A pledge of faithfulness (II Cor 1:22), promise of redemption (Eph 1:13) and protection (Rev 7:1-4)

Case for Assuming the Sealing of the Tribulation Saints: Like Christians everywhere, they are, after all . . .

Said to hold the testimony of Jesus (Rev 12:17)

Credited with ‘faith in Jesus’ (Rev 14:12)

Called ‘blessed’ (Rev 14:13)

Said to have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14)

Resurrected (Rev 20:1-4)

Rewarded white robes (Rev 6:11)

CHRIST HAS SEALED THE BELIEVERS–

Believers do NOT serve as targets for the Father’s wrath.

Fact of Sealing: God seals all believers with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13)

Purpose of Sealing: A pledge of faithfulness (II Cor 1:22), promise of redemption (Eph 1:13) and protection (Rev 7:1-4)

Case for Assuming the Sealing of the Tribulation Saints: Like Christians everywhere, they are, after all . . .

Said to hold the testimony of Jesus (Rev 12:17)

Credited with ‘faith in Jesus’ (Rev 14:12)

Called ‘blessed’ (Rev 14:13)

Said to have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14)

Resurrected (Rev 20:1-4)

Rewarded white robes (Rev 6:11)

With all these other exclusively Christian attributes, we may safely assume their sealing by the Holy Spirit

GOD PROVIDES AID TO THE TRIBULATION SAINTS THROUGHOUT THE 70TH WEEK

Sheep Peoples Offer Aid from Natural Sympathy: (Matt 25:32) Food, water, clothing, housing and prison visits to ‘brothers of Mine’.

God Sends “Elijah” to Restore the Hearts of the Fathers and Their Children. (Mal 4:6) Believers’ families strengthened internally

Two Witnesses Stand With the Saints: (Rev 11:3) Their ministry encourages, emboldens and protects the harried believers-instruction by example.

Angel Flies With The Gospel: (Rev 14:6) Evangelism gets an incredible visual aid.

GOD EMPOWERS BELIEVERSIN INCREDIBLE WAYS

God Pours Out His Spirit on All Mankind: (Joel 2:28) Jew and Gentile populations find prophets in their midst. With what boldness shall believers now speak!

God Equips Believers To Speak For Him: (Mark 13:11) No scripts needed when believers face governors and kings: The Holy Spirit shall ‘teach them what to say in that self-same hour’.

GOD ASSURES THE BRIDE OF COMPLETION IN THE 70TH WEEK

Only At The End of 70th Week Does The Lord Declare the Bride “Ready”: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” Rev 19:7

And Please Notice The Reflexive Case: The Bride has made ‘herself’ ready! This would reflect and acknowledge the believers’ triumph of faithfulness in the 70th Week.

GOD ASSURES THE BRIDE OF VICTORY IN THE 70TH WEEK

Believers Overcome Satan: Rev 12:11

Believers Come Out of the Great Tribulation Clothed in Robes Made White in the Blood of the Lamb: (Rev 7:14)

Believers Victorious Over the Beast, His Image and the Number of His Name: (Rev 15:1-3)

14 “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16 They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17 For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Rev 7:14-17

HOW GOD VIEWS 70th WEEK BELIEVERS

TRIBULATION SAINTSRelevance for ‘Everyday’ Christian Living

DON’T TREAT THE TRIBULATION SAINTS AS SOMETHING UNUSUAL

We worship surrounded by a cloud of witnesses to persecution, from Stephen the first martyr to the Indonesian or Nigerian Christians suffering under Muslim persecution in our own time.

Picture: Indonesian Church burned by muslim mobs.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1065188/posts

May I offer you the text of an old hymn to consider?

Consider not just its content’s stirring images and bold challenges.

In your mind, hear the song on martyred Stephen’s lips . . . on lips of Arab believers . . . and on the lips of the Tribulation Saints.

Add your own voice if you will . . .

AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS?BY ISAAC WATTS

Am I a soldier of the cross,A follower of the Lamb,And shall I fear to own His cause,Or blush to speak His Name?Must I be carried to the skiesOn flowery beds of ease,While others fought to win the prize,And sailed through bloody seas?

AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS?BY ISAAC WATTS

Are there no foes for me to face?Must I not stem the flood?Is this vile world a friend to grace,To help me on to God?Sure I must fight if I would reign;Increase my courage, Lord.I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,Supported by Thy Word.

AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS?BY ISAAC WATTS

Thy saints in all this glorious warShall conquer, though they die;They see the triumph from afar,By faith’s discerning eye.When that illustrious day shall rise,And all Thy armies shineIn robes of victory through the skies,The glory shall be Thine.

Can you hear a harmonious blending of thousands of voices from kindred souls, reaching backwards in time, out across trackless oceans and ahead into the final conflict of the ages?

Can you hear a harmonious blending of thousands of voices from kindred souls, reaching backwards in time, out across trackless oceans and ahead into the final conflict of the ages?

I can.

HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO THE TRIBULATION SAINTS?

The dire situation of the Tribulation Saints in the 70th Week should sober us.

The courage and faith of the Tribulation Saints should also inspire us.

God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-discipline. II Tim 1:7

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1065188/posts

HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO THE TRIBULATION SAINTS?

The dire situation of the Tribulation Saints in the 70th Week should sober us.

The courage and faith of the Tribulation Saints should also inspire us.

God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and self-discipline. II Tim 1:7

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1065188/posts

Indonesian Christian Homes

OUR NEXT FOCUS . . .

Next: XXXIII: Jews in the 70th Week

OUR NEXT FOCUS . . .

God’s Chosen People, the Jews, will respond to the punishing adversity of the

70th Week by finally calling on Jesus as their promised Messiah. Only the

horrors of the Great Tribulation, only imminent extinction as a people, suffice to

force them to call out The Name!

Next: XXXIII: Jews in the 70th Week

OUR NEXT FOCUS . . .

God’s Chosen People, the Jews, will respond to the punishing adversity of the

70th Week by finally calling on Jesus as their promised Messiah. Only the

horrors of the Great Tribulation, only imminent extinction as a people, suffice to

force them to call out The Name!

The extent of their stubbornness, the extremity of their suffering and the reach of

God’s grace will be the focus of the next slide set

Next: XXXIII: Jews in the 70th Week

OUR NEXT FOCUS . . .

God’s Chosen People, the Jews, will respond to the punishing adversity of the

70th Week by finally calling on Jesus as their promised Messiah. Only the

horrors of the Great Tribulation, only imminent extinction as a people, suffice to

force them to call out The Name!

The extent of their stubbornness, the extremity of their suffering and the reach of

God’s grace will be the focus of the next slide set

Next: XXXIII: Jews in the 70th Week

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