Tribulation Preparedness

I dreamt that the church was going through the tribulation. What was interesting was that the situation was very difficult and painful yet the church was very joyful. We were very enthusiastic with the depravation we were experiencing despite the torture and betrayal we were going through especially from those closest to us.

Among us was the family of a man who as a judge had condemned them to death in his court for being sold out to Christ. None of us came out with anything they owned in the world. People who had houses and other property had been hounded out of them. I didn’t see anyone who had any car yet there were some who had owned fleets of vehicles. Food was not easy to get but we felt fine all the same. Even children among us did not cry of hunger. Everybody was so joyful!

We were a family that had come from families yet were so united that you could not know which family was complete from the one which had a single representative. We were simply the family of faith.

What was so different from our existence today? The first thing was that the world was our enemy, and not by choice. Every member of the church was plundered beginning with by their closest relations – a wife or husband, parents or children and especially the ‘church’ which was the one involved in dealing with the radicals, which is what we were called.

We had a common enemy which was the world and its systems; the religious, judicial, political and even family. We were together on the run for our lives because the world did not want us around. We were fleeing to the mountains with only our lives after losing everything else to the world after they used their systems to hound us out. In fact we were running because they preferred us dead. We were running so that we could experience the freedom to live life the way God demanded. We were fleeing because the world and its systems could not allow us to worship God the way He had revealed. We were fleeing because living for God had been criminalized.

What made the situation enjoyable is very hard to understand looking at it from our perspective here because we many times think there are things we can’t do without yet there we did not even have the essentials. None of us had a cell phone and so we did not know which members of our families had defected from our faith, had been killed or had fled to another mountain or cave. We actually threw them away because they were being used to track and harass us by those who had been closest to us and the authorities. We did not have radios to follow the world. Whatever news we got was from people who joined us and was only related with the treatment of God’s people especially from those closest to them. Nothing else was of any importance.

I saw faith that we read about in the Bible. We did not have the essentials of life and started living a life of great expectation and faith. Like I have stated even food was not assured yet even the children were at peace, even excitedly waiting for God to provide. When such food came it was shared very gratefully and liberally that everybody had their share however little it was.

Once we got to the mountains I saw love that we also read in the Bible. Since there was not enough space for all to ‘rest’ the vulnerably were automatically given first priority, and I did not see any leader giving orders or instructions. It was all so spontaneous.

I did not see the experience of fear anywhere though we were all fleeing for our lives. I did not see any regrets even from people who had lost ‘so much’ and had not been used to such a lifestyle. Apart from probably someone’s appearance, you could not distinguish the millionaire from the pauper and not simply because they were in the same situation. There was simply no class. In fact the formerly rich felt shame for not adjusting to our situation fast enough, though not shame as we know it.

There was a lot of encouragement all around, though I did not see any discouraged people in the company. We were just speaking God’s word to our situation to keep focused on what God wanted of us. We were speaking comfort yet not the comfort of the bereaved because nobody felt they had lost anything. God is greater than anything and everything the world can give or even has. In fact it was the world which though they felt nice after having plundered us had lost everything because they had lost God.

I then got to think of the world as we know it, and especially as it relates to our walk of faith. I am sure it will take great revelation to clearly understand why God gave me that dream. Many may be shouting about the rapture et al but I will refuse to be drawn to such arguments. I am Christ’s slave and as such do not have a choice about what message or revelation He gives me. In any case is what we call church looking as if it is ready for the rapture?

Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (Matthew 23:24)

Could our looking for reasons to divert attention from His message to our ‘interpretations’ be classified as that by our King? Anyway, let us go on.

This has driven me to key scriptures that I want us to reflect on

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Christ’s victory is not subject to our circumstances. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords whether we acknowledge it or not. He was so even when he was being humiliated by the religious and political class during the passion. It therefore makes great sense to submit under His Lordship. It also explains why God’s people are able to find peace even when the circumstances dictate the opposite. Submitting to Him will give you joy unspeakable because you are assured that the one in whose hands you are runs the world.

For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. (Revelation 17:17)

This verse is talking of the antichrist, false prophet, indeed the world’s powers agreeing to reorganize the world in their favor to meet their purposes. What they do not realize is that what they are doing is simply fulfilling scripture. Therefore people of faith know that however dismal their situation is, their Master is still calling the shots. He is the one who is running the show even when the enemy appears to be doing so.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1Timothy 6: 6 – 10)

Being content is a great asset in anyone’s life. Only unquestioned submission to Christ can give you such contentment. A vibrant relationship with the King of kings gives one not just contentment but a peace and joy that is unparalleled by the best that the world can afford. We are restless in the world because we lack that relationship or have allowed the world to crowd it out. The reason we seek to get this or the other is because we think they can compensate for the lack of that vibrant relationship. We are seeking temporal relief for eternal desires. And no wonder no one can have enough of money or pleasure however much he gets! A vibrant relationship lowers all our needs and desires at levels below our submission to the King.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

We seek the kingdom for its own sake. We do not seek it for the things that are added later. Whether they are added or not is not an issue. I compare it with the reason many marriages are failing. People are looking beyond the marriage to get into the marriage. They use the marriage to access this or the other. I am thinking the girl has a very good income or potential for a good business because of her looks and intelligence. What happens when that potential crumbles? I am thinking of the rich family my spouse comes from as a key reason for marrying them. When I am saying ‘for richer and for poorer’ I am simply reciting but I have not entertained that thought. I am not getting married to the person but to the interests they will bring on board. The crumbling of the interests simply crumbles the marriage. I remember being shown on the net a man who sued his wife and won after she bore an ugly child. Eventually it was discovered that she had realized that she was ugly and went through plastic surgery. Sadly that could not be hidden forever. That is what I am talking about.

We are to come to Christ for Him only. Whatever follows will only depend on Him. What course He charts for me is only dependent on Him. And that is the problem with a lot of evangelism today. We are presenting the Gospel with a capitalistic twist. We are not sharing about the sacrifices inherent in salvation but are only focusing on the benefits. The joy of Christianity is subject to only one thing, Christ’s lordship. We simply go before Him for who He is and has done for us. Whatever consequences come from that decision are out of our hands. Whether we live or die is irrelevant to our commitment. Look at what Paul says;

Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 21:13)

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20: 22 – 24)

When was the last time if ever that you had someone preaching from these texts? That is how far we have strayed from the way of the cross. Yet that is the expectation of Christ when He calls us to Himself. Establishing that in our systems will result in a release that will make it possible for us to endure all things. Luke 9: 23 – 26 also deals with that.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? (Matthew 6: 25 - 27)

We think of that passage as one that expresses the ideals of faith. But how many even imagine living such a life? We need to realize that Jesus never taught ideals. He taught reality. Faith and faith living are not ideals but the expectation of what anyone who confesses His name should live like. We are not to worry. But is that our experience? It therefore may require God removing all our props to cause us to live such a life. And many times that is what He does. It is at such times when we start to experience the fullness of a life of faith.

They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (John 16: 2, 3)

It is not strange to find the church being an agent of persecution of the saints. Christian sometimes has nothing to do with Christ except for the name. We are in a season where people have realised that ‘christian’ is a brand and a market. Traders use church and Christian for their markets. Politicians brand themselves Christian to look for votes. Even born again has joined the queue. Since the term was very respectable some time ago as it is what distinguished between name only Christians and serious Christians, many have realized that by ‘joining’ the born again by profession and especially by baptism, they will be associated with the respectable and serious team. Since in the past being born again could easily land you a job, promotion even a favorable verdict before a case, why not join the team, at least visibly, and especially as our faith is assumed to be inward and not visible. That is why someone who is known to visit demonic shrines can comfortably be baptized yet he does not stop visiting them. And you hear believers arguing about his ‘conversion’.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (John 15:19)

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17: 14 – 16)

Once we establish who runs our lives, a clear distinction is drawn between the professors and livers of the faith. It then becomes imperative for the professors to deal conclusively with the upstarts. Interestingly it is the professors who end up taking the leadership of churches as the livers are more interested in living for Christ than swaying over people, some who do not care to please the Lord we serve because they may not even know Him.

This is not new as we see the same in the Bible. It was the Sadducees who controlled the Jewish religious life though they denied the key tenets of Judaism. You see they had no qualms killing or bribing to get a position that will give them control over people and their resources. The Pharisees had no business looking for positions as keeping the law as strictly as they did required their full concentration and commitment. Most of the abuses we see in the New Testament were occasioned by the leadership of these professors of Judaism. That is the reason they had no problems confessing that Caesar was their king to get rid of Jesus. They had no problem asking for His blood to remain on them. You see the present was their all consuming passion.

And this is what is gradually happening to the church. Wickedness is slowly buying the stakes in church leadership. The problem is that some of them do not even realize what they are doing as we know the devil does not display his schemes even to his staunchest servants. Many will think they are actually serving God. And that is how they start persecuting and even killing those who are connected to Christ. But some are in the know and are just scheming to give the antichrist authority to run the church of Christ. The end result is them chasing the church out of their ‘churches’.

Where are you in this? Do you have God’s word and revelation concerning the life you should live? Is Christ your all consuming desire or are there other things that determine where your priorities are?

What would happen if you lost everything you have? How would you feel if somebody took everything from you fraudulently as the authorities watched delightfully? How would you feel if those you love most are looking for opportunities to take your life because of your faith?

WHAT IS YOUR FAITH WORTH? ARE YOU WILLING TO GO THE DISTANCE FOR THAT FAITH?

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26)

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. (Luke 6:22)

The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. (John 7:7)

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. (1John 3:13)

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:10-13)

I just wanted to give you verses to meditate on as you think on this topic, whatever interpretation you have because they are simply the word of God which is not subject to our interpretations.