Elect Must Remain Fervent, Vigilant
Back to 1The Bible’s Greatest Prophecies Unlocked!
Also repeated here for emphasis, many of God’s people in the end time have partially drifted away from God. They have not remained as close to Him as they should be. They have not zealously sought and obeyed God on a daily basis. This has allowed many to be deceived, and to fall into false doctrines and practices—the sad pattern of history when false ministers capture the leadership of the flock. Only with the arrival of the Tribulation will about half of these brethren awaken (Matt. 25:1-12)!
These “lukewarm” true followers of God will have to endure this final martyrdom (Rev. 3:14-22). The earlier true Christians previously killed must continue to “rest” (remain “asleep” in Christ) until joined by these later martyrs.
During the Tribulation, there will be extraordinary deception, unlike any time in world history. As we have seen, Christ was very specific about this in Matthew 24:1-51 “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 [worldwide lawlessness toward both human laws and God’s Law], the love of many [obedience to God—Rom. 13:10; I John 5:3] shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved…For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be…For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders [we have seen that the False Prophet—of the woman who rides the two-horned beast—will lead in this]; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Rom 13:10-13, 21, 24).
This is a very direct prophecy about tremendous deception that seduces “many” at the end of the age, before Christ’s Coming.
At His Return, Christ will bring with Him the individual rewards of all His servants. They will have qualified for great glory: “For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works” (Matt. 16:27).
Your works in this life, your obedience to God’s plain commands, have a direct bearing on your reward in the next life!
Satan’s Wrath on Modern Israelite Descendants
Let’s now take a moment to compare two critically important scriptures that shed much light on the Tribulation. Doing this will give us a precise picture of who else receives the brunt of Satan’s wrath during this time. We have seen that lukewarm Christians will be martyred—but many more than these will be forced to endure this terrible time of trial.
First reread Matthew 24:21: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” This verse plainly establishes the Tribulation as the single worst time in all world history. Take this verse for exactly what it says.
Now let’s examine a second scripture that relates to this one. It is longer and more extensive, and is found in Jeremiah 30:1-24. The last phrase of this chapter is “in the latter days you shall consider it.” Now what does this chapter contain that we must “consider” in these final days?
Jer 30:2 was instruction to Jeremiah to record in a book all that God had told him. Jer 30:3 establishes to whom God is speaking—Israel and Judah. Now notice: “And these are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus says the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask you now, and see whether a man does travail with child? Wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it” (Jer 30:4-7).
This is a shocking description of punishment prophesied to come on Israel and Judah. Unmeasured fear and horror accompany this national chastisement.
But focus for a moment on two phrases in Jer 30:7 describing this time. The first is “that day is great, so that none is like it.” This is almost identical to Matthew 24:21. They cannot be speaking of two separate times, because it is impossible to have two periods in history that are both described as the worst of all time. These two scriptures have to be speaking of the same time. And remember, these verses both depict events in the “end of the age” and the “latter days.”
Now notice the second phrase: “it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble.” This phrase unlocks vital meaning and explains who else suffers Satan’s wrath in this time of terrible anguish and misery.
Understand that the Old Testament patriarch Israel was originally named Jacob (Gen. 32:28). Prophecies referencing either name describe the same peoples today who came from this man.
Many Old Testament prophecies describe the scope and severity of national punishment that God plans for the peoples descended from Jacob. Their modern lands will be destroyed by the Beast, and many millions will be taken into captivity at his hands.
The Great Tribulation will be a time of terrible suffering for both physical Israel and the less vigilant, lukewarm “remnant” of spiritual Israel, the Church. But numerous verses in Revelation show that it will be a time of general prosperity for many non-Israelitish nations—when the Beast’s “merchants” bring much “buying and selling.” These nations will be punished during the time of God’s wrath.
The Mark—Past and Future!
Let’s return to the subject of the true Christian’s initial reward. It involves rulership, lasting 1,000 years. But the test has been the same for those of previous ages. Those who hold fast their convictions, in the face of impending martyrdom, when this test comes again, will be victorious even in death—but they will truly be “gold tried in the fire” (Rev. 3:18).
Here is what God says awaits those who have been faithful unto death. Read each word carefully: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Rev. 20:4).
This is an astonishing verse. Did you notice that all those killed in past ages for holding to the truth of God also refused to receive the mark? In other words, those of previous eras were required to withstand the enforcement of the mark as well. But, because they would not yield to pagan beliefs, festivals, customs, rank idolatry and worship of the Holy Roman Empire—and the “woman” church—they were killed. The mark of the Beast was first enforced well over 1,000 years ago. And, though it is not yet being enforced, for the plagues to fall on those who have it, and for those who refuse it to be forced into martyrdom—it must be enforced once again!
Christians of previous times were killed because they refused the mark of the Beast and the worship of its image. They “obeyed God rather than man” (Acts 5:29)—they obeyed the government of God rather than the Roman government guided by the woman riding it. They did not resist punishment, but willingly yielded to their punishment—torture and death! These future rulers proved themselves faithful to God and have qualified to reign with Jesus Christ when He comes, bringing “His reward with Him.”
Some more review for context. Also in Matthew 24:1-51, Christ foretold that the “gospel of the kingdom” would be preached to all nations “and then shall the end come” (Mt 24:14). In John 9:4, He warned His disciples that “the night comes, when no man can work.”
Soon, deep spiritual darkness will descend on the whole world. The time for announcing the coming of the kingdom of God will come to an end. Final opportunity to seek God and escape what lies ahead will be gone. There is the responsibility to preach—and warn—before it is too late. Notice a second parallel passage in Ezekiel: “When I say unto the wicked, You shall surely die; and you [God’s designated watchman] give him not warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand” (Eze 3:18).
God, through this end-time Work, is warning all who will listen now. Soon, you will have to choose who and what you will obey. Will you obey God or will you obey the final revival of the Holy Roman Empire, governed by the great false “woman” church leading recognized, traditional “Christianity”?
But the Bible reveals that there will be three final warnings to the rebellious nations under the woman and Beast’s deception. This will occur through three separate angelic messengers, referenced earlier. Again, these are found in Revelation 14:1-20.
The third message states, “If any man worship the beast [this final end-time revival] and his image, and receive his mark…the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God … He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…in the presence of the Lamb” (Rev 14:9-10).
True Christians “Marked” by Obedience
We have not yet identified the exact nature of the mark. But we will see that it has something to do with obedience—whether we will obey “God or man” (Acts 5:29).
As we have seen, two churches are described in the New Testament. The true Church that Jesus built (Matt. 16:18) is the bride of Christ, forsaking involvement with this world and its customs in order to be pure when He comes to marry her.
Throughout the New Testament are warnings that false teachers would creep in (Jude 3-4; II Thes. 2:3-11; II Cor. 11:13-14) and gain control of the church organization, forcing faithful Christians to flee from their original congregations to continue to obey God. Remember, the true people of God were foretold to remain a “little flock” (Luke 12:32), often scattered, never having political power in this world.
Despite continual persecution—even during periods of great martyrdom—by the large popular churches that have continually sought to destroy it, a determined remnant has always remained throughout the last nearly 2,000 years.
The world has kept little track of this small, scattered Church, but Jesus promised that He would never leave or forsake it, and that “the gates of hell [the grave] shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Though it has periodically been forced to flee for its life (Acts 8:1; Dan. 12:7), Jesus has faithfully kept His promise to remain with it, empowering and strengthening it through His Spirit. His Church is loyal and obedient to His government structure, above all others!
Immediately after the third angel’s warning in Revelation 14:9-10, 12 contains a description of God’s servants who will not take the mark. Remember, there are only two categories of people—those who take the mark and those who do not.
God declares, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:12).
In a disobedient world that has followed a system in rebellion against God, there are relatively few commandment-keepers. God’s little Church has always been willing—and determined—to obey Him.
This verse explains that only the “faith of Jesus” (not merely faith in Jesus) gives them the strength to resist receiving the mark. Shallow human faith will be of no value in avoiding the mark!
When Jesus was approached by a young man seeking salvation, He was asked, “What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16). Jesus answered, “If you will enter into life, keep the commandments” (Mt 19:17).
It has always been this plain for all who would serve God! The commandments of God must be kept.
Regarding obedience to His Law, God has always had but one standard: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you are become a transgressor of the law” (James. 2:10-11).
Christians keep all the laws of God. They make no exceptions!