Tribulation Salvation: Saved By the Blood
By Doug Stauffer (www.BibleDoug.com)
Tribulation Salvation: who cares, right?
Since the Church will be raptured to meet the Lord in the air prior to the
commencement of any part of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (aka “the Tribulation
period”), many Christians consider the topic of salvation after the Church Age
as irrelevant. They question why anyone would expend any time and energy discussing
a topic that only applies after the Church has disappeared. On the surface, that
philosophy sounds wise and prudent, but unfortunately it is seriously flawed
and heartlessly shortsighted.
Much pen and ink has been used covering the
topic of so-called "Tribulation Salvation." Current teachings, whether informative or
unwittingly misleading, will surely impact those remaining on earth following
the Rapture. People in the future will be either positively or negatively influenced
depending upon whether the preacher’s perspective is biblical or
anti-scriptural. For this reason, preachers and teachers have a grave responsibility
to ensure that their teachings on this subject are biblically accurate—not for
the sake of Church Age believers—but for the sake of those influenced by any teaching
that endures after the Rapture.
Erroneous teachings—especially concerning
salvation—could inadvertently condemn souls trusting in a false message after the
Church’s departure. Thus, it is ill-advised to dismiss this subject as
irrelevant rantings, unless souls in the future are deemed less important than
souls during the Church Age. No one during the Church Age needs to be concerned
about the Mark of the Beast since this Mark cannot and will not be instituted
until after the Rapture when the Antichrist appears demanding worship. Yet,
this has not diminished people’s inclination to offer an assortment of opinions
on the matter. Regardless of one’s personal take on this subject, God offers
many explicit and indisputable details concerning the Mark.
The first point to consider and understand
about the Mark concerns those who will and those who will not take the Mark of the Beast.
I. ONLY
THE DECEIVED TAKE THE MARK
Bible truths remain buried until
harvested by those who exalt God’s word above everything else. For instance, the
narrative of Christ’s return to earth at the Second Advent (Revelation 19:11)
contains an interesting facet concerning those that take the Mark of the Beast.
This truth has been overlooked by commentators and Bible teachers but offers a
significant insight into the specifics of who can and who cannot take the Mark
of the Beast and subsequently worship his image. Take notice of the group specified
as subject to the blasphemous idolatry—it is only those who are deceived!
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him
the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast,
and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake
of fire burning with brimstone.
This single passage curiously emphasizes
the fact that no one is compelled against their will into taking the
Mark. Those who take the Mark are DECEIVED into receiving the Mark and DECEIVED
into worshiping the image of the Beast. The Beast will use “great wonders”
and other miracles like causing fire to come down from heaven and giving life to
the image as the means to deceive (Revelation 13:11-15). Thus, those
who take the Mark willingly do so and willingly worship the beast. Granted,
according to the beast’s statutes forced upon mankind, no man can buy or sell
without the Mark (Revelation 13:16-17), but this fact does not preclude
God from supernaturally providing some type of manna from Heaven.
More importantly, the passage explains
why unbelievers take the Mark—they are DECEIVED into doing so. This
point cannot be overemphasized so it bears repeating one more time—only the DECEIVED
are going to take the Mark and worship the Beast. It is not going to be believers
who simply want to eat to satisfy the flesh.
Likely, this is why Jesus during his
Olivet discourse repeatedly warned concerning the heightened time of deception
during Daniel’s Seventieth Week (the Tribulation period). Christ’s warning:
Don’t be DECEIVED; many (including false prophets) will DECEIVE many.
Matthew
24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Matthew
24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew
24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Christ’s repeated warnings concerning
succumbing to deception are not accidental or simply coincidental because
heeding this warning is the difference between eternal life and eternal
damnation. The Calvinist teaching claims that those born blind (2
Corinthians 4:3-4) do not have the wherewithal to trust God, but this
is simply a man-made doctrine. God saves sinners and each comes to Him of their
own free will and no one that willingly comes to God is rejected by Him.
Another reason that this truth is so
vital is because Christ also said that there is a specific group during that
time that CANNOT BE DECEIVED (addressed later). This group of believers cannot
be deceived because of God’s supernatural protection and provision. Without
question, the Satanic deception serves as the key element for anyone accepting the
Mark. This means that anyone that God renders impervious to deception will also
be invulnerable to the deception surrounding taking the Mark. We will
consider this specific group later, but it refers to those who are saved by the
blood of Jesus Christ!
II. SALVATION
IS BY THE BLOOD
Interestingly, another point often overlooked
by some Bible teachers concerns what the Bible
says about how someone gets SAVED during Daniel’s Seventieth Week (aka “The
Tribulation”). Revelation chapter 12 says that the overcomers (the brethren
mentioned in verse 10) are those who have trusted in the shed blood of Christ thus
giving them the testimony of such faith. These BRETHREN are obviously the believers
as opposed to the unbelievers who do not overcome, thus “the brethren”
does not refer to all Israel.
Revelation 12:11 And they [the brethren]
overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;
and they loved not their lives unto the death.
No one in the Tribulation will be saved
based upon their own power and ability to withstand Satan’s evil onslaught.
During the most dreadful time since man’s creation, trusting in Christ’s sacrifice
upon the cross of Calvary will remain sufficiently efficacious to save a lost
soul who trusts in that one and only blessed payment.
After the Church’s departure at the
Rapture, salvation is still by the blood of Christ shed for the lost upon the
cross of Calvary! Salvation will not somehow revert to man’s futile attempts
to do some good work(s) but will continue to be focused upon the payment made
for sinners on the cross of Calvary. The Bible is clear: salvation is by the
blood because the brethren overcome “by the blood of the Lamb.”
Revelation 12:11
also mentions overcoming by the “word
of their testimony.” Some careless Bible students allow their preconceived doctrinal
systems to distort the text by claiming that the verse actually says that they
overcome by the WORKS “of their testimony.” The book of Revelation sheds light on the
meaning of “testimony” as it occurs eight times in seven verses:
· “the
testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:2)
· “the
testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:9)
· Believers
“slain … for word of God, and for the testimony which they held” (Revelation
6:9)
· The
two witnesses “shall have finished their testimony” (Revelation
11:7)
· The
brethren “overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the
word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11)
· The
remnant “which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony
of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17)
· “the
temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven” (Revelation
15:5)
· “thy
brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony
of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10)
Not one of these instances emphasizes a
man’s works. Fortunately, the first English dictionary (Webster’s 1828) offers
a clear definition of testimony, “A solemn
declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or proving some
fact.” The believers will be killed
in this future period because of their TESTIMONY which is “the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Some
Christians struggle with understanding this because attention after the Rapture
again focuses upon the Jews which historically are not associated with Jesus
Christ. Yet, the Bible distinguishes between the brethren and the unbelievers
when it says, “they are not all Israel,
which are of Israel” (Romans 9:6). Revelation also points out that the “remnant of her seed” (the
believers) (Revelation 12:17) are simply a subset of the “woman”—all Israel.
The believers
(Jews and non-Jews) will not be Christ-rejecting Jews and Gentiles because the
fact remains true in the Tribulation: JESUS SAVES! no matter who teaches that the emphasis reverts to a man’s works
earning his salvation.
Revelation 12:11
states that salvation involves the WORD of their testimony: that testimony is
associated to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and the precious blood that He
shed for sin. As we will see later, the WORD of their testimony refers to those
who have called upon the name of the Lord to be saved (Acts 2:21). All Tribulation
believers will have trusted in the blood of the Lamb and have the “testimony
of Jesus” and that’s enough to get them killed but also affords them access
to the supernatural protection of God Almighty.
Surely, if God can provide food
for millions in the wilderness FOR FORTY YEARS (Exodus 16:35) and
multiply five loaves and two fishes to feed five thousand men (Matthew
14:19-21), God can certainly feed the believing brethren hiding from
the Beast without the natural means to care for themselves or their hungry
families. If you are here at that time do not believe the lie that you must
sell your soul and take the Mark in order to care for your family. Trust in the
LORD! He has always been and will always be sufficient.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding.
III. BELIEVERS
ARE CALLED FELLOWSERVANTS, BRETHREN AND SAINTS
During the Church Age, believers are
designated by many labels such as Christians or brethren (or sisters), the sons
of God, etc. Once these labels apply to an individual, the believer never
surrenders the designation by choice or by force. In other words, once a person
is a brother in Christ, he never ceases to be one of the brethren.
Likewise, believers have many similar designations
during the Tribulation. For instance, Revelation chapter 19, refers to the believer
during Daniel’s Seventieth Week as a “fellowservant”
and collectively calls them the “brethren.”
It is hard to imagine that these titles are any less permanent and that Satan
can overpower the Almighty’s designation associated to a man’s spiritual state.
Revelation
19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him.
And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for
the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
The brethren, like John, are those who
have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation. They are said to have the testimony
of Jesus which eliminates all nonbelievers! The brethren cannot be simply Jacob’s
descendants by natural birth but must be limited to Jew and Gentile believers
in Christ. Additionally, these believers are repeatedly referred to as “the saints” like here in Revelation
chapter 13.
Revelation
13:7 And it was given unto him to make war
with the saints, and to
overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and
nations.
The saints are obviously believers since the Beast makes “war with the saints” which includes people from “all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” Although the Beast will be wroth with
the “woman” which includes all Israel, take note of the distinction in
chapter 12. The next verse distinguishes between the “woman”—all Israel
(Jacob’s seed), and the “remnant of her seed.” This remnant of the
woman’s seed includes only the followers of Jesus Christ that have the
testimony of Jesus Christ and the testimony of keeping the commandments of God.
Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make
war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of
God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
It is the remnant of the woman’s seed (the
believers) who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus
Christ, unless every Jew is a believer in the Tribulation—which they are not. In
fact, this remnant of her seed is the remnant of believers that “gave glory
to the God of heaven” after the earthquake that slew 7,000 men.
Revelation 11:13
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city
fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant
were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Unbelievers do not glorify God and are
not part of this “remnant” of her seed. The unbelieving populace are
singled out as those who “repented not” during this time (Revelation
9:20, 16:9, 16:11). If every Jew is a believer there would be no need
to make the distinction between the “woman” and the subset of the woman
called “the remnant of her seed.”
The vital question (answered later) is how
does someone become a “saint” during the Tribulation? A person TODAY in the
Church Age becomes a saint by
trusting in Jesus Christ and all believers are repeatedly addressed as “saints” (Romans 15:25-26; 2 Corinthians
13:13; Ephesians 4:12; Colossians 1:2). After the Rapture, Satan makes
war with the saints which refers to the believers here at that time. Revelation
also refers to the “patience and the
faith of the saints.”
Revelation
13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go
into captivity: he that killeth with the
sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of
the saints.
Only believers are called the fellowservants,
the brethren and the saints during the Tribulation. As is God’s
customary approach, the Bible always distinguishes between the saved and the
lost even if only within the context of a verse. For instance, scriptural context
always defines itself, in this case with the two groups: the saved remnant (Revelation 11:13; Revelation 12:17)
and the lost remnant (Revelation
19:21). The passage from Revelation chapter 13 above also seemingly makes
another point concerning the believers’ self-defense during the Tribulation
that will be addressed later—kill with the sword, be killed with the sword.
It bears further emphasis that every
remnant does not point to the same group. As always, context determines
meaning. Take note how Revelation chapter 19 mentions a lost “remnant”
who are NOT gathered as one of the saved when Christ sends His angels to gather the elect (Matthew 24:31). This lost “remnant” is
slain by Christ as He returns on His white horse (Revelation 19:21).
Certainly, no Bible believer would say that the reference of “remnant” always
points to the same grouping—Christ is not slaying those that were gathered by
the angels.
IV. SELF-DEFENSE:
UNNECESSARY AND PROHIBITED?
Interestingly, the Bible points out that
those with the best chance of enduring during the Tribulation are not the stocked-up
preppers, expert marksmen and skilled survivalists. Those TRUSTING IN THE LORD have
the greatest chance of enduring unto the end. In fact, Revelation seems to teach
a type of passive martyrdom, not a Lordship salvation by works. The Bible
addresses the saints of Daniel’s Seventieth Week telling them that he that “killeth with the sword must be killed with
the sword.” This seems like an odd admonition if enduring to the end earns
one spiritual salvation—which it does not.
The patience and the faith of the saints
seems to indicate that armed resistance or any type of a believers’ militia might
be prohibited by God. Again, believers during this period are blessed to die “the
death” while God supernaturally intervenes in unimaginable ways to offer
them strength and resilience. The point
is that self-defense could be prohibited during that time.
Revelation
14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the
faith of Jesus. 13 And I
heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord
from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours;
and their works do follow them.
Interestingly, Revelation also mentions that
the saints are “blessed” who “die
in the Lord.” The question must first be asked and answered how a person
gets “in the Lord.” Today, a person
must make a conscious decision to believe “in
the Lord” (Acts 9:42) and the Bible says that that believer is part of
the brethren “in the Lord” (Philippians
1:14) and fellowservants “in the
Lord” (Colossians 4:7). It seems obvious that an individual in the
Tribulation will need to make a conscious decision to become a saint. Those who
believe that only by works a man can continue as a saint are teaching a
Lordship salvation. They teach that the saint must “endure” by
making Jesus Lord over all or he loses his salvation—that is the precise
definition of the false and heretical teaching of Lordship Salvation.
Daniel chapter 11 mentions the
abomination of desolation (Daniel 11:31) which matches the
statements in Matthew 24:15. Jesus tells those living in
Jerusalem and Judea that when they witness this abomination they are to “flee
into the mountains” and take “flight” (Matthew 24:20). He
does not tell them to stand and fight! Fortunately, during this flight into the
mountains those who “know their God" are promised strength and the ability to do
exploits.
Daniel 11:32
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries:
but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do
exploits.
The Old Testament historical record
offers an interesting perspective on God’s past deliverance. Samuel told the
nation of Israel that God “himself saved you out of all your adversaries and
your tribulations” (1 Samuel 10:19). Fortunately for Israel, God is
not going to leave them or any of the Gentile believers to fend for themselves in
Daniel’s Seventieth Week. God saved them in the past and will save them from
their adversaries and tribulations in the future too. Yet, the believers are
not promised a physical deliverance, and many of them will be “blessed”
to “die in the Lord” (Revelation 14:13).
Daniel 8:24
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy
wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty
and the holy people.
V.
KEEPING
THE COMMANDMENTS: FOR TESTIMONY’S SAKE
It is generally quite counterproductive
to approach the Bible with rigid preconceived notions, especially concerning some
issues yet unsettled among most believers. In such cases, one’s mindset rather
than the Bible becomes the determining factor in what is “truth.” A good
example of this concerns the Bible’s reference to those that “keep the commandments of God.” Some
view this phrase as referencing the need to keep God’s commandments during the
Tribulation in order to attain salvation, but the truth is much simpler than
that. Interestingly, nowhere does the Bible say (or imply) that keeping the
commandments refers to salvation or assisting in one’s salvation. Nowhere! In
fact, the Bible plainly and repeatedly teaches just the opposite, so this
teaching contradicts the Bible.
The phrase “keep the commandments of
God” is found in the New Testament thirteen times—half of which occur in the
book of First John. Diligent Bible study considers the context of each usage
before arriving at a conclusion to avoid any private interpretation.
The Bible offers several unambiguous
reasons for keeping God’s commandments and NONE involves getting saved or remaining
saved. None! Briefly, those who keep the commandments of God exhibit the
testimony that they are the fellowservants, the brethren and the saints. A
brief explanation follows since this issue is so hotly contested among
believers on both sides of the spiritual chasm.
·
Keep
the Commandments of God: For assurance of salvation
How does a person know that he knows
Jesus Christ? By doing what Christ says to do: keeping His commandments.
1
John 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and
the truth is not in him.
According to this passage, keeping the
commandments saves no one, but doing so offers a clear assurance that one knows
God. The reason disobedient Christians often struggle with a true assurance of
salvation is because they fail to live right. Most of those who doubt their
salvation miss the assurance that comes from doing what God says to do.
·
Keep
the Commandments of God: To get prayers answered
A person does not keep the commandments
to be saved but does so in order to get his prayers answered.
1
John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of
him, because we keep his commandments,
and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23 And this is his
commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and
love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his
commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth
in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Verse 23 defines “his commandment”—believe on Christ and love one another. Verse 24
says that the Spirit of God given to believers testifies that Christ dwells
within them (Romans 8:16). The Spirit bears witness so long as one does not
grieve or quench the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
·
Keep
the Commandments of God: To know that you are the children of God
Verse one defines how a person is born
of God: NOT by keeping the commandments, but by believing that Jesus is the
Christ. The verse continues by stating that all those who love God also love
their fellow believers.
1
John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the
Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also
that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God, and keep his
commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his
commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born
of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world,
even our faith. 5 Who is he
that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Verse two states that believers can know
that they love other believers when they choose to love God and keep the
commandments of God. Those who do not love their fellow brethren do not love God. Verse three defines the
love of God as keeping His commandments. The disobedient simply do not love God
and do not sufficiently love others. Verse three concludes by stating that the
commandments are NOT grievous, but they certainly would be grievous if keeping
the commandments was a reference to the 613 Old Testament commandments. Keeping
the commandments would certainly be grievous if a failure to fulfill all of
God’s commandments brought a loss of salvation. Simply put, keeping the
commandments attests to one’s relationship with God; it is not the means by
which that relationship is attained.
Simply put, salvation is all about
Jesus! The tribulation saints (the brethren and the elect) have trusted Jesus
Christ and at no point will their salvation be dependent upon themselves (but
there is more proof to follow). The brethren in the Tribulation are the
believers in Jesus Christ; this is also referred to as the “faith of Jesus” (Revelation
14:12).
·
Keep
the Commandments of God: To display that you love God
The whole point of keeping the
commandments concerns an outward display (testimony) that someone loves God.
John
14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Nowhere does the Bible say that keeping
the commandments earns someone a place in Heaven.[1]
Simple truth: if you love God, you keep the sayings (commandments) of God.
Doing what God says to do testifies to one’s love toward the God he knows.
John
14:21 He
that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is
that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will
love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not
Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto
the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and
my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with
him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth
not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's
which sent me.
The contrast concerns those who see the
manifestation of God which the world cannot see. The manifestation of God only
happens for those who love God.
[1] Nehemiah, while in captivity for the nation’s disobedience, expressed his understanding of the ramifications of the Law when he confessed to God that the Jews “have not kept the commandments” (Nehemiah 1:7). He pointed out that their refusing to keep the commandments caused their scattering around the world and only obedience would enable their regathering (Nehemiah 1:8-9). In the New Testament, Paul describes his blamelessness in the law and legal Jewish pedigree. He also points out that keeping the law was simply placing confidence in the flesh and trusting in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3-9).
·
Keep
the Commandments of God: To testify of one’s relationship
Revelation points out those who are
going to be persecuted by Satan. The persecuted (the remnant of the
woman—Israel) have the testimony that they “keep
the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Their testimony is that they do what God
tells them to do. No one is keeping the commandments to earn salvation.
Revelation
12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the
woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and
have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The testimony of the saints during the
Tribulation is clear: they keep the commandments of God. Nothing in the context
indicates that anyone keeps God’s commandments for salvation. This point is
reiterated two chapters later in Revelation.
Revelation
14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments
of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The Tribulation saints live by “the faith of Jesus” Christ (Galatians
2:20). The saints are not Jews
that have rejected Jesus Christ, but spiritual brethren. They are saved by putting
faith in the blood shed on the cross of Calvary.
The preaching during the Church Age
concerning what will happen after the Rapture will either promote or hinder the
truth; it will either help those here in Daniel’s Seventieth Week or condemn
them with a false teaching. If we preach salvation by faith and works and
salvation is not by faith and works, our
teachings become instruments of deception. Surely, our teaching will outlast us
and if we get it wrong, it may be one of the tools of deception. Again, two
chapters later the believers are referred to as saints.
Revelation
16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou
hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
Surely, someone must make a conscious
decision to become a saint. The saints and prophets will be persecuted and
killed by those who take the Mark and worship the image of the Beast.
VI.
THOSE KILLED AWAITING THE DEATH OF THEIR BRETHREN
During the first half of Daniel’s
Seventieth Week, while Michael remains upon the earth, he serves as Israel’s
protector. At the midpoint (Revelation chapter 12), God summons Michael to
Heaven in order to cast Satan to earth (Revelation 12:7-9). With Michael in
Heaven, he is no longer on the earth to protect Israel. When Satan is cast down
to earth, he goes into the Temple of God and desecrates it (2 Thessalonians 2:4) and
Israel is told to flee at the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15-18).
Interestingly, the saints that were
slain for the word of God and the testimony (of Jesus) during the Tribulation
are seen under the altar. They want to know when God’s vengeance will be poured
out upon their executioners.
Revelation
6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal,
I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost
thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And
white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that
they should rest yet for a little
season, until their fellowservants
also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be
fulfilled.
These Tribulation saints are told to
wait until their fellowservants and brethren are also killed and then God will
take out His vengeance upon the unbelievers on earth. He does not tell these
murdered saints to wait until the Rapture (it has already happened years
earlier); the Lord says wait until their fellow-brethren (the other believers)
are killed. The brethren are waiting for Jesus Christ to come back to gather
together the elect or waiting until their brethren on earth are caught and
killed.
VII. A TRIBULATION BELIEVER PROTECTED FROM TAKING THE MARK
During Christ’s earthly ministry, Jesus promised
to give his sheep eternal life (Matthew 10:27-28) and stated that
“they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” During the Church Age, once a man calls upon
the name of the Lord to be saved (Romans 10:13), it is impossible
to invalidate his salvation, thus making him eternally secure. After the
Rapture, can God afford the same assurances of salvation for the Tribulation
saints that trust in Him? Yes, of course God can, and He does! The soul’s salvation
and security of the Tribulation saint is dependent upon God and one’s
relationship to Him—it is NOT dependent upon one’s capacity to withstand soul-condemning
temptation, especially while the deception is so prevalent and pervasive during
that period.
The defining characteristic concerning
those who take the Mark is the fact that they were DECEIVED into taking it
(Point I). The deceived are those who received the Mark of the Beast and took
the Mark because the False Prophet “deceived them that had received the
mark of the beast.” Everyone that takes
the Mark during that seven-year period does so because he is deceived by the
miracles performed by the False Prophet.
Revelation 19:20
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles
before him, with which he deceived them that
had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image.
These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
This characteristic is a plain, simple truth;
however, it is important to note the reason that the entire context of this
passage is PAST TENSE. Verse 20 (above) takes place after Christ’s return in
verse 11 thus recounting the miracles, the deception, the receiving of the
Mark of the beast and the worshiping of the Beast’s image during Daniel’s
Seventieth Week. This passage is a historical review, not an ongoing narrative.
Once the tribulation saints/the
brethren/the fellowservants trust in the Lord, fortunately, they are
supernaturally protected and can no
longer be deceived by the satanic miracles. They are no longer vulnerable to the deceptive schemes designed to deceive. The
synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke offer the best narrative concerning the
attempts at satanic deception. Yet, these three gospel books only refer to the
believers as the “elect” and not as the
saints or the brethren or the fellowservants like in Revelation.
Several times Matthew refers to the
believers of Daniel’s Seventieth Week as the elect. When Matthew refers to the believing
Jews as the elect, it is important to understand that the elect become
the elect when they are elected at salvation. Matthew associates the shortening
of the days to the preservation of the elect. God shortens the days, not to
save souls (which are already saved) but to save flesh (physical life),
otherwise, no one could possibly survive Satan’s onslaught.
Matthew
24:22 And except those days should be
shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days
shall be shortened.
Matthew also points out that the angels
sent prior to His return, gather only a select group—the elect.
Matthew
24:31 And he shall send his angels
with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end
of heaven to the other.
Obviously, those gathered by the angels include
only believers (the elect). Before Christ returns to earth with His armies, He sends
His angels before Him to gather together the elect—these are the saints, the
brethren, the fellowservants mentioned in Revelation. Obviously, those not
gathered by the angels are the non-elect—the unbelievers. In fact, all unbelievers
are killed at Christ’s Second Coming.
It should come as no surprise that God can
and must supernaturally protect the elect prior to His return. Fortunately,
because of this supernatural protection, the elect cannot be deceived into
believing the miracles that caused all non-believers to take the Mark and
worship the Beast. However, God’s supernatural protection does not protect the believers
from being put to death. It only protects them from the opportunity of Satan to
use his deceptive miracles against those who have called upon the Lord for
salvation. This means that God will not allow the believers to be deceived and
only those deceived by the signs and wonders take the Mark of the Beast.
Matthew
24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo,
here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false
Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch
that, if it were possible, they shall
deceive the very elect.
God does not protect ALL Israel from the
deception—God protects only the elect while all Israel is cautioned not to
believe those who claim to be Christ. The signs and wonders during Daniel’s
Seventieth Week are so convincing that IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, these miracles would
“deceive the very elect,” indicating
that God’s intervention will render it IMPOSSIBLE to deceive believers who are supernaturally
protected by God from his deception.
During this time, when people start
proclaiming that Christ has returned, those in hiding are simply told to “believe
it not” because when the true Christ shows up every eye shall see Him (Revelation
1:7). Again, the elect are identified as the “saints” in Revelation with whom the Beast makes war (Revelation
13:7). The sister passage to Matthew 24:23 indicates that
the false Christs and false prophets attempt to use their signs and wonders “to
seduce” those protected from the satanic seduction.
Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and
wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
During Daniel’s Seventieth Week, those
who reject the truth will refuse to call on the name of the Lord to be saved
(delivered). No mere human trusting in one’s own strength (apart from God’s
supernatural intervention) will be capable of withstanding the deception. Only God can and only God will thwart Satan’s tactics
making his deception powerless.
Fortunately, God will supernaturally
protect from deception all those who call on the name of the Lord. By the grace
of God, the elect/the saints/the brethren/the fellowservants cannot take the
Mark once they have called upon the Lord (Acts 2:21) because God
is their protector and He remains sufficiently efficacious even after the
Church’s departure at the rapture.
Those still entrenched in their manmade
philosophies might remain unconvinced that God can and will supernaturally protect
believers from the deceptive means of the Devil. Fortunately, God offers them a
second witness in the books of Mark and Luke with additional details concerning
the Olivet discourse. The Olivet discourse recorded in these gospel books offer
a scenario of how believers are to react when they are captured and delivered up
to the synagogues and into the prisons.
Mark 13:10
And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they
shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye
shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in
that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Luke 21:12 But
before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering
you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and
rulers for my name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony. 14 Settle
it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15
For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall
not be able to gainsay nor resist.
The believers during Daniel’s Seventieth
Week are told not even to think about what they will say because God is going
to speak for them and through them. By the grace of God, those who trust Christ
during Daniel’s Seventieth Week are supernaturally protected from everything
the Devil hurls their way. Deception brings sure damnation and God protects the
elect from the deception. The Holy Ghost not only gives them the words to speak
but speaks through them! Second Thessalonians further emphasizes the satanic
signs and lying wonders. These deceptions are accepted “in them that
perish.”
2 Thessalonians 2:9
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs
and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in
them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that
they might be saved.
Revelation further pinpoints those who
are perishing, saying it is those whose names are not written the book
of life (Revelation 13:8; 17:8). Some of the brethren think and
teach that God somehow becomes impotent after the Rapture when in fact His
protective hand is the only hope of salvation and security. Man simply cannot
do any amount of good works to save himself, especially once Michael has cast
Satan and his angels to earth (Revelation 12:9). God pronounces a
“Woe” to the “inhabiters of the earth” as Satan shows up with “great
wrath” knowing he has “but a short time” (Revelation 12:12).
VIII. HOW
ARE THE SAVED, SAVED?
This subject has been hotly contested,
but fortunately God has not left the Bible-believer without answers. The chronology
of Second Thessalonians chapter two starts with the Rapture in verse 1, moving
to the midpoint of the seven years in verse 4 (the Abomination of Desolation),
and onto the Second Coming in verse 8. As this chapter starts with the Rapture,
it mentions the one event that precedes it (the apostasy of believers) and then
the narrative covers the entire seven years. The events recorded in verses 10
through 12 have nothing to do with the Church Age or rejection of the gospel
today (although many of us have either mis-taught this mostly because we too
were mis-taught).
The one who comes after the working of
Satan (the Beast) will come with all deceivableness of unrighteousness and
deceive them that perish. Why do they perish? Because they received not the
love of the truth (during Daniel’s Seventieth Week) THAT THEY MIGHT BE SAVED! Just let the Bible say what it says without
forcing it to fit within a manmade dogma no matter how widespread or popular the
false teaching.
2
Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they
received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong
delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but
had pleasure in unrighteousness.
The damned (those who perish) are
identified as those who refused to believe the truth. They are deceived because
they refused to be saved which is their ONLY protection from deception. These
unbelievers refused the truth resulting in them refusing to call on the only
one that could save them—Jesus Christ. The signs and wonders of the false
Christ and false prophets are used to deceive but take note of the group that CANNOT
be deceived by the miracles (Matthew 24:24) and will not take
the Mark or be damned from having taken the Mark.
How does an individual become one of the
saints? Those present during Daniel’s Seventieth Week will hear the gospel preached
by the Two Witnesses, the 144,000 or even the angel with the Everlasting
Gospel. At that point, he must accept the truth to be saved. Truth rejectors NEVER
get saved. The most important question of all … does the Bible definitively
point out how someone gets saved? Yes, in Acts chapter 2. This chapter records Peter’s
preaching with the context revealing that he is referencing the events of the
Tribulation period—Israel’s last days, prophecy, visions, dreams, wonders,
signs, etc, culminating in his mentioning the sun being turned dark and the
moon into blood.
Acts
2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last
days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your
old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will
pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will
shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire,
and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be
turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and
notable day of the Lord come:
The context of this description matches the
events surrounding the sixth seal when the moon is turned into blood (Revelation
6:12). This all takes place before the Day of the Lord when Christ
comes back. Peter concludes his comments concerning this time with these words
when taken literally reveal God’s plan of salvation for the Tribulation:
Acts
2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the
Lord shall be saved.
Joel
2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the
LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be
deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall
call.
How does someone get saved during
Daniel’s Seventieth Week and delivered from the deception to come? He calls
upon the name of the Lord and from that point forward, he has God’s promise of
supernatural protection from deception. According to Matthew chapter 24, the
believer cannot be deceived. The saints cannot take the Mark of the Beast
because they cannot be deceived. When the saints are caught the “patience of
the saints” will be their guide. Those delivered up to be judged by this
world’s system are instructed not even to think about what they are going to
say. They are to trust in the Lord.
- Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord is saved.
- Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord is a saint.
- Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord is one of the brethren.
- Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord is a fellowservant.
The Devil persecutes the saints because
their testimony is that they have trusted in the Lord and they are obedient
followers of Him (they keep the commandments). Salvation in the Tribulation is
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! It is the blood. The Tribulation saint is saved by the
blood, protected by the blood and delivered by the blood. Anything that
detracts from Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is part of the deception.
IX.
DOES
A BELIEVER NEED TO DEFEND HIMSELF IF CAPTURED?
Matthew chapter 24 records Christ’s
Olivet Discourse as does Mark chapter 13. God not only supernaturally protects
the saved from being deceived but He also protects all those captured by
Satan’s minions. Some Bible teachers have pontificated that no one can
withstand the temptation of watching loved ones decapitated—that is unless God
shows Himself more powerful than the hordes of Hell.
Mark
13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver
you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye
premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for
it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Those who call on the name of the Lord
are saved (delivered) but this likely indicates much more than a mere physical
salvation since believers can still be delivered up to those trying to compel
them to take the Mark. Fortunately for the saved, if they lose their lives,
these saints are still saved and are likely among the ranks of those martyred
for the faith of Jesus (Revelation 20:4).
Every preacher should desire for part of
his enduring legacy to be that he loved the truth enough to admit when he has
taught something wrong. His legacy should be that he loved souls enough to fix any
teaching where he has erred even if he will be dead or gone before anyone knows
the true ramifications of his teachings. That is what I want! Is that your
desired legacy or is it more important whether you align yourself with your
favorite teacher? It matters what the Bible teaches, not whether you agree with
some other man. I have grown weary of being asked whether my teachings align with
this man or that. Sheer carnality! I want to align with God and His book. We
should allow the Bible to correct our errors and the fear of man has always
been one of Satan’s greatest tools. Here is one more problem text from Mark
chapter 13.
Mark
13:13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my
name's sake: but he that shall endure
unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Those who ENDURE UNTO THE END are
physically saved to enter the millennium with natural bodies. Enduring to the
end simply means that they made it to the end of the seven years without taking
the Mark and without being caught and killed. When Christ sends His angels
before Him to gather the elect (Matthew 24:31), it is this enduring
group (along with some of the nations) delivered at Christ’s return to go into
the millennium.
X.
CONCLUSION
The Tribulation saint is promised a
supernatural salvation, as well as supernatural protection from damnation. Although
some teach that a person is saved by faith and works in the Tribulation (which
is what I was taught), there is no indication that a man’s works are salvific.
If people are taught that their works are an element in salvation and this
turns out to be wrong, trusting in one’s faith PLUS WORKS will condemn the individual
for trusting in a false gospel and a false hope (Revelation 14:6).
However, IF during the Tribulation
people are saved by faith PLUS WORKS as some proclaim, then condemnation would
come to those in the Tribulation who call on the name of the Lord and trust
solely in Christ’s shed blood for salvation (Acts 2:21; Revelation 12:11).
However, the point of this writing is to show that this hypothesis is false and
dangerous because it is unbiblical. Unfortunately, one error leads to another.
There are some preachers today who are teaching that the great deception during
the Tribulation will be that preachers will be teaching that a person is saved
by grace through faith without works during the Tribulation. As all error, one
erroneous teaching frequently leads to some of the most egregious of errors.
Salvation has always been and always
will be by trusting in God’s revealed truth. Salvation is by grace because no
one deserves salvation. Salvation is by grace because no one can earn
salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith otherwise an individual could
boast for the part he plays in his soul’s redemption. Salvation of the soul is
always the unmerited favor of God. Praise God He opened my eyes to this truth
and I have repented of having taught this wrong.
Once a person in the Tribulation calls
on the name of the Lord (Acts 2:21), he becomes a part of
the elect (Mark 13:27), the brethren (Revelation 6:11), and the saints (Revelation
13:7). Through God’s grace and supernatural protection, the Tribulation
saint cannot be deceived, thus he cannot take the Mark of the Beast (Revelation
14:11). Additionally, if the believer is caught by the authorities, he
has no worries because God will put the very words he needs into his mouth (Mark
13:11). God receives all the glory and He has this whole thing figured
out. I only wish I could say I always taught this truth this way. I did not and
I was wrong! God help me to be a loud enough voice to undo the effects of
having taught this wrong.
Those present during the Tribulation
need to have their eyes upon Jesus because nothing else suffices; nothing else
saves! Salvation today is by the blood;
salvation in the Tribulation is by the blood; nothing else saves! Interestingly,
those who speak against the words of the captured Tribulation saint will in
effect be blaspheming the Holy Ghost and these lost people will not be forgiven
for that.
Luke
12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word
against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost
it shall not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and
unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall
answer, or what ye shall say: 12 For the
Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
God has a purpose for everything, even
the capture of those who have trusted in Him during Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
The Holy Ghost will give these believers the words to say; their captors trying
to compel them to take the Mark will think they are speaking against the
individual, but their words will be actually blaspheming God, the Holy Ghost
(who is speaking through these saints). God has a purpose for everything, and
everything has a purpose. God gets the glory no matter what happens but
certainly not if man plays a part in the salvation of his soul.
