Praise
the Lord for his word; it explains itself; and given time, we shall
increase in the knowledge of God as we apply the truths we know.
Col.1:9-12.
The
Lord instructed the disciples how they could avoid the tribulation and "the Lord's prayer" is now becoming incredibly specific as we position it
in the earthly scheme of things.
The
Lord said (in an Australian paraphrased sorta way), hey friends, when
you see the armies surrounding Jerusalem, get out of town. When they
were obedient and didn't even come back for their food caches (stored
for the very occasion), their GPS's and folding maps, they would be
praying the Lord's prayer IN THE WILDERNESS, with great intent as
follows:
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,
give us this day the bread which comes down from heaven (or from above)
and forgive our debts (trespass, faults, offenses, sins), as we forgive our debtors
and
lead us not into temptation (God doesn't tempt anyone, James 1, so how
about trials or even tribulation)? BUT deliver us from THE EVIL ONE (who
is pouring a flood after them (Rev. 12), just like Pharaoh did).
for thine is the kingdom, etc., etc.
Paul
wrote to the Thessalonians during Acts that the Day was not going to
overtake them like a thief? They would not be caught by surprise and
suffer.
So
what about those who did not flee? Maybe the martyrs will be those who
hear the message during the tribulation period after the others have
fled (the Lord has never left Himself without a witness), and these are
the ones to suffer? Notice, the disciples were told to flee out of
Jerusalem, not easy for an orthodox Jew; but it is there the image in
the temple is erected; there the powerful deceptions take place, there
the thinking Jew might reject the falsehoods and turn back to God and
stand for the commandments and die for that. There are witnesses in
Jerusalem around that time.
Certainly
the supernatural gifts of the Acts period enabled the remnant to determine
the spirits; and maybe they will return during those tribulation days
and help preserve those believers living under the eyes of the
anti-Messiah?
The
hope of the remnant during Acts was to meet the Lord as he returned at
the second coming, but they enjoy the earthly kingdom first, judging
angels (on the earth) and the world. Many will come and sit down with
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom, Matt. 8; but Abraham also looked
for a city which has foundations, so first the inner portion of the
Promised Land.
I
think (think, did I say think?) the New Jerusalem descends to the new
earth years after the second coming. DO the remnant have access to it
during the interval? I don't believe so.
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