Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Will the whole remnant of Israel be protected during the Tribulation?

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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