Eschatology
For those who do not know what eschatology is, here is a great explanation from Wikipedia. In short, Christian eschatology is the study of when Jesus comes again. It also involves the rapture of the saints.
This is one area that believers feel very strongly about. I ask that you read all of this section no matter your eschatology beliefs; you may be surprised what you find.
Most Christians have an opinion on whether they think Jesus will return pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation or post-tribulation. I have seen this subject come up in some Christian forums and some people get a bit testy with those that have opposing views. Eschatology is not a salvation issue, so for the purpose of this site, your eschatology doesn’t matter, neither does mine. The rapture has nothing to do with why we should prepare.
Jesus could very well come before the great tribulation, but between now and then, you could lose your job, the economy could collapse or there could be a true pandemic that makes H1N1 look like a picnic. We prepare to mitigate these things and be the hands and feet of our Lord during and after; to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of friends, family, believers and non-believers alike.
If you believe the rapture is pre-tribulation and decide to prepare, add some Bibles and some literature explaining what is about to come for whoever may find your preps. Let them know it’s not too late, that Jesus loves them enough to have given you the foresight to provide these supplies in their time of need.
Modern Day Christians In America
I say Modern Day Christians in America, because I know America. If you are a believer in another country, this very well could apply to you also.
Many Christians in America seem to have a belief that no tribulation will come our way. I’m not talking about the great tribulation. I’m talking about struggle, hard times, persecution etc.
I’m not sure where this belief comes from, maybe we have had so much prosperity since the great depression that we feel immune or maybe we have come so far technologically that people don’t remember what a life less “plugged in” was like. Whatever the reason, it’s foolish, if not dangerous, to think that hardship, persecution and suffering cannot or will not happen here.
Maybe we don’t realize that most of the world is already in tribulation. Why will America be spared? God let Israel, His chosen people, suffer greatly for turning their back on Him multiple times. Has America not done the same or worse? Remember that Christians are grafted into their tree, not the other way around, as Romans 11:18 states “But you must be careful not to brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. Remember, you are just a branch, not the root.” Now I am not saying that I think America will be punished or that we have been. What I am saying is: Why would God spare America?
Christians in America have been blessed with little persecution. Sure we’re made fun of by Hollywood but being teased in third grade got me ready for that.
It has been estimated that more Christians have been martyred in the last 50 years than in the church’s first 300 years. Today in many countries around the world our brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted and martyred for their faith. For more information see http://www.persecution.com/
Corrie Ten Boom was a Christian woman whose family helped hide Jews during WWII. They were caught and sent to a Nazi concentration camp. Corrie wrote a letter in 1974 where she gave some very good advice on preparing for tribulation and persecution.
“How can we get ready for the persecution? First we need to feed on the word of God, digest it, make it a part of our being. This will mean disciplined Bible study each day as we not only memorize long passages of scripture, but put the principles to work in our lives.
Next we need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not just the Jesus of yesterday, the Jesus of History, but the life-changing Jesus of today who is still alive and sitting at the right hand of God.
We must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is no optional command of the Bible, it is absolutely necessary. Those earthly disciples could never have stood up under the persecution of the Jews and Romans had they not waited for Pentecost. Each of us needs our own personal Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We will never be able to stand in the tribulation without it.
In the coming persecution we must be ready to help each other and encourage each other. But we must not wait until the tribulation comes before starting. The fruit of the Spirit should be the dominant force of every Christian’s life.”
We believers need to start training our spirits for tribulation of all kinds, strengthening our faith now, so that when any kind of hard time comes, we can stand firm in our faith.
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