Have you ever been to a doctor or dentist and they say, “There may be a little
discomfort”? Yeah right! Discomfort my foot! When they say that, we’re talking “PAIN”. Now if they say, “There may be a little pain”, then you had better hold on to something, because you’re probably in for an experience. I think we have all been there, but if not, well …….
So much is said today about the Tribulation period, I wonder if we have become too accustomed to the terminology and have forgotten about the seriousness of what will take place.
For those of us especially who live in a free world, the shock is going to be catastrophic for those who are left behind after the Rapture of the Church by the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not accustomed to not having the freedom to live as we please. For example, is it possible that those left behind in this country would not be able to travel as they choose, vote as they wish, buy what they like, live where they want, say what is on their mind, or speak out against those who are in charge of affairs?
What kind of America would it be for those then living in a police state? We in this country would be appalled if someone from another country told us what we can and cannot do, and hauled us into a world court if we didn’t obey, but it is going to happen. Yes, right here in the good old US of A.
In our country, even the poorest among us would be rich in many other areas of the world. During the Tribulation, most everyone, except the very wealthy, will discover what it is like to be truly poor. You think it’s hard to get a job now, it will be worse then. Forget the free handouts too that come from the working stiffs. They won’t be there. You think the economy is bad now. These will be the glory days during that time, days you will look back on with a longing in your heart to return to.
How about the politicians we are blessed with today? Yeah, I know most of them (not all) are rich, immoral, greedy windbags who are destroying everything the great founders of this country established. However, I don’t think we have seen the total depravity of man, until the Tribulation introduces the politicians of that soon to be era (Maybe it will be the same ones, just worse than what they are now). When the world ruler comes on the scene, the Antichrist, it will all sound great at first, then all hell will break loose on this earth.
All I have stated thus far would certainly be more than “a little discomfort”, but that’s not all.
When wars, earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, floods, and starvation, are practically a daily occurrence, and the heavens are falling apart, real “discomfort” will introduce itself. Animals (the four-legged and two-legged kind) will prey upon people, possibly for food. Thieves and murderers will thrive. No place will be a safe haven.
Families, friends and neighbors will turn upon each other to survive. Sons and daughters will be sent off to wars whether you, or they, like it or not. Houses, businesses, and other possessions will be lost or confiscated.
Laws will be legislated that will control every move one makes, in other words, every facet of one’s life. Yeah, I know. It’s bad enough now, but this is still easy street.
Many people today have hardened their hearts to the warnings of God concerning what is about to happen on this earth. The Rapture is laughed off, even by so called Christians. The Tribulation is often discussed, but obviously not expected, or there would be a stampede of people rushing to the cross of Christ.
My dear friends, the Tribulation period is going to be far more than just a little discomfort. It is going to be downright painful, especially the last 3 ½ years. I have done no justice in clarifying the extreme of this horrible period. I have chosen only to give an eye-dropper’s taste of what is to be expected. The full dose will be administered upon arrival.
In 2 Kings 20:1 and Isaiah 38:1, Isaiah warns Hezekiah to get his house in order, because he is going to die. How many of us need to get our house in order? After Hezekiah’s gut-wrenching prayer to God for mercy, God gave him 15 more years to live. How much more time is God going to give this world before He brings judgment down upon it? I don’t know, but as of right now, there is time. How much time though? Could it be years, or months, or days, or even minutes?
Why did God give Hezekiah 15 more years to live? The third verse of Isaiah 38 says, “Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you. Then he broke down and wept bitterly.” (Isaiah 38:3 NLT)
This king was actually living for God, so God granted him additional years to live. How many in this world today could truthfully apply that prayer to their lives? My guess is, not many.
As rotten as this world is today, God is giving us time to come to Him through His Son Jesus. Possibly very soon, many are going to face either death or the beginning of the Tribulation. If you have Jesus in your heart, there is no fear of death, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-56) If you have Jesus in your heart, you will not be around for the Tribulation. You will be in Heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ.
I believe that in just the weather patterns alone, God is warning us to get our house in order. Yes, I actually do believe these are warnings. Are we listening? I also believe that the warnings are going to worsen, until God decides the warnings have come to an end. Then it will be time to give the world what it wants; i.e. a world without God (Holy Spirit – will be limited), and the Church (true Christians). It will be the time of Jacob’s trouble for Israel, and judgment upon a godless earth.
Please read 1 Samuel 8:1-22. The people of Israel went to Samuel demanding a king to reign over them. God was very upset because they rejected His leadership. He told Samuel to give them a king and tell them what to expect from their new king. They still wanted their king, and they got him. His name was Saul.
People today want a new king. They too reject the leadership of God. Therefore, God is going to give this world a king like it has never seen before. He is called the Antichrist, and his reign is going to provide more than just “a little discomfort”.
Grant Phillips
