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Online! | The Tribulation which is in Jesus by Zac Poonen | | [b]The Tribulation which is in Jesus[/b] [i]by Zac Poonen[/i]
In Revelation 1:9-10, John refers to himself as a "fellow-partaker in the tribulation which is in Jesus". Every wholehearted disciple of Jesus should be prepared to partake in the "tribulation which is in Jesus", as long as he is in this world. John did not get this unveiling while living in comfort. He received it, while experiencing tribulation at Patmos, because he had been faithful to "the word of God and the testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 1:9). He had to experience tribulation himself in order to be able to write about the saints experiencing the great tribulation from the Antichrist in the last days. God takes us through trials and tribulations first before giving us a ministry to others who are facing tribulation. Paul said, "God encourages us in all our affliction so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction, with the (same) encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God" (2 Cor.1:4 - Amplified).
It is not surprising therefore that the doctrine that Jesus would come secretly and take (rapture) His church out of the world, before the great tribulation, arose for the first time in a country (England) where Christians were living in comfort, and at a time (mid-19th century) when they were not facing any persecution for their faith at all. Today this doctrine continues to be proclaimed and believed by Christians who live in ease and comfort, in countries where there is no persecution against Christians at all. Since the prayers of most Christians are basically of this order : "Lord make my life more comfortable on earth", it is not surprising that they have gladly accepted this teaching of a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. Thus Satan has succeeded in lulling multitudes of Christians with a false comfort, so that they will be unprepared for the great tribulation when it does come upon them.
The words of Jesus are clear: "In the world YOU HAVE TRIBULATION. But take courage; I have overcome the world" (Jn.16:33). He never promised that we would escape tribulation - whether small tribulations or the great one. But He did say that we could overcome even as He overcame. He is far more interested in making us overcomers than in saving us out of tribulation, because He is far more interested in our character than in our comfort. Neither did Jesus ever say that escaping the great tribulation was a reward for faithfulness, as some teach. On the contrary, He said that those who forsook everything to follow Him would have even more tribulations than others who didn't follow Him (Mk.10:30). When He prayed to His Father for His disciples, He said, "I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil." (Jn.17:15). He did NOT want His disciples to be raptured out of the world at that time, just because they were going to face tribulation.
In the 3rd-century when Christians were being thrown to the lions in the Roman amphitheatres and being burnt at the stake in different parts of the Roman empire, the Lord did not rescue them from such tribulations. The God Who shut the lions' mouths and took away the power of the fiery furnace in Daniel's day, did NOT do such miracles for these disciples of Jesus - for these were new-covenant Christians who were going to glorify God through death. Like Jesus their Master, they neither asked for, nor expected twelve legions of angels to come and protect them from their enemies.
From heaven, God watched the Bride of His Son being torn to pieces by lions and being burnt to ashes; and He was glorified in their testimony - for they had "followed the Lamb, wherever He went", even unto a violent physical death (Rev.14:4). The only word that the Lord spoke to them was, "Be faithful until death and I will give you a crown of life." (Rev.2:10). Even today, when the disciples of Jesus are being tortured and persecuted for His Name in many lands, the Lord does not take them away from the earth. And He will not rapture us to heaven before the great tribulation either. He will do something far better. He will make us overcomers in the midst of the great tribulation.
Jesus is far more interested in saving us from evil than in saving us from tribulation. He permits us to go through tribulation because He knows that that is the only way that we can become spiritually strong. Such a message is strange teaching indeed to a comfort-loving Christendom that has been coddled in their pews every Sunday for years by ear-tickling preachers. But this is the message that the apostles preached to the early churches. "They (the apostles Paul and Barnabas) strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, saying, 'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.'" (Acts 14:22). The little trials that we face at home and at work now, are but a preparation for the greater ones that will come in the days to come. That is why it is essential that we are faithful now. For God says, "If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses?" (Jer.12:5).
John speaks here about being a "fellow-partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus" (Rev 1:9). We have to enter into fellowship with Jesus in tribulation first, before we can share His throne with Him in His kingdom. Perseverance is a great virtue that is emphasised throughout the New Testament. Jesus Himself said "They will deliver you to tribulation.....but the one who endures to the end shall be saved" (Mt.24:13).
_________________ SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
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| 2010/2/12 17:31 | Profile | sojourner7 Member
Joined: 2007/6/27 Posts: 1573 Omaha, NE
| Re: The Tribulation which is in Jesus by Zac Poonen | | Our LORD hungered for the truth, and He gladly suffered for it. Jesus loved righteousness more than life; and He willingly suffered for it. His cause was to bear the cross; and He suffered for our sake.
What are you passionate about ?? What would you suffer for it ?? What is your cause, your cross to bear ??
OSWALD CHAMBERS _________________ Martin G. Smith
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| 2010/2/21 15:11 | Profile | Anastasis Member
Joined: 2009/7/1 Posts: 75
| Re: The Tribulation which is in Jesus by Zac Poonen | | This is a message I need to make its way into my heart. I see the words, I know it's true, but it's not inside of me. I need it. If someone could pray.
(I know this isn't the prayer request forum, but I wanted to ask) |
| 2010/2/24 0:02 | Profile | mguldner Member
Joined: 2009/12/4 Posts: 1862 Kansas
| Re: | | Lord I lift up Anastasis up that you may give them a heart that is seeking Your glory instead of their comfort.I pray that this message of coming tribulation will enter their heart not only as words but as a revelation of the Holy Spirit. I pray that you increase faith in their heart give them a heart of perserverance that they maybe faithful to the end for the Glory of Christ Jesus. Amen
_________________ Matthew Guldner
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| 2010/2/24 5:43 | Profile |
| Re: The Tribulation which is in Jesus by Zac Poonen | | Ezekiel 16
49 " 'Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.
50. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen."
Apostasy is a slide. God prospers his church, as he did Israel. Consider Solomon...the richest and most blessed of them all, with the Lord appearing to him twice to confirm His love. He loved his sin, his flesh, his life more than the Lord...even to the sacrifice of the innocent upon satanic alters.
Nothing mattered except that he was "blessed", and on he went.
These doctrines described or inferred by Brother Poonen; once saved always saved, tandem with the pre-tribulation rapture...[ a longing fantasy...],have done more to destroy the end time church than all the cults combined. These sooth the conscious rather than convict it. We will never suffer, never...and we need not die to ourselves to live to God, for no matter how we live, we will be saved just the same.
This is a damnable lie, and a destroyer of souls. It leaves one with a "be blessed" mind set, rather than "Become like Jesus" heart attitude.
Unhindered prosperity always generates callous pride. We don't need God any more, and soon following; We don't want God any more. Then the Flesh, our most heinous Nature, generates itself to become a law into itself.
This mindset has penetrated the Entire American church. The So. Baptist convention, with its myriad of offshoots and independent affiliates, demand compliance...[ at least to once saved....always..] The Charismatics, and most of the Pentecostals.
We're in big trouble. I believe the parable of he ten virgins was given for such a time as this. 5 were wise, and prepared their hearts, with oil [Holy Spirit] and received light and faith to endure. The other 5 were clearly lost in the night. God help us.
Thanks Greg for posting this most clear word...and let us fear to obey it.
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| 2010/2/24 6:08 | |
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