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The Church in Tribulation – Why?
Written by: Dene McGriff
In the past two segments we have discussed the rapture and the chronology of Revelation and other accounts of the end times, showing the chronology of events. We have discussed the importance of the two witnesses. We have clearly shown that although the church will be persecuted, it will not suffer any judgment or wrath of God. This is an extremely important distinction for those with a pre-trib rapture position. The timeline is clear. But the question remains, why is this important to God? Why put us through it? What does it accomplish?
In Revelation 1 the Apostle John tells us what the book of Revelation is:
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all the things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near…for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 1:1,9)
The Book of Revelation is all about the testimony of Jesus Christ!
So what is His testimony? Let’s read on…
· Revelation 6:9 says, “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.”
· Speaking of the two witnesses, it says, “When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.” (Revelation 11:7)
· In Revelation 12:11, it says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
· Revelation 12:17 says, “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
· And finally we find testimony used twice in Revelation 19:10, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
So what is His testimony? We are! And when I say “we,” I mean Jews and Christians, Israel and the Church! The two witnesses!
See the rest of the article at:
About the Author
http://www.the-tribulation-network.com/denemcgriff/church_in_tribulation.htm
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