Tribulation around the corner?

[snowangel]

Hello Friends!:handshake:
Sure seems like all the signs are here now for some form of tribulation to occur here in the U.S.A. Have we not brought this suffering upon ourselves because as Christians we haven't lived out our faith as we ought? All through out history many Christians world wide have paid a high price for their faith. Why should we think we will be spared any tribulation suffering? I believe with all my heart the Church better be prepared spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically & financially as much as possible for a real time of testing, trial and yes tribulation in the name of our Dear Lord & Savior. Whether you believe Christ will return pre-trib, mid-trib or post trib. . . the point is to be ready:Matt:24:36-51, 25:1-13;Mark 13:32-37; Luke 21:34-38. I am not like Chicken-Llittle claiming "The sky is falling, the sky is falling." But I am raising the question,as Billy Graham did in his book, Storm Warning, are you doing all you can do for Christ, Christian & are you ready to meet your Lord?:hourglass:

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Welcome, Snowangel. hope you enjoy yourself here.

Spirit Led Ed (SLE)

 

[jari]

Hello and welcome.
i dont think there will be tribulation just because others have suffered. eccelastias talks about injustice being in world , others suffer others prospers..
what i do belive however is that: (2Ti 3:12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

(those who will)

anyway thats just what i come up with study.

 

[Chad]

Welcome to the forums sister, enjoy the community here.

For the record on a side note, I agree with your thoughts.

PS to respondents: please don't turn this new member intro into a debate on tribulation, etc.

 

[Christ4Ever]

Welcome aboard snowangel,
Agree! It's easy to see that most Christians do not contend for the faith. Churches are starting to become places where refugees from the world go to find solace. Most would think that they would find the Lord in doing so, but instead find a fine veneer which offers peace and rest with no sustenance. In such a state of flux does Christianity in America even still exist as a vibrant and whole people of God? Pockets of faithful, of which I consider this site as containing such, do exist in our country. That’s why I cry for my country that has turned its face away from God and His precepts.

On a happier note, we have our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit to guide us! So stay yearning and waiting for His return! We'll praise His Holy name with our last breath until that Glorious Day! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! YBIC

 

[snowangel]

Interested in concerned discussion not debate...

Thank you all for your responses. I simply feel in view of the present times/events that we all are living through right now... a wake-up call is warranted. I must say what I am specifically concerned about is this. We must be very sure of our salvation in Christ Jesus & know what we believe & why we believe it (concrete doctrine). Scripture talks about false prophets trying to mislead the elect "(Matt.24:21-25;Mark 13:22) & some falling away (Matt.24:10;I Tim. 4:1). No one should be confident that we in the USA will totally escape (rapture) out of some very unimaginable horrible times (tribulation) simply because we (individually)belong to Christ. Otherwise, with that mind set...("it won't happen to me") we can become deceived & our faith shaken enough when real disaaster happens, that we could be one of those who fall away & perhaps go into another religion or cult. It has been said faith that faulters had a flaw in it from the beginning. Blessings & keep your lamp lit!:clock:

 

[chicken little]

oh to be made ready ! as defined by him

hello snowangel
ooh
and I agree
with you..:shade:

 

[Christ4Ever]

SnowAngel,
This was a daily study which would go hand in hand with you last post. I received it on the date of your last post. Didn't get to it till today, and immediately remembered your posting.

Luke 21:36 NKJV Watch therefore, and pray always that you may counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
It is frequently interpreted to mean that we should be closely watching current events so we know how close we are to Christ's return. The common paraphrase of this command is "watch world news, so that as you begin to see prophecy unfold, you can escape the horrors of the Tribulation."
This interpretation has led to a cottage industry of sorts within the church. A tremendous amount of effort is put into commenting on world events and tying them into biblical prophecy. The underlying assumption is that God wants us to have our finger on the pulse of the news, and this knowledge—combined with prayer—will make us worthy to escape all those prophesied things. But does this assumption agree with Scripture?
In fact, the Greek word translated "watch" has nothing to do with looking at events or keeping world news under close observation. Even without examining the underlying Greek, we can tell from the context that Jesus has something else in mind. Verse 36 begins, "Watch therefore," signaling that it concludes or summarizes previous material. We cannot understand verse 36 until we know what preceded it.
Verses 34-35 provide the context for Jesus' command to "watch":
But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Clearly, Jesus' message is not an admonition to watch world events so that we will know when He will return. Instead, His instruction is to watch ourselves, which is what "take heed to yourselves" suggests. He is talking about being vigilant about our own spiritual state, as well as being circumspect and spiritually awake as we go through life. The danger is that, if we do not "watch" ourselves—that is, continually take stock of our condition and responsibilities—self-indulgence and material concerns will distract us, and we will find ourselves spiritually unprepared when the end comes.
Luke 21:36, then, is not an injunction to be glued to CNN, FOX, the Drudge Report, or any other news source. In fact, a subtle danger exists in being too caught up in current events, as it can distract us from the more vital spiritual preparation. The upshot is that the Day will come, and we do not know when.
Watching events unfold is not what makes us "worthy to escape," but our cooperation with God as He forms His character image in us does. Thus, in addition to prayer, we have to be vigilant in our covenant with Him. We have to "take heed" to ourselves constantly, examining our walk and how we are seeking and imitating God.
The Greek word translated "watch," at its most basic, means "to be sleepless," implying continuous and wakeful concern, such as being on watch when a loved one is ill. It means to be intent or to exercise constant vigilance over something, as a shepherd watches over his sheep or a leader watches over his charges (Hebrews 13:17). Watching signifies a state of being untouched by any influence that may cloud the mind; one "watching" guards against drowsiness or confusion. Hand-in-hand with "pray always," it denotes being alert for spiritual dangers and beguilements. Obviously, this state will not transpire from following—or even deeply analyzing—current events.
David Grabbe
The swirl of events only tares at me in that those who don't know the Lord as in Noah's day continue on their daily lives with only temporal concerns and nothing else. The end came swiftly for them as it will for those who don't know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

[gospelpreacher]

SnowAngel,
This was a daily study which would go hand in hand with you last post. I received it on the date of your last post. Didn't get to it till today, and immediately remembered your posting.

Luke 21:36 NKJV Watch therefore, and pray always that you may counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
It is frequently interpreted to mean that we should be closely watching current events so we know how close we are to Christ's return. The common paraphrase of this command is "watch world news, so that as you begin to see prophecy unfold, you can escape the horrors of the Tribulation."
This interpretation has led to a cottage industry of sorts within the church. A tremendous amount of effort is put into commenting on world events and tying them into biblical prophecy. The underlying assumption is that God wants us to have our finger on the pulse of the news, and this knowledge—combined with prayer—will make us worthy to escape all those prophesied things. But does this assumption agree with Scripture?
In fact, the Greek word translated "watch" has nothing to do with looking at events or keeping world news under close observation. Even without examining the underlying Greek, we can tell from the context that Jesus has something else in mind. Verse 36 begins, "Watch therefore," signaling that it concludes or summarizes previous material. We cannot understand verse 36 until we know what preceded it.
Verses 34-35 provide the context for Jesus' command to "watch":
But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Clearly, Jesus' message is not an admonition to watch world events so that we will know when He will return. Instead, His instruction is to watch ourselves, which is what "take heed to yourselves" suggests. He is talking about being vigilant about our own spiritual state, as well as being circumspect and spiritually awake as we go through life. The danger is that, if we do not "watch" ourselves—that is, continually take stock of our condition and responsibilities—self-indulgence and material concerns will distract us, and we will find ourselves spiritually unprepared when the end comes.
Luke 21:36, then, is not an injunction to be glued to CNN, FOX, the Drudge Report, or any other news source. In fact, a subtle danger exists in being too caught up in current events, as it can distract us from the more vital spiritual preparation. The upshot is that the Day will come, and we do not know when.
Watching events unfold is not what makes us "worthy to escape," but our cooperation with God as He forms His character image in us does. Thus, in addition to prayer, we have to be vigilant in our covenant with Him. We have to "take heed" to ourselves constantly, examining our walk and how we are seeking and imitating God.
The Greek word translated "watch," at its most basic, means "to be sleepless," implying continuous and wakeful concern, such as being on watch when a loved one is ill. It means to be intent or to exercise constant vigilance over something, as a shepherd watches over his sheep or a leader watches over his charges (Hebrews 13:17). Watching signifies a state of being untouched by any influence that may cloud the mind; one "watching" guards against drowsiness or confusion. Hand-in-hand with "pray always," it denotes being alert for spiritual dangers and beguilements. Obviously, this state will not transpire from following—or even deeply analyzing—current events.
David Grabbe
The swirl of events only tares at me in that those who don't know the Lord as in Noah's day continue on their daily lives with only temporal concerns and nothing else. The end came swiftly for them as it will for those who don't know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The tribulation is the flesh of man against the power of God and this is the reason most flesh have died in the past. The law and commandments, which is the power of God, also called the Word, has condemned all flesh to death during this age. When the last flesh has perished, then the battle of Armaggedon will be won by the Word,

 

[jiggyfly]

Moved this thread to the bible prophecy forum where it is more fitting.

 

[snowangel]

Preaching to the chior?

Christ4ever:Thank you all for your thoughts & studious exegetical presentation of the Scripture that is applicable here! I agree very much with you & that is why I raised the original question. I wanted to challenge every Christian to ask themselves if they were truly ready to meet their Lord & do whatever is necessary to nourish & be sure of their own salvation;& be fully prepared to protect, defend & proclaim our faith to others while we wait for His coming. Blessings :cup:

Gospelpreacher: If I understood you... I am very sure I don't agree with your interpretation at all. The Tribulation & Armageddon are actual events in time. These words are not symbolic anymore than the Second Coming of Christ is symbolic. Blessings,:huh:

 

[Christ4Ever]

Amen snowangel! Blessings to you as well. YBIC