Do you believe in the coming tribulation?

... or, are you hoping it is only a "myth-take?"

A lot of people, and a lot of religions, hold that the tribulation, mentioned in the Bible, is merely an error in understanding. Some maintain that it is only symbolic. A surprisingly large number believe (hope?) that it is far away, into the distant future.

How do you feel about it?

Allow me to point out that NONE of the predictions in the Bible have EVER been proven to be false. Not one! In all of history, it has never happened. God sees the future, the present, the past... all are within His now.

Part of our problem here is that we experience time as a point-by-point travel along one line (our time-line). We cannot see even the very next instant of time, otherwise, we'd never be taken by surprise. Most of us are not too good at remembering the past, either. I know you've met folks who also didn't seem too aware of the present, you know, the ones whose permanent address seems to be "La-La land."

Since God invented time ("the evening, and the morning, were the first day." - remember?) why should we be so disbelieving that He sees the future?

Over and over, throughout the Bible, He has foretold of catastrophe, trying to get people to get their act together, and to get back on His page. All too often, He has gotten blamed for the very disaster that He said would come if folks didn't turn back to Him! I'm sure you know someone who blames cops for speeding tickets, its the same attitude problem. People have always wanted to "do their own thing" and "go their own way." Pretty much the same thing, isn't it?

See if this sounds a lot like our country today; "When the skies are shut and there is no rain because of our sins, and then we pray toward this Temple and claim You as our God, and turned from our sins because You have punished us, then listen from heaven and forgive the sins of your people, and teach them what is right; and send rain upon this land which You have given to Your people as their own property." (2 Chron 6:26-27)tlb

No, it wasn't written to us in our time, but, have you noticed that many people are praying for rain. God want us to turn back to Him in our time of need. There will always be those who say, "Big deal! There have always been droughts." They want only their own way.

In a similar way, what is coming for us has been predicted for quite some time.

"Sound the alarm in Jerusalem! Let the blast of the warning trumpet be heard upon my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear, for the day of the Lord's judgement approaches!

"It is a day of darkness and gloom, of black clouds and thick darkness. What a mighty army! It covers the mountain like night! How great, how powerful these 'people' are! The likes of them have not been seen before, and never will again throughout the generations of the world! Fire goes before them and follows on every side! Ahead of them the land lies fair as Eden's garden in all its beauty, but they destroy it to the ground; not one thing escapes. They look like tiny horses, and they run as fast. Look at them leaping along the top of the mountain! Listen to the noise they make, like the rumbling of chariots, or the roar of fire sweeping across a field, and like a mighty army moving into battle.

"Fear grips the waiting people; their faces grow pale with fright. These 'soldiers' charge like infantry; they scale the walls like picked and trained commandos. Straight forward they march, never breaking ranks. They never crowd each other. Each is right in place. No weapon can stop them. They swarm upon the city; they run upon the walls; they climb up into the houses, coming like thieves through the windows. The earth quakes before them and the heavens tremble. The sun and moon are obscured and the stars are hid.

"The Lord leads them with a shout. This is His mighty army and they follow His orders. The day of the judgment of the Lord is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can endure it?" (Joel 2:1-11) tlb

"That is why the Lord says, 'Turn to Me now, while there is time! Give Me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don't tear your clothing in your grief; instead tear your hearts.' Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you." (Joel 2:12-13)nlt

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.' " (Rev 14:6-7)kjv

I think it is important to take note that, the greater the calamity that we bring upon ourselves, the greater the prophecy God sends our way to get us back on the right path. If He didn't love us so much, He would not warn us that it was coming! Think about this, have you ever seen a portable sign on the side of the road that said, "Slow down! Speed trap ahead!" Of course not! Traffic laws exist, and enforcement is mandatory. You'll never see cops out on the corners of busy intersections carrying signs that read, "Drive slow or die in a horrible accident" either.

The difference? God wants to protect all of us! Civil laws exist to protect everyone from careless stupidities, as well as from evildoers. The Bible is not crammed full of "sin-limit" signs, either, just lots of warnings that sin has its consequences.

So, get your life in line with God's will. The end is coming!

...and wear your seat belt, we call it salvation!