God’s Full Armour
GLOBAL GRACE – September 2017
Heaven Is Our Hope and Earth Israel’s Hope
17. Relief When Christ Will Be Revealed!
2 Thessalonians 1:5-7, “This is a positive proof of the righteous judgment of God [a sign of His fair verdict], so that you will be considered worthy of His kingdom, for which indeed you are suffering. For after all it is only just for God to repay with distress those who distress you, and to give relief to you who are so distressed and to us as well when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in a flame of fire”
So early on in the ministry of the church, the body of Christ, believers were seriously prosecuted and killed. And today it is still happening. “Time magazine” had a major article four years ago about Christian persecution in the world. A few years ago, Christians were cruelly persecuted behind the iron curtain and today it is especially true in radical Muslim countries. There are other types of persecution in Western countries against Christians like a judge being removed from his position because he is a believer in Christ.
Jesus knew that Christians would be prosecuted on earth and He prepared His disciples for it. Paul repeatedly called on believers to become his followers in his suffering for the Lord. It just shows again that we are not living in the kingdom right now. Yes, we are part of God’s spiritual empire, but the kingdom where justice and righteousness will rule does not exist now. Satan is ruling on earth. We are now in the dispensation of grace. “My grace is enough for you”. Do you strive for great things in life, or do you strive to fully experience and know the grace of our Lord?
Todays’ verses provide great comfort. Upon the revelation of our Lord to the Christians, at the rapture, relief will be given to those who are oppressed. It clearly shows that the rapture will take place before the tribulation. The tribulation is for those who have oppressed Christians and Christians will then experience relief!
Voice of the dying Church 