Peace and Security

There is a passage found in 1 Thessalonians 5 that also points to a pre-tribulation rapture. It also informs us of much more. First, the scripture (emphasis mine):

"Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

While people are saying 'PEACE AND SAFETY', destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you brothers, are NOT IN DARKNESS so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness."

"For God DID NOT APPOINT US TO SUFFER WRATH, but to receive SALVATION THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."


We learn several things from this passage.

1. The "Day of the Lord", another phrase to describe the Tribulation, will come upon people very suddenly. In other words, the antichrist will emerge and "confirm the covenant", as described in Daniel 9:27. This will happen suddenly, and perhaps unexpectedly.

2. The Tribulation will begin at a time in which people are crying for "peace and safety" for the Nation of Israel and the Middle East. And it will come on them "suddenly".

3. Those who are in "darkness" (without having reached salvation through Christ Jesus) - will experience "this day" - ie, the day that begins the Tribulation, when the antichrist "confirms the covenant" - as described in Daniel 9:27. This is the official beginning of "the day of the Lord", and therefore, the beginning of the Tribulation.

4. Those who have received salvation through "our Lord Jesus Christ" are NOT APPOINTED to suffer this wrath. Paul had JUST described this process - the process of the Rapture of the Church in the previous chapter of 1 Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) - in the most definitive description of the Rapture (aka the "gathering up" of His bride).

Back to the original point.

The Tribulation will occur suddenly, at a time in which people are calling for "peace and safety" or, similarly, in many translations, "peace and security" for Israel and the region.

Below is a U-Tube video which was put together by one of our brothers on the "Rapture Ready" website. This video reveals the frequency of this quote and the prophetic implications:


"PEACE AND SECURITY"


Should we be surprised? No. Prophecy is always 100% accurate - exactly as written. This is simply one more example. The fact that the world's leaders are all using the EXACT phrase that 1 Thessalonians 5 described should be no surprise. It is the nature of biblical prophecy. Specific and literal.

It is almost here. The beginning of the Tribulation. The world will see a leader emerge from the revived Roman Empire (Daniel 7) and once he does arrive, he will "confirm the covenant" which officially begins the Tribulation. It will happen suddenly.

But we, the Church are not in darkness. We are of the light. Therefore, according to the scriptures, we will experience a different fate:

"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

We know the relative timing of this event - given just a few scriptures earlier in 1 Thessalonians:

"to wait for the Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead - Jesus, WHO RESCUES US FROM THE COMING WRATH." (emphasis mine. 1 Thessalonians 1:10).


Maranatha!

Everything - and I mean everything that we are seeing in the world today reveals the nearness of the hour.

Peace and safety. Its a quote by almost every world leader who is involved in the Middle East peace process.

Just as the Bible informed us. It is coming, and it is coming soon. It is time to be prepared.

Jesus is coming. Be ready.