THE REVELATION. The war is on; armies are gathered, and fear permeates the whole world. People are fleeing, running for their lives to hide from the terror. Devastation has left its’ terrible print everywhere. Nature has been loudly groaning; Governments have failed. Deception.
The basics of life are fading fast, and the earth is brown and dark and scary. There is no peace, no place to hide, no respite from the fear. Mankind has tried its way and failed miserably. People are without light and hope. Darkness has descended. Fear.
Surviving believers have fled and are in hiding from the devouring hatred. Armies without conscience-guided men are marching to war. The basics of life are hard to find as the hordes march. People who believe are trying to endure to the end. Perdition’s son is determined to defeat all. Survival.
There is stirring in heaven as angels rise to ready themselves for the appearing. On earth, the saints look upward with staring, hopeful eyes. God’s earthly chosen; look around in despair of life. Marching feet, moving machines, military might: All moving toward Meggido, hoping to win. Anxiety.
The Seated One rises to take His place as the Head of the white-mounted army. The Lamb’s controlled anger is being set in an orderly fashion against evil. The Lord of Hosts takes His place at the head of the great host. The Mighty Conqueror comes forth through heaven’s gate. The Captain of the Lord’s host makes Himself known. The Sign.
All across the skies, in the sight of all men, comes the Lord’s host: Surrounding the earth so that every eye can see Him. The earth armies stop and prepare for war. Not with each other – united – against Him. Earth’s god fears the “I AM.” The Appearing.
Knees are bowing; feet are running; men are hiding in rocks and caves and dens. Finally – a righteous war to end all wars: The Faithful and True. Finally – the end is in sight of united evil: The Word of God. Finally – the arrogance and pride are brought low: King of kings. Finally, those who endure can breathe freely: Lord of lords. He is here.
The last time the Lord Jesus Christ was seen publicly was when He was on the cross, suffering for sin on our behalf so that He might bring us to God. Those who saw Him in resurrection knew and loved Him personally. For "forty days, He showed Himself alive after His passion with many infallible proofs." The next time He will be publicly seen, He will be "revealed from heaven" with great hosts of angels and the saints of God attending Him. His glory will be obvious, because it will be the glory that is inherent in Him personally, and there will be glory reflected in all those who are with Him. The mighty angels and the glorified believers will be with the Lord as He is revealed, and that sight will strike terror into the unsaved. The One they had chosen not to believe in and had no interest in God or His Gospel will have no opportunity to be saved.
There are reasons why those left behind at the rapture, even though they heard the Gospel, will not be saved. The first reason is that they did not know God. It’s not that they couldn’t, but that they wouldn’t. "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." Many who were raised in their early years listening to the Gospel and seeing it lived out in the lives of those they knew chose to say, "No God for me," or "I don't believe there is a God." The second reason is that when they heard the Gospel, they refused to believe its message. Rejecting light is embracing darkness. "If that light in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness." The claims of Christ on them through His vicarious suffering for sin were rejected, and they are forever lost.
Thirdly, in chapter 2, there are those who "received not the love of the truth that they might be saved." When the Gospel was preached, some "gladly received His words." They accepted the message of the Gospel by faith, and through the testimony of God's word in the Bible, they personally received Christ as their Savior. Others deliberately allowed themselves to be deceived. Instead of trusting God, they believed the deceivers who speak for Satan. Then there are those who "believe not the truth." They might not have been deceived but chose to reject the truth. Some want sin. They know that becoming a child of God and following Christ would change their entire life, and they have become so accustomed to the deceitfulness of temporary pleasure that they don't want to be saved. One person told me, "It would interfere with my lifestyle."
The judgment at the appearance of the Lord in glory will be awe-inspiring, unmistakable, and all-encompassing. Justice will triumph, and evil will be punished. Chastisement and righteous vengeance will be executed by the righteous and just Judge. He has delayed righteous justice for a long time, but the "times of recompense" will undoubtedly come. Punishment involves repayment for wrongs committed. Destruction means that the entire purpose for its existence can never be fulfilled. This is payment for willful sin against God. Those who do not obey the Gospel will be completely and permanently shut out of heaven in the lake of fire. God expects obedience to the Gospel. Repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and continuing to live for Him are all parts of obeying the Gospel. Being reconciled to God is a key part of the Gospel message, and conversion is another. "Repent and be converted that your sin may be blotted out."
When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, His glory will be clearly seen, and believers with Him will reflect that glory. God's grace will be displayed through those who follow Him. They are the result of the preaching of the Gospel. The Lord is glorious in Himself and will be glorified when the evidence of dedicated people is visible for all to see. The Thessalonian believers will be among those in that great crowd. No one will be saying, "Crucify Him," then. Instead, loud "Hosannas" will accompany the Lord as the triumphs of His grace are shown for all to admire.
In that public appearance, the goal is for God to showcase His mercy in His own way and explain why He called us in the first place. God has called us, so we should live each day worthy of that calling. We can experience God's power in every act of faith. In trust and confidence, we are to show and demonstrate to the world now the grace of God. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, and we pray for God's people today that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified here in His people. His glory will be revealed in the future. That glory should be seen in those living the kingdom life now. We are a work in progress because of God's grace. We have been called, kept, filled, and empowered by His grace to fulfill His will. We will be glorified with Him because of His grace at His return.
These truths should bring comfort to those currently suffering and enduring persecution. We thank God for His faithful people. At the same time, these truths evoke fear in those who remain in their sins and reject belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and salvation. Payday is coming. Divine retribution will fall on deceivers, and eternal punishment awaits those who refuse the Gospel. As intercessors for those suffering for Christ's sake, we recognize that God's work and goodness continue. In this way, Christ is publicly honored today through His grace, evident in suffering saints. All of this will be worth it when future glory is revealed.
We marvel at the things happening to those who labor and suffer for God in many places around the world. There seems to be no limit to how much sin is directed against those who serve the Lord, even though they desire the very best for those who need God’s salvation. But we know that through their trials, God is working out His will in ways that are beyond our understanding until, in the future, we look back and say, “We’ll understand it all bye-and-bye when the morning comes!” So, even though we are separated from them by miles, nations, and cultures, we will continue to be intercessors.
It is difficult for us to fully understand what some of God's people go through, even in our thoughts. However, we can support them by praying, giving financially, and offering encouragement. So, we work in faith and pray that God will use them to bring glory and honor to Himself and blessings to them, those who hear their testimonies, and us, who remain as the ringing bells of the Gospel throughout the world.
We live in the present moment, but on a future day when the Lord appears here on earth in His glory, there will be those whose struggles will add chapters to the unfolding story of God's grace to mankind, which will be openly displayed for a watching and fearful world. Those who rejected Christ will be sent away when the banner of righteous justice is flying freely, unrestrained by the greed of leaders.