The “Great Tribulation” (final 3 1/2 years of Daniel’s 70th week) will be a time of unprecedented turmoil for citizens of the earth. Jesus said it will be worse than anything the world has ever seen up till that time nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21). How are Christians to cope with this coming disaster? The Bible has several direct scriptures indicating that safe havens will be in the offing. Following are a few of them.
“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle, He shall hide me.” (Psalm 27:5)
“Come my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourself, as it were, for a little season, until the indignation is past. For the Lord comes out of His place to punish the earth….” (Isaiah 26:20-21)
“Therefore, when you see the ‘abomination of desolation’….standing in the holy place, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”(Matthew 24:15-16)
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth.” (Revelation 3:10)
“Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who had given birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.” (Revelation 12:13-14)
“Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.” (Revelation 12:6)
There seems to be little doubt that divine protection will be made available for God’s people, whether it’s in His secret pavilion, chambers of your own home, the mountains, or a prepared wilderness place. Details of when, how, and exactly where we are to go are not clear at present for obvious reasons. We need to be watching and listening for direction from the messengers God will provide. I believe these messengers will be primarily the “two witnesses” presented in Revelation chapter 11. For details, see my article on these two listed in Permanent Links below. The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 – Google Docs
I should also note that there will be some Christians who will choose not to seek the safety provided by God and directly confront the antichrist and his government. Many of them will end up as martyrs for their bold faith.
“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”(Revelation 12:17). “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11)
Fellow Christians-be advised. The great tribulation is coming-soon. But knowing that is not a reason to fear. God has not given us a spirit of fear but love and a sound mind. We need only fear Him who is sending His Son to wrap up all the details of this last millennium before establishing His kingdom.
Maranatha, Jim