GREAT TRIBULATION SAINTS

When the Rapture takes place, it will take the effective Saints to remove all restraint to the free expression of wickedness of violent men, and to prepare the world to receive the Wrath of Almighty God in the time of Jacob's Trouble called the Great Tribulation. It will take only those believers who are found to be "worthy to escape" according to Luke 21:36. All others who have heard and were not found to be "worthy to escape" will be left behind.

These who remain will realize that they were left behind because their walk with God had not been close enough to merit escape, and that they will have to face the trials that are coming to test those who dwell on the earth. This realization will cause them to earnestly seek for what was found missing.

Having missed the Rapture, they will realize that they now will have to face the Antichrist and the Mark of the Beast. They will remember that anyone who receives the Mark of the Beast or worships his image has only one expectation, and that is a permanent place of eternal torment in the Lake of Fire. Revelation 14:9-11

Knowing what is ahead, will give them the motive to search with all their heart to know the Lord in Spirit and in truth and receive from Him the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to enable them to stand in the time of trials ahead.

As we search through the book of Revelation, we find such a people described in many passages:

Revelation 7:1-8 and Revelation 14:1-5 speaks of 144,000 virgin men of Israel who follow the Lamb wherever He goes as servants sealed with the protective Seal of the Living God on their foreheads, that seal is His Father's name. These were redeemed from the earth, from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. They are without fault and there is no deceit in their mouths.

Revelation 7:9-17 and Revelation 20:4-6 speak of a great multitude from every nation, people, tribe, and tongue out of Great Tribulation who were beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the Word of God. They had not worshipped the Beast or his image, and they had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. They had washed their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. They are the ones who take part in the "First Resurrection" and live and reign with Christ a thousand years before the throne of God. They serve Him night and day in His Temple as priests.

• They are before the Throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His Temple.
  
  God who sits on the throne will live among them. They shall never hunger or thirst any more, the sun will not strike them by day or any heat, the Lamb in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.  Revelation 7:15-17
• Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. Revelation 20:6

Revelation 12:17 speaks of the remnant of the Woman's offspring who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" being pursued by Satan as he makes war on them.

Revelation 13:1-18 Speaks of the Antichrist and the False Prophet, the power they will have to overcome the Saints. Encouragement is given to the Saints calling them to great patience in the face of these hardships and persecution and reminding them that there is only a three and one half year span of time left to endure such trials.

Revelation 14:9-13 When the third angel warns against the danger of eternal torment with fire and brimstone for all who worship the Beast and his image, and receives the Mark of his name on their forehead or hand, he calls for the patience of the Saints, those who keep the commandments of God and faith of Jesus. The Voice from Heaven said, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, the Spirit says, that they may rest from their labors and their works follow them."

Revelation 18:4 As judgment of God is being poured out on Babylon the Great, a Voice from Heaven says, "Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

Then we remember that Jesus had said, "Then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. Unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the sake of the Elect those days will be shortened." Matthew 24:21-22, and Mark 13:19-20.

From these Scriptures it is quite apparent that there will be believers in the Great Tribulation, and that God has a special reward for those who face this time of Wrath and come out victorious still maintaining their faith and their testimony of Jesus as well as obeying the commandments of God.

Revelation 12:10-11 tells us that the Saints overcame Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony who do not shrink from death but are willing to be beheaded for their stand.

I pray that you will set your heart to find reality in Jesus while it is well with us so you may be found worthy to escape, but if you are left behind, don't think it is too late, but repent and turn to God with all your heart praying for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to enable you to stand the test and be counted among those who overcome the powers of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet by the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony.

God be with you as you remain faithful in enduring whatever God has in store for you to the end. Remember, Jesus said, "He that endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:22