In these uncertain times with COVID and the 2020 Election, the people of this nation have begun to question almost everything. Some Christians even are questioning where is God in all of this. The apostle in Hebrews 13:5 reminds us of God’s word to His people, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. This is a quote from the Old Testament when God was talking to Israel his chosen people.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:6‬ ‭ESV‬

This was at the time when Moses is turning over the nation of Israel to Joshua. And Joshua was to lead the people into the promised land where there were giants and many other nations. The people of Israel were uncertain of the might and abilities.

As believers, we need to not focus on the land, the giant, the nations, or even our own might. We need to focus on the word of God and what He is saying. Not just what other Christians are saying God is up to but what we know by the word of God. This is the time to read and search out the scriptures to know what we’re are to believe and to do.

I was talking to a family member a couple of weeks ago about all the rumors and the threats of martial law and civil unrest. I am not in fear or believe that that it is inevitable, but that God will be with me in everything. My family member believes that Jesus is closer to returning and He will take us out of it all. This belief is what the church has called the rapture.

That made me to began questioning my own thoughts of the end-time events and the rapture. The book of Revolution talks about the second coming of Jesus. So I began to study God’s word with others and this belief of the rapture. What I do know is that Jesus is coming back and we should live like He is coming tomorrow so we are always ready.

In the book of Revelation, it talks about a season of tribulations most everyone believes it will be seven years but that time frame is not stated in Revelation. I have not found a verse in the bible where we will be taken out (rapture) of the tribulation. I have heard the rapture taught three different ways pre-trib, mid-trib, and post-trib, that God will take us out of this end-time tribulation before it starts (pre), in the middle (mid), or at the end (post). At the end of this tribulation, no matter the length is when Jesus will return, and believers will be united with Jesus and meet Him in the sky.

The other day I was reading in the book of Matthew and Jesus told a parable of the end of the age.

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Matthew‬ ‭13:24-30‬ ‭ESV

How are we to know what this parable (a story) really mean. Well, this is what the disciples wondered also so they asked Jesus. And Jesus did something He does not do all the time with His parables, He explained the parable to his disciple a few verses later.

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Matthew‬ ‭13:36-43‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus speaks of taking out the weed first then gathering after the weeds are gone then gathering the wheat into his barns. Are there any other examples within scriptures where God gathering his people? The story of Moses came to mind.

The children of Israel we in bondage in Egypt and cried out to God. God heard their cries and sent Moses to deliver them. The children had to go through the tribulation (plages) of Egypt. Once they were allowed to leave Egypt to worship God. Pharaoh began to chase them, more tribulation. God gathers the Egyptians (weeds) together in the middle of the Red Sea and destroyed them. Then God led them deeper into the desert to the mountain and asked all the people that came out of Egypt to meet Him on top of the mountain (in the sky), His gathering of the wheat.

The church has believed that God was going to take us out of the end of the age trouble. This has caused us to view any trouble we may be in the wrong way. Making it easier for us to look for a way to escape than to press through, with Him. There are times when God will make a way of escape but not every hard time.

When we are in hard times or difficult situations God may be using the situation to perfect His bride. This is why it is important fur us to know His will for our lives and know that He will never leave us or forsake us. We need to seek His face and His plan for our life.

APPLICATION

• With any topic taught, take the time to search out what the word of God says about it. Question everything!
• Don’t argue just to prove your point. God may give you the chance to have a true discussion with others at a later date.
• Be willing to discuss any revelation or doctrine with others that have a different opinion.
• Stay Humble!