Bible Study 2, Part 2

The Great Tribulation

When? The first 3 Seals of Revelation (which could very well correspond to the first three years of the final 7 years) are ‘Birth Pains’. Halfway through the 4th Seal, which is described as Death, we come to the midway point of Daniel’s 70th Week (Daniel 9:24-27 "the end will come like a flood...").  We will see the Antichrist breaking a covenant made earlier, attacking Jerusalem, sitting in the newly built temple, and demanding to be worshiped as God. All who oppose the Beast will be pursued.  Jesus says this is when the Great Tribulation begins.  

What will happen? The Bible says that Jews living in Israel should flee to a place in the wilderness where God will protect them.  Many Jews will be taken away or killed, while some will embrace the Antichrist, thinking he is their long-awaited Messiah. Rev. 12:14 "The woman (Israel) was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. (3 ½ years)"  Luke 21:24 "They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."  Daniel 11:32 “He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.”   (Rom. 9:27, 2 Tim. 3:13)    

Rev. 12:17 "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman (Israel) and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus (Christians)." Many Christians will be martyred. Seal 5 shows us the spirits of the martyrs crying out, “When will you judge?”, indicating that the wrath of God has NOT yet fallen. The Wrath of God comes with the trumpet judgements (7th Seal), after the Church is raptured.

Note: the Bible never calls the entire last 7 years the Great Tribulation! 

The Great Tribulation is the anger of Satan that starts at 3½ years into the last 7 year End Time period. The wrath of God is first mentioned at the 6th Seal, which we believe is well into the final 7 years. The Great Tribulation is not God's wrath, but a time when the wheat and tares (true and fake Christians) are revealed. True Believers will focus on Christ and have the power of God to stay true (Rev. 19:7-8). People who call themselves Christians but have no real love for God or His Word, the Bible, will end up trusting in their own wisdom and strength and be deceived by the Antichrist. (1 John 2:19-28).  Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matt. 22:37  The question we must all ask ourselves is, “Do I love God and His Word?”   2 Cor.13:5  “Examine yourselves to see if you’re in the faith; test yourselves. Don’t you realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" 

You might be saying, 

"I thought Christians weren't supposed to be here for the Great Tribulation!"       

This common teaching is based on the misunderstanding that the Great Tribulation is God’s wrath. “Tribulation" in the New Testament comes from the Greek word "thlipsis" used to describe the final squeezing of labor, physically and spiritually. It is purposeful and limited in duration. This Greek word is never translated as 'Wrath'.  John 16:21  A woman forgets the anguish (thlipsis) for joy at her baby's arrival.  Matthew 24:21,22 (BSB)  "For at that time there will be great tribulation (thlipsis), unmatched from the beginning of the world until now,  and never to be seen again...no one would survive… 

But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short." 

At just the right time, the anguish/Great Tribulation will give way to BIRTH.   

Isaiah 26:19 " But your dead will live, LORD; their bodies will rise — let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy... the earth will give birth to her dead."  The Great Tribulation starts at the midpoint of the last 7 years 

and ends when the Church is delivered out of this world.

Understanding the difference between Tribulation and God`s Wrath is crucial when discussing the timing of the rapture. 

The church in America has been taught that God wouldn’t let his Bride suffer in the Great Tribulation.

 However, many Christians in the world are suffering for their faith today. Their suffering is NOT the wrath of God!   

We are not destined for wrath, but we are promised suffering! 

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (His 2nd Coming)” 1 Thes 5:9; 1 Peter 4:12-13  

I challenge you to do a word study: 

Look up the words “persevere”, “endure”, and “overcome” in your Bible’s concordance or Biblehub.com. 

You will see how an ‘easy-out’, early rapture contradicts Scripture.

Who creates this Great Tribulation?

The Antichrist, the Man of Lawlessness

MATT 24:15,21,22  "So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ (man of lawlessness declaring himself to be God) ... then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will be again.”  2 THES 2:1,3  “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him...that day will not come until ...the man of lawlessness is revealed.”

Who is this man of lawlessness who causes abomination and whom is he persecuting? We see him in Revelation’s final 7 years (Daniel’s ‘week’ of years—Daniel 9:27) that are described as Birth Pains in the beginning and Hard Labor/Squeezing (Great Tribulation ) in the latter years of persecution.  Let's take an in-depth look at this one who may appear good at first (Seal 1: White horse and Rider) but who will spiral the world into destructive chaos. (Seals 2,3,4,5).

Satan’s Anger through the Man of Lawlessness

Revelation 12:13-17 gives us insight as to what fuels this onslaught of persecution at the midway point. It says that Michael the archangel in heaven will one day do battle with Satan and overcome him and throw him to the earth. He is enraged and goes to devour Israel. When she is protected by God then Antichrist turns his anger on the Christians.

1. This man of lawlessness will proclaim himself to be G___ and perform counterfeit m___________.

2 THES 2:4,9   “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.   The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.” 

The Antichrist is not without opposition. Just as the Antichrist sits in the temple and declares himself to be God, the Lord will put his two powerful witnesses in Jerusalem for 1260 days/42 months (until the 7th Trumpet, at the end of the 7 years).  REV 11:3.7 “...and they will proclaim God's message during those 1,260 days. When they finish proclaiming their message, the beast ...will defeat them and kill them...10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth (that opposed them).  11 After three and a half days a life-giving breath came from God and entered them, and they stood up; and all who saw them were terrified. As their enemies watched, they went up into heaven. 15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet…”

2. The Great Tribulation starts when Antichrist breaks a c________ halfway through the 7 final years. But God is in control and will destroy the destroyer at the appointed time.  

DAN 9:27   “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven.’ In the middle of the ‘seven’  he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination (the Greek indicates it will be the Antichrist himself - 2 Thes 2:4) that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him (see 2 Thes 2:8)”  MARK 13:14,19 (GNB) “You will see The Awful Horror (‘lawless one’) standing in the place where he should not be (temple)...the trouble of those days will be far worse than any the world has ever known from the very beginning when God created the world until the present time. Nor will there ever be anything like it again.” (Great Tribulation)     How bad will it be ? ___________

As stated before, the term ‘Great Tribulation’ is often used incorrectly to speak of God’s wrath/The Day of the Lord.  

It  is said to be the entire final seven years of the world as we know it.  

According to the verses above, the Great Tribulation, fueled by Satan, begins in the middle of these 7 years, 

when the Antichrist is revealed.

3. The Day of the Lord begins at Christ’s coming for His church (Luke 15:29). What are we told comes BEFORE that Day/the coming of Jesus? Man of lawlessness r____________!  

2 THESS 2: 1-7 (English Standard Version)  "Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.  Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way (this Greek word may be translated ‘arise’). "   

4. Who is this one who restrains the Lawless One and is taken out of the way so the Antichrist can sit in the temple and proclaim himself God (3 ½ years into the final 7 years)?   Is he the Holy Spirit or could he be Israel’s protector Michael, the archangel. See Section 6, part 2 E for a complete discussion on The Restrainer.  Click this link for further insights into this fascinating subject: Studio Electives - The Lords Coming Wrath 6.0 - The Restrainer Who is it? Pt 2 with Michael Ufferman  

5. What will Satan do sometime after the 4th seal (Death) is opened? _________________

Revelation 12:17  “Then the dragon (Satan) was enraged at the woman (Israel) and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring --those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (Christians) 13:5  “The beast (man of lawlessness) was given a mouth to utter proud words ... and to exercise his authority for forty-two months... 7He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb...10 if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed." Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints. 15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.”  ISA 57:1,2  “The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”                                                                                                       

6. Underline the warning given to those who worship the beast and choose his mark in order to buy and sell:    REV 13:2  “And the dragon (Satan) gave him (Lawless One) his power and his throne and great authority. 3I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; Men worshiped the dragon...and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who can make war against him? 5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. 16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.18 ... If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666.” 14:9,10 "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God…”

7. God will be our provision on earth or will take us home to heaven! Is God more than able to take care of us in these difficult days? 

The Bible tells us: God fed the Israelites for 40 years (Nehemiah 9:20 -21). Jesus fed 5000+ people with a small lunch. (Matt. 14:13ff). Elijah was fed by ravens. (1 Kings 17: 2-4)  Matt 6:31-33 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat...drink...wear?’ ...your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Phil. 1:20,21 “Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”  Decide today to trust God for your daily needs. He provides through work, gifts, wise use of our funds, as well as supernaturally.  We many be tempted to hoard our stuff but let's be generous so others will know God's goodness.  Matthew 5:16,42,44  "...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Give...love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." 

8. At the 5th seal, we see martyrs waiting for God’s wrath to be poured out. Underline the words below that tell us it is not God’s wrath, but Satan’s anger, that has been poured out in the first 4 Seals.  

REV 6:9-11 “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. “They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?"  Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.”

9.  God equips us to withstand the evil one.  What must we have in order to stand firm to the end?   EPH 6:12,13,18 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood… but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Put on the full armor of God (truth, salvation, righteousness, the gospel), so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground... take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”   (see also Eph 6:10 -20, 2 Cor. 6: 1-18; 10:3 -5) 

10. How else do we stand firm? Underline what stands out to you:

I COR 15:52ff

 “...thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord... your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 16:13,14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love.”

COL 4:2,4,6,12

 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. … proclaim the gospel clearly...Let your conversation be always full of grace.... stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.”

1 THES 2:15-17

 “...stand firm and hold to the teachings  we passed on to you.  May our Lord Jesus himself and God our Father, 

who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 

encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”

JAMES 2:7-9

   “Be patient, then, until the Lord’s coming... be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

1 JOHN 2:14-17,28

  “ ...you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one…the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father...The world and its desires pass away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever...continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.”

ROM 12:20,2

1 “If your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink...

                  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

2 COR 1: 20-22   

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.  Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, 

guaranteeing what is to come.”

HEBREWS 10: 34-38 

 “You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 

 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, 

you will receive what he has promised... 

“He who is coming will come and will not delay.  My righteous one will live by faith.”

PSALM 20:7 

 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God...we rise up and stand firm. 33:10  The LORD foils the plans of the nations. But (His) plans stand firm forever.”

REV 2:8 –9   

“Jesus said: “These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander...10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution… Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.  12:11 They overcame (the devil) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; 

they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”

10. Are we to be afraid of death?  ____  What will you start doing today to be ready to stand firm in difficult times?  Here is a CHALLENGE!  Take this next month to study the 10 portions of Scripture above, one a day, and prayerfully ask God to help you practice the truth in those verses that day.  In one month you can do this 3 times and grow your spiritual muscle!  James 1:22 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."  

What will be the outcome?

RAPTURE COMING SOON, but first...

Just before a multitude without number are seen worshiping at the throne of God (we believe this is the raptured church), a group of 144,000 Jews have a seal placed on their forehead. This does not seem to be the group of Israelis protected in the wilderness for 3 ½ years. These sealed Jews are called the firstfruits, indicating that more Jews will eventually be redeemed and belong to Christ. It is unclear if these are Jews saved at His coming and taken to heaven or if they are protected on the earth during God’s wrath. The way they're described (they’re pure, praising God before the throne in Revelation 14) makes me think that they are saved and will be raptured. What we know for sure is that God loves Israel and has not abandoned her.

REV 7:2-4 ff   I saw an angel “...having the seal of the living God... Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God” (Matthew 20:26-28). Then I heard the number of those who were sealed (2 Cor 1:21-22): 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.”  Then in chapter 14:1-5 “I looked, before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion (Heb 12:22 "But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly...), and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And they sang a new song before the throne...No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth...They  attend the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits (James 1:18) to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths (John 8:42-44); they are blameless.” (Eph 1:4,5) 

The things said of the 144,000 sound like the description of true Christ-Followers, sealed for the day of r__________.  EPH 4:30  “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”  2 COR 1:21-22 “ It is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 1 COR 1:8  "He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."   LUKE 21:28 “...when these things (First 5 seals on the  Revelation Scroll) begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads ...your redemption is drawing near."

The 144,000 are called 'Firstfruits' indicating there will be more 'Fruit' (saved souls) to come: ROMANS 11:25-27  “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, (Eph 3:6, Col 1:27-29) brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.  And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. This is  my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (see Jeremiah 31:34, Heb 8:10-12)

The Final Call-  

Up to the Coming of the Lord/ Day of Judgment, people will be able to call on the Lord and be saved.  However, we are warned not to wait to receive Him.

I. Note the ways in which God makes known his love and saving grace (gospel) so that people are without excuse for not believing.  ROM 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” 2:4–5 “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?  But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.” (Psalm 19:1-4; Luke 24; 1 Cor 15:1-11; John 15:22-27)

REV 14:6,7  “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people.  He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth...”  

Those who die without receiving Christ do not rise with new bodies. Instead, their souls are eternally separated from the goodness of God in outer darkness. God will not force them to spend eternity in His presence when they ignored or hated Him on earth.   MARK 8:35-37; 9:48 “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? “...to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’”

2. How can a person go from death to life?  _________________________

JOEL 2:31,32

  “...before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD... everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved...3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” 

ROM 3:22,23

  “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...”  

ISA 55:7

  “Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. 

Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” 

EPH 2:8-10

 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do.”   

HEB 2:14,15

   “Since the children have flesh and blood, Jesus too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—  and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” 

ACTS 2:38,39

 “Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

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Have you received the free gift of eternal life in Jesus?  

Today is the day of salvation. We don't know when we will breathe our last breath. 

Turn from doing life your own way and take Jesus as your Savior and Lord.  

Please write to us and let us know of your decision.  

Contact us:  777comingagain@gmail.com  

Website: https://www.theshoutoftheend.com/ 

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3. How should Christ followers live until He returns, so that some people might believe and be saved from the judgment to come?  Highlight your answers:

PSA 37:5-7  “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday

sun. Be still before the LORD wait patiently for him; don’t fret when men succeed in their ways.”  

PHIL 2:14,15,16 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”   

DAN 12:1-4  “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.  But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end.”  

1 PETER 2:11,12   “...as strangers in the world, abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul...so, though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears. 

ACTS 26:18-19 (NLT) ...open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.” 

MATT 28:18-20 “Jesus told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We believe that at the Revelation 5:13  SHOUT  many people will put their trust in Jesus. 

As the final 7 years unfold however, hearts will grow cold, and fewer and fewer will be added. There will be those who made an emotional allegiance to Christ but will fall away (apostasy) because it was not accompanied with true repentance and lasting faith. We see this in 2 Thes. 2:3  “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day (vs 1, “concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him…vs 2. followed by "the Day of the Lord”), will not come until the rebellion (apostasy) occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction." 

See the parable of the Soils. Matt 13:1-9,18-23.  

Not everyone who hears and shows interest is saved. Only those who hear, believe and allow it to bear the fruit of salvation belong to God. Those who are truly saved don't wither, 

but by the Holy Spirit in them, bear the fruit of a new life.

 Galatians 5:22-25 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." 

4. Will many believe in Christ and be saved during the final years (Great Tribulation) or the year of wrath following? ___

2 THES 2:8.9-12 “And then the lawless one (Antichrist) will be revealed, (he) deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie ...who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”  (see Rev 9:20) 

2 TIM 3:1-3,12-14   “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves...proud, abusive... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed... ” 

1 PETER 4:3-5 "For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." 

1 JOHN 2:19    “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.” 5:10-11 “Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar,  because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son... God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”   

Click here to find out what the rapture is all about 

and what comes after the church is snatched up to heaven.