Rapture, Tribulation, and Truth: Clearing the Confusion in Revelation 3:10

Male announcer: Previously on “The EndTime Show.”
Dave Robbins: How is the peace agreement brokered by the
Antichrist different from our president saying that there is
currently peace?
The board of peace is focused mainly right now on Gaza.
If they could settle that and build cities and skyscrapers and
everything, there’s just prosperity for everybody.
That’s not gonna solve the biblical issues that are
involved, the biblical characteristics that are
involved in the prophesied peace agreement that starts the
final seven years.
♪♪♪
Dave: Okay, the next question, Jessica says, “I’m
listening to the ‘Understand The EndTime’ series and was
wondering how pledging allegiance to the Antichrist is
different than pledging allegiance to America.
I only ask because Dave mentions that we should never pledge
allegiance to anyone other than God.
I agree God is supreme, but are we being blasphemous by saying
the Pledge of Allegiance?”
It’s a great question.
So the pledge of allegiance to the flag says this, “I
pledge allegiance–”
Everybody puts their hand over their heart.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
So first, Scripture is very, very, very clear that our
highest and ultimate allegiance belongs to God alone, period.
That never changes.
Can’t move off of that.
Jesus said, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only
shalt thou serve.”
That’s Matthew 4:10.
And the first commandment states, “Thou shalt have no
other gods before me,” Exodus 20, verse 3.
So no Christian should ever give worship, devotion, or obedience
to a nation in any way that replaces or rivals God.
But then, so then the question becomes, what does the Pledge of
Allegiance actually mean?
So the pledge says again, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of
the United States of America and to the Republic for which
it stands.”
So notice that it does not say we pledge worship.
Allegiance in this context, it simply refers to like your
civil loyalty.
A commitment to the nation’s laws and a constitutional order.
Remember, we’re a constitutional republic, right?
And it is similar to the biblical concept of submitting
to governing authorities.
Romans 13:1 says, “Let every soul be subject under the higher
powers, for there is no power but of God,” the powers that are
ordained of God.
And so Christians are instructed to obey laws when they do not
conflict with God’s commands.
In other words, if the government was to say, “We’re
gonna force you to march in a LGBTQ parade and to
support that.”
Now, I can’t do that because that’s against the Bible.
So I will obey the laws until they try to supersede God and
his commands, then I can’t do that.
And also we should pray for our leaders.
That’s 1 Timothy chapter 2, verse 1 through–1 and 2.
We should honor the governing authorities, 1 Peter 2:17.
So–but there’s a difference between a civic allegiance and
spiritual allegiance.
So here’s the key distinction.
Spiritual allegiance equals worship, ultimate obedience,
identity, that belongs only to God.
I can’t worship anything other than God Almighty.
A civic allegiance, loyal to the nation’s laws, civil structure,
that’s permitted unless it contradicts God.
So even Paul appealed to his Roman citizenship.
You remember.
In the book of Acts chapter 22, verses 25 to 29, when he says,
“I appeal to Caesar,” you remember?
And he said, “Because I’m a Roman.”
And this is when he was going before King Agrippa and Festus
and Felix and them.
So he recognized his earthly citizenship while maintaining
his true citizenship was in heaven, Philippians 3:20.
So when would it be wrong?
It would become wrong to pledge allegiance if, let’s say, the
pledge were treated as an act of worship.
Can’t do that anymore.
And the state demanded obedience in contradiction to
God’s commands.
Can’t do that.
A Christian’s loyalty to the country surpassed loyalty
to Christ.
Can’t do that.
In Acts 5:29, Peter said, “We ought to obey God rather
than men.”
And this is the governing principle.
This is what it all comes down to.
If the government ever requires what God forbids or forbids what
God requires, then our allegiance to God
overrides everything.
So is it sinful to pledge allegiance to, you know, for
most Christians, saying the Pledge of Allegiance is not
considered sinful because it is understood as a civic expression
of patriotism, not worship.
It does not replace devotion to God and, you know, I can say the
Pledge of Allegiance because it includes the phrase “one nation
under God,” which acknowledges that the nation is not supreme,
God is.
And that phrase establishes the proper order.
The country is subject to God’s authority.
And so here’s the deal, if the phrase “under God” were removed
from the pledge, then the pledge could sound like giving ultimate
allegiance to the nation itself, and that belongs only to God.
As Christians, our highest loyalty is to Christ, and any
civic allegiance must remain secondary and subordinate
to him.
So if they ever took, you know, “I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it
stands, one nation under God.”
If they ever took that out, then I couldn’t say that
anymore, okay?
One nation under God.
Thank God it’s still in there.
And, I mean, I am extremely thankful for that because I do
believe that the United States of America has a plan in the
will of God for the end-time it’s to protect Israel and to
bless them.
And so I’m happy.
I’m very, very thankful to be a part of America and the greatest
nation on the planet, in my opinion.
Debbie asked, go to that question here.
Debbie asked, she said, “My question has to do with the view
that there must be a two-state solution.
I understand how Revelation 11 shows the temple is shared and
the warning for Judah residents to flee from the abomination
of desolation.”
But she says, “I’m having a hard time resolving how the
confirmation of the covenant, the land God gave them all the
way back in Genesis 15:18, in Daniel 9:27 is fulfilled by
splitting the land and taking some away.
Can you help shed some light?”
Okay, so in Daniel 9:27 it foretells that the Antichrist
will confirm Israel’s right to exist, the Abrahamic covenant in
the Promised Land through a peace covenant.
And I’m telling you, that’s going to be the one that starts
the final seven years when that happens.
This agreement will be limited to seven years.
It’s going to be an interim peace agreement, and it’s going
to be temporary in nature and largely because the status of
Jerusalem is going to remain unresolved all the
way throughout.
That’s what the Battle of Armageddon, the last war on
earth, is going to be fought over.
It’s gonna happen right there at the end of the seven-year period
because Israel will not relinquish control of Jerusalem.
And the Antichrist is going to be put into a fit of rage.
The nations are going to come down against Israel, and that’s
gonna be the Battle of Armageddon.
That’s when God comes back, plants his feet upon the Mount
of Olives.
Well, so to your question, the establishment of the Palestinian
state in Judea.
So the peace agreement will include provisions for the
creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, a region known
historically as and biblically as Judea.
The agreement will also permit Jews to remain in Judea as a
minority population within that Palestinian state.
And this scenario is indicated by the prophecy of Jesus found
in Matthew 24:15-18, and then the Great Tribulation
in 21.
And this is what he says, “Jesus said, ‘When you therefore shall
see the abomination of desolation spoken of by
Daniel the prophet'”, in Daniel 9:27, “‘when he’s–and it’s
standing in the holy place, whoso readeth, let
him understand.
Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains.
Let him which is on the housetop–don’t even go down to
get anything out of your house.
Neither–If you’re out in the field, don’t go back and to your
house and even get your clothes.”
You hit the ground running.
Verse 21, “For then would be great tribulation, such as was
not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever
shall be.'”
So in this passage, Jesus describes Jews living in Judea
under a hostile governing authority.
Listen closely.
The only people on the planet that want control of the West
Bank, they want control of all of Israel.
But specifically vying for a state in that region of Judea,
biblical Judea, is the Palestinians.
Russia–not Russia, China, not even Iran, the Palestinians.
Jesus knew it would be like this 2,000 years ago.
He was prophesying about the time just prior to his
Second Coming.
So when the abomination of desolation occurs, that’s when
the Antichrist stands on a rebuilt Jewish temple
proclaiming to be God.
That happens–the Bible says that happens midway through that
final seven-year peace agreement.
Three and a half years in, those Jews will be forced to flee for
their lives, and this moment marks the beginning of the final
three and a half years known as the Great Tribulation.
Well, remarkably, the scenario Jesus described nearly 2,000
years ago closely parallels present day discussions in the
ongoing peace negotiations.
And Palestinian leaders argue that lasting peace with Israel
can only be achieved.
Think about this, Saudi Arabia, all the Arab nations, they say,
“Man, we really could normalize relations with Israel
if you guys would just settle the Palestinian issue created–”
And, you know, with Israel, it can only be achieved through a
two-state solution.
They all say that with their state established in Judea, the
West Bank.
And so if you look at every–the geopolitical situation, the
situation with Saudi Arabia and all the normalization talk,
everything, it all comes down to–and the
international community.
About I’m going to say, what, 193, 150, probably, what, close
to three quarters, maybe more of the nations on the planet
recognize a Palestinian state already; 150 out of the 193
voting members of the United Nations already recognize a
Palestinian state.
They see that a two-state solution is the only solution.
And the Bible says that’s what’s gonna be happening–that’s
what’s gonna happen in the future.
The Antichrist is going to be the one that finally gets that
intractable conflict.
They get a peace agreement across the finish line to stop
that conflict.
And imagine on the heels of World War III when the
Antichrist steps on the scene.
Everybody has tried it.
President Trump has tried it.
Everybody’s tried it.
Nobody’s been able to get it done.
On the heels of a World War III, when they go to that
region, and this European politician finally gets a peace
agreement signed between the Israelis and the Palestinians,
creating a two-state solution,
can you imagine what the nations of the world will look to that
guy and say, “That guy is the peacemaker of all peacemakers”?
And he’s gonna ride in on a platform of peace and
flatteries, and the world’s just gonna look to him as almost
a Messiah.
And there will come a time when he will actually claim to
be God.
And most of the world will follow after him.
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Dave: The next question here, Brian.
He says, “‘Because you have patient endurance, I will keep
you from the hour of testing that comes upon
the whole world.’
Is this talking about being saved from the Great Tribulation
period or protected during it?”
Okay, so the verse, Brian, that you are referring to is
Revelation chapter 3, verse 10, which is often used to support
the idea of a pre-Tribulation rapture or that the church will
be taken out of the world, raptured prior to the
Great Tribulation.
Some people use Revelation 3:10 to support that.
Okay, so the verse states this, “Because thou hast kept the word
of my patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation
which shall come upon the whole world to try them which dwell
upon the earth.”
Now, of course, some interpret this to mean what–so I’m all
the time asking for a verse in the Bible that says the Rapture
occurs before the Great Tribulation.
A lot of people will send Revelation 3:10 because some
interpret that to mean that, that just as God protected the
church in Philadelphia from global trials, he will likewise
spare believers from the Great Tribulation.
Or that this verse is actually talking to us and that God will
save us, not necessarily the church of Philadelphia, but that
this is the church age and all that.
So this verse was part of a direct message to the specific
church of Philadelphia, one of the seven churches under John’s
care after his exile on Patmos.
So a similar message is found in Revelation chapter 2, verse 10
directed to the church in Smyrna.
It says, “The devil shall cast some of you into prison, and ye
shall be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days.”
Now, no one would argue that the Great Tribulation lasts only
ten days.
So clearly both of these verses are context specific.
You’ve got to understand the context here, where John was at,
what was getting ready to happen, what John was doing, the
specific letters to real churches in Asia Minor 2,000
years ago, overseen by John after his release and are not
intended as doctrinal foundations for end-time
timelines or certainly no foundation for a
pre-Tribulation rapture.
Okay, so what does all this mean to answer Brian’s question?
Well, that’s why it’s very important to understand the
structure of the book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:19 is such a key verse.
John, in this book, here’s what you’re gonna write.
“Write the things which thou hast seen, the things which are,
and the things which will be hereafter.”
It’s segments, the book of Revelation into three segments.
Chapters 1 through 3 address things that John had seen
chapter 1, a vision John had seen of Jesus Christ, the
unveiling, and chapter 2 and 3 are the things which are and
things which would be on the earth 2,000 years ago.
This includes Revelation chapter 3, verse 10.
It’s not referring to a pre-Tribulation rapture that the
Lord will take the church out and protect her from the
Great Tribulation.
It’s not what this is saying.
Revelation 3:10 is written specifically to the church
of Philadelphia.
The prophetic section of Revelation does not begin until
chapter 4, verse 1 all the way through Revelation 22.
And therefore Revelation 3:10 must be understood within the
context of messages to seven churches of Asia Minor, not as a
declaration about a future timeline events and a
pre-Tribulation rapture, okay.
Next question, “Why is Satan allowed in heaven when he was
cast out a long time ago?”
When we say Satan fell from position and glory long ago,
that would be, what, Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28, we’re referring to
passages that describe a being who once held great authority,
splendor, but was cast down because of pride and rebellion.
Now, being cast down, that’s different than being bound to
the earth.
So let me explain the difference.
So in Isaiah 14:12, it says, “How art thou fallen from
heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning?”
The passage goes on to describe five “I will” statements.
I will, and, you know, Satan, “I will ascend into heaven.
I will exalt my throne.
I will be like the Most High.”
So at the heart of the fall of Satan’s fall was pride.
A created being sought equality with God, which is–ah, that’s
impossible, but Satan’s an unbeliever.
So what was the result?
Well, Isaiah 14:15, “You–yet thou shalt be
brought down,” Satan.
Similarly, in Ezekiel 28:12-17, it speaks of the anointed
cherub that covereth.
So this figure is described as full of wisdom, perfect
in beauty.
He was in Eden, the Garden of God, covered with precious
stones, walking amongst the stones of fire, perfect in his
ways, till iniquity was found in him.
This is Satan.
In verse 17, make sure I hit all my points here.
Verse 17 explains the cause of it.
It says, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, and
thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of brightness.”
So these descriptions point to a spiritual being, Satan, who once
occupied a high ranking position in God’s created order, often
understood as a cherub, a special order of angels,
possibly one who guarded or reflected God’s glory.
So what does it all mean that he fell from a position of glory?
Well, it means he lost his exalted rank.
He lost his original honor.
He lost his place as a trusted holy servant.
He was cast down because of rebellion.
But this is key.
However, this fall was a loss of status and authority, but it was
not his final judgment.
His ultimate punishment is described later in Revelation
20:10, where he is cast into a lake of fire, where he’ll
be forever.
So there’s a progression.
Originally exalted position, Satan, before sin was found
in him.
Then he fell from glory and rank due to his pride.
And then, you know, this present activity as advisory or an
accuser, that’s where he’s at today.
He’s an adversary.
And, you know, future would be complete removal and
final judgment.
So the core issue behind Satan’s fall was pride to desire to rise
above the place of God that God assigned.
And it was a warning woven into Scripture.
Even the most glorious created being fell when he sought to
exalt himself above God.
Well, Satan did not begin as evil.
He became evil through rebellion.
He did not begin as fallen.
He fell from glory.
And all that reminds us that, you know, no created being, no
matter how radiant, no matter, you know, that they can stand
against the Most High or exalt himself as equal or above God,
that simply is not possible.
But some, this Satan being, thought that he could, and his
rank, his authority gone.
Now, but he still has access to heaven.
The Bible in Revelation 12 says he’s the accuser of
the brethren.
But three and a half years prior to the Second Coming of Jesus
Christ, and the Bible talks about him having access
to heaven.
Job chapter 1, in, I think it’s Zechariah chapter 3, verse 1
that he is standing there accusing Joshua.
You can go read about it.
And then, of course, in Revelation 12, the Bible calls
him the accuser of the brethren.
So he still does have access to heaven.
But three and a half years prior to the Second Coming, he is–but
he doesn’t have the rank and authority that he did at
one point.
All that’s been stripped away, and–
But the Bible says in Revelation 12 that there’s gonna be a war
in heaven, three and a half years prior to the Second
Coming, and Satan will be bound to the earth.
Once that happens, no more access to heaven for Satan.
And the Bible says, “Rejoice you that are in heaven, but woe to
the inhabitors of the earth, because Satan comes down to you
having great wrath.”
That’s gonna be the Great Tribulation.
And so, Satan still has access to heaven at this point, but
there’s coming a time when we will be bound to the earth.
And then in Revelation–during the great, during the 1,000-year
millennial reign, he’s bound in the bottomless pit.
He’s loosed for a short time out of that to deceive the nations
to come back down to Jerusalem to battle in Revelation 20.
But at that time, there’s no battle.
The Bible says that the earth is the–they are just consumed with
a fire from heaven, and the earth is prepared for the great
white throne judgment, okay.
So, that’s where we’re at with Satan.
And I know we’re all ready to be done with him, right?
Now, Larry, next question.
“With the Rapture occurring at the end of the Tribulation
period, it appears that there will be a group of unsaved
people, both Jews and Gentiles, who survived the wrath of God.
These people will be the first people to occupy the earth when
the millennium begins.
At the end of the millennium, Satan will be released and given
the opportunity to deceive as many people as possible.
What is the outcome of those millennial people who are not
deceived by Satan and instead choose to align themselves
with Christ?
Obviously, they will have missed the Rapture and the judgment
seat of Christ.
Will there be a situation in the white throne
judgment whereby they will join all other saved people?”
Okay, now, some of these things, I cannot spell out, you know,
step one, two, three, four, five that this is how it happens.
I don’t know.
The Bible doesn’t specifically tell us.
In Revelation chapter 20, verse 11 through 15, it says this, so
all I can do is tell you what we do know.
And it appears that there will be a plan of salvation because
all of the Jews are saved when the fullness of Gentiles come
in, the Rapture’s already occurred.
The Bible says all of Israel will be saved at that point.
There will be people that are saved during the
millennial reign.
Revelation 20:11 to 15 says this, “I saw a great white
throne and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and
the heaven fled away, and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and
the books are opened.
Another book was opened, which is the book of Life.
And the dead which were judged out of those things which were
written in the books according to their works, and the sea gave
up the dead which are in it, and death and hell delivered up the
dead which were in them.
And they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was
cast into the lake of fire.”
So, step one, two, three, four, five, I don’t know how every–
those people are joined,
if they’re saved, how, you know, how they’re brought into the
bride of Christ and those–the unsaved individuals are cast
into the lake of fire.
That’s for God to sort out.
I don’t know, but I can leave you with a key verse of
scripture here that can take the anxiety out of it, that can take
the fear out of it, and the question.
This can remove the question.
The key verse is Revelation 20, verse 15.
This is probably the most important question in your life.
As a matter of fact, it is, beyond a shadow of a doubt.
This is the most important question.
Revelation 20:15, “And whosoever was not found written in the
book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
So number one thing in your life, get your name written in
the Lamb’s book of life by being born again.
How am I born again?
Well, go to endtime.com/reborn.
And it goes through all the verses, all the scriptures, and
it will tell you step one, two, three, four five, how to make
sure your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Once you get that, there are some unanswerable questions.
Until we get to the great right throne, until we get to that
time when the saints are judging the world and with the Lord and
all of this is happening, the Bible doesn’t give us a
specific–the people that were saved during the millennial
reign, here’s how they’re joined into the bride of Christ–
doesn’t give us that.
But it say, it does say everyone whose name is–you say, “Well,
I’m afraid about the lake of fire.”
Listen, make sure your name’s written in the Lamb’s book
of life.
You don’t have to be afraid of that.
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