Larry Gatlin - TRIBULATION

TRIBULATION?

Pastor Larry Gatlin, So Oregon

The fellowship that I belong to, the Assemblies of God has always held to a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church. I have pretty much held the same belief or I wouldn't still be credentialed by them.

I have gone through some changes over the years and for a long time became a Pan - Tribulationist. Believing that it's all going to Pan out the way that God has it planed. That there is some room for error in all of the views on this subject.

Pre-tribulationists teach that we will never see any of the Great Tribulation period.
Mid-tribulationist teach that we will see only half of the time period.
Post-tribulationist teach that Jesus will return at the end of the great Tribulation.

After much examination and review I have become a Pre - Wrath of God Tribulationist. For I am convinced that.

1Thesalonians 5:9 "God has not appointed us to wrath, but eternal life in Christ."

I don't think that this puts me at odds with my fellowship at all. Since that indeed could be prior to the Great Tribulation.

I know that there are those who teach that it would not be right for the Old Testament Saints to have to under go all that they did and not be raptured. I know that there are those that teach that there are saints around the world that are currently going through tribulation. I would not argue with either group.

But the Old Testament Saints often suffered because of their rebellion and many in the world today are unfortunately caught in corrupt and evil political systems that have brought judgment upon their nations. So it is well with in reason that they may be going through tribulation as a result of disobedience of their political leaders. Besides no where in Gods Word does it tell us that just because we accept Jesus that things or life in this current world will be perfect.

There are those who live here in the USA that suffer some persecution and tribulation as well. So to say that there is one Gospel for the USA and another for other parts of the world is not accurate either.

I believe that the Gospel is for every tribe, tongue and nation. And that when people have proper teaching it is applicable to their lives. Regardless of their nationality or station in life.

There is an extremely important scripture that I would call our attention to. Though it is true that there eared those who face persecution around the world because of their leaders who have ignored God and His promises, the people of those places can still bee and are free in Christ. When Jesus is our Lord He takes us beyond the natural and brings us into the real realm, the realm of His Spirit and Life. Where it is true,

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. NKJV

Fathers mercy has everything to do with our lives and even the future. It is then because of His Mercy that I believe that Believers will be spared the Wrath of God and the rapture will be a big part of His plan to protect and care for His Bride.

Again I know that there are many out there that will disagree with me. And that's alright. Because there is always a chance that we can be wrong in these areas. But let's never let it become a source of division. If it does then we know that we have an even longer way to go in becoming mature. God has never intended for His Word to divide, except to divide us from sin.

Pastor Larry

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