SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 12/30/2023 10:14 AM
My Worship Time Focus: PT-4 “The
Response
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference:
Matt. 24:16-20
Message of the verses: “16 If you’re
living in Judea at the time, run for the hills; 17 if you’re working in the
yard, don’t return to the house to get anything; 18 if you’re out in the field,
don’t go back and get your coat. 19 Pregnant and nursing mothers will have it
especially hard. 20 Hope and pray this won’t happen during the winter or on a Sabbath.”
I think that one of the things that believers would
want to do, but won’t have time to do it is to tell others of the gospel of
Christ. MacArthur adds “The time for
testimony will be past and, by the word of the Lord Himself, believers’ only
sensible option will be flight.”
Now
we must talk about women who are with child, and little children that people
have. It is my opinion, and not mine
alone that all babies will be raptured whether from believing families or
unbelieving families. With that said
children who are born during the tribulation period would be very young during
the mid-point of the tribulation period.
In his sermon John MacArthur spoke of it was possible that at this time
that pregnant women could be ripped open and little children killed. Remember this will be the worst time ever for
human existence, and the fact that 100’s of million babies are killed each year
in the times we are living in this will only get worse during the
tribulation. “16 Samaria will be held
guilty, For she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword,
Their little ones will be dashed in pieces, And their pregnant women will be
ripped open” (Hosea 13:16).
In Israel’s early history they saw many of their
children killed when they were slaves in Egypt, but one slave was not killed,
and Moses would led the rest of them out of Egypt, so God is surely in
control. When Jesus was born and the “wise
men” came to visit Him, perhaps as much as two years after His birth, Herod
killed all male babies two years old and older to try and kill Jesus, but by that
time His family was headed to Egypt.
MacArthur writes “The Antichrist apparently will employ the same hellish
activities during the Great Tribulation.
With the Holy Spirit removed and the church raptured, the malevolence of
Satan will be unrestrained and untempered.”
Jesus
goes on to say “Pray that your flight may not be in winter.” I have seen in the past that Jerusalem does
get cold and at times there is snow because of its elevation, so in winter it
could be more difficult to travel.
Next
it is hoped that those fleeing do not have to flee on the Sabbath. You can’t go too far on the Sabbath, and
there are people living in Israel today who would stop people from going too
far on the Sabbath.
MacArthur
concludes: “Jesus’ point was that no
possession would be worth the risk of retrieving and no hindrance could be
considered small. Because of the imminent
unmatched terror, single-minded, undeterred flight will be the only order of
the day.”
Well
one more day left in 2023, and at this time I want to wish all who read this
Spiritual Diary a very happy 2024, and may the Lord bless you and keep you as
we go through some very challenging times ahead.
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But
let your heart keep my commandments; 2 For length of days and years of life And
peace they will add to you. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind
them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will
find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not
lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will
make your paths straight.
12/30/2023 10:39 AM
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