In each blog, I often reference many different topics that I've already covered, and maybe you've missed. Please review my blogs to read more...
CLICK HERE! for an index to previous blogs.
_________________________
Many believe that we (as Christians) will be spared from the coming events of Daniel's 70th week because of their belief in the pre-tribulation "rapture" of the Church (Body of Christ).
One of the passages they use to defend this belief is:
1 Th 5:9 For God hath NOT appointed us to wrath [G3709 - orge], but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
I believe this statement 100%!
We, as believers, will not be on this earth when God's wrath pours out on those who stubbornly refuse Him and His Son.
Does this mean that we will not play a role in Daniel's 70th week?
I believe, from Scripture, that we [as Christians] will be present, on this earth during most of Daniel's 70th week - if we survive the events leading up to the conclusion, many will be saved during this time because of our testimony.
Daniel's 70th week (another blog) is another way of representing the last seven years of Daniel's prophecy. Many Christians call this period "the Great Tribulation". It is not - "the Great Tribulation" in totality.
Daniel's 70th week is broken up into two 3.5 year segments.
I'll refer to them below as the first 3.5 years (The Beginning of Birth Pangs, as described by Jesus Himself), and the second half (3.5 years) as the Great Tribulation.
The purpose of this blog is to clarify the difference between God's wrath (indignation and wrath) versus affliction and tribulation. Of which, the latter we were destined.
Do not be disheartened...
He uses the latter to bring us closer to Him!
The prior, to break stubborn hearts!
As I mentioned in another blog, you do not want to be present for the breaking of the seventh seal.
___________________________________________________
As a precursor, please see one of my other blogs concerning the rapture [harpazo] - click here!
One of the many arguments for a pre-"tribulation" rapture is that God has not appointed us, as Christians, to "wrath".
1 Th 5:9-11 For God has NOT destined us for wrath...
As I stated in the blog (linked above), I also believe this full-heartily! The problem, as I see it, is their distinction between "wrath / indignation" and "affliction / tribulation".
They are two distinct entities with two different definitions. One we were called to, the other - we are not (as believers in Jesus, the Christ).
Original Language
First, let's take a look at the original language. It will be helpful to define some words that are often interchanged as if they are virtually one and the same. It is important that we understand the meanings of important words that are wrongly applied by those who teach the rapture:
[1] Affliction: Keyword Concordance, anguish, persecution, TRIBULATION, trouble, ill treatment, suffering . Webster's: affliction, any cause of pain or suffering.
AND
[2] Tribulation: Keyword Concordance, AFFLICTION Webster's: tribulation, great misery or distress
VERSUS
[3] Wrath: Keyword Concordance, fury, INDIGNATION, vexation Webster's: wrath, intense anger, rage, fury, vengeance
AND
[4] Indignation: Keyword Concordance, anger, vengeance, WRATH Webster's: Adj.--indignation, expressing anger especially unjust or mean actions. Noun-- righteous anger.
Before we get any further, have you recognized the differences and similarities yet?
Although there is somewhat of an overlap in defining these words, we can still get a clear picture as to how these words are used in the Scriptures.
Notice that "affliction" and "tribulation" are nearly synonymous and interchangeable.
Notice also, that "wrath" and "indignation" are also nearly synonymous and interchangeable.
"Affliction" can be defined as "tribulation", and "tribulation" can be defined as "affliction".
Likewise, "wrath" can be defined as "indignation", and "indignation" can be defined as "wrath".
But, the first two words, "affliction and tribulation" are not synonymous with the second two words, "wrath and indignation".
There is a huge difference in their usage, and especially when used in their specific timeline settings as seen in Scripture. His timeline is important... tribulation is a completely different point on the Scriptural timeline than is His Wrath which comes later on the timeline.
As is, the usage of these specific words... Words appointed, through perfect inspiration, from our Heavenly Father.
What does Scripture say?
When we fail to keep these prophetic events where they belong (in the timeline) we end up with ideals that Christ is coming back a second time twice.
The Scripture says,
1 Th 5:9 For God did not appoint us to INDIGNATION ...
Nowhere, in Scripture, does God say that He has not appointed us to trials, troubles, pain, suffering, heartache, disappointment, disease, death, hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorism, or mass shootings performed by lunatics, etc.!
In fact, Paul himself, tells us (through the writing of Luke in Acts) that we MUST enter the Kingdom of God by going through many of these things:
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we MUST, through much tribulation, enter into the Kingdom of God.
Many of us are fighting through "tribulation / affliction" now... could be you, or a loved one is fighting cancer, you may have financial troubles, divorce, addiction, persecution of your faith, etc... the point is, this life is not easy, and it's going to get more difficult for those who survive going into Daniel's 70th week.
Why? Because believers are "chastised", out of LOVE by their Father (another blog!).
Unbelievers, stubborn as they will be in the end, will be dealt with through His VENGEANCE.
See above definitions now... see the differences between "affliction / tribulation" and "indignation / wrath".
Indignation
When we look at all the ways that "indignation" is used in the Greek Scriptures, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that "indignation" is used of God to punish the wicked and stubborn - NOT believers.
Indignation is not a direct form of chastisement. I have found, in my studies, that chastisement is a very unique word, and full of blessings!
No matter how many, how much, how often, how severe your sufferings and tribulations may be, if you love God and His Son, you can be absolutely guaranteed that not one iota of it is coming upon you in the form of God's indignation / wrath!
Here then is how, on whom, and when God pours out His indignation:
Mat 3:7 Progeny of vipers! Who intimates to you to be fleeing from the impending indignation [G709 - orge]?
Rom 1:18 For God's indignation [G709 - orge] is being revealed from heaven on all the irreverence and injustice of men...
Rom 2:5 Yet, in accord with your hardness and unrepentant heart you are hoarding for yourself indignation [G709 - orge] in the day of indignation [G709 - orge] and revelation of the just judgment of God...
Rom 5:9 Much rather, then, being now justified in His blood, we shall be saved from indignation [G709 - orge], through Him...
Rom 9:22 Now if God, wanting to display His indignation [G709 - orge] and to make His powerful doings known, carries, with much patience, the vessels of indignation [G709 - orge]...
Rom 12:19 Being at peace with all mankind, you are not avenging yourselves, beloved, but be giving place to His indignation [G709 - orge], for it is written, " Mine is vengeance! I will repay! The Lord is saying...
Eph 5:6 Let no one be seducing you with empty words, for because of these things the indignation [G709 - orge] of God is coming on the sons of stubbornness...
Col 3:5-6 Deaden, then, your members that are on the earth: prostitution, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and greed, which is idolatry, because of which the indignation [G709 - orge] of God is coming on the sons of stubbornness...
Heb 3:10-11 Wherefore, 'I am disgusted with this generation, and said, Ever are they straying in heart; Yet they know not My ways,' As I swear in My indignation [G709 - orge], If they shall be entering into My rest...
Rev 6:17 Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is sitting on the throne, and from the indignation [G709 - orge] of the Lambkin, for the great day of Their indignation [G709 - orge] came, and who is able to stand?
Rev 11:18-19 And the nations are angered, and Thy indignation [G709 - orge] came, and the era for the dead to be judged, and to give their wages to Thy slaves, the prophets, and to the saints and to those fearing Thy name, the small and the great, and to blight those who are blighting the earth...
Rev 14:10 If anyone is worshiping the wild beast and its image, and is getting an emblem on his forehead or on his hand [mark of the beast, another blog], he, also, is drinking of the wine of the fury of God, blended undiluted in the cup of His indignation [G709 - orge], and he shall be tormented in fire and sulfur in the sight of the Holy messengers and in the sight of the Lambkin...
Rev 16:19 And Babylon the great is brought to remembrance in the sight of God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fury of His indignation [G709 - orge]...
Rev 19:16 And He is treading the wine trough of the fury of the indignation [G709 - orge] of God, the Almighty...
There are the Greek Scriptures on indignation [G709 - orge].
Notice that it always comes from God. It is poured out in vengeance upon the unrepentant, the stubborn, the unjust and irreverent, those who worship the beast, etc.
Never is God's indignation poured out on His SAINTS!
Not the Gentile saints and not the Jewish saints.
The saints of Israel have not "been appointed to indignation", they are not "of the night," they will not "be overtaken as a thief," they are a part of "all the saints," (1 Th 2:14 and 1 Th 3:13).
It is stated that those called in Paul's message of grace will not go through the Great Tribulation period, because:
1 Th 1:10 Jesus, our Rescuer out of the coming indignation [G709 - orge] ...
and...
1 Th 5:9 God did not appoint us to indignation [G709 - orge]...
But look at the definitions of words again (see top of this page). God is promising to rescue us out of coming "indignation",... NOT "tribulation".
God did not appoint us to "indignation [G709 - orge]" but He did appoint us to "tribulation".
These terms are not synonymous.
Affliction
Straightening out the understanding of the Thessalonians (who decidedly did not know all about The day of The Lord) was the main purpose for Paul writing these two letters in the first place!
Paul does not chastise (there's that word again... pay attention - chastise is a very important Word in His Scriptures and we'll get to that later) the Thessalonians for believing wrong doctrine, or committing terrible sins, or lacking in faith. Not at all. But rather:
2 Th 1:3-4 ...seeing that your faith is flourishing and the love of each one of you all for one another is increasing, so that we ourselves glory in you in the ecclesias of God...
So what was their problem? Why these two epistles from Paul?
Here's what was happening in Thessalonica:
1 Th 1:3 ... your work of faith, and toil of love and endurance of expectation...
1 Th 1:6 ... receiving the word in much affliction [G2347 - thlipsis] ...
more later...
________________________
Some of these excerpts are from my personal notes copied from 30+ years of studying... some of these notes are direct copies of various sources - I do not claim to have authored every word of this... it's just a mass collection I've tucked away over the years for my own personal studies... I didn't consider a bibliography at the time I directly copied small excerpts from various authors. Also, any emphasis (underlines, bold text, all CAPS, etc.) noted above was only meant to capture my personal attention as I studied...
CLICK HERE! for an index to previous blogs.
_________________________
Many believe that we (as Christians) will be spared from the coming events of Daniel's 70th week because of their belief in the pre-tribulation "rapture" of the Church (Body of Christ).
One of the passages they use to defend this belief is:
1 Th 5:9 For God hath NOT appointed us to wrath [G3709 - orge], but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
I believe this statement 100%!
We, as believers, will not be on this earth when God's wrath pours out on those who stubbornly refuse Him and His Son.
Does this mean that we will not play a role in Daniel's 70th week?
I believe, from Scripture, that we [as Christians] will be present, on this earth during most of Daniel's 70th week - if we survive the events leading up to the conclusion, many will be saved during this time because of our testimony.
Daniel's 70th week (another blog) is another way of representing the last seven years of Daniel's prophecy. Many Christians call this period "the Great Tribulation". It is not - "the Great Tribulation" in totality.
Daniel's 70th week is broken up into two 3.5 year segments.
I'll refer to them below as the first 3.5 years (The Beginning of Birth Pangs, as described by Jesus Himself), and the second half (3.5 years) as the Great Tribulation.
The purpose of this blog is to clarify the difference between God's wrath (indignation and wrath) versus affliction and tribulation. Of which, the latter we were destined.
Do not be disheartened...
He uses the latter to bring us closer to Him!
The prior, to break stubborn hearts!
As I mentioned in another blog, you do not want to be present for the breaking of the seventh seal.
___________________________________________________
As a precursor, please see one of my other blogs concerning the rapture [harpazo] - click here!
One of the many arguments for a pre-"tribulation" rapture is that God has not appointed us, as Christians, to "wrath".
1 Th 5:9-11 For God has NOT destined us for wrath...
As I stated in the blog (linked above), I also believe this full-heartily! The problem, as I see it, is their distinction between "wrath / indignation" and "affliction / tribulation".
They are two distinct entities with two different definitions. One we were called to, the other - we are not (as believers in Jesus, the Christ).
Original Language
First, let's take a look at the original language. It will be helpful to define some words that are often interchanged as if they are virtually one and the same. It is important that we understand the meanings of important words that are wrongly applied by those who teach the rapture:
[1] Affliction: Keyword Concordance, anguish, persecution, TRIBULATION, trouble, ill treatment, suffering . Webster's: affliction, any cause of pain or suffering.
AND
[2] Tribulation: Keyword Concordance, AFFLICTION Webster's: tribulation, great misery or distress
VERSUS
[3] Wrath: Keyword Concordance, fury, INDIGNATION, vexation Webster's: wrath, intense anger, rage, fury, vengeance
AND
[4] Indignation: Keyword Concordance, anger, vengeance, WRATH Webster's: Adj.--indignation, expressing anger especially unjust or mean actions. Noun-- righteous anger.
Before we get any further, have you recognized the differences and similarities yet?
Although there is somewhat of an overlap in defining these words, we can still get a clear picture as to how these words are used in the Scriptures.
Notice that "affliction" and "tribulation" are nearly synonymous and interchangeable.
Notice also, that "wrath" and "indignation" are also nearly synonymous and interchangeable.
"Affliction" can be defined as "tribulation", and "tribulation" can be defined as "affliction".
Likewise, "wrath" can be defined as "indignation", and "indignation" can be defined as "wrath".
But, the first two words, "affliction and tribulation" are not synonymous with the second two words, "wrath and indignation".
There is a huge difference in their usage, and especially when used in their specific timeline settings as seen in Scripture. His timeline is important... tribulation is a completely different point on the Scriptural timeline than is His Wrath which comes later on the timeline.
As is, the usage of these specific words... Words appointed, through perfect inspiration, from our Heavenly Father.
What does Scripture say?
When we fail to keep these prophetic events where they belong (in the timeline) we end up with ideals that Christ is coming back a second time twice.
The Scripture says,
1 Th 5:9 For God did not appoint us to INDIGNATION ...
Nowhere, in Scripture, does God say that He has not appointed us to trials, troubles, pain, suffering, heartache, disappointment, disease, death, hurricanes, earthquakes, terrorism, or mass shootings performed by lunatics, etc.!
In fact, Paul himself, tells us (through the writing of Luke in Acts) that we MUST enter the Kingdom of God by going through many of these things:
Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we MUST, through much tribulation, enter into the Kingdom of God.
Many of us are fighting through "tribulation / affliction" now... could be you, or a loved one is fighting cancer, you may have financial troubles, divorce, addiction, persecution of your faith, etc... the point is, this life is not easy, and it's going to get more difficult for those who survive going into Daniel's 70th week.
Why? Because believers are "chastised", out of LOVE by their Father (another blog!).
Unbelievers, stubborn as they will be in the end, will be dealt with through His VENGEANCE.
See above definitions now... see the differences between "affliction / tribulation" and "indignation / wrath".
Indignation
When we look at all the ways that "indignation" is used in the Greek Scriptures, it becomes overwhelmingly clear that "indignation" is used of God to punish the wicked and stubborn - NOT believers.
Indignation is not a direct form of chastisement. I have found, in my studies, that chastisement is a very unique word, and full of blessings!
No matter how many, how much, how often, how severe your sufferings and tribulations may be, if you love God and His Son, you can be absolutely guaranteed that not one iota of it is coming upon you in the form of God's indignation / wrath!
Here then is how, on whom, and when God pours out His indignation:
Mat 3:7 Progeny of vipers! Who intimates to you to be fleeing from the impending indignation [G709 - orge]?
Rom 1:18 For God's indignation [G709 - orge] is being revealed from heaven on all the irreverence and injustice of men...
Rom 2:5 Yet, in accord with your hardness and unrepentant heart you are hoarding for yourself indignation [G709 - orge] in the day of indignation [G709 - orge] and revelation of the just judgment of God...
Rom 5:9 Much rather, then, being now justified in His blood, we shall be saved from indignation [G709 - orge], through Him...
Rom 9:22 Now if God, wanting to display His indignation [G709 - orge] and to make His powerful doings known, carries, with much patience, the vessels of indignation [G709 - orge]...
Rom 12:19 Being at peace with all mankind, you are not avenging yourselves, beloved, but be giving place to His indignation [G709 - orge], for it is written, " Mine is vengeance! I will repay! The Lord is saying...
Eph 5:6 Let no one be seducing you with empty words, for because of these things the indignation [G709 - orge] of God is coming on the sons of stubbornness...
Col 3:5-6 Deaden, then, your members that are on the earth: prostitution, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and greed, which is idolatry, because of which the indignation [G709 - orge] of God is coming on the sons of stubbornness...
Heb 3:10-11 Wherefore, 'I am disgusted with this generation, and said, Ever are they straying in heart; Yet they know not My ways,' As I swear in My indignation [G709 - orge], If they shall be entering into My rest...
Rev 6:17 Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is sitting on the throne, and from the indignation [G709 - orge] of the Lambkin, for the great day of Their indignation [G709 - orge] came, and who is able to stand?
Rev 11:18-19 And the nations are angered, and Thy indignation [G709 - orge] came, and the era for the dead to be judged, and to give their wages to Thy slaves, the prophets, and to the saints and to those fearing Thy name, the small and the great, and to blight those who are blighting the earth...
Rev 14:10 If anyone is worshiping the wild beast and its image, and is getting an emblem on his forehead or on his hand [mark of the beast, another blog], he, also, is drinking of the wine of the fury of God, blended undiluted in the cup of His indignation [G709 - orge], and he shall be tormented in fire and sulfur in the sight of the Holy messengers and in the sight of the Lambkin...
Rev 16:19 And Babylon the great is brought to remembrance in the sight of God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fury of His indignation [G709 - orge]...
Rev 19:16 And He is treading the wine trough of the fury of the indignation [G709 - orge] of God, the Almighty...
There are the Greek Scriptures on indignation [G709 - orge].
Notice that it always comes from God. It is poured out in vengeance upon the unrepentant, the stubborn, the unjust and irreverent, those who worship the beast, etc.
Never is God's indignation poured out on His SAINTS!
Not the Gentile saints and not the Jewish saints.
The saints of Israel have not "been appointed to indignation", they are not "of the night," they will not "be overtaken as a thief," they are a part of "all the saints," (1 Th 2:14 and 1 Th 3:13).
It is stated that those called in Paul's message of grace will not go through the Great Tribulation period, because:
1 Th 1:10 Jesus, our Rescuer out of the coming indignation [G709 - orge] ...
and...
1 Th 5:9 God did not appoint us to indignation [G709 - orge]...
But look at the definitions of words again (see top of this page). God is promising to rescue us out of coming "indignation",... NOT "tribulation".
God did not appoint us to "indignation [G709 - orge]" but He did appoint us to "tribulation".
These terms are not synonymous.
Affliction
Straightening out the understanding of the Thessalonians (who decidedly did not know all about The day of The Lord) was the main purpose for Paul writing these two letters in the first place!
Paul does not chastise (there's that word again... pay attention - chastise is a very important Word in His Scriptures and we'll get to that later) the Thessalonians for believing wrong doctrine, or committing terrible sins, or lacking in faith. Not at all. But rather:
2 Th 1:3-4 ...seeing that your faith is flourishing and the love of each one of you all for one another is increasing, so that we ourselves glory in you in the ecclesias of God...
So what was their problem? Why these two epistles from Paul?
Here's what was happening in Thessalonica:
1 Th 1:3 ... your work of faith, and toil of love and endurance of expectation...
1 Th 1:6 ... receiving the word in much affliction [G2347 - thlipsis] ...
more later...
________________________
Some of these excerpts are from my personal notes copied from 30+ years of studying... some of these notes are direct copies of various sources - I do not claim to have authored every word of this... it's just a mass collection I've tucked away over the years for my own personal studies... I didn't consider a bibliography at the time I directly copied small excerpts from various authors. Also, any emphasis (underlines, bold text, all CAPS, etc.) noted above was only meant to capture my personal attention as I studied...
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