Most Christians believe that when the crunch comes and the world falls to pieces, that God will protect them, wherever they may be at the time. This belief is also held by some True Christians that once believed in a wilderness Place of Safety being essential.
In the article Church Eras Of Revelation we covered the message from Jesus on the state of various churches throughout the past two centuries. In that message he promises protection to only ONE church. The church of Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:7-13
“Write
this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the
message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of
David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can
open: “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you
that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word
and did not deny me. Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s
synagogue — those liars who say they are Jews but are not — to come and
bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I
love. “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect
you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world
to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to
what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. All who are
victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will
never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and
they will be citizens in the city of my God — the new Jerusalem that
comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new
name. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and
understand what he is saying to the churches.
Revelation 12:14
But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time.
The verse above shows that Philadelphians will be protected for three and a half years in the wilderness. What happens to all the non-Philadelphian Christians?
Daniel 7:25
He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time.
The same words, the same time period. So, not only do you have to be True Christian, you also have to be a Philadelphia True Christian.
Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children — all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.
Let’s look at some other warnings about this time.
Luke 21:35-36
like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
Matthew 16:24-25
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
A half-hearted attitude towards being a Christian just won’t cut it. That was clearly a problem in the other six non-protected churches. You need to be fervently supporting God’s Work in this present time.
In the last Church of Revelation, the Laodiceans, Jesus tells them to change. Laodicean basically means “people decide”. This Church has lost it’s way and changed some of the doctrines that it held dear from many decades. The members are not completely following God’s instructions as one of his True Churches.
Revelation 3:14-22
“Write
this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message
from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the
beginning of God’s new creation: “I know all the things you do, that you
are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But
since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you
out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t
need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and
miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from
me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy
white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and
ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and
discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your
indifference. “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice
and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as
friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just
as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. “Anyone with
ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying
to the churches.”
So, be a aim to be True Christian if you wish God to offer you protection from the Great Tribulation. And, be a Philadephian Christian just to make sure.