Behold, the time cometh, yea is now come that ye shall be scattered everyone to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet, I am not alone because the Father is with me.

These things have I spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace. In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:32 & 33)

1 Cor. 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The stewards, and teachers have not prepared us for what is to come, but Christ prepares us. Many prophetic voices have come, and foretold things to come, yet we have been prepared not for tribulation, but for evacuation.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Ps. 91:1)

A great deception has come upon the church which we have recieved – by and large – for the past 150 years, as it is written:

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (1 Tim. 4:3 & 4)

How we love to hear that we shall be raptured, and caught away before [the] tribulation come, and this despite tha fact that Christ, Himself declared that the resurrection (rapture) would come quote: “Immediately AFTER the tribulation…” (Matt. 24:29-31).

Yet, a doctrinal premise arose called dispensationalism was accepted throughout the evangelical church, largely through he ministry of a man named Scoffield. This teaching changes biblical passages about the resurrection (and other Old Tesatament prophecies, and passages) of the dead into fables, and is the prevalant belief of the evangelical church today. (See also post: The Rapture and the Return of the Old Covenant, Signs Wonders, the Roots of Holiness and the Last Days Deception)

But the scriptures are written for the admotion of those upon whom the end of the world shall come (Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1 Cor. 10:11)).

And it is no doubt that the Lord declared unto us that in this world we shall experience tribulation (whether or not that means THE tribulation, we ought earnestly heed the words of Christ, particularly if the ends of the world should come upon us.)

For our admonition, and for our preperation the example about tribulation, Christ was crucified and His disciples scattered, as He declared they would (John 16:32).

Yet before this occurred, Jesus prayed for them – and for all those of us: His disciples who would endure tribulation.

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

I pray NOT that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (John 17:14 & 15)

Christ’s prayer for His disciples (we who call on His name, as well as those 12+ who were with Him when He prayed these words), is not that God should take us out of the world – BUT THAT HE SHOULD KEEP US FROM THE pray NOT that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.EVIL.

Greatly unfortunate that the rapture fable has so pervaded the church, because those who hold to it will neither be raptured, nor be prepared to walk with Christ through tribulation in the world, and be kept from the evil because their preperations actually led them to help speed the coming of antichrist (and many shall be caught in the teeth of the beast from the sea by this deception).

But:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Ps. 91:1)

Abiding in Christ, and having His word abide in us; learning to walk personally in the prophetic is the key to enduring tribulation of any degree, and at any level of severity.

Looking to our example, Christ declared His disciples would be scattered, every one to his own (John 16:32). In tribulation, we cannot rely on man; we cannot rely on the teachings of men; we have no security or ‘covering’ (as some teach) of church organizations, of governmental entities, etc., for surely a scattering will take place. Each one will need to be in fellowship with Christ; each will need to heed Christ, and be led of Him when abandoned by everyone. Christ is the only one who will of certainty not abandon you.

…but I am not alone,because the Father is with me. We want to be abiding securely under the shadow of the almighty, then no matter what happens, we shall not be alone.

These things have I spoken unto you that in me ye might have peace.

Interesting to me that hese are the words He used before promising that we will have tribulation: In me ye might have peace.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Abide in me, and I in you…

We have he opportunity no matter where we are, or what is happening to learn to abide in Christ; to become practiced in dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. God will lead and guide you, even personally: YOU.

We won’t be raptured before the tribulation, for the Lord promised, also:

And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends […ye shall be scattered every one to his own]: and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

And you shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

In your patience possess ye your souls.

…

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and shall stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:16-19 & 36)

I pray NOT that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (John 17:15)

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lorrd thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)