COMMENTARY:

Many Christians pray they will be part of a pre-tribulation rapture, and escape the terrors of the tribulation period spoken of in the book of Daniel, Revelation, and other places in the bible. No matter if you are pre, mid, or post trib in your views, you need to understand tribulation in some form comes with being a believer in the Lord.

Since the bible tells us of those who GLORY in tribulation, and how it brings forth PATIENCE, escaping all tribulation may well be more of a curse than a blessing in life!

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

The hero's of the faith have always been those who have had "hard times," but overcame their problems by trusting in God to deliever them, none of these men and women of God were able to live without being in trouble on a frequent basis. The three men who were cast into the fire, Daniel and the lions, and Job, certainly had tough times to endure. (as did the disciples and others in the bible) If you really live for God, you can expect to suffer for Him too.

Those mentioned in Revelation 7, are being blessed of God for the GREAT TRIBULATION they suffered while living here on earth. While all believers will wear a white robe of righteousness, I believe these verses indicate a "special reward" for those who suffer and die for their Lord Jesus Christ. While I am not praying to suffer and die a terrible death for the Lord, I am not just standing by and praying to be raptured away either. This is God's decision to make, and I am happy to know I will be present with the Lord when I am absent from my body at death.

Need forgiveness for your sins? If so, you can repent of your sins, and receive Jesus Christ as both Lord and Saviour. The gospel of salvation is simple, and it clearly tells us how sinners can be made into a "new-creation" in-Christ:

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