Thank you.

Brian

This will be brief but hopefully to the point.

Somehow, due to the fact that believers have received salvation and are destined to be with Christ forever, we have assumed that we are now immune from any pain, persecution or even death as His Parousia draws nigh. Some how (especially with American) Christians, primarily with those who believe in a Rapturous escape to heaven, have adopted an "I'm safe, no persecution for me because I'm a believer" mentality that is lulling many into a false sense of comfort.

This may be true for many Christians who will be spared great persecution by what I call "The End Times Passover;" however, many, many Christians will be persecuted and slaughtered before the Lord returns, as many are being persecuted throughout the world as we speak.

But what makes us (American Christians) believe that we have any more special grace (from pain and persecution) than those who suffer in far away countries? What makes us think that we are more holier (and qualify for safety and comfort) than those brave men and women who stood tall in their faith for Christ during the Crusades, the Inquisition and the many attacks throughout history for being faithful, such as those mentioned in "Fox Book of Martyrs?"

People respond that God would never allow Christians to suffer, because we are now saved! In essence, they are saying they are more privileged than those great clouds of witness we see in Hebrews 11:

"They were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37 They were stoned[f]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

I commend you both for your deep study of the word and for getting to the "Pre Wrath" position in this long and trying eschatological debate that unfortunately rages on today. But the fact is, many disciples of Christ, many, many TRUE disciples of Christ, will be on earth awaiting His return, Yes, there will be a brief meeting in the air but it will not be for the purpose of returning to heaven for any time of safety.

Many true disciples of Christ will be on earth, preaching the gospel until the very moment Jesus Christ returns to reign on earth for an eternity. Many of these dedicated faithful will remain, many will be slaughtered and many will be protected, not based on how good of Christians they were, but for God's glory!

God does not have to remove His children to heaven nor anywhere else. He can protect them right where they are, as He did with Noah in the Ark, Daniel in the Lion's den and Meshack, Chadrak and Abednego from burning in the blazing furnace.

But the brave thing we can see in these last three disciples was their attitude. They told Nebecudnezzer that even if God did not save them, they would still not bow before any other gods!

In my two books, "The End Times Passover" and "Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation" I present Biblical evidence that God's disciples never leave earth to heaven for any amount of time whatsoever, other than a brief meeting with Him in the air, as He descends to earth to rule and reign forever,

In my second book (Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation) I present biblical evidence that many of God's disciples will be persecuted and slaughtered and I explain the reasons why. Many of your readers and followers do not want to hear this, but it's true, many, many will suffer and die for Christ and for His everlasting glory.

I'm prepared to send you copies of both books and you can examine the vidence for your selves.

I remain, In His Peace,

JOE ORTIZ, author
The End Times Passover (Author House)
Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation (Author House)
Saved? What Do You Mean Saved? (GBM Books)