AnotherCoffee Break:Wrath vs.Tribulation
And asupercalifragilistic morning to you! Well, OK! Expialidocius, too!
WOW! Guess I should have seen it coming, butdidn't realize my last Coffee Break would stir up such a hornet's nest. Talk about angering religious spirits! Even had one preacher call me the Antichristbecause of what I shared. Oh well! I know that when you begin to addresslong-held doctrines and traditions, this comes with the territory. Nevertheless, I'm bound to share that whichHoly Spirit directs.
ThisCoffee Break can be regarded as part II of the Antichrist series, and yet I'mdealing more with the confusion that has developed in the body of Christ as aresult of "antichrist doctrines" -- or doctrines which essentiallycheat the Lord Jesus Christ out of receiving His due inheritance in Hispeople. Before I get into the things Ineed to share, let me build a "fence" around this discussion. In case you haven't figured it out yet, Idon't know all there is to know. (Grin!) The apostle Paul put itlike this (see I Corinthians 13:9,10,12):
"For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But whenthat which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be doneaway...... For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now Iknow in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
Ican share to the extent of the revelation that Holy Spirit downloads in me, andto the extent that I walk out and experience that which He imparts. I used to look back a decade or so and think,Wow,the Lord sure has taught me a lot! What was learned during a period of ten years ago in time past hasaccelerated enormously as we draw closer and closer to the Day of theLord. Now I look back a matter of monthsand say, WOW!!!
Now,let me make a few quick corrections to some statements made in the last CoffeeBreak. I'm indebted to a good brother inthe Lord and fellow-laborer in the Gospel, Keith Gerner, for steering me in theright direction. Keith is a trueapostle. He has overseen the move of Godin Ireland for more than 50 years, and is one who has literally beenresponsible for tens of thousands of people (and even more) coming into theKingdom of God. That said, Keithreceived his degree in history from Oxford, and was able to help me get somefacts straight concerning Margaret MacDonald and the influence of the ScofieldReference Bible.
First,Margaret MacDonald was not an adherent of pre-trib rapture. Some of her writings are available online,and as she wrote in an article the year before she died, she saw the rapturecoming AFTER "the tribulation, beingthe fiery trial which is to try us," and for "the purging and purifying of the real members of the body ofJesus."
Secondly,the doctrine of dispensationalism, along with the doctrine of a pre-tribulationrapture was the product of a "revelation" by two Jesuit priests inSpain in or around 1830. As they beganto share these doctrines within their sphere of influence, it drew theattention of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. They were subsequently excommunicated,eventually leaving Spain for France where they fell in with local leaders ofthe newly-spreading Plymouth Brethren movement.
Theseteachings became part and parcel of the Plymouth Brethren, and began to spreadinto the Reform denominations -- along with that, the Presbyterian leadershipin America. C.I Scofield was convertedin or around 1879 and mentored by James Brookes, then pastor of Walnut StreetPresbyterian Church of St. Louis. Brookes had become a strong adherent of J. N. Darby (Darby's Translationof the N.T.) who was a pioneer in the Plymouth Brethren's beginnings. Darby was a strong proponent of thedispensationalist pre-trib teachings. Asa result, Scofield was mentored under those doctrines.
Ioriginally stated that Scofield's Reference Bible was published in the late1890's, but in fact, Scofield only had his New Testament notes and commentaryat that time. His complete referenceBible was published by Oxford Press in England in 1909, replete with Scofield'snotes, references and cross-references.
OK. Enough of that. I normally check my facts before releasing anarticle, but I blew it this time. Mybad! Let's move on.
Overthe past years, and especially the past few months, we have had numerousdiscussions with various brethren concerning the confusion surrounding thedifference between tribulation and the wrath of God.
AsI noted in the last Coffee Break tribulation is something promised by the Lordfor all believers. Jesus put it likethis:
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye mighthave peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of goodcheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Beforewe get too far along in this discussion, it's necessary for us to look at theGreek word used throughout the New Testament which gets translated"tribulation." This is aninteresting word. Thlipsis (there's a tongue-twister foryou!) literally means: pressure,afflicted (affliction), burdened, trouble -- and of course, the twouses we most commonly associate with: persecution,tribulation. This word comesfrom the root: thlibo, which means to squeeze into narrow places, to crowd.
Prettyclear so far, right?
Oneof the translated uses of thlipsis in Paul'sletters is the word, affliction(s). I'llcome back to this momentarily.
Theword "wrath" which appears in the New Testament Greek as the word orge (and comes from its root, oregomai) occurs some 45 times. It literally means: violent passion, justifiable ire or abhorrence, and byextension, punishment; indignation,vengeance. This is one of thosepicture words in the Greek language which creates an image of the mindliterally stretching forth in violent excitement in order to execute righteousjudgment.
Nowthat we have these definitions, let's take a look at some appropriateapplications in the Word so that we can clearly understand why tribulation is anecessity for God's people; and why, in contradistinction, those in love withthe Lord and committed to Him will not experience His wrath.
Pardonme, folks, if at first this comes across pedantically or too much like a lessonfrom a Bible College class. I don't wantto bore you, but it is necessary to lay a foundation so that you can understandthe real picture of tribulation and rejoice in the midst of it because of whatthe Lord is doing in us.
ConsiderJoseph. Here's a guy who had some realrevelation from the Lord. He goes toshare it with his family and gets mocked by even his father. In fairly short order, his brothers kidnaphim and sell him to some Ishmaelite slave traders. He gets sold to Potiphar, Captain ofPharaoh's personal guard, as his personal slave.
Despitethe betrayal of his brothers and the unbelievable change of circumstance,Joseph manages to refrain from becoming accusatory or bitter. He behaves with integrity before Potiphar andin the process of time is given charge over all of Potiphar's household andbusiness affairs. Things are looking up.
Potiphar'swife decides that she's going to have Joseph and attempts to entice and seducehim. Nope. When she tries to lay hands on him and forcehim into a compromising situation, he breaks loose leaving his outer garment inher hands. When she cries"Rape!" Joseph is immediately seized and thrown into prison without atrial or any opportunity to defend himself. Still he refuses to become embittered.
Onceagain, the Lord is with Joseph (He has been all along in the midst of thistribulation) and he gains the favor of the prison warden. Once again, Joseph is given complete charge-- this time over all the prisoners and over the operation of the prison. Something like five years pass. Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker get caught inevents which anger him and they get thrown into prison, only to be placed inJoseph's care.
Afew months pass and both dream dreams. Because the Lord is with Joseph he is able to interpret thesedreams. The cupbearer is going to berestored to his position and the baker is going to lose his (and hislife). Joseph pleads with the cupbearerto remember him to Pharaoh when he is restored. Sure enough the baker is executed and the cupbearer is restored to hisposition. Unfortunately, the cupbearerforgets his promise to Joseph.
Twomore years pass. Joseph has now been inprison for seven years. He was 17 yearsof age when his brothers sold him into slavery. He is now 30 years of age. 13years have passed -- years of trial, trouble, pressure, false accusations and-- for the last seven -- imprisonment. These are years of severe tribulation for a man who has had dreams andvisions from the Lord, and promises that are forever etched in his being.
Nowit is Pharaoh's turn to have some dreams -- two of them. No one among Pharaoh's wise men and advisershave any clue as to what they mean. Allof a sudden the cupbearer remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh about him. The long-awaited call comes and Joseph isretrieved from prison, cleaned up and dressed in appropriate garments to bepresented to Pharaoh. As Pharaoh unfoldshis two dreams the Lord reveals the prophetic picture to Joseph, which he inturn shares with Pharaoh.
Inless time than it took for Joseph to share with Pharaoh the propheticimplications of his dreams and make recommendations to him, Pharaoh changesJoseph's status from former slave and prisoner to Prime Minister of Egypt. Now Joseph is second in command over theentire nation.
Whatam I getting at?
Thetribulation that Joseph experienced wasn't God's doing, it was man's! But God used those 13 years for Joseph'sbenefit, his training and preparation to rule. He took what was meant for Joseph's harm and turned it to Joseph'sbenefit, the benefit of Joseph's family, the preservation of Pharaoh and all ofEgypt, and the preservation of surrounding nations.
ConsiderDavid. Like Joseph, he was 17 years oldwhen his life took a very unexpected turn. Anointed by Samuel to become King of Israel, he came to Saul's attentionin fairly short order after the Philistines sent their champion warrior,Goliath, along with the armies of the Philistines against Israel. Sent by his father, Jesse, to bring bread andgoodies to his brothers who were on Israel's front lines of battle, David seesand hears Goliath's taunts against the Lord and against Israel.
TheSpirit of God rises up in David when he hears these taunts and he lets it beknown that if no one else is going to take on Goliath, he will -- and the Lordwill be with him. Saul is glad to havesomeone who will challenge the giant but wants David to take on his armorbefore going to battle. Saul is a bigman, standing somewhere between 6'6" and 7' in height. David is nothing like that, and Saul's armoris way too big. David shrugs off theoffer and takes on Goliath announcing and decreeing the Word of the Lord as heheads toward him.
Asa sling-fighter, David has developed deadly accuracy, and with divine guidancedirecting the stone from his sling, David drops the giant with a single stoneto the center of his forehead. Leavingnothing to chance, David rushes over, grabs Goliath's sword and cuts his headoff. Seeing their champion dead, thePhilistine army turns to flee the scene of battle. Israel's army under Saul's leadership takesoff after them. That day, tens ofthousands of Philistines die.
Sauldecides this is too good a warrior to waste anywhere but at his side, and hetakes David into his court. Jonathan,Saul's son, has a heart for the Lord and a bond of love and fellowship developbetween the two of them. In thecelebrations and victory dances that followed the slaughter of the Philistines,the women of Israel -- throughout all the cities of Israel -- began to sing andchant, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten-thousands!"
Inthat moment, hatred of David is born in Saul's spirit, along with fear andjealousy, and he determines to find a way to kill David. During the next thirteen years, David willfind himself at the wrong end of Saul's spear, conspired against, falselyaccused, on the run constantly for his life, and occasionally taking refugeamong the enemies of Israel, the Philistines.
Interestinglyenough, it was during these years of tribulation, trial, persecution and beingon the run for his life continuously that men and women began to jointhemselves to David to stand with him. Initially we are told (I Samuel 22:2) that some four hundred men (notcounting women and children) joined themselves with David's company. Later, we see that group growing to more than600.
Despiteall that happened to him, David learned to conduct himself circumspectly withhonor and integrity, displaying the grace, the love and the mercy of the LordGod in the sight of the entire country. When at last Saul died at the end of a spear the men of the tribe ofJudah crowned David as their king. Another seven years would pass before the rest of Israel would determinethat David should be king over the whole nation.
Itisn't necessary for me to recount all that David did, or the life he led. We all know that according to recordedhistory, David was considered by the Lord to "be a man after God's ownheart." David became the king bywhich every other king in the nation's history was judged and measured.
Why? It wasn't just the way he ruled. It was the way he functioned even in themidst of great persecution, trial and tribulation. He became not only the standard for kings, hewas a classic example of grace, love and mercy in the face of tribulation andpersecution.
Let'sskip ahead to the apostle Paul. Tribulation? Hmmmmm..... The wayI see it this man's life epitomized tribulation. How much more do you want to see in the wayof opposition, attempts on one's life, false accusations, imprisonment, hunger,thirst, shipwreck, etc., etc., etc.?
Howdid Paul put it? "Arethey ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours moreabundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Ofthe Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once wasI stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in thedeep; In journeyingsoften, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, inperils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, inperils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in thesea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, inwatchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold andnakedness." (II Corinthians11:23-27)
Lasttime I checked, that counts as tribulation. How about you? Care to try allthat, and then suggest that Paul didn't experience great tribulation?
Sowhat was the fruit of all that tribulation? For Joseph, it was the ability to show mercy to his brethren -- the sameones who started him on his 13-year journey through Hell -- and rejoice becauseof what the Lord did with him as a result of it all.
ForDavid, it was a picture of love, grace and mercy demonstrated to the grandsonof the enemy who tried to hunt him to his death. It was a picture of mercy and grace toward ason who betrayed him and tried to take the throne away from him. For David, it resulted in the development ofsuch character that God promised a new covenant with His people predicated in"the sure mercies of David." (see Isaiah 55:3, Acts 13:34)
ForPaul, it produced in him the ability to communicate to every succeedinggeneration the love of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Now,let's talk about the wrath of God.
Rememberwhen Korah rose up against Moses along with Dathan and Abiram and 250 elders ofIsrael? Remember their rebellion againstGod's choice of Moses to lead Israel and their jealousy of him? Remember their accusation against Moses andagainst the Lord, saying that Moses had simply led Israel out of Egypt to killthem? (Read Numbers 16)
Despitethe fact that God had delivered Israel out of the hands of Pharaoh and hisgreat oppression, performing spectacular sign after sign with the ten plagues,the crossing of the Red Sea, the water out of the rock, the manna from Heaven,and everything else that God did, Korah and his conspirators were accusing Godof having ulterior motives. Because theytook their anger and jealousy out on God's anointed and chosen leader, Israelgot to see the wrath of God in action in a way they'd never forget, and at thesame time see God's vindication of His choice in Moses!
"And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hathsent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mineown mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visitedafter the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. But if the LORD make a new thing, andthe earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertainunto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand thatthese men have provoked the LORD." (Numbers16:28-30)
Andthat's precisely what happened! Theearth opened up and swallowed Korah, his household, his family, his tents andall that belonged to him, and then slammed shut. Then fire came out from the Lord and consumedthe 250 elders that had joined in the rebellion. But it didn't stop there! 14,700 people who had stood by in tacit agreementwith the rebellion were consumed by a plague. That, my friends, is a classic example of the wrath of God.
There'sa whole lot more to this picture and we'll pick it up there in our next CoffeeBreak titled, PICTURES OF TRIBULATION& WRATH.
"The deep things of God areknown only to Him, but are revealed to us through His Spirit. That is thepromise of 1 Corinthians 2. Therefore, it is our expectation to witness anunprecedented outpouring of His Spirit and unfolding Last Day mysteries that willperfect the bride and empower the Sons of the Kingdom.
Mere human knowledge is not sufficient tobring in the great harvest. We must be endowed with God’s supernaturalprovision that is clearly promised for this hour. To do so, every saint of Godmust come to the realization that Christ is "all in all."
He is Light; He is the Way, Truth, Life;He is the Resurrection; He is Wisdom; He is Righteousness; He is Goodness; Heis Understanding; He is Alpha and Omega; He is the Beginning and the End; He isAll in All.
To merely acknowledge these as doctrinal truth is notsufficient. They must become experiential reality through personal encounterswith the Living Christ. The Lord is standing at the door knocking with apersonal invitation for profound fellowship and the unveiling of Latter Rainrevelation. For those who will forsake all else to dine with Him, this will bean age of greater glory and personal transformation into His very image. (Prophetic Word from Paul Keith Davis)
Blessings on you!
Regner
Regner A. Capener
CAPENER MINISTRIES
Sunnyside, Washington 98944
(509) 515-0133
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