Also, we can see that there will be plagues and famines as there has never been before. Back in Egypt, thousands of years ago, these godless people faced almost the same plagues that are described in the book of Revelation as well. It was a punishment for Egypt, not for Israel (God's people). Likewise, the plagues and the wrath in the book of Revelation are destined for the godless people who are left behind while God's people (the Christians and converted Jews) are safe in heaven. No place on earth will be safe. The biggest earthquake ever will come. The sun will heat up the earth and things like that. I thought Jesus loved His people and that He wouldn't let them endure these plagues and wrath? That just doesn't make any sense to me. The earth will be an absolutely hell hole here on earth during the final seven years.
J, please, go re-read what I wrote in that thread. Just stick with what Jesus says. I outlined it, as short and sweet as possible, dealing with the subject matter of TIMING... the sequence of events.
When people talk about the "rapture", the thing that is of concern is timing. Does it happen before...middle... or end of the horrible time that Jesus said was coming on the whole earth.
Next, brother, all saints are called to suffer for Jesus, so you should look at suffering as an opportunity. Not something to be afraid of or run away from.
Heb 11:35 Women received their dead by resurrection.
Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, that they might rise again to a better life.
Heb 11:36 Others suffered mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment.
Heb 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, ill-treated--
Heb 11:38 of whom the world was not worthy--wandering over deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Heb 11:39 And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised,
Heb 11:40 since God had foreseen something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
We said we would follow Jesus to death as demonstration of our love for Him, and that has been the case for a great multitude already during the past 2000 years.
Just a couple months ago, Islamic extremists burned 60 Christians in a cage, with a torch, and showed it to the national TV.
Then a few days later, beheaded a bunch more.