Afraid? Of What? (Santosh Poonen)

Most people believe in a “comfort-driven” doctrine about the rapture, with the misconception that Jesus will whisk away His Church before the 7-year Great Tribulation. “We have failed! We should have made the people strong for persecution, rather than telling them that Jesus would come first. Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution, how to stand when the tribulation comes — to stand and not faint.” (a Bishop from China to Corrie ten Boom) Jesus grants the kingdom to those who have stood with him in tribulation. (Luke 22:28-30) When you are going through tribulation, it’s merely God allowing Satan to sift you; amid your sifting, don’t let your faith fail. (Luke 22:31-32) The world will give you tribulation, but take courage in knowing that the world has already been overcome by Jesus. (John 16:33) The truth about the rapture: What will happen: Jesus will descend from heaven with a shout, the archangel’s voice, and the trumpet of God. The dead in Christ will rise first, and then we who are still alive on earth will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air. We will then be with the Lord forever. (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) When will it happen: After many people fall away (the apostasy) and the antichrist is revealed, and after the tribulation, Jesus will come in the sky (with power, glory and the great trumpet) to gather the elect from the earth. (II Thessalonians 2:1-3; Matthew 24:29-31) Prepare for war in times of Peace: sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts (I Peter 3:15); fear God and you won’t have anything else to fear (I Peter 3:13-14; Isaiah 8:13; Matthew 10:19); treasure God’s Word and fullness of the Holy Spirit; learn to encourage and help your brothers and sisters (Hebrews 10:24-25). Afraid? Of What? (The following poem was written by E.H. Hamilton soon after the martyrdom of his friend, J.W. Vinson, at the hands of rebel soldiers in northern China. A small Chinese girl who escaped from the bandits related the incident that provided the inspiration for Hamilton’s poem. “Are you afraid?” the bandits asked Vinson as they menacingly waved a gun in front of him. “No, he replied with complete assurance. “If you shoot, I go straight to heaven.” Vinson’s decapitated body was found later.) Afraid? Of what? To feel the spirit’s glad release? To pass from pain to perfect peace, The strife and strain of life to cease? Afraid? Of that? Afraid? Of what? Afraid to see the Savior’s face, To hear His welcome, and to trace The glory gleam from wounds of grace? Afraid? Of that? Afraid? Of what? A flash – a crash – a pierced heart; Brief darkness – Light – O Heaven’s art! A wound of His a counterpart! Afraid? Of that? Afraid? Of what? To enter into Heaven’s rest, And yet to serve the Master blessed? From service good to service best? Afraid? Of that? Afraid? Of what? To do by death what life could not - Baptize with blood a stony plot ’Til souls shall blossom from the spot? Afraid? Of that?