John 3:16 is undoubtedly the most quoted and loved verse in the Bible among believers. It seems to be plastered everywhere – in subways, on billboards, and on the faces of football players that millions of people see. So much so that even people who don’t believe the actual scripture itself could probably quote it. It encapsulates the Good News Gospel so beautifully:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18).
We see the promise again in John 10:28:
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
In addition to John 3:18, Romans 8:1 also says plainly that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”
This is His assurance to us that those who believe in Him will not come into judgment and will not face death – we’ve already passed from it!
John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
According to the above promises (in addition to others), believers are not appointed to wrath or judgment. 1 Thessalonians 1:10 says Jesus is our Deliverer from the coming wrath.
“and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”
Galatians 1:4 says He died on the cross to deliver us from the (G1764) impending, at-hand evil age:
“who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”
The tribulation is indeed judgment, wrath, and condemnation for those who are perishing because they haven’t believed: judgment seals, judgment bowls, and trumpet judgments. All of the judgments are the wrath of God (John 3:36): the wrath of the Lamb, who will avenge His blood (Rev. 6:16), and the wrath of the devil, who knows his time is short (Rev.12:12). The wrath begins with the sudden destruction, so we know this is part of His wrath, as He spoke about it beforehand in numerous places. Those abiding in Christ cannot be destroyed, so we can’t be there for the sudden “destruction.”
Through faith, we’re shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5):
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Our Savior, Christ Jesus, has abolished death and lit up the way to life and immortality through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8-10). This is a holy calling, the upward call of God through Jesus Christ.
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
The antichrist is coming against those who are perishing because they do not have the love of truth; they’re condemned because they did not believe the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). All of the scriptures reveal that our Almighty God is the Mighty Warrior who saves and delivers, so that darkness and sin cannot overtake us. All of the scriptures from beginning to end point to this truth: it is the very will of God that we be saved from our sins, our enemies, and wrath.
Part of the gospel message commonly referred to in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 repeats “according to the scriptures” twice. The repetition is in that passage for a good reason. Everything we speak forth (the seeds we’re sowing) must be according to the scriptures, lest we be found to be speaking lies and sowing the seeds of the enemy, who most definitely does not want us to be delivered. All scriptures are inspired by God, and none of them should be disregarded, especially when considering the Truth of the salvation and deliverance of the Messiah who shed His blood and died for us. Paul didn’t shrink back from “declaring the whole counsel of God,” and neither should we (Acts 20:27).
Here is another passage which plainly calls the mercy of His deliverance a Holy Covenant, one in which we may serve Him without fear for all of our lives, which is eternal life through Him. His will is that we serve Him, and not the antichrist.
Luke 1:70-75
“As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.”
So then, here is a question each of us has to ask ourselves: with God having made this plain, and all of history (such as our forefathers escaping Egypt, Lot escaping wrath, Noah and his family escaping the flood, etc.), why is this so hard for people to believe? Didn’t He say that we will not be destroyed, that if we’re clothed in His righteousness, we won’t be found naked and ashamed? These are all things He told us in His Word. What wonderful promises! Would we not want to cling to hope that we will be rescued and delivered when the fowler lays his snare to capture us? I’m going to leave this verse here as a reminder that His word is true, and we’re called to speak His words only.
John 12:48 “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him— the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.”
Some other promises which reveal a pre-tribulation rapture:
Jesus told us that the gates of hades shall not prevail over the Church, whose house is built on the Firm Foundation of the Rock (Matthew 16:18).
- So no one should say the antichrist can take us captive and destroy us in the sudden destruction (we aren’t destroyed, 2 Corinthians 4:9 and many others).
- No one should say that we’ll be shaken (we will not be shaken, Acts 2:25 and many others).
- No one should say that we’ll be moved (we won’t be moved, 1 Corinthians 15:58 and many others) when every mountain and island is moved from its place (Revelation 6:14, 16:20 and others).
- And no one should say that death will have its way with us.
Anyone who says this will have to take that up with Almighty God Himself.
All of God’s promises are yes and amen in Christ. The only way we’ll be destroyed is if we’re walking on the wrong path: the one that leads to sudden destruction and the rider whose name is Death.
Proverbs 12:28 “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.”
The Living One holds the keys to death and Hades (Revelation 1:18). If the Living One holds the keys to death and Hades, and we are His body and filled with His Spirit, then we can’t be turned over to death because the Head of the Church, our Savior and Deliverer (Messiah), in whom we’re abiding, holds the keys! In His name, we hold the keys to the Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19):
“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
We also have to keep in mind (the mind of Christ we’ve been given, 1 Corinthians 2:16) that He is our Groom:
“For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the Church” (Ephesians 5:29).
Our hope is in Christ; He is our Blessed Hope. His mercies are new every day, and they never come to an end (Lamentations 3:22).
Paul’s farewell message in 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 has a wonderful message to all of us who hear it (my notes added):
“Finally, brethren, farewell (Chairo – “Rejoice! Be glad! Be well!”). Become complete (restored to wholeness and perfection). Be of good comfort (the Holy Spirit comforts), be of one mind (the mind of Christ, the Holy One), live in peace (Jesus is peace, live in Him); and the God of love (love keeps no record of sins) and peace (Jesus) will be with you (this is a promise!). Greet one another with a holy kiss (the kiss of holy matrimony between those of the bride and groom).
“All the saints greet you (greeting us from outside of time). The grace (unmerited favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and the love of God (love always protects), and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”
Blessings,
Angela