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This article is not meant to scare you but to let you think hard and consider the option of dying a martyr’s death if “rapture” doesn’t come on time before or during the great tribulation. I do not mean to argue with anyone whether or not “rapture” is a certain event which the Christians are holding on to, in the hope of escaping the severe persecution that is coming to the Body of Christ.

The purpose of this article is to call for preparation, not by hoarding food and supplies, but preparation of the heart, mind and spirit that we may be able to stand in our faith and not renounce our Lord and Messiah Yeshua when faced with death by whatever means, even death by the sword, gallows or guillotine.

Since the Lord opened my spiritual senses and gave me revelations of the end-time events unfolding in our time, I have never received anything about the Church’ popular hope and belief which is the “Rapture.” If the awaited “rapture” will take place, that’s something we all greatly welcome; but what if it doesn’t happen?

Have you ever considered the possibility of rapture not coming to pass and instead, consider the fact that we may indeed be martyred for the faith we so profess today? Rapture of the “True Church” may come, but the word of the Lord in the Book of Revelations is also clear that there are those who will die for proclaiming the Word of God.

Revelation 6:9-11 (CJB)

When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been put to death for proclaiming the Word of God, that is, for bearing witness.

They cried out in a loud voice, “Sovereign Ruler, HaKadosh, the True One, how long will it be before you judge the people living on earth and avenge our blood?” Each of them was given a white robe; and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow-servants should be reached, of their brothers who would be killed, just as they had been.

Revelation 7:13-14 (CJB)

One of the elders asked me, “These people dressed in white robes- who are they, and where are they from?” “Sir,” I answered, “you know.” Then he told me, “These are the people who have come out of the Great Persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb.

Did it ever occur to you that you could be one of those who will die a martyr’s death for the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach? Did you ever consider going through such Great Persecution and persevere?

Since the very vivid dream I had last year of me and my family marching our way to the guillotine, the feeling didn’t leave me that it may, in the near future, take place.

For the past few weeks, this feeling has been coming strongly over and over especially when I read a piece of document talking about “extremism.” I believe all the more that the Great Persecution is already at the doorsteps. Everyone who speaks against wickedness and calls sin “SIN” is, to the world’s ideology, an extremist.

The world we live in has turned upside down. Standing for righteousness and holiness in God’s standard and perspective is labeled as “right-wing extremism.”Standing against abortion and other (im)moral issues is extremism and put one in the checklist of those whom the authorities are closely watching.

Where does all this lead the ‘True Church’ which means the real, genuine Christians standing for the one true God and all that He has taught us? Are we not all candidates for persecution even unto death? The complacent, apathetic and compromising believers might be safe for now, but where will that lead them if they don’t make their stand?

The Lord’s message for the Church still rings:

“I will visit the Church and shake her with violent shaking to separate those are truly Mine from those who are not. I will wake up the believers before pouring out My wrath upon the land. I will cause my children to arise and speak up boldly against all the wickedness in the land; I will pour out my grace through men and women who hear Me, to call forth people to repentance while there is time. Those who will hear and repent will be saved but those who harden their hearts will certainly perish!”

Christians who are still asleep and comfortable, beware! Don’t wait for the Lord to shake you violently to wake you up. The days ahead are not getting any better and brighter as most often proclaimed in the pulpits. We are in the days of trouble not favor in view of the world. The favor of the Lord will not leave us as we truly abide in Him; for His favor is His glory that surrounds us like a shield; but it does not make us comfortable in this world.

The favor of the Lord instead will make us more undesirable for the world, more unpalatable as His glory shines in us and through us, in direct contrast to all the evil that so filled the world and held it captive unto satan, the devil. Make up your mind and make your stand. Train yourself and be ready unto battle. Warfare is what we face each day. Be rather persecuted by the world for doing what is right, standing in holiness for the coming of the bridegroom, than wounded by the Lord for doing wrong, living as the rest of the world lives.

Will you cooperate with the Lord or resist Him and be caught unprepared? Are you willing to lay down your life for Him in the coming tribulation? Then start laying down your life today by giving Him full control, allowing Him to lead you and direct you in everything. Yield to the Lord Jesus, cling, abide, and hold on to the anchor of your soul.

Again, brothers and sisters, are you willing to be one of those martyrs in the Book of Revelations? Are you ready to die a martyr’s death for our Lord and King Messiah Yeshua, Jesus Christ? If you’re scared, here’s what our Savior says:

Don’t fear those who kill the body but are powerless to kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in Gei-Hinnom (hell). Matthew 10:28 (CJB).

Much love in Christ,

Cynthia

Note: This article is also posted in my blog “From the Father’s Heart” http://cynthbelarmino.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-message-for-church-are-you-ready-to.html