Prepared Not Scared

 I think I was born to be a weatherman, as I have always been intrigued by nature’s way of governing the environment.  Yeshua uses the weather to teach the Pharisees and Sadducees a lesson about their inability to perceive the times.  They seemed to be able to predict the weather conditions according to the appearance of the sky but were much less alert to the signs of the times (ref. Matthew 16:1-3). Today our technology and the science of meteorology are absolutely amazing. But even so, can it help us identify the times that we are living in?  Maybe. When He inflicted the plagues upon the Egyptians, YHVH used weather conditions.  There is one particular weatherman that I like to watch, who enjoys pursuing tornadoes.  He uses a slogan for severe weather conditions that has captivated my attention: “Don’t be scared, be prepared!”  I find it quite appropriate for our times. 

There is no shortage of preachers and teachers who are making predictions of what it will be like before Yeshua’s return. Most believe that there will be a horrible tribulation, but that the “church” will escape this period, as it will be "raptured out". This theory was postulated back in the mid-1800s. From that time on many who believed that they would be taken up before experiencing death must have been sorely disappointed, to say the least.  In the last century, for example, countless people were subject to great tribulations, especially with two world wars, major diseases and epidemics, famines, and even torture and death due to unrelenting faith.  So, what makes us feel that things are somehow going to be different at present?  We certainly need to be prepared to face difficult times. But if one clings to a promised escape by lift-off of some kind, its failure to materialize could cause great disillusionment and fear for the ones who have not been adequately prepared.

The Scriptures provide plenty of examples that make for a totally different interpretation, contrary to the rapture theory. In the Parable of the Sower, for instance, we are told about a man who scattered wheat seed in a field, but later an enemy came in and sowed tares in the same field.  And so, when the harvest time came the harvesters were told to take the tares out first and cast them into a fire, but the wheat was left behind, to be gathered later (ref. Matt. 16:30). What if we apply this example to interpret the following words of Yeshua? "I tell you, on that night there will be two men in one bed; one will be taken, and the other will be left. There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken, and the other will be left.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left" (Luke 17:34-36).   What if it is the wicked who are removed and the righteous are the ones who stay, like the tares and the wheat? Yeshua instructed us to pray: "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matt. 6:10).  Why would the righteous of YHVH’s kingdom be removed from it, only to leave the earth to the devil and his dark kingdom? The very purpose of the New Covenant to the House of Israel and Judah was and is to establish YHVH’s kingdom, which Yeshua will govern when He returns to earth with all those faithful ones who are now with Him. 

Zephaniah Chapter 1 gives us a glimpse into what it will be like during the tribulation.  In this chapter “the day of YHVH” is mentioned four times. “Near is the great day of YHVH, near and coming very quickly; Listen, the day of YHVH! In it the warrior cries out bitterly. A day of wrath is that day, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and battle cry, against the fortified cities and the high corner towers” ( Zephaniah 1:14-16 emphasis added). Verse 18 further emphasizes that “Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of YHVH's wrath”.   

“The day of YHVH” came to the Northern Kingdom about a century and a quarter before it was experienced by the House of Judah.  Did those who survived do so by being raptured, or did YHVH promise to preserve the ones who remained faithful before and during the awesome judgments?  “Be silent before the Lord YHVH! For the day of YHVH is near, for YHVH has prepared a sacrifice, He has consecrated His guests” (Zephaniah 1:7).   “Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without shame, before the decree takes effect-- The day passes like the chaff-- Before the burning anger of YHVH comes upon you before the day of YHVH's anger comes upon you.  Seek YHVH, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of YHVH's anger” (Zephaniah 2:1-3 emphasis added). In these words there is no hint of an easy escape, or some kind of removal, but, rather, of "being hidden" (the Hebrew verb is "se'ter"). The same word is used in Psalm 91, where he "who dwells in the shelter (se’ter) of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say to YHVH, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My Elohim, in whom I trust!’" (91:1-2 emphasis added). In this Psalm, the righteous are observing what is happening all around them (v. 8) but they are promised that it would not come near their tent (v. 10).

Zephaniah further informs us: "But I will leave among you a humble and lowly people, and they will take refuge in the name of YHVH. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong and tell no lies, nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths; for they shall feed and lie down with no one to make them tremble" (Zephaniah 3:12-13).  No matter what the circumstances, there is no need to be scared, but there is a need to be prepared.