Why we should NOT... be ashamed of "Escape"

We often hear a complaint from others about the Pre-Tribulation Rapture believers wanting to escape the Tribulation, as though we are lazy Christians and have to be purified in at least the first half of it for some reason.

Apparently Christ's work on the cross wasn't enough, and the promise to the church of not being appointed to wrath is of no effect.

Christ does not receive a battered and bruised Bride (Trib purified Church), and He doesn't receive only part of His Body (Partially Raptured Church) when He comes for her. The work done to purify her and finish her is Christ's alone to do, and He will, and has completed it for every single believer He knows as His own.

I would tell you, and show you from scripture, that this pre-trib "escape" they complain about is promised by none other than Christ Himself in (Luke 21:36).

For a lot of people, when you bring up the 21st chapter of Luke's Gospel, they immediately relegate it to the Second Coming of Jesus on earth. They consider this by way of the "Olivet Discourse" first found in (Matthew 24). and also in (Mark 13).

They also often assume (Matthew 24) is only about the Jews at the Second Coming. All three of these scriptures are clear in and of themselves that it is not the sole focus.

In (Matthew 24:3), the disciples ask Jesus a 3 piece question. Many seem to miss the distinction here, and the fact that Matthew, Mark, and Luke cover the perspective differently, while saying the same things.

Matthew 24:3 While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”

- When will these things happen?

- What will be the sign of Your coming?

- What will be the sign of the end of the age?

The last two are encompassed in one sentence, but are actually two very different things.

"Your coming" and the "End of the Age". There is a reason they are separated by an "AND" and not linked by an "AT".

What you have here is a 3 part question. (2) What's,  and (1) When, that includes both What's. All three Gospels cover the three parts, but it is Luke's 21st chapter that points it out the clearest as both Jew and Gentile, and Christ's coming for His own, as well as His 2nd Coming.

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Luke's Gospel has the distinction of being written towards all men. In fact, in the first chapter, Luke in verses 1-4, dedicates this writing that follows, to Theophilus.

Now most people when presented with what appears to be a name, consider it such and try to find out about Theophilus to not much success.

It is quite likely that it was to all men in general, since, Theophilus means "Lover of God". And the only one who would read it, would be by necessity, a "Lover of God" (and His word). In the time of Luke, they would understand this. It would be akin to a southerner saying "to all y'all".

There is an interesting dynamic going on in the first 4 verses,

In the first 2 verses, Luke explains that "many have undertaken to record an account of the things fulfilled among us (plural), just as they were handed down to us (plural) by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word."

Not only does Luke describe the purpose (an account), and the target audience (Lover of God), but he also shows a proper humility, without having to say it, that he was not an Apostle. He was however a great Disciple, and a great friend to the Apostle Paul, and he would go on to write the book of Acts a couple years later.

In verse 3, is where we find Theophilus mentioned, and in verse 4 we get the why of the purpose... "so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught."

The account Luke writes is for the "Lover of God", and is for them to be certain about the things they have been taught.

If Theophilus is a singular person by name, it reduces the writing to a personal letter between Luke and this person. We know Luke much more than this from later writings of the book of Acts as well as the Apostle Paul. This simply does not fit the context. This is to everyone, Jew or Gentile, who are a believer, and therefore a Lover of God.

There is no change here from plural to singular in these first four verses. Luke is addressing everyone who reads this book in a cordial way and salutation.

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So with this in mind, lets take a look at Luke Chapter 21, verses 25-36 which are divided into (3) contextual parts. We take the context from the word itself, and not the assumed context we have been taught through the years. We will also see the logical flow of the events within the context of those very verses as well.

- Signs that precede His Coming and our full bodily redemption (25-28)

- The when of Israel as the time piece to know the season (29-33)

- The caution about our hearts and focus in those days. The escape before the global trial even begins, the quality of the one who escapes, and where they escape to (34-36)

So for reference, and to make it easy on everyone, I will post this section within my blog post. I use the Berean Study Bible (BSB), if anyone wants to know.

Luke 21:25-36 There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because YOUR REDEMPTION is drawing near.” Then Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth. So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

In verses 25-26 we get a list from Jesus of what to watch out for to know when His Coming (for us) is near. Things all taking place at the same time.

- Signs in the sun and moon and stars

- On the earth dismay among the nations

- Also bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves

- Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth
- The powers of the heavens will be shaken.

And at this same time in verse 27, everyone will see Christ (Son of Man) coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Notice that He is in a cloud, and not on Mount Zion or Mount of Olives. This is further reinforced by the fact that in verse 28, Jesus goes backward in tense to state that when these things begin to happen (not have already been fulfilled fully) we are to stand up and look up, as our Redemption draws near. Redemption is full bodily redemption at the Resurrection and Rapture of the Church, and it takes place in, and we are gathered to Him in, the clouds.

This is not Second Coming (Jesus feet on the ground), in judgment and battle mode in wrath.

Redemption is when you have purchased something or someone with a price, paid that price, sealed that item or person with a seal of ownership, and return to collect the purchased item or person. The receipt and seal being His blood and His Spirit.

A note about the title of "Son of Man" used in verse 28 and also later tied to it in verse 36. Son of Man is Christ's Kinsman Redeemer title, so it is fitting here to be used rather than a Judgment title when dealing with wrath and judgment.

We then get a word picture from Christ (verses 29-33) about the general times when this will occur using Israel (the Fig Tree) as the time piece. Indeed all the nations, since it is only found in Luke that Jesus is quoted as saying "Look at the fig tree and all the trees.".

Trees represent the nations. The Fig and Olive tree is Israel, and obviously other trees are the other nations. Here we see both being used, when their leaves sprout, we know that summer is near. Summer is harvest time.

This gives a general timing of when summer/harvest is near prophetically. Israel (the Fig Tree) only became a nation in late 1948 and early 1949. Her leaves sprouting in the decades that have followed.

So here we have both the signs of His Coming (and when), as well as the End of the Age (and when).

What follows in verses 34-36 are nothing short of a profound caution as well as a confirmation of pre-tribulational Redemption (Resurrection and Rapture).

Jesus tells us in verse 34 to watch, not for a date, but our hearts and our focus. The date is unattainable for men, for Jesus states elsewhere that He comes at a time when no one expects, as a thief in the night. We are to watch our hearts and not get bogged down in the world, or we will be caught off guard by it when it does occur. He has given us what to look out for, and what to do when it begins, and in the meantime we patiently endure all we are given in life until He comes for us. We will not be caught off guard.

Verse 35 tells us that that day and trial will come upon all those who dwell upon the earth (globally), and by definition it is the start of it.

Lastly, in verse 36, we are told to keep watch (over our hearts) at all times and of the things He told us to look for, and pray that we have the strength to ESCAPE ALL that is ABOUT to happen (not already has finished happening), namely that of the Tribulation, so that we may stand before the Son of Man.

Standing before the Son of Man refers to the (BEMA) judgment seat of Christ. Not for judgment over sin, as Christ has already dealt with that. It is finished! Tetelestai!

It is necessary for all who stand there to be redeemed and immortal to even be there.

And what of "Pray that we have the Strength to escape"?

- Prayer is the direct line of communication with God in our personal relationship with Him. Without it, how do you know Him, or He you? Prayer is the enactment and expression of Faith. It means you believe He is who He says He is, and that He is listening to you and regards you as one of His. It means you believe in His promise and direction, and His cleansing. Paul reminds us to "Pray Always".

- Who's strength? Certainly not our own. No, not ours, but His strength, His power, His will, His salvation.

- Escape what? The Tribulation of course. You can not escape ALL that is to come if you are already in the middle or at the end of it. All means ALL.

One last scripture to link here to (Luke 21:35-36) is another scripture from Christ Himself to the church of Philadelphia, in the Revelation of John, chapter 3, verses 8-11. Here we see confirmation of what we discover in (Luke 21:35-36).

Revelation 3:8-11 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. For you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name. Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

In verse 8 They have little strength, yet they keep His word and do not deny His name. This is the essence of Faith. His strength is sufficient for them. And verse 10 cinches the deal, look at their reward for Patient Endurance! They are KEPT from (not taken through) the trial that is about to come upon those who dwell upon the whole earth (the Tribulation). In other words, they "escape". In the meantime, they are told to hold fast to that which they have, so as not to lose reward.

They hold fast to Faith. It's the only thing that has ever mattered. And it is the thing that pleases God. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

So... "Escape" is the word Christ used, escape is the promise I believe in. Escape is the only thing that is encouraging (1 Thess 4:18), and No one and No thing will make me ashamed of Him or His Promise (Romans 10:11).

Romans 14:16 Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil.

Grace and Peace to you in Christ Jesus! Maranatha!

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Don't be a grape. 🚫 🍇

🦊 Jack [ The Foxman on the Wall ]