Expert: Dr Don Howe - 4/25/2011

Question
Hello. I have been reading and studying in the bible about the great tribulation and the events that happen along with it (such as the man of sin being revealed). How should/can a christian prepare for the tribulation? Is it possible to take the antichrist's mark or worship him without meaning to?

Answer
Janelle, thank you for your question. You asked "How should/can a christian prepare for the tribulation? Is it possible to take the antichrist's mark or worship him without meaning to?"

First, people who are really born again Christians who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior will not be around for the Great Tribulation. Janelle, at the end of this dispensation called the Church Age, God is going to tell His Son "go get my people." That will be when the Lord Jesus will not come to Earth but will Rapture the Church. For a christian at this point in time does not have worry about preparing for the tribulation but they need to make sure everyday they are be prayed up, rested up, loved up, because we are all MOVING ON UP when the Lord calls. Right now is an exciting time to live because we know where we are going, and we never know when the Rapture will take place, only God Himself knows. Not even the Lord Jesus knows that time.

Janelle, just make sure you are truly saved and born again and there will be no need to worry about the Tribulation.

I used the terms "really born again Christians" because everybody nowadays says they are a born again or they are Christians. But when you start looking at their life and what they are doing to spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. You find out they are no more born again then the computer you are looking at right now. It is easy saying you are saved, but if there is not a change in one's life and heart, then he is probably was not saved.

These so called "Christians" who really are not saved will not be Raptured and will go through the tribulation and then the Great Tribulation. These people will probably take the mark of the beast because they are not really believers. But do not be troubled. During the entire Tribulation Period the Gospel will be preached and people will truly become followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and some may take the mark of the beast and others will not take the mark and flee.
But even during the Tribulation, believers even if they are killed will be in Heaven with the Lord Jesus. Satan, Antichrist, and the False Prophet will be in their "new home" at the end of the Tribulation where there is fire and gnashing of teeth.  

I hope this helps. Keep studying your Bible.

Dr Don Howe, RN, PhD, ThD