“From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” — Galatians 6:17 (NASB 1995)
Paul was hurt because he loved Jesus and told people about Him. He had real marks on his body!
Even if we don’t have scars, we can still show others we belong to Jesus by how we love, share, and obey.
Try This: Draw a heart and write ways you show love for Jesus.Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me live in a way that shows I follow Jesus. Thank You for being with me always. Amen
“From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” — Galatians 6:17 (NASB 1995)
Paul didn’t seek approval—he bore scars for the truth. Today, we might not face stones and chains, but we do face pressure to fit in and be quiet about Jesus.
What marks your life? Is it culture… or Christ?
The Holy Spirit gives you courage to live set apart—to let your life preach, even when your voice shakes.
Challenge: Think: If people looked at your life, would they see Jesus?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, make my life bold for Jesus. Mark me with courage, not compromise. Amen.
“From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” — Galatians 6:17 (NASB 1995)
Paul wasn’t speaking metaphorically. He bore scars—real wounds from beatings, stonings, and persecutions for following Jesus. His life was branded by loyalty to Christ.
The Spirit strengthens us to endure hardship for Jesus’ sake—not out of pride, but because we belong to Him.
You may not carry visible scars, but your life bears witness to the One who saved you. Let the world see the marks of grace, love, obedience, and endurance through the Spirit’s work in you.
Reflection: What marks of Jesus are visible in my life?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, shape me into someone who bears the image of Christ in all things. Let my life reflect His presence, no matter the cost. Amen.
From the series: Understanding the End Times — A Biblical Framework
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NKJV)
Few questions stir as much debate among believers as the timing of the rapture. Will the church endure the Tribulation, or will Christ gather His people before that time of wrath begins?
The Pre-Tribulation view teaches that the church will be caught up to meet Christ before the seven-year Tribulation. Far from being an escape theory, this position rests on God’s promises, His consistent patterns of deliverance, and the blessed hope He gives His people.
The Promise of Deliverance
Jesus promised His faithful ones:
“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” — Revelation 3:10
Notice: not merely kept through it, but kept from it. This points to removal, not endurance, during the global testing.
God’s Patterns of Deliverance
God’s character is consistent: He delivers His people before pouring out judgment.
Noah — delivered through the ark before the flood (Genesis 7).
Lot — removed from Sodom before fire fell (Genesis 19).
Israel — sheltered under the blood of the lamb before Egypt’s firstborn were struck (Exodus 12).
Jesus Himself tied these events to the last days: “As it was in the days of Noah… as it was in the days of Lot… Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:26–30)
God does not pour out His wrath on His own.
The Distinction Between Israel and the Church
1 Corinthians 10:32 speaks of three groups: Jews, Gentiles, and the church of God. The Tribulation is described as “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7), focused on Israel and the nations.
The church, however, is promised deliverance:
“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:9
This distinction is critical. Confusing Israel and the church leads to confusion about prophecy.
The Doctrine of Imminence
Titus 2:13 calls the rapture “the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The rapture is imminent — it can happen at any time. If it were mid- or post-Trib, then believers would first have to wait for Antichrist, for the abomination of desolation, and for the judgments to unfold. That would rob the church of its watchful expectancy.
Only Pre-Trib preserves the hope that Christ could come today.
Comfort, Not Terror
After teaching about the rapture, Paul concludes: “Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
If the church were destined to endure the horrors of Revelation 6–19, how would that be comforting? The comfort comes from knowing that before judgment falls, Christ gathers His bride to Himself.
Reflection
The Pre-Trib position is not built on wishful thinking, but on the promises and patterns of God. He delivers before wrath, keeps His church distinct from Israel, calls us to live in watchful readiness, and gives us comfort, not fear.
Reflection Questions
How does Revelation 3:10 encourage you about God’s promise of deliverance?
What do Noah, Lot, and Israel’s Passover teach us about God’s pattern before judgment?
How does the doctrine of imminence affect the way you live each day?
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You that You have not appointed us to wrath but to salvation in Christ. Teach us to live with expectancy, watching for our Blessed Hope. Strengthen us with comfort, not fear, and make us bold to share the gospel while there is still time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” — Galatians 6:16 (NASB 1995)
Paul speaks a blessing over those who “walk by this rule”—the new creation life led by the Spirit, not the flesh.
This kind of walk is marked by peace and mercy—not perfection. The Spirit leads us in humble dependence, and when we walk that way, God’s peace and mercy rest on us.
There is deep rest in surrender. When we stop striving and walk in step with the Spirit, we find the peace we were made for.
Reflection: Am I walking in the Spirit’s leading—or my own strength?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I want to walk in the peace that comes from following You. Keep me in step with Your voice today. Amen.
One World Government: “And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.” (Revelation 17:12–13) — This speaks of a future global confederation of kings (or regions) who unite under the authority of the Antichrist. This is a centralized world government, short-lived and driven by satanic influence (Rev. 13:2), ultimately giving rise to the final Beast system described in Daniel and Revelation.
One World Religion: “So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast… And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:3–5) — Revelation 17 describes Mystery Babylon, a global false religious system that fornicates with kings and seduces the world into spiritual adultery. This woman rides the Beast, meaning the Antichrist initially uses religion to gain global control, but later destroys her (Rev. 17:16–17). This fits the image’s implication of interfaith ecumenicalism paving the way for universal worship , eventually pointing to the worship of the Beast himself (Rev. 13:8).
One Leader: “And he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate…” — Daniel 9:27 (NKJV); “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NKJV) — This leader is the Antichrist, described as the Little Horn (Dan. 7:8), the Beast from the sea (Rev. 13:1), and the man of sin (2 Thess. 2:3). He rises in a time of chaos, offering peace and order, but ultimately demands worship and blasphemes God.
One Purpose: “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” (Revelation 13:7); “All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life…” (Revelation 13:8) — The “one purpose” of Satan is to unite mankind in rebellion against God, to exalt himself above all that is called God (2 Thess. 2:4), and to enslave the world in spiritual darkness.
“And in the Darkness Bind Them”: “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark… and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast…” (Revelation 13:16–17) — This is bondage in darkness, not merely economic control, but spiritual enslavement, sealing allegiance to the Beast and eternal separation from God for those who take the mark (Rev. 14:9–11). The world is not heading toward unity, peace, and progress, it is heading toward consolidated rebellion under Satan’s final push. But Jesus Christ, the true King, will return and shatter this false unity with the sword of His mouth (Revelation 19:15).
“And the kingdom and dominion… shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.” — Daniel 7:27 (NKJV)
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