Friday, February 22, 2019
As we prepare to endure to the end, remember that God is the same yesterday, today and forever, (Heb. 13:8). In that context consider that God said: “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, [killed their first-born, and destroyed Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea] and how I bore you [God’s people] on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself” (Exo. 19:4). Note the fitting metaphor of “eagles’ wings” for “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9).
And for those of us who love the Lord’s appearing, God encourages us, saying, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31). Notice again the metaphor of “wings like eagles”, for this will be crucial at the great tribulation. The secret to finding that end-time flight to God’s safety and provision (Rev. 12:6 and 14), is to “those who wait on the Lord”.
Ancient Egypt epitomizes this present wicked world. And what God did for ancient Israel in protecting and providing for her in the midst of wicked Egypt, He will do once again for those who believe Him, because He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And God’s promise is sure: “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done” (Eccl. 1:9).
At the mid-point of the tribulation “war [breaks] out in heaven” (Rev. 12:7), and Satan and his angels are cast out of heaven and come to this earth having great wrath for he knows his time is short. Then Satan’s full wrath will come against saints, but at that pivotal moment for those who know and believe Jesus, God will metaphorically carry them on “eagles’ wings” and keep them from Satan’s wrath, while God’s wrath befalls unbelievers and those with the mark of the beast.
Dear saints, true believers will NEVER suffer God’s wrath, but if Satan can find us, we will suffer his wrath, and that of his Antichrist, of his fallen angels, his Nephilim, his Principalities, his Powers, his Rulers of Darkness and spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. In that day God wants us to “be counted worthy” (Luke 21:36) to escape to His safety and provision on eagles’ wings, when “the woman [the prepared waiting Church] was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, [3 1/2 years] from the presence of the serpent” (Rev. 12:14).
For those who believe the testimony of Jesus Christ, and prepare therein, the great tribulation will be 3 1/2 years of another Noah-moment, buoyed by God; a Moses Passover-moment, kept from destruction; a Joseph supply-moment, being well fed; a psalmist-moment, when “Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked” (Psa. 91:8); “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” (Rev. 3:10), for when “the devil has come down to you, having great wrath” (Rev. 12:12), then God’s believing prepared saints mount up on “wings of a great eagle” (Rev. 12:14).
Time is very short now, and while God is graciously giving us this reprieve, let’s prepare in the testimony of Jesus Christ, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Rev. 19:10).
Marlin J. Yoder
