Is There a Place of Safety?
Is the Church going to flee to a place of safety from the
coming Great Tribulation? Or will God just protect us wherever we are?
What does the Bible say?
This world is about to be plunged into a holocaust more terrible than
the eyes of man have ever seen!
This horrible period, the time when Satan's wrath reaches its peak just
before the end of this age, was described by Jesus Christ in Matthew
24:21-22:
"For
then shall be great tribulation. such as was not since the beginning of
the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days
should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the
elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
God will be forced to supernaturally intervene on this earth to prevent
man's total annihilation. This intervention will be brought about by
Jesus Christ, who will return in glory and power to reestablish God's
government on earth and set up the Kingdom of God.
But what will happen to God's Church during the Great Tribulation?
Notice Christ's promise to the Philadelphia church in Revelation 3:10:
"Because thou hast kept the word
of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation.
which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the
earth."
The Philadelphia church is to be protected from the Great Tribulation.
But how?
Are we going to go to some wilderness area where there is no food or
shelter? Will we be whisked away on a fleet of surplus World War II
planes? Are secret plans for this escape being made even now ?
Or will God Himself protect us in our homes or wherever we are when the
Great Tribulation begins?
There are secret plans
The Church does not have any secret plans about a "place of safety.''
But God does!
God has revealed enough in the Bible to make it clear that He will
provide for His Church to go to a place of protection at the right
time, to the right place and in the right way.
Will God protect His people wherever they are during the Great
Tribulation, as some claim? Of course God can, but will He?
God could have miraculously protected Noah and his family for the more
than one >ear they were in the ark, but He didn't choose to.
Noah and his family had to go into the ark. their "place of safety."
God could have supernaturally protected Lot and his family in Sodom,
but instead God sent angels to lead him out of that wicked city, so Lot
and his family could go to their "place of safely."
It is not what God could do, but what He will do that counts!
Some Church members set dates about when they think the Church will
flee. They count back three and a half years from the date they think
Christ is going to return. But since no one knows when Christ is going
to return (Matt. 25:13). such guesses are useless.
A few have gotten "prepared" by collecting passports, silver
coins and special food, they want to be sure
they are ready when the time comes. One family apparently even moved to
the nation of Jordan, thinking that the Church was going there in 1972.
They wanted to be there to greet the Church on arrival!
Some people get really excited about this subject of the Great
Tribulation and the "place of safety."
No "place of safety"
Just what does the Bible say about all this'.' Does the Bible say. "The
Church is going to flee to a place of safety"?
No, it certainly does not! The statement is scripturally
inaccurate on two counts: 1) The Bible nowhere says that the Church
will "flee" in the end time and 2) the Bible nowhere uses the phrase
"place of safety." Try to find it in a concordance if you think
otherwise.
Such faulty beliefs are commonly held by some in the Church because
they misunderstand what the Scriptures really do say.
In order to better understand this subject, we need to review four
different but related events.
Early Church migrated
The first event occurred as a result of Christ's warning in Luke
21:20-21 (compare Matthew 24:15-22):
"And when ye shall see Jerusalem
compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Then let them which are in . . . the midst of it depart out: and let
not them that are in the countries enter thereinto."
This prophecy was fulfilled after events in Judea in the fall of A.D.
66. Jerusalem was surrounded and besieged by the Roman army under
Cestius Callus. After a few days, for no apparent reason, the siege was
lifted and the Romans departed from the area.
Sometime after this (the exact time is not known), before Gen Vespasian
and the Roman forces returned and besieged Jerusalem starting at the
Passover in A.D. 69. the true Church did leave Jerusalem and Judea for
protection.
They did not "flee" in the literal sense. The Greek word in Luke
21:21 means "to escape
or run away, to take flight" (not flying in the air).
The only ancient reference to this "escape" is found in the writings of
Eusebius. who lived from A.D 260(?) to 340(?). Eusebius said the Church
went to Pella sometime between A.D. 66 and 70, Pella is northeast of
Jerusalem beyond the Jordan River, south of the Sea of Galilee.
But the members of the
church in Jerusalem were
instructed by a prophecy, revealed to the leaders, to abandon the city
before the war and to take up residence in one of the cities of Perea
which was named Pella from Jerusalem the followers of Christ migrated
to Pella" (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, III. 5).
When did the Church move or "migrate" to Pella? It had to be late in
the period A.D. 66 to 71).
Had the Church moved early in the period they would have been killed or
captured by Vespasian's army, which was active in northern Palestine.
They would not have been harmed later, however, before the final siege
of Jerusalem.
Some believe the Church left after the "sound" was heard, in the
Temple, of a great multitude saving, "Let us remove hence." This
incident was reported by the Jewish historian Josephus, who said it
occurred on a Pentecost (see Josephus. Wars, book VI, chapter 5,
section 3 for the report on this and other unusual events surrounding
the fall of Jerusalem).
This move or migration of the Church was no emergency "flight" as
described by Luke and Matthew, but it made protection
possible for the Church during
and after the fall of Jerusalem.
Those in Judea flee
The second event we need to understand involves this same prophecy.
There will be an end-time fulfillment of this text, but it is an
urgent, emergency escape.
"Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains: Let him which
is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Neither let him which is in the field return back in to take his
clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give
suck in those days! But pray ye that your (light be not in the winter,
neither on the sabbath day: for then shall be great tribulation, such
as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever
shall be" (Matt. 24:16-211.
There are several points we should notice here. This refers to people
of God in Judea. Those people of God's Church who happen to be in this
geographical area when the abomination of desolation or surrounding of
Jerusalem comes to pass must literally flee for their lives! They will
not even be able to go back into their homes to retrieve clothing,
food, Bibles or family.
Those left inside the homes will have to flee in the same manner as
soon as they become aware of these events.
People in this circumstance will be in such danger that they must not
call attention to the fact that they are fleeing, or they will be
captured and unable to escape. They must flee, run away, escape (not
fly in the sky by plane) to the mountains. Jerusalem is surrounded by
hills or mountains: these mountains may not be the ultimate
destination, but would have to be passed through to ultimate protection.
Church fled to the wilderness
The third prophecy we must understand concerns God's Church from about
A.D. 325 to about
1585 Notice
Revelation 12:6: "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she
hath a place prepared of God, that they should reed her there a
thousand two hundred and threescore days."
This scripture describes the Church after Christ's ascension to God's
throne (verse 5) and before the end-time "war in heaven" (verse 7).
In this case the woman also "fled" ("fled" here comes from a word
related to the word translated "flight" in Matthew 24:20). The period
mentioned is 1,260 days, which in this place prophetically refers to
1,260 years according to the "day for a year" principle found in
Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:5.
The Church in this text flees into the "wilderness." a solitary,
lonely, desert place.
Here is what happened historically:
The Church was severely persecuted during the reigns of both Emperor
Diocletian and Emperor Qalerius from A.D. 303 lo 313, especially in the
eastern provinces (see Revelation 2:10).
In A.D. 325 Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea. Catholicism
became the slate religion. In order for God's Church to fully obey God
and put into practice their beliefs, they had to "flee" from the
centers of influence and into the less-populated areas.
In the early period of this exile, the true Christians were
most numerous in what today is eastern Turkey In later centuries they
were found in scattered areas of Europe, especially in the mountains
and small valleys, still away from major population centers.
Around 1585, 1,260 years later, Catholic domination of the throne in
England ended. This brought to a close the period when the Church had
to carry on in the wilderness, or less populated, lonely areas of
Europe and Asia Minor, instead of the greater population centers where
Catholic and later even Protestant churches flourished.
The fourth related event we need to understand concerns the very end
time, just three and a half years before Christ's return.
The Church that flies to her place
After the war in heaven pitting Michael and his angels against the
devil and his angels (Rev. 12:7), Satan is cast to the earth and starts
a new, vigorous persecution against the Church (verse 13).
After this we read: "And to the woman were given two wings of a great
eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where
she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. from the face
of the serpent" (verse 14)
Note that the woman (the Church) is given two wings of a great eagle,
that she might "fly." Here the Greek word literally means "fly" (as a
bird or plane does), not flee or escape by other means. She flies to
"her place", which could imply ownership. Here she is nourished (fed
physically and spiritually) for three and a half years ("time, and
times, and half a time").
Verse 17 shows that there are certain others in the Church who do not
make this flight. They face not just persecution from Satan but war
with him, and there is no indication of divine protection for them.
Are there many places?
Some people claim that there will be many "places of safety." They say
God will simply protect us wherever we happen to be during the Great
Tribulation. But the scripture says the Church will go to "her place"
(verse 14). The word place is singular, not plural, so it must be just
one place.
Where is that one place? It is said to be in "the wilderness." That
indicates a solitary, sparsely populated area.
This place of God's protection may quite possibly be in the area
anciently occupied by Edom. Moab and Ammon, since that area will escape
the final invasion of the king of the north (Dan. 11:41). Other
prophecies show that this same area will later be taken over by people
from the east (Ezek. 25).
Several texts, including Isaiah 16:1-4, 33:13-17 and 42:1 1-12.
indicate that Petra, located in this wilderness area, might be the
place.
The word Petra, which comes from a Greek word meaning rock, is called
Sela in Hebrew. The area is very rocky and is generally entered through
a narrow pathway with precipitous rock walls on each side.
The area has been inhabited at various times over past millennia and is
noted for the many man-made caves cut out of its reddish rock.
If this is the place where God takes His people in the end time, it
will be found to be very inhospitable. There is no water, food,
facilities or conveniences here for soft people used to 20th-century
conveniences and stores. The temperatures in this desert area are
extreme in both summer and winter, and even from night to day.
If Petra is the place, it would certainly not be the Kingdom of God on
earth (the Kingdom of God will come three and a half years later).
Petra would not be paradise. It would probably be the greatest trial
ever for many of God's people.
Truly a "place of safety"?
Wherever the place, will it be a place of safety? It will apparently be
safe from Satan. But it will not yet be God's Kingdom. Those who go
will not yet have "endured to the end." They will not yet have it made.
They will still be able to sin and fall away. To some the "place of
safety" could prove to be a place of danger and the place where they
finally lose out on salvation.
In this place it will be necessary to live together in peace and
harmony 24 hours a day for 1,260 days. Some in God's Church can't get
along in peace with other members of the Church for any length of time
now. Some husbands and wives can't get along in
peace with their converted spouses for one day. Let
alone 1,260 days! Obviously some are going to have to change and
overcome a lot to survive such a "trial ".
How will the Church go to "her place? Even though the scripture seems
to indicate air transportation, that is not
the only possible explanation. A similar statement is found in Exodus
19:4: "Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you
on eagles wings and brought you unto myself." The ancient Israelites
never heard of modern air transportation. They walked out of Egypt!
Just who will go to this place, away "from the face of the serpent
(Satan]"?
Who will be taken?
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee
from the hour of temptation. which shall come upon all the world, to
try them that dwell upon the earth" (Rev. 3:10)
The Philadelphia church is kept from this sore trial that is going to
come on all the world. This verse does not refer to any period of
temptation the whole world went through during the time the original,
small church at Philadelphia existed. It can only refer to the Great
Tribulation, but different words are used.
This trial takes place for an "hour." Is this an indefinite
time. or does it refer to the same "hour" the 10 kings receive power
with the beast (Rev 17:12)? (Compare Revelation 13:5.) Such a time of
trouble can only refer to the Great Tribulation.
Luke's gospel gives further information about who will escape "all
these things":
"Watch ye therefore, and pray
always, that ye may be accounted worth) to escape all these things that
shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36)
Who are these people "accounted worthy" to escape?
Those worthy will be watching. In plain language, they will be
observing world, national and local events, especially as they relate
to prophecy, so that they will not be caught unawares by the snare that
will trap the rest of the world.
Those worthy will he praying
always each day — not neglecting
this essential part of Christian life. Their prayers of intercession,
prayers for help, prayers for forgiveness and prayers for God's Kingdom
to come will be continually going up to God.
These people will become worthy through Christ's sacrifice and
forgiveness of sin. and not as a result of their own "worthiness."
Matthew adds other points that we should notice (Matt. 24:42-51). Those
who are ready will be doing God's Work, giving "meat in due season."
They will, in other words, be doing their part in preaching the Gospel
to the world as a witness.
They will be giving of themselves, not trying to get from
others. Such people who are living their lives in God's service will
save their lives:
"for whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will
lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it" (Luke 9:24)
Those who are trying desperately to save their own lives by going to a
"place of safety" may find that such safety will not be provided for
them.
Many Church members have expressed concern about their children and
unconverted relatives.
Will they be protected during this time? Other scriptures and biblical
principles should make the answer clear.
Those obedient minor children (notice the example of the children under
20 years of age Numbers 14:2) would undoubtedly be protected with their
converted, worthy parents.
Unconverted spouses who are supportive of God's Church may become
converted at a late date (see I Corinthians 7:16). Unconverted and
antagonistic spouses would obviously not receive protection and mercy
from God at such a time.
When God shows the Church's
leadership what to do, some members
undoubtedly will decide that it is too early, too late, the wrong place
or the wrong way to go, and so will not go.
Others will probably find that leaving family, homes, jobs, friends and
personal possessions and comforts is more than they can bear, and they,
too, will remain behind.
Certainly there will be much personal sadness and sorrow over those
loved ones left behind.
They will have to go through the greatest time of trouble in all
history. the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord. Going through
this time will not be the picnic or holiday some seem to think it will
be!
Concentrate on giving
Wherever it i,. whenever it is, the place of God's protection is one
where the Church will be nourished physically and spiritually for three
and a half years It has been aptly called the "place of final
training." That term implies a lot of previous training. We need to be
acquiring that training now.
Why are so many people so excited about this so-called place of safety?
In too many cases, people are looking only for an escape from the
coming holocaust They are looking for a way to save their own skins!
They are trying to save their lives, but in the process they may lose
them, just as Christ said.
We are supposed to give our lives, not try to save them. It is through
the process of giving our lives that our lives may be saved.
The main lesson we all need to learn is to do the job God has given us
— preaching the Gospel to the world as a witness and getting close to
God spiritually and staying there.
Forget about trying to save yourself and concentrate on helping others.
Do your part and God will protect and provide for you during the
soon-coming Great Tribulation.
by Leroy
Neff Good News May 1982
Brought to you as a Study
Resource by the