Tribulator or Overcomer?

The hour that Jesus warned about in Luke 12:40 is nearly here...

"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

With that being said, it is imperative that we each follow the instructions from Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5 - "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." At this moment, from the Throne of God Almighty, we are counted in one of two groups. We are either a Tribulator or an Overcomer. Here's the definition of each:

TRIBULATOR - (1) One who never professed faith and salvation in Jesus Christ before the rapture and was left behind to endure the 7-Year Tribulation period (2) One who professed faith and salvation in Jesus Christ before the rapture but never conquered the sin in their life and never allowed the Holy Spirit to change them to become more like Christ and therefore must endure the 7-Year Tribulation period (3) One who professed faith and salvation in Jesus Christ and followed the ways of the Lord at one time but eventually chose the backslidden life over the life of victory and must therefore endure the 7-Year Tribulation period (4) One who hates the name of Jesus Christ and those who follow Him who will be enduring the 7-Year Tribulation period (5) One who believes all roads lead to Heaven and that good works are all you need to get there who will be enduring the 7-Year Tribulation period.

OVERCOMER - (1) One who completely and solely trusts in the shed blood of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of all their sins, who was clay in the Potter's Hand and become more like Jesus every day because Jesus was the True Love of their life (2) One who lived in this world, but did not allow this world to live in them because they were set apart by the Power of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

It is imperative that we know whether we are a "tribulator" or an "overcomer" because there are three major misconceptions about the Rapture that must be considered before the Trumpet Call.

Misconception #1 - Everyone who says they are saved is going in the Rapture

(a) Only those who watch and pray (Luke 21:36)

(b) Only those who look for Him (Hebrews 9:28)

Misconception #2 - Backsliders will have time to repent when they hear the shout

(a) Three sounds occur at the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

(b) In John 12:29, not all people heard the voice of God

Misconception #3 - The Rapture could be 1,000 years from today

(a) Warnings about scoffers (2 Peter 3:3)

(b) Warnings about not discerning the signs (Luke 12:56)

TRIBULATOR CHARACTERISTICS

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. (2 Timothy 3:2-5)
They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. (2 Timothy 3:6-7)
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. (Romans 1:29-31)
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Galatians 5:19-21)

Bottom line - A tribulator has the heart of Satan...In Isaiah 14, Satan professed before God, "my will be done - not Yours!"

OVERCOMER ATTRIBUTES

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)
Be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. (1 Peter 1:13-15)
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
The salt of the earth and the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-16)
Treasures stored in heaven, not on earth. (Matthew 6:19-20)
Hard work; perseverance; cannot tolerate wicked men; tests those who claim to be apostles; endures hardships in the Name of Jesus; has not grown weary; endures testing, afflictions, and poverty; faithful witness in the Name of Jesus; charitable; patient; filled with love and faith; keeps the Word of God; never denies the Name of Jesus. (Revelation 2-3)
Quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (James 1:19-20)
Keeps themselves from being poluted by the world. (James 1:27)

Bottom line - An overcomer has the heart of Jesus Christ...Just as Jesus professed in the Garden of Gethsemane to His Father, "Your will be done, not Mine".

Revelation 22:7 - "Behold, I am coming soon!"

WAITINGFORJESUS, P.O. Box 411751, Melbourne, FL 32941 or WAITINGFORJESUS@gmail.com