-- 2 Timothy 3:1
Commentary:
How Many Will Be Raptured/Martyred
in the End Times?
How Many Will Be Raptured/Martyred
in the End Times?
These are just my thoughts and my end time theories may not line up with yours.
"Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth."
Revelation 3:10 ESV
Here is what I believe:The Bible gives us clues of what will happen in the last days
In the last days we are told to "watch and pray," just like Jesus told the disciples in the garden. Moreover, Jesus went "over there" (heaven) and we remained here (earth).
The disciples could not stay awake. Jesus wakes the disciples and says "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation" -- Matthew 26:41
Concerning the last days, the Bible tells us the same thing.
This indicates that "watching" is about spiritual preparation for the difficult end times.
The disciples fall asleep 3 times.
The church today is asleep. We all know anecdotally that the church is sleeping and also because we are told in the parable of the ten virgins.
Because the church as whole is asleep, most are not mentally and spiritually prepared for the tribulation ahead.
Judas is a picture of the anti-christ and he is coming. And the anti-christ(like Judas) will surprise the sleeping church.
When Judas (anti-christ figure) came up the hill, the disciples initially scattered.
Will the church scatter initially when the anti-christ is revealed -- I think yes.
In the garden, "a young man was following Him (Jesus), wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him. But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked."
-- Mark 14:51-52
The end time Bible verse that patterns this verse is found in Revelation:
"Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame." -- Revelation 16:15 NASB
We do not want to be ashamed when Jesus comes. We want to be "spotless and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27)
The apostle Peter initially denied Christ 3 times before repenting.
Will about 10% of the followers of Christ initially deny Jesus before repenting? -- maybe.
One of the 11 disciples used a sword in the garden.
Will about 10% of followers of Christ initially try physical strength against the anti-christ? -- maybe.
After collecting themselves, the disciples went on to evangelize amidst much persecution.
I think the same will happen during the end times.
And eventually 10 of the 11 apostles were martyred (about 90%).
In the end times, I believe 90% of Christians will be martyred, leaving only about 10% to be raptured.
Jesus said, "Will I find faith on earth when I come?" -- Luke 18:8
And remember, God cuts the Great Tribulation short for a reason. (Matthew 24:21)
Only John was not martyred.
The bible says we need "patient endurance" for the end times.
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
--- Hebrews 12:1
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. --- Revelation 3:10
I think it is important to note that John described himself as having this quality:
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. --- Revelation 1:9
Did the other apostles lack this quality? I do not know.
And I do not know if the end times will play out this way.
I do know we all "must be ready" for the Lord.
Luke 12:40
I do know we should "not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes" (whatever level of persecution that's coming our way.)
--- 1 Peter 4:12
I do know that the Lord says in His word that we "have need of endurance."
--- Hebrews 10:36
I do know that "Scriptures must be fulfilled" (Matthew 26:54)
I do know that "if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s."
-- Romans 14:8
** In Part from Nelson Walter's YouTube channel video: "The Passover Vigil and the End Times - Watch and Pray"
Revelation 3:10 ESV
Here is what I believe:
I believe the Garden of Gethsemane story is a picture of end times from start to finish **
In the garden, Jesus tells the disciples to "Sit here while I go over there and pray." and then: "remain here and keep watch with Me." -- Matthew 26:36-38In the last days we are told to "watch and pray," just like Jesus told the disciples in the garden. Moreover, Jesus went "over there" (heaven) and we remained here (earth).
The disciples could not stay awake. Jesus wakes the disciples and says "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation" -- Matthew 26:41
Concerning the last days, the Bible tells us the same thing.
This indicates that "watching" is about spiritual preparation for the difficult end times.
The disciples fall asleep 3 times.
The church today is asleep. We all know anecdotally that the church is sleeping and also because we are told in the parable of the ten virgins.
Because the church as whole is asleep, most are not mentally and spiritually prepared for the tribulation ahead.
Judas is a picture of the anti-christ and he is coming. And the anti-christ(like Judas) will surprise the sleeping church.
When Judas (anti-christ figure) came up the hill, the disciples initially scattered.
Will the church scatter initially when the anti-christ is revealed -- I think yes.
In the garden, "a young man was following Him (Jesus), wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him. But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked."
-- Mark 14:51-52
The end time Bible verse that patterns this verse is found in Revelation:
"Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame." -- Revelation 16:15 NASB
We do not want to be ashamed when Jesus comes. We want to be "spotless and without blemish" (Ephesians 5:27)
The apostle Peter initially denied Christ 3 times before repenting.
Will about 10% of the followers of Christ initially deny Jesus before repenting? -- maybe.
One of the 11 disciples used a sword in the garden.
Will about 10% of followers of Christ initially try physical strength against the anti-christ? -- maybe.
After collecting themselves, the disciples went on to evangelize amidst much persecution.
I think the same will happen during the end times.
And eventually 10 of the 11 apostles were martyred (about 90%).
In the end times, I believe 90% of Christians will be martyred, leaving only about 10% to be raptured.
Jesus said, "Will I find faith on earth when I come?" -- Luke 18:8
And remember, God cuts the Great Tribulation short for a reason. (Matthew 24:21)
We know that having
Patient Endurance is a needed attribute in the end times. (Revelation 3:10)
We know that our Testimony is important in the end times. (Revelation 12:11)
We know that John had "patient endurance" (Revelation 1:9)
Initially all the disciples scattered, and some (like Peter) even initially denied Jesus.
John did not scatter and I believe he did not lose his testimony.
He was at the cross.
(John 19:26–27)
John was the only disciple not martyred.
Having patient endurance,
not hiding in a bunker waiting for Jesus to come, and maintaining your testimony are important for being raptured.
The bible says we need "patient endurance" for the end times.
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
--- Hebrews 12:1
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. --- Revelation 3:10
I think it is important to note that John described himself as having this quality:
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. --- Revelation 1:9
Did the other apostles lack this quality? I do not know.
And I do not know if the end times will play out this way.
I do know we all "must be ready" for the Lord.
Luke 12:40
I do know we should "not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes" (whatever level of persecution that's coming our way.)
--- 1 Peter 4:12
I do know that the Lord says in His word that we "have need of endurance."
--- Hebrews 10:36
I do know that "Scriptures must be fulfilled" (Matthew 26:54)
I do know that "if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s."
-- Romans 14:8