In this blog I should like to delve into this phrase ‘sudden destruction’ a bit more and expose some rich truths from God’s Word regarding what is about to hit this planet. I want to give a shout out to Brother Chooch at TOL End Times YouTube channel for his recent podcast on this topic which inspired me to write this blog.
First, let’s look at the passage where this phrase, ‘sudden destruction’ is found.
“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4
- The word ‘sudden’ (Greek: aiphnidios) is used as an adjective in this passage; it means ‘suddenly.’ It precedes the word ‘destruction’ (Greek: olethros), thus describing the timing and quickness of this particular destruction. When it happens, it’s going to happen very fast.
Luke recorded Jesus’ words this way, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing (dissipation), drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” – Luke 21:34
- In this passage we see the word ‘unexpectedly’ (‘unawares’ KJV and ‘suddenly’ RV) which conveys a similar tone of ‘sudden, instant, and quick.’
If we fast forward to Revelation 6, when the seal judgments of the seven-year tribulation are being opened by the Lord (this occurs at the beginning of the tribulation), we discover that first four seals depict the beginning of the most horrific season this planet has ever, and will ever, endure. Some like to call these first four seal judgments, the four horsemen of the apocalypse. I threw in an extra seal judgment in this blog to make a point.
First Seal: The Antichrist: “Now I saw when the Lamb (Jesus) opened one of the (seven) seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” 2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” – (vs.1,2)
- This rider is the antichrist who will be revealed after the Rapture. The restraining power of the Holy Spriit has kept this man at bay until after the Church is removed in a pre-tribulation Rapture.
Second Seal: Conflict on Earth: “When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” 4 Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.” – (vs.3,4)
- This is WW3. The idea of taking peace from the earth implies that the entire world will be a war with one another. This ‘great sword’ implies WMDs which include nuclear, biological, chemical, and radiological weapons that are delivered via various missile systems that are already at the ready.
Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth: 5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” – (vs.5,6)
- The result of this exchange of firepower will be the financial collapse of global markets and a global famine that will quickly ensue. Food will be scarce and for those who can find it, it will cost them a day’s wage to get a loaf of bread. The ‘oil and wine’ infer the wealthy, who are not as affected by this seal judgment as of yet.
Fourth Seal: Widespread Death on Earth: “When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” 8 So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.” – (vs.7,8)
- The result of the great sword and the ensuing famine will be widespread death on a global scale. One-fourth of the earth’s population will die, bringing the global death tool to about 2 billion people.
Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs: “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.” – (vs.9-11)
- These ‘martyrs’ are the tribsaints; those left-behinders who come to faith in Christ after the Rapture and subsequently die as a result of the widespread death and destruction that will suddenly occur on the earth. These same will be caught in the crossfire of this ‘great sword’ and die as a result.
Dying in the tribulation is a hard way to go; and only then to be sequestered under the altar of the Lord for the duration of the seven-year tribulation; thus, missing out on the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. If more ‘fence sitting’ believers could only know what their awaits their fate, they would repent and come to faith in Jesus today; because tomorrow will be too late. By the way, the devil owns the fence that many procrastinators sit on.
When we put this scenario together, what we get is the prelude to the seven-year tribulation which cannot begin until after the Church is removed from the earth at the Rapture. It will all happen simultaneously, thus, masking what really happened. Communications will be disrupted so those left behind will not be able to communicate with each other in the way that they are accustomed to with our current instant global communication network.
People’s world will be radically rocked when this happens, Everything they have known in the form of sustenance will be gone instantly. All of the distraction and frills that they have been accustomed to will be instantly worthless as they strive to survive, looking for food and water, and avoiding others who are just as bent on survival, even by taking the lives of others. So much for ‘peace on earth, good will toward men.’
The left-behinders will be as scared as they are hungry, nothing else will matter to them. For those who believe that they just evolved and their existence is random, these same will most likely take their own lives to ‘escape’ the horrific aftermath of this ‘great sword’ that will suddenly come upon the world. This is exactly what the devil wants them to do, to take their own life, and thus die without Jesus, which will send them into Hell.
While this blog may seem scary and a bit depressing, I should like to encourage you to place your faith in Jesus and take courage in His Word, the Bible. If you’re saved and reading this, you will NOT be affected by this ‘great sword’ that will suddenly come upon this world because you will be gone. However, if you’re reading this and you are not saved, please place your faith in Jesus and receive Him into your heart as your Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only way to the Father; anyone who confesses their sin, asking Christ for forgiveness, and who turns from their wicked ways, these same will be saved by God’s grace. Jesus is the ONLY way!
As far as the ‘sudden destruction’ goes, when it happens, it will happen very fast. Major cities will be decimated as incoming WMDs to their work. People by the millions will be killed; too many of them will die without Jesus. It’s a sad reality that Bible prophecy has already foretold. It will happen as God has already written it out in the halls of heaven. Our responsibility is to pray accordingly, trust the Lord, and allow His Holy Spirit to use us to be a good witness to others who might come to faith in Jesus and be saved as we are.
A final thought for you. Do not fear what will come upon this world as it must come in order to fulfill Daniel’s 70th week. When Christ returns in His glorious Second Coming with His Church at the end of the seven-year tribulation, He will set things in order on this planet and begin the era of the Millennial Reign of Jesus. Until that happens, this world will continue to degrade.
As a true believer in Jesus, we are not to fear this ‘sudden destruction,’ but use it as a catalyst to warn others and win them to Christ if they are willing. We don’t fear the reaper, but it’s only because of what Jesus did for us in bringing us salvation that can only be found in Him. Be strong and vigilant my brother (and sister), as we live out these last days for the Lord. Jesus is coming soon so get ready, stay ready, and make ready!
Maranatha!
Encouragemen is a blog written by Pastor Rob Lee, recently relocated to Northern Missouri. He lives with his wife of 35-years, near their three adult children, their spouses, and children (their grandchildren). Pastor Rob is an Ordained Assemblies of God minister, a Lead Pastor (25+ years), police chaplain, and community advocate. He continues to serve, consult, and disciple men of God, including those who are in the ministry.
Encourage Men 