Detail

 Other than artistic ability, detail is the only difference between a stick figure drawing and Philippe de Champaigne’s rendering of Moses presenting the ten commandments. Detail matters, as do details, but it’s hard to debate when any discussion of the tribulation triggers most Christians as violently as the patriarchy does college-aged females in the West.

I believe the reason for the largely Pavlovian response to the tribulation the Bible speaks of is the assumption that if we are still here, then we too will suffer the wrath of God which will be poured out on the wicked. This could not be further from the truth.

Just as the Word tells us we must be in the world but not of it, the world can be in utter chaos, but the children of God will remain in perfect peace. What better opportunity to see God’s protection, provision, and power than in the midst of the storm?

The most frequent murmur I hear from believers is that they’ve never seen the supernatural power of God manifest as in the days of old or as other believers in other nations have. What I am quick to point out is that they’ve never been put in a position wherein they needed to see that power manifest because they’ve never been hunted, tortured, persecuted, or called to stand for their faith at the cost of their life.

We claim to want to see the power but shy away from circumstances and situations where that power would become a necessity. It’s like wanting six-pack abs without doing any crunches and having peach cobbler as your mainstay meal.

We want to see God’s supernatural provision, but the closest grocery store is less than a mile away, fully stocked, and running a special on ham and beef tips. Jesus multiplied the fishes and loaves when a need arose, and there were no conventional means to meet the need. Elisha did likewise with the flour and oil.

We want to see God’s supernatural protection, but for most modern-day Christians in the West, their definition of persecution is when the coffee shop in the church lobby runs out of soy milk, and they’re lactose intolerant. What do they need to be protected from, exactly? Hurt feelings, excess gas, not finding a parking spot close enough to the entrance?

It’s not their fault they have no clue what real persecution is. They’ve lived sheltered lives in a free nation, but a bit of perspective should serve anyone who thinks that a sideways look or being called a nasty name qualifies.

Today, as you are reading these words, there are mothers forced to watch the slaughter of their daughters, fathers forced to watch the abuse of their sons, men being starved, women being raped, and entire households being beheaded, all for the high crime of being a Christian and refusing to deny Christ.

Because we no longer encourage new converts to count the cost, because we outright refuse to tell them there are costs to being a follower of Christ. It’s all upside beginning with the moment you sign on the dotted line, including the rest of your earthly life and eternity as an added bonus. Zero down, zero interest, just take the keys to your new mansion and ride off into the sunset.

Because the shepherds refused to tell their sheep that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution, the minute persecution lands on the shores of these United States, you’ll have scores of people scraping fish stickers off their back bumpers and hoping no one noticed them while they were there.

Those walking by faith do not stand out when no faith is required to stand. The house built upon the rock and the house built upon the sand can seem identical until the storm comes. Once the storm commences, however, is when you see the wisdom of building on the rock and the folly of building on the sand.

The day is coming when the just will live by faith. The day is coming when you will walk through the fire and not get burned. Crying out, Lord, show me your power, but without any discomfort, unease, or denying of my flesh isn’t going to cut it, though. 

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea, Jr.