PROTECTION DURING PERIODS OF TOTAL COLLAPSE OF A NATION
Judah had entered a period of great moral decay. They had become paganized and antagonistic to God's true prophets and his word. Crime and corruption were rampant so God had withdrawn his protection. They were being devoured by the world power of their day, Babylon. Yet, God protected true believers and the moral individuals remaining.
Jeremiah 24:4-8 RSV 4 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 5 "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place.... 6 I will set my eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up,.
The first wave of captives taken to Babylon were the best of the people. God worked it out where these individuals were taken into captivity in a less violent manners. They found safety, and over time, even prosperity. Those left behind became even more pagan and repugnant to God. They even murdered children to appease pagan gods. But God said of those he protected:
7 I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.
They, or their descendants, returned to the holy land, rebuilt Israel and the Temple that Jesus would preach in and, the country that founded the new covenant church. But of those that remained in Judah God said:
8 "But thus says the LORD: Like the bad figs which are so bad they cannot be eaten, so will I treat Zedekiah the king of Judah, his princes, the remnant of Jerusalem who remain in this land, and those who dwell in the land of Egypt.
God protected those in the first wave for they knew their God to some extant, and had not become rotten like bad figs, in His sight. This would include men such as Daniel. Daniel and his friends would not participate in any form of idolatry not even eating unclean foods. They were protected in a very precarious situation. Judah faced a destructive siege, but God removed those He wished to protect in this chaotic environment.
Jeremiah 29:4-14 RSV 4 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; ... multiply there, and do not decrease...., you will find your welfare.
The protected exiles are told to multiply because they are going to be blessed and protected. They are favored so God tells them through his prophet to settle down and enjoy the safety and prosperity.
11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and... I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.
During the days of the new covenant, God will also protect true believers.
NEW COVENANT PERIOD PROTECTION EVEN DURING CHAOS
Jesus talked about protection midst prophesied chaos for believers. He also warned his followers to be ready when they saw certain signs to leave Jerusalem. Historically this happened during the siege of Jerusalem by Roman legions. The Romans withdrew for a few months from the siege to gather reinforcements and supplies. Christians remembered the words of Jesus and exited the city before the horrible disaster ensued.
Luke 21:20-23 NKJV 20 "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 "Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 "For these are the days of vengeance,... For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.
This calamity is dual; it happened in the 69-70 AD period and will somehow apply in the end of this age. Around 25,000 plus believers escaped this cataclysmic disaster. Many in the future will be protected from the physical chaos as well.
Matthew 24:38-41 NKJV 38 "For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark... so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
Later, all will be safe in the kingdom of God, but the end of age period could be some form of three and half years of dictators' generated war and chaos. The similarity to what happened in 70 AD is obvious. God will warn his people to get out of dangerous places during this end time chaos period.
Revelation 18:2-5 NKJV 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen,.... 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5 "For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.
Possibly church leaders including the two witnesses may give guidance and details to believers as to where to travel for safety. Jesus promises protection for his people during the great trial that will happen to the entire planet.
Revelation 3:8-11 NKJV 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door,... for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. ...indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth....
Note those protected keep the Bible laws and have faith in Jesus. God loves and protects them.
BELIEVERS MUST HAVE A REAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS
God will protect those he has a relationship with in the midst of chaos. The Philadelphia Church is the prime example. Believers in a Philadelphian attitude or spirit are promised safety during the great trial on the earth at the end times.
Matthew 25:11-12 NKJV 11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
The first step in building a relationship with Christ is to repent of our sins and accept that we can only fully obey God with his help. Human efforts alone will not achieve the goal of growing spiritually. We must grow with Jesus' help in a humble, repentant spirit. Doing religious activities alone is not enough.
Luke 13:24-27 NKJV 24 "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, ... 25 "When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from,' 26 "then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.' 27 "But He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.'
Jesus gave a parable to help us understand the kind of man God will listen to and develop a relationship with.
Luke 18:9-14 NKJV 9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10... one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men.
Clearly this religious man was abhorrent to God. But he never knew it. While the man that acknowledged his sinfulness was listened to and embraced by God.
13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
The process of starting a relationship with God begins with us learning to despise the sinful aspects of our human nature. Then we can learn to let God help us grow into real righteousness. We should learn to love God. Jesus Christ gets the credit for our growth and salvation not us. God will love and protect us.
