Tribulation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThDwS79HPhs 

From the Princess Bride, "Life is pain!  Highness.  Anyone who says  differently is selling something."

Tribulation is defined as a state of great trouble or suffering.  World War II, the Great Depression, and the Spanish Flu of 1918 were great tribulations. 

The Roman attack and destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, AD 70, was great tribulation.  The revolutions in Russia and China were great tribulations. 

Many are wondering out loud if 2020 is a time of great tribulation.  From the porch of our cabin in the Crow Creek Valley, it does not seem so bad.  But what is coming?

https://rgonce.blogspot.com/2012/12/from-peaceful-visa-of-front-porch-of.html

Some folks are offended by my talk about life being a battle.  But it is.  Life is a battle between the forces of good and evil.  Life is our proving grounds.  And the main issue is what do I believe about Jesus?  Is He the Messiah, the Son of God?

Wrong thoughts and actions produce pain and suffering.  The human experience is the source of suffering.  There is a way (many ways) that seem right to mankind, but the end of that is the way of death.  Satan promised greatness and delivered death to Eve.  The lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life rule our human nature.  We need a savior.  

https://rgonce.blogspot.com/2013/03/pictures-of-salvation.html

Yet, despite the evidence of history, many are enamored of the idea that mankind can save him/her self.  Instead of seeking eternal value, some manage to trap themselves in the very limited scope of this life, and refuse to look beyond.  I am offended by all the talk about listening to our experts, the very people who have advanced the mess in which we find ourselves mired. I will listen to people who believe Jesus is Messiah.

I know how blessed we are in this nation.  I have visited the precious people in India, Africa, Nepal, Bangladesh, and even Papua New Guinea.  People who live a primitive life style, by the labor of their hands and caring for one another. All were once trapped in Paganism, but faith in Jesus transforms their lives and helps them to make good decisions, helping each other. When I first visited, many did not know Jesus.  But now faith is growing, and I get many messages from people who now have cell phones.  How times change. Every day I get pictures on messenger of people who have come to believe in Jesus, and are being immersed in water as He commanded, by His authority, and so they are being added to the number of God's family. 

But our own nation is trying to go backward, away from the Judeo- Christian values which have blessed us. Do not be deceived.  Whatever a man sows, he will reap.  Sow the wind and reap the cyclone. If you think this is tribulation, you ain't seen nothin yet.  

17 Then another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, the angel who has authority over the fire, and he called with a loud voice to the one who had the sharp sickle, “Put in your sickle and gather the clusters from the vine of the earth, for its grapes are ripe.” 19 So the angel swung his sickle across the earth and gathered the grape harvest of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse's bridle, for 1,600 stadia.[c]

One hundred eighty four miles.