The Importance of Being Ready to Give a Defense of the Faith
One of the most talked about characters in the bible in recent years has been the identity of the 'beast' (also known as the antichrist) as mentioned in Rev 13:1, Dan 9:26, Rev 17:8. There is much speculation as to who this person will be but for this post I won't speculate on possibilities instead I'd like to bring attention to some scripture for the purpose of bringing clarity and possibly revelation on a certain aspect of the Book of Revelation.
Rev 13:10 states, 'If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.' (NASB Version).
It can also be translated as saying, 'If anyone leads into captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the steadfastness and the faith of the holy ones.' (NASB Version).
Either way of reading the scripture is quite clear, those who allow themselves or those close to them to be lead into captivity by the antichrist and his one-world system when it arises will go just that way. As joint heirs with Christ it is our duty to witness to the non-believer now before we are no longer on the earth for when the antichrist comes to power on the earth. He is only given this power because A. Satan gives it to him and most importantly B. because God allows it. The tribulation may happen in 2 years, it may happen in 10, one thing's for certain, the time will come when the body of Christ is no longer on the earth and all those who are left will have to use their own discernment to choose whether they can accept Christ as the way, the truth and the life or whether to submit to the one-world system of the antichrist by receiving his mark Rev 13:16-17.
The word(s) saints/holy ones used in Rev 13:10 is referring to anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and saviour. The idea in Catholicism of saints being almost worshiped and given certain days of celebration is not biblical and I've no doubt the saints themselves will not accept any of the praise given to them on these days but defer it all to the One who deserves praise, Jesus Christ/ God the Father.
The main reason I felt like sharing this was just to make the point that although there may be many times we have tried to share Christ's message of eternal life with many people, every time we witness the good news of Christ no matter how small it will be of vital importance when The Great Tribulation comes. Those who didn't receive the news of Christ as we may have wanted (although we should have no expectations) may well turn to that small piece of the gospel we shared when and if they have to go through the tribulation and they are on the earth when the antichrist begins to take center stage.
For this reason alone I believe it is of vital importance to 'always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you' 1 Peter 3:15. This doesn't mean be ready to ram the gospel down peoples throats 24/7 but it does mean have at least one good reason whether it be empirical evidence, historical data or personal experience as to why you believe it is perfectly reasonable to have faith in God and hope in Christ.
For some useful sources that I have referred to in the past please consider viewing the below:
2002 International Atheist Alliance Conference - Creationism/ Evolution Fossil Record Debate
A strong science-backed source for 'being ready to make a defense' - https://answersingenesis.org/theory-of-evolution/12-arguments-evolutionists-should-avoid/
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When the believers might have left this earth and the great tribulation is on going, then most people's eyes will be opened to see what Christians have been preaching to them over the years about the coming of Christ. But this time, if they choose to serve God, they'll have to pay for their Salvation with their own blood by refusing to take the mark of the beast. May God help us not to be ignorant of his coming.
Indeed, it's no wonder Christ said the unbelieving generation always ask after a sign. It was the same even when He was on the earth, the most respected religious leaders of the time accused Christ of having a demon. All we can do until then is share the word and plant the seeds, God will do the rest. Thanks for commenting :)
I have to disagree. Bible translators translate Revelation 13:10 this way:
(Revelation 13:10 NIV) If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.
(Revelation 13:10 NASB) If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
But that won't matter for those of us who are believers now. We won't be here to face the wrath of the antichrist.
With all due respect you've agreed with what I said, I've added the hotlink to biblegateway.com Rev 13:10 into the article for you, please notice the Lockman Foundation (NASB publisher) unlike many translations has noted the fact that many Greek/Hebrew/Aramaic words from the original manuscripts can have more than one meaning in modern day English. Both versions I have given above are from the NASB translation, you will see the additional meanings for the words marked by letters under the passage, i.e [a], [b], [c] etc.
As for being different to the NIV, yes there are a few words different but they do not change the message of the scripture. If everyone were to debate between ourselves with regard to a word here and there the gospel would seldom be understood in the first place. If we all had that attitude we may as well stop studying the word right now, as the body of Christ it's our duty to make use of the power Christ gained over the earth the day he ascended from Sheol with the keys to the underworld in His hand.
In Matt 16:19 Christ said, 'I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” The more often you say such the things the more power you're giving the enemy over the will of man in the unseen, spiritual realm. As Paul said we wrestle not with flesh and blood but with principalities, powers and spiritual forces of wickedness in high places. I do not believe as He looks down right now Christ would support the idea that we deem no importance in sharing the Word with those we believe may be going into the tribulation, and to add, how do you or I know who is destined to captivity? Only the Father knows and as for the sake of a persons soul aside from those who harm children in perverse ways I believe Christ when he says John 16:23-24 'In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.' 'Anything' seems to imply if we have faith and conviction through His love and nothing else the Father will have pity upon those whom we care enough to prayer for deliverance.
I feel it's most important to cast out our fear through love (1st and 2nd most important commandments for a reason).
This doesn't take away the message of my post which is as 1 Peter 3:14-16 states, "But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame."
Peace be with you fellow believer.
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