Many young families are concerned about the future and protection of their young children in these perilous days. As we watch world events unfolding before us, loving and caring parents in God’s Church undoubtedly have questions about the safety and well-being of their God-given children. For some, having additional children—or children at all—in this day and age might itself be in question.  

With these questions in mind, let’s refresh our minds with God’s comfort and then examine our faith in His promises and encouragement! 

 Just before His death, Christ gave an important lecture about the time of the end, recorded for us beginning in Matthew 24. He shared multiple parables containing important lessons for His true followers. In Matthew 25 we read about the parable of the ten virgins, which we understand to be a metaphor for people in the Church. The parable teaches that five of the virgins were not ready, after which Christ concludes with a sober warning to “watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:1-13). Here Jesus Christ puts an important responsibility on the believer. 

The account of this lecture is paralleled in Luke 21 where, during the parable of the fig tree, we are again warned to “take heed” to ourselves, lest we get caught in the trappings of this life, whatever they may be, whether physical pleasures, material goods, worldly politics or any other care of this life. This is not to dissuade young people from working hard, being successful and investing in their future financially or through education. But there must be an emphasis on the critical need to prioritize our spiritual calling first. Christ then adds “watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36, emphasis added throughout). Once again, Jesus Christ places responsibility on believers. 

We need to be wise members in God’s Church, watching ourselves and praying that we may not get caught in society’s trappings and become unwise and unprepared virgins. Jesus Christ is the Judge (John 5:22); He will determine who will be counted worthy not only to escape, but also to be in the first resurrection. 

Just prior to Christ’s return, we read of a time of great tribulation (Matthew 24:21). Elsewhere in the Bible, the psalmist praises God’s protection, “A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you” (Psalm 91:7). In His message to the Philadelphians, Christ promised them that since they kept His commandment to persevere, He will keep them “from the hour of trial [the Great Tribulation] which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10). 

In Revelation 12:14 we see that part of the Church flies “into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.” This scripture seems to indicate that a portion of the Church will be protected for three and a half years from Satan’s deception. Those that do escape are set apart and their children are equally holy (set apart), even if one of the spouses is unbelieving (1 Corinthians 7:14). That is our great hope for our children. 

With a portion of the Church having escaped, Satan is enraged with the remaining Church members and he goes out “to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). These Church members also keep God’s commandments and hold onto Christ’s teachings, but they do not escape the Great Tribulation. Why? 

What is the difference between these two groups?

What else must we do, besides keeping the Commandments and the testimony of Christ? 

Scripture offers various clues to this question. One such clue is that the promise of protection is given to the brethren identified as those with “brotherly love” (Philadelphia). These individuals are “kept from the hour of trial” because they kept Christ’s “command to persevere” (Revelation 3:10). 

Those promises are not repeated in Christ’s message to the Laodicean church—they believed they were wealthy and had need of nothing, but He tells them they are “wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17). These are advised by Christ to buy from Him “gold refined in the fire” (Revelation 3:18). Could it be that the Laodicean believers allowed their love to “grow cold” because lawlessness was abounding? Jesus then adds, “he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:12-13). That enduring aspect surely includes that believers’ love does not “grow cold.” 

The love of God is a great differentiator! “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:10-11).

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). 

We also can gain encouragement from God’s words to His servant, Joshua: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6, New International Version). God is faithful; He does not lie (Titus 1:2). “This hope we have as an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19). 

We know that when Satan attacks the Church times will be very difficult, but the fact is no one knows the day or hour, except the Father. One admonition is to pray that our time of flight may not be on certain days, such as during pregnancy, nursing times, in winter or on the Sabbath (Matthew 24:19-20, 36-44). God can open and close wombs at His time and according to His will. “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22). 

He will show His marvelous lovingkindness and keep us as the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:3-9). Even “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). 

God wants our children to escape the Great Tribulation because He is faithful. He has a wonderful role for them and the rest of His people as pioneers and examples in the wonderful world tomorrow. 

We can state without any doubt, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust” (Psalm 91:2). We are implored by Christ to pray and continuously examine ourselves that we may persevere in God’s love till the end, not permitting our love to wax cold. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born [begotten] of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). “Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection” (Colossians 3:14). UN