*Please print (Ctrl+P) & share this letter to encourage those left behind after the rapture.

http://bit.ly/3PyMC5l  (link to an additional copy of letter)

​

A MESSAGE TO THE TRIBULATION SAINTS:

(A scriptural letter)

Dear Saints,
 

Blessed are you who are persecuted because of righteousness, for yours is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  My people have been tried by mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover by bonds, and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were hewn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword, they wandered up and down in sheep’s skins, and in goats’ skins, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented: whom the world was not worthy of: they wandered in wildernesses, mountains, dens, and caves of the earth.  These were all commended for their faith.  Apostle Paul wrote, “Unto this hour, we hunger, thirst, are naked, buffeted, have no certain dwelling place, and labor, working with our own hands: we are reviled, and yet we bless: we are persecuted, and suffer.  We are evil spoken of, and we pray: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things.  Wherefore, I pray you, be followers of me.  We are afflicted on every side, yet are we not in distress: we are in doubt, but, yet, we despair not.  We are persecuted, but not forsaken: cast down, but we perish not.  Everywhere, we bear about in our body, the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus might also be made manifest in our bodies.  We faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed, daily.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, causeth unto us a far most excellent and an eternal weight of glory: while we look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen, are temporal: but the things which are not seen, are eternal.  But in all things, we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, and in fastings.  He said, "My grace is all you need.  My power works best in weakness."  Now, I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, anguish, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword?  For we are killed all day long: we are counted as sheep for the slaughter: nevertheless, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  We rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation bringeth forth patience.  And patience, experience, and experience, hope.  And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us.”  Now, for a little while, you have been grieved by various trials, and the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, is tested by fire, yet in the end, receive the salvation of your souls.  If you suffer for righteousness' sake, and patiently endure testing and temptation, God is pleased with you.  For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.  For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.  Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.  For to this end, Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.  For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.  Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, and despised the shame, and is set at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider, therefore, Him, that endureth such speaking against of sinners, lest you should be wearied and faint in your minds.  He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.  Be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.  Yet what you suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to you later.  Yes, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.  The evil men and deceivers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation.  But do not fear any of those things which you suffer.  For God is the source of all comfort.  He comforts us in all our troubles.  For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ.  Then you can patiently endure the suffering.  Therefore, do not in any way be terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.  For to you, it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.  Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  We are proud of your endurance and faithfulness in all the hardships you are suffering.  And God will use this persecution to show His justice, and that you must, through much tribulation, enter in and be made worthy of His Kingdom.  In His justice, He will pay back those who persecute you.   And God will provide rest for you.  When the Lord Jesus appears from heaven, He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.  They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power.   It is written, if the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own.  Yet, because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore, the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’  If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.  If they kept My word, they will keep yours, also.  But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.  Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?  And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.   But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.  Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father Who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father Who is in heaven.  Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’  He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.  Everyone will hate you because you are My followers.  But not a hair of your head will perish!  By standing firm, you will win your souls.  In the Scriptures, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said to the King, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.  Behold, our God whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the hot fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.  But if not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."  Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.  It is written, I saw before me a glassy sea, mingled with fire.  And I saw them who did not worship the beast.  They were victorious over the beast, of his image, of the number of his name, and neither had taken his mark on their foreheads or on their hands.  They were all holding harps that God had given them.  And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and marvelous are Your works,

O Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are Your ways,

O King of saints.

Who will not fear You, O Lord,

and glorify Your name?

For You alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship before You,

for Your judgments are made manifest.”

Then I saw seats, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge.  And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God.  They lived, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.  God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the first things are passed.  These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me, you might have peace.  In the world, you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.
 

​

​(Daniel 3:16-18, Matthew 5:4-12, Matthew 10:28-39, Luke 21:17-19, John 15:18-21, John 16:33, Acts 14:22, Romans 5:3-5, Romans 8:17-18, Romans 8:35-39, Romans 14:7-9, Romans 14:12, 1 Corinthians 4:11-13,16, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 2 Corinthians 5:10, 2 Corinthians 6:4-5, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Philippians 1:28-29, 2 Thessalonians 1:4-9, 2 Timothy 3:10-13, Hebrews 11:36-39, Hebrews 12:2-3, James 1:12, 1 Peter 1:6-9, 1 Peter 2:20-21, 1 Peter 3:14-17, Revelation 2:10, Revelation 14:12, Revelation 15:2-4, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 21:4)

​

 

​

​

*Created and compiled by Jennifer Lynn O'Connor

                                      God's love in poetry

                                  

​

​​​​___________________________________________________________________
Scriptures to Encourage Persecuted Christians:

​

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said to the King, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. Behold, our God whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the hot fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known to thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."

(Daniel 3:16-18) GNV

 

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed shall ye be when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you for my sake, falsely. Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you.

(Matthew 5:4-12) GNV

 

And fear ye not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him, which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing, and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father? Yea, and all the hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace into the earth, but the sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s enemies shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that loveth son, or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that will find his life, shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it.

(Matthew 10:28-39) GNV

 

Everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But not a hair of your head will perish! By standing firm, you will win your souls.

(Luke 21:17-19) NLT

 

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also: if they have kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things will they do unto you for my Name’s sake, because they have not known him that sent me.

(John 15:18-21) GNV

 

These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

(John 16:33) NASB

 

...confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

(Acts 14:22) AKJV

 

...but also we rejoice in tribulations, knowing that tribulation bringeth forth patience. And patience experience, and experience hope. And hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us.

(Romans 5:3-5) GNV

 

And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

(Romans 8:17-18) NLT

 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake are we killed all day long: we are counted as sheep for the slaughter: Nevertheless, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:35-39) GNV

 

For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

(Romans 14:7-9) NKJV

 

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

(Romans 14:12) NIV

 

Unto this hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place, And labor, working with our own hands: we are reviled, and yet we bless: we are persecuted, and suffer it. We are evil spoken of, and we pray: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, unto this time. Wherefore, I pray you, be followers of me.

(1 Corinthians 4:11-13,16) GNV

 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

(2 Corinthians 1:3-7) NLT

 

We are afflicted on every side, yet are we not in distress: we are in doubt, but yet we despair not. We are persecuted, but not forsaken: cast down, but we perish not. Everywhere we bear about in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus might also be made manifest in our bodies. 

(2 Corinthians 4:8-10) GNV

 

Therefore we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed daily. For our light affliction which is but for a moment, causeth unto us a far most excellent and an eternal weight of glory: While we look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen for the things which are seen, are temporal: but the things which are not seen, are eternal.

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18) GNV

 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

(2 Corinthians 5:10) NIV

 

But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings...

(2 Corinthians 6:4-5) NKJV

 

...he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

(2 Corinthians 12:9-10) NLT

 

Do not in any way be terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

(Philippians 1:28-29) NKJV

 

We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.

(2 Thessalonians 1:4-9) NLT

 

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of living, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecutions, and afflictions which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, which persecutions I suffered...Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. But the evil men and deceivers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

(2 Timothy 3:10-13) GNV

 

And others have been tried by mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover by bonds, and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were hewn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword, they wandered up and down in sheep’s skins, and in goats’ skins, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented:  whom the world was not worthy of: they wandered in wildernesses and mountains, and dens, and caves of the earth. These were all commended for their faith...

(Hebrews 11:36-39) GNV, NIV

 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, and despised the shame, and is set at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider therefore him that endureth such speaking against of sinners, lest ye should be wearied and faint in your minds.

(Hebrews 12:2-3) GNV

 

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

(James 1:12) NLT

 

...now for a little while, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire...receive the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

(1 Peter 1:6-9) NKJV

 

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.

(1 Peter 2:20-21) NKJV

 

But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

(1 Peter 3:14-17) AKJV

 

Fear none of those things, which thou shalt suffer: behold, it shall come to pass, that the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

(Revelation 2:10) GNV

 

This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.

(Revelation 14:12) NLT

 

And I saw as it were a glassy sea, mingled with fire, and them that had gotten victory of the beast, and of his image, and of his mark, and of the number of his name, stand at the glassy sea, having the harps of God, and they sung the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty: just and true are thy ways, King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name! For thou only art holy, and all nations shall come and worship before thee: for thy judgments are made manifest.

 (Revelation 15:2-4) GNV

 

And I saw seats: and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them, and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which did not worship the beast, neither his image, neither had taken his mark upon their foreheads or on their hands: and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

(Revelation 20:4) GNV

​

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the first things are passed.

(Revelation 21:4) GNV

 

 

 

*Compiled by Jennifer Lynn O'Connor

                           God's love in poetry