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10 He that
[ei tis] leadeth [sunago] into
captivity [aichmalosia] shall go [hupago] into [eis] captivity: [aichmalosia] he that [ei tis] killeth [apokteino] with [en] the sword [machaira] must [dei] be killed [apokteino] with [en] the sword. [machaira] Here [hode] is [esti] the patience [hupomone] and
[kai] the faith [pistis] of the saints. [hagios] KJV-Interlinear
10 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
The last portion of this
verse sets the tone for believers who will live during the Tribulation, and
especially during the last half of the Tribulation, when the anti-christ will
do his best to kill them all.
The patience and faith,
combines into making the attitude which was initially established by Christ,
when He was being persecuted, tried, and executed on the Cross. Jesus went
without complaint, without retaliation. He went to the Cross and took all of
the persecution and ridicule that humanity had to offer. Jesus had a mission
and nothing and no one was going to get Him off track of completing that
mission.
Likewise, in the
Tribulation, in the latter half, the world will be full of obscenities, and
atrocities, and prejudices beyond imagination. It will be easy for those who
have faith, to retaliate and do likewise to their persecutors.
But God commands here,
that no believer is to retaliate, but instead accept and take everything that
is thrown at them, even including their own execution by the anti-christ and
his forces.
If anyone tries to take
captives, they will themselves be taken. For believers, do not imitate the
unbelievers, for that is going to be their destiny.
If anyone is going to be
taken into captivity, then as a believer, accept it and allow God to do His
bidding according to His schedule.
If anyone fights and
kills, then he will be killed. Do not imitate the unbelievers who are doing all
of the killing. Do not take up arms. Do not form a rebel force. Do not form an
underground. Do not start a civil war. Do not try to assassinate the anti-christ
or government officials. Do not try to overthrow the government. Do not use any
form of violence of any type.
The life of the believer
is in Gods hands, regardless of what the anti-christ, Satan, or unbelievers in
general, do.
The control of history is
in Gods hands. The outcome of history and life is in Gods hands.
No matter what happens,
God has allowed a certain amount of time for Satan to work his evil will. Gods
purpose is to squeeze out every last person who will believe in Christ, and
then to crush Satan and evil forever.
During the Tribulation,
God will run everything, and all believers, regardless if they are in hiding,
regardless of they are captured, regardless if they are killed, are completely
safe in Gods care. Do not interfere with Gods plan.