The presence of the Lord will be encountered by all when the Holy Spirit is poured out upon the entire planet. The Holy Spirit is an aspect and expression of God which is sent by our Lord Jesus who is one with God, and so with it, one experiences the feeling of the presence of our Lord. This expression, though, is not the Second Coming. That expression will be the time when the Son will be seen by everyone and it will occur at the moment when the veil that hides the celestial realm is dissolved. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the end times, the latter rain, will precede the Second Coming. When the Holy Spirit descends in power, everyone will have an encounter with the presence of the Lord; that is, the love of God.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Joel 2:28 KJV (3:1 in NAB)

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

These passages show the association of the presence of the Lord with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the end times, which is also referred to as the latter rain and the times of refreshing. The last term is interesting because it describes the refreshing of one's soul, one's spirit, that will occur when one experiences the presence of the Lord. This strengthening will be needed by all.

When Jesus was asked about the signs of the end times, his answer was recorded in three of the four gospels. The account in Luke is different from those presented in Matthew and Mark. Luke emphasizes different points and makes reference to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.

The word "assault" is translated from the Greek word "eperchomai". In the KJV it is translated as "come on". The Greek word has the meaning of the Holy Spirit descending upon one, so this is a reference to the latter rain. The Greek for "stand before" carries the meaning of being in the "presence of". Luke describes a state of preparedness, a state whereby the day upon which the Holy Spirit is poured out will not catch us by surprise. That preparedness has to do with the state of our heart, to strive not to be weighed down by the stones that life brings to us.

That day, the day the latter rain begins, will assault everyone on the planet. It will be an encounter of consciousness with The Creator. If one's heart is weighed down by the concerns of life, which can become stones on the soul, then that day will be painful. If you have issues you are holding against others, go resolve them and let the stones go. If your heart is filled with the love of God, then His presence will not be foreign to you. You may only experience the empowerment of God's love.

When will that day occur? "That day" of verse 35 is a reference back to verse 28, the day we will "stand erect and raise" our heads in the presence of the Lord. Verse 28 states it will occur when "these signs begin to happen". A group of signs listed just prior to this verse began with verse 20:

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled. ... They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

Notice that this group of signs ends with a description of the Second Coming in verse 27, so the day the Holy Spirit is poured out will occur prior to the Second Coming, at a point near the time when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies. Joel also associates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with the gathering of armies against Israel in Joel 3:1, 4:1-2 NAB (2:28, 3:1-2 KJV).

The book of Revelation's description (14:6-13) of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit begins with the messages of the three angels. The 3rd message is a warning not to accept the mark of the beast. This warning only makes sense if it is given prior to facing that decision. The mark of the beast comes with the world system of the Antichrist, a system which is both a government and religion. There are numerous references to the reign of the Antichrist and that it will last 3½ years. (See: Reign of the Antichrist ) Therefore, it is reasonable to surmise that the worldwide warning will occur just prior to the time when Babylon, the system of the Antichrist, is imposed upon the world. One of the points of the passage in Revelation is that the refreshing of the Holy Spirit is needed for us to have the strength to pass through the Tribulation (Rev 14:12-13).

By the way, I use Tribulation with a capital "T" to describe the time of the Antichrist, the last 3½ years of Daniel's 70th Week. We are in tribulation now and have been for most of our history, but especially in this century.

When the day comes for all peoples and nations to face the decision of accepting the mark of the beast and participating in the new Holy Empire, will anyone refuse? If, let's say, Israel were the only nation, as a nation, to refuse the mark of the beast then that decision could very well lead to the nation being surrounded by armies, which ties back to Luke 21 and Joel. The idea of Israel rejecting the Antichrist is suggested by the Apocalypse of Peter, a non-canonical book. Zechariah 12:10 tells of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Jerusalem and how this will allow the inhabitants to recognize that Jesus, the one whom their ancestors pierced, was indeed the Messiah. Such an insight would allow anyone to have a clear understanding of the choice the Antichrist will present. However, in rejecting the system, Israel will bring a great deal of trouble upon itself.

The threat of invasion and war, along with persecution, have lead to an understandable foreboding about the time of the Antichrist. People will often avoid discussion of this topic because of their fears, or even further, seek a belief in which they will not have to experience it. Luke seemed to have these concerns in mind when he recorded Jesus' reflection upon living in those times:

Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony. Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

So here we have the ideas of protection and guidance from above during the time of trial. But the protection is conditional, for it depends upon our endurance. One must not give up in the face of seemingly impossible conditions. Scripture often calls for endurance on the part of God's people. Take heart, though, for we will have added help with the times of refreshing that come from the presence of the Lord.

A belief has become popular in the past century that the rapture of God's people up to heaven (1 Cor 15:51-52, I Thess 4:16-17, Dan 12:1-2) will occur prior to the Tribulation. This was not the predominate view in the centuries prior. In my opinion this belief is not based on sound biblical ground. I may be wrong but it appears to my eye that II Thess 2 clearly states that the rapture occurs at the Second Coming and after the lawless one is revealed, after the time of the Antichrist. It is my feeling that the pre-tribulation rapture belief comes primarily from the desire not to experience that dreaded time. It uses the elements of being in the presence of the Lord prior to the Tribulation and references to protection during the Tribulation to build its case. It is a misrepresentation of these elements. Furthermore, I believe the pre-trib rapture is a dangerous apostasy because it leads people to conclude that there is no need to study and contemplate the prophecies deeply, since one will bypass the climax.

If true believers are not to be raptured out of here prior to the tribulation, is the only alternative pain and suffering? I believe not. Let's explore some of the references to protection during the time of trouble.

The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. ... Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: ...He shall ... judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge ... Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. ...If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer unto God thanksgiving ; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me . But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. ... Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

Both these psalms tie the ideas of shelter and protection to an attitude of sacrifice and praise. This is the second time that sacrifice has come up as an important support concept when exploring some aspect of end-time prophecy. An entry from the home page of this web site called The Signs Jesus Instructed Us to Watch led to an in-depth reflection upon the role of Sacrifice and Oblation in Prophecy . One of the dimensions of sacrifice explored was the importance of confessing our transgressions in order to maintain right relationships, an open flow, with The Creator and our fellow human beings. This concept is alluded to in the second half and summarized in the last line (KJV only) of Psalm 50. The psalm warns to not transgress by not forming deceit in the first place. If we don't do what we say we will do, then we need to make it right by confessing or facing it. Cleanup the situation with the person involved. Apologize, if needed. Make restitution, if called for. At least talk, since just acknowledging the situation can ease tension. This dynamic of no deceit and confession when we do err is so important that it can bring salvation.

There is an important object lesson in Gen 32:24-30 that also demonstrates the importance of acknowledging and confessing the wrongs we do to others. We must adopt this attitude in order to prevail in the time of trouble.

Jacob's night of anguish, when he wrestled in prayer for deliverance from the hand of Esau (Genesis 32:24-30), represents the experience of God's people in the time of trouble. Because of the deception practiced to secure his father's blessing, intended for Esau, Jacob had fled for his life, alarmed by his brother's death threats. After remaining for many years an exile, he set out, at God's command, to return ... On reaching the borders of the land, he was filled with terror by the tidings of Esau's approach at the head of a band of warriors, ... His only defense must be prayer. Yet he leaves nothing undone on his own part to atone for the wrong to his brother ... Having sent his family away, ... Jacob remains alone to intercede with God. He confesses his sin and gratefully acknowledges the mercy of God toward him while with deep humiliation he pleads the covenant ... everything is at stake. ... his was the assurance of one who confesses his weakness and unworthiness, yet trusts the mercy of a covenant-keeping God.

Jacob prevailed at the time of his greatest challenge and it was a situation he brought upon himself. His own deceit against his brother created the crisis. The same applies to us in the end times. If we are honest with ourselves, we will see how we have brought these problems upon ourselves. No one has passed judgement upon us. The judgement is a result of our actions. The first step to solving the problems is to confess and acknowledge what we have done to each other.

Praise and thanksgiving are also important elements that came up in the psalms quoted earlier. An attitude of joy and appreciation go a long way toward keeping one from harm. These psalms tell us that the real sacrifices God wants from us are of joy and thanksgiving. In all, these passages reflect upon the roles of sacrifice, praise and confession of sins as being necessary for maintaining right relationships with the world, and thereby achieving harmony.

In the end times, the situation will be especially acute. In the book of Revelation, when the time to face the world government and the mark of the beast comes, John relates in Rev 13:10 that each person will meet a fate that is based on the way one's life is lived:

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The call to the saints for faith and patience is more than an appeal to inspire endurance. It is a reminder to not give into one's anger. When a situation comes that is difficult to handle and there is the temptation to use force to end it quickly, that is the time to exercise patience. Once force is used, one opens up the possibility of encountering the same upon thyself , down the road.

When the time of trouble comes, some will be killed; perhaps by war, famine or pestilence. Some will be taken into captivity. Some will be called upon to give testimony. They will be specially designated with the seal of God and guided in their words by the Holy Spirit. They are the 144,000, the ones whose lifestyle has prepared them for the special task of demonstrating unwavering faith.

Still others may find themselves hidden and sheltered away during the Tribulation. Several passages suggest this possibility including Luke 12:40-44, Isa 26:20, Ps 27:5 and Rev 3:10.

You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. Then Peter said, Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone? And the Lord replied, Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute (the) food allowance at the proper time?

Because you have kept my message of endurance, I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Finally, the Lord God Almighty himself states simply that in times of trouble, call upon Him and you will be delivered.

I sought the LORD, who answered me, delivered me from all my fears. Look to God that you may be radiant with joy and your faces may not blush for shame. In my misfortune I called, the LORD heard and saved me from all distress. The angel of the LORD, who encamps with them, delivers all who fear God.

When the just cry out, the LORD hears and rescues them from all distress.

Call upon God for help. Call upon the angels. They are there ready, willing and able to help but they can't do anything until asked. By waiting until we ask they respect our free will. Use your voice. Give praise and testimony to God and ask for help. You may be surprised at how quickly the response will come.

As we come to a close, a passage in Malachi brings together several ideas: the angels, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the question of sacrifice. The Greek word for "messenger" also carries the meaning of angel. The angel messenger that prepares the way for the Lord and comes suddenly to the temple of the body is likely a reference to the latter rain. The refining activity of the Holy Spirit allows the Israelites to offer a pleasing sacrifice, a heartfelt sacrifice. This passage ends with a reminder to keep the means for helping the poor well stocked and blessings will flow to all.

Let's end with a passage quoted at the start of this web page, but from another translation:

Keep a watch on yourselves; do not let your minds be dulled by dissipation and drunkenness and worldly cares so that the great Day closes upon you suddenly like a trap; for that day will come on all men, wherever they are, the whole world over. Be on the alert, praying at all times for strength to pass safely through all these imminent troubles and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.

The vigilance and preparedness Luke describes has to do with the state of our heart, to strive not to be weighed down by the stones that life will bring to us. An attitude of praise and appreciation will keep one light. The best way to prepare to meet the Lord is to seek to find Him in each person you meet along the way.