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I believe that the church is already in tribulation. Many are already in a "prison" so to speak by being captured and led astray by the deceptive words of false prophets. Paul stated that after his departing grievous wolves would enter in among us not sparing the flock. Also, of our own selves would men arise speaking things they should not in order to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:28-33 KJV (28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (31) Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (32) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Covetousness is the thing we are to be aware of and avoid. The grievous wolves are always after these things and deceive us with their empty words...flattering tongues. (33) I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. To me, the false prophets …grievous wolves…have already entered in among us and lead many down the broad way unto destruction. They lead us away from having love for one another and into their envying, strife and divisions. Matthew 7:12-15 KJV (12) Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. (13) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. They take away the “daily” sacrifice….to have love for one another. As Jesus loved us and gave His life for ours, we are to have love for each other….the “daily” debt. But false prophets come to us to deceive us and remove the “daily” sacrifice out of our hearts. The love of many shall wax cold because of the abounding iniquity (lawlessness). Matthew 24:11-12 KJV (11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. We are to walk in love….keeping the “daily” sacrifice….for Christ who loved us had given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. Ephesians 5:1-5 KJV (1) Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (2) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But covetousness is the idolatry which should not be once named among us. (3) But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; (4) Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. Covetousness is idolatry and is the “abomination of desolation” of which false prophets want to set up in our hearts. They use vain words to deceive us….removing the “daily” sacrifice out of our hearts in order to set up their idolatry. They want us to live according to their lusts. (5) For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. The “abomination of desolation” = covetousness. Because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (6) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (7) Be not ye therefore partakers with them. And when we wake up to these matters and depart from those who are partaking in these things, we shall suffer persecution as we shall no longer live the rest of our time in the flesh to the lusts of men …the false prophets who lead many astray. Maybe the "great tribulation" comes when we depart from their gatherings as they will speak evil of us thinking it strange that we will no longer "run" with them after their idolatries. 1 Peter 4:1-4 KJV (1) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (3) For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (4) Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Jesus is the true Day Star that rises and gives the Light of the knowledge of God in the dark places of our hearts. His voice gives us true Light in the darkness of ignorance. When we hear His interpretation of the Scriptures, do we listen to Him or to man who will exalt himself with a competing title (such as morning star…light bringer) trying to usurp the authority of God in the face of His revelation of the Truth? Isaiah 14 shows the king of Babylon exalting himself before being abased. The title “morning star, son of the morning” appears to be bit of a sarcastic jab to how he thought of himself for he thought to exalt his throne…his rule… above the “stars of God” …which are His messengers of the Truth. He likened himself to the Supreme (“I will be like the most High”) but he would lose his lofty position. He demanded that others submit to his authority…his name…rather than the authority of God. Isaiah 14:12-15 KJV (12) How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14) I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (15) Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. We find the pattern repeated by the Pharisees. The Pharisees also loved to be first among the people and sought to keep many from receiving Jesus. They loved the chief seats in their assemblies. They loved the uppermost rooms at feasts. They wanted to be called “rabbi”…. “master”… “father” by their subjects. They sought out honor from men rather than giving honor to God or seeking the honor that only comes from God. They did exalt themselves over the people….loving to be first among them…and having the people that they exercised authority over to call themselves by their flattering titles. They would not let their “prisoners” free to go to the Lord who came to preach deliverance to them. But as Jesus said, all who will exalt themselves , will be abased. The “kings” of the congregation will always exercise authority over their subjects…especially if one comes along in the authority…in the name… of the Lord to preach the Word of Truth. They will always threaten when they will feel their own positions being threatened and will exercise their authority instead of being servants. Mark 10:42 KJV (42) But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. Another example: Diotrephes exalted himself….loving to have the “preeminence”…that is, he loved to be first among men. He exalted himself in the same way the king of Babylon did. Interestingly, “Diotrephes” means “nourished by Jupiter”. The name “Jupiter” (the planet which has no light of its own is one of the “morning stars” in the sky along with Venus) means “heavenly father” indicating that Diotrephes loved to be called “father” or another exalted title among his “subjects”. He was “nourished” by men calling him by a flattering title and having his authority recognized by those “under” him. His ego was being “nourished” …being elevated…by having men call him by his supreme title as he exercised his authority over them. Diotrephes exalted himself and would not receive the brothers who were sent to preach the Word of Truth to the church. 3 John 1:9-10 KJV (9) I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. He exercised his authority over the church by forbidding others to not receive the brothers and any who did receive them was cast out of the church by him. But Diotrephes would soon be cast down from his lofty position as the Lord would come in judgment….remembering his evil deeds and evil words. (10) Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. There is only one Father which is in heaven. There is only one Father that we are to glorify…and not instead glorify men who love to be first among us. Matthew 23:9 KJV (9) And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. The “man of sin” …following in the footsteps of the king of Babylon, the Pharisees, Diotrephes….shall also oppose the preaching of the Truth and will exalt himself over all that is called God or that is worshipped so that he as God sits in the temple of God showing himself that he is God. He will exalt himself and will exercise his authority over the church as he will forbid others from receiving the Word of Truth and will cast out any who will. The “man of sin” shall be many leaders of the churches in this coming time who will behave in like fashion towards the preaching of the Truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 KJV (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. They will be as raging waves of the sea foaming out their own shame as they will speak evil in their wrath. The man of sin will reveal himself with his evil mouth speaking and doing evil things . They will be as “wandering stars”....planets…that rove about in the blackness of darkness….as the wicked shall not understand. Jude 1:13 KJV (13) Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Daniel 12:10 KJV (10) Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.