The Elect Saints Role during Tribulation

Christ's Example

Prelude: Warning Difficult to Follow
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Prelude: Warning Difficult to Follow

Warning this article may be complex to comprehend. If you are bothered by it; then exit out of this subject and leave it alone!

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Follow Christ's Example
John 13:13-15, "You call Me the Teacher and the Lord, and you speak rightly, because I am. 14 Therefore, if I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also are duty-bound to wash one another's feet; 15 For I have given you an example, to show that you also should do exactly as I have done to you." 1 Peter 2:21, "For to this you were called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His footsteps."

Follow Christ's Example

John 13:13-15, "You call Me the Teacher and the Lord, and you speak rightly, because I am. 14 Therefore, if I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also are duty-bound to wash one another's feet; 15 For I have given you an example, to show that you also should do exactly as I have done to you." 1 Peter 2:21, "For to this you were called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His footsteps."

God, Family Hierarchy
There is record that the Corinthian church was NOT following Christ's example. Paul criticized the church because of their selfish conduct and obvious lack of moderation: 1 Corinthians 11:20-22, "When you gather in the same place, IT IS NOT to eat the Lord's Supper. 21 Because as you eat, each of you rushes to eat his own supper, and one person goes hungry while another gets drunk. 22 You have homes in which to eat and drink, don't you? Or do you despise God's church AND HUMILIATE THOSE WHO HAVE NOTHING? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I will not praise you for this!" In their greed, they were not expressing the Love of Christ! Paul went on to admonish: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you-how the Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, 24 gave thanks for it, and broke it in pieces, saying, 'This represents my body that is for you. As often as you do this, do it in memory of me.' 25 He did the same with the cup after the supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. As often as you drink from it, keep doing this in memory of me.' 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks from the cup in an unworthy manner {or attitude} will be held responsible for the Lord's body and blood. 28 A person must examine himself and then eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For the one who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That's why so many of you are weak and sick and a considerable number are dying. 31 But if we judged ourselves correctly, we would not be judged. 32 Now, while we are being judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined lest we be condemned along with the world. 33 Therefore, my brothers, when you gather to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry {is famished}, he should eat at home, so that when you gather it may not bring judgment on you. And when I come I will give instructions concerning the other matters." Paul was not issuing a warning against unworthy participation. Sometimes people refuse to participate because of a struggle with sin that makes them feel unworthy. But this is exactly whom this meal is for—needy sinners, willing to repent. If someone feels unworthy, this meal calls them to repent and remember the gospel. To skip the meal because we feel unworthy is to miss the gospel and descend into legalism. There is only one way to come to this supper meal—Spiritually needy and hungry. This supper calls us to remember the Gospel and to see ourselves through God's eyes. God's Spirit strengthens us through participation in the Lord's Supper so we can humbly and joyfully move towards reconciliation. The opposite of discerning the body is dishonoring and distancing yourself from one another in church. Such subtle hostility is more sinful than if someone walked into the service and physically flipped the Lord's table upside down. Each year as we commemorate the Lord's Supper, God calls us to examine our hearts and ask the question, "Am I making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace?" Ephesians 4:1-6, "As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." New Covenant Saints are commandment keepers who love the spiritual body of Christ because God loved us first by offering up the physical body of Christ. Romans 5:8, "But God commends His own love to us because, when we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Now let's examine in detail, Jesus' chosen manner as He gave an example of how He wants us to properly remember the Lord's action as those disciples present partook of the meal of the Lord's Supper: During the supper meal this occurred: Symbolic Bread & "Wine" acknowledging Christ’s broken body and bloody suffering for us: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, "...That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took {unleavened} bread: 24 And when He had given thanks {during the meal}, He broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. 25 After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped {eaten the dinner meal}, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. 26 For as often {yearly commemorative} as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord's death till He comes." Simply: Don't apply symbolism in the wrong manner or intent. People don’t really eat and drink the body and blood of Christ! 1 Corinthians 12:27, "Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular." Foot Washing displays an attitude of Humble Service to others... John 13:4-5, "He {Christ} rose from supper {the evening meal}, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. 5 After that He poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded." John 13:12-14, "So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again {at the supper}, He said unto them, 'Know you what l have done to you? 13 You call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am. 14 If l then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet.{each year in remembrance}' " Matthew 20:28, "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many." The reason the Corinthian church was receiving correction was, they were not expressing by their conduct, the love of Christ: John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another in the same way that I have loved you, that is how you are to love one another. 35 By this shall everyone know that you are My disciples—if you love one another." As a Bride of Christ, Will you be ready? Jesus made a date to share the fruit of the vine with believers and then sung a hymn with His followers. Matthew 26:29-30, " 'But l say unto you, l will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.' 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."

God, Family Hierarchy

There is record that the Corinthian church was NOT following Christ's example. Paul criticized the church because of their selfish conduct and obvious lack of moderation: 1 Corinthians 11:20-22, "When you gather in the same place, IT IS NOT to eat the Lord's Supper. 21 Because as you eat, each of you rushes to eat his own supper, and one person goes hungry while another gets drunk. 22 You have homes in which to eat and drink, don't you? Or do you despise God's church AND HUMILIATE THOSE WHO HAVE NOTHING? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I will not praise you for this!" In their greed, they were not expressing the Love of Christ!

Paul went on to admonish: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34, "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you-how the Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took a loaf of bread, 24 gave thanks for it, and broke it in pieces, saying, 'This represents my body that is for you. As often as you do this, do it in memory of me.' 25 He did the same with the cup after the supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. As often as you drink from it, keep doing this in memory of me.' 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink from this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks from the cup in an unworthy manner {or attitude} will be held responsible for the Lord's body and blood. 28 A person must examine himself and then eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For the one who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That's why so many of you are weak and sick and a considerable number are dying. 31 But if we judged ourselves correctly, we would not be judged. 32 Now, while we are being judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined lest we be condemned along with the world. 33 Therefore, my brothers, when you gather to eat, wait for each other. 34 If anyone is hungry {is famished}, he should eat at home, so that when you gather it may not bring judgment on you. And when I come I will give instructions concerning the other matters."

Paul was not issuing a warning against unworthy participation. Sometimes people refuse to participate because of a struggle with sin that makes them feel unworthy. But this is exactly whom this meal is for—needy sinners, willing to repent. If someone feels unworthy, this meal calls them to repent and remember the gospel. To skip the meal because we feel unworthy is to miss the gospel and descend into legalism. There is only one way to come to this supper meal—Spiritually needy and hungry. This supper calls us to remember the Gospel and to see ourselves through God's eyes. God's Spirit strengthens us through participation in the Lord's Supper so we can humbly and joyfully move towards reconciliation.

The opposite of discerning the body is dishonoring and distancing yourself from one another in church. Such subtle hostility is more sinful than if someone walked into the service and physically flipped the Lord's table upside down. Each year as we commemorate the Lord's Supper, God calls us to examine our hearts and ask the question, "Am I making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace?" Ephesians 4:1-6, "As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." New Covenant Saints are commandment keepers who love the spiritual body of Christ because God loved us first by offering up the physical body of Christ. Romans 5:8, "But God commends His own love to us because, when we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Now let's examine in detail, Jesus' chosen manner as He gave an example of how He wants us to properly remember the Lord's action as those disciples present partook of the meal of the Lord's Supper:

During the supper meal this occurred: Symbolic Bread & "Wine" acknowledging Christ’s broken body and bloody suffering for us: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, "...That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took {unleavened} bread: 24 And when He had given thanks {during the meal}, He broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. 25 After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped {eaten the dinner meal}, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do you, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. 26 For as often {yearly commemorative} as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord's death till He comes." Simply: Don't apply symbolism in the wrong manner or intent. People don’t really eat and drink the body and blood of Christ! 1 Corinthians 12:27, "Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

Foot Washing displays an attitude of Humble Service to others... John 13:4-5, "He {Christ} rose from supper {the evening meal}, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. 5 After that He poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded."

John 13:12-14, "So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again {at the supper}, He said unto them, 'Know you what l have done to you? 13 You call me Master and Lord: and you say well; for so I am. 14 If l then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another's feet.{each year in remembrance}' " Matthew 20:28, "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many."

The reason the Corinthian church was receiving correction was, they were not expressing by their conduct, the love of Christ: John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give to you: that you love one another in the same way that I have loved you, that is how you are to love one another. 35 By this shall everyone know that you are My disciples—if you love one another."

As a Bride of Christ, Will you be ready? Jesus made a date to share the fruit of the vine with believers and then sung a hymn with His followers. Matthew 26:29-30, " 'But l say unto you, l will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.' 30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."

Summation
Christ's example would include a complete supper with unity and harmony as referenced in Ephesians 4:1-6 above! When we participate in the Lord's Supper together, we are trusting that one day we will eat this meal with Jesus. We partake of it today looking forward to a great wedding banquet in a new heaven and earth, as the bride of Christ. Where God will make all things new. Revelations 19:6-9, "And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. 8 She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.' For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then the angel told me to write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, 'These are the true words of God.' " In spite of the burdens we carry today, this supper meal reassures us that one day He will return for His bride. "©" 2026, Ekklesia Church of God – New Covenant Saints
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Click on the link below: Understanding and Appreciating the Lord's Supper Follow Christ's Example "©" 2026 Ekklesia Church of God - New Covenant Saints Click to Return to Articles or Choose Arrow Back

Summation

Christ's example would include a complete supper with unity and harmony as referenced in Ephesians 4:1-6 above!

When we participate in the Lord's Supper together, we are trusting that one day we will eat this meal with Jesus. We partake of it today looking forward to a great wedding banquet in a new heaven and earth, as the bride of Christ. Where God will make all things new. Revelations 19:6-9, "And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. 8 She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.' For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then the angel told me to write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, 'These are the true words of God.' " In spite of the burdens we carry today, this supper meal reassures us that one day He will return for His bride.

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Click on the link below:
Understanding and Appreciating the Lord's Supper

Follow Christ's Example

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