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. THE ORDEAL. "Because you have kept my command and stood fast, I will also keep you from the ordeal (1) (hour of test. NWT) that is to fall upon the whole world and test* its inhabitants. I am coming soon". (Rev 3:10 NEB). "It will be a time of great distress; (2) there has never been such a time from the beginning of the world until now, and will never be again. If that time of troubles were not cut short, no living thing could survive; but for the sake of God's chosen it will be cut short." (Matt 24:21,22 NEB). "While they are talking of peace and security, all at once calamity is upon them, sudden as the pangs that come upon a woman with child; and there will be no escape." (1 Thess 5:3 NEB). "In the last days, then, the inhabitants of the world will be punished for their arrogant lives by bitter sufferings." (2 Esdras 8:50 NEB). "I will bring dire distress (2) upon men; they shall walk like blind men for their sin against the Lord. Their blood shall be spilt like dust and their bowels like dung; neither their silver nor their gold shall avail to save them. On the day of the Lord's wrath, by the fire of His jealousy the whole land shall be consumed; for He will make an end, a swift end of all who live in the land." (Zeph 1:17,18 NEB). The Lord will judge by (Spirit) fire, with fire He will test* all living men, and many will be slain by the Lord". (Isaiah 66:16 NEB).
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