There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra

By COGwriter

Are some of God's people actually going to flee right before the tribulation? According to Jesus the answer is yes.

Jesus taught:

20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no nor ever shall be" (Matthew 24:20-21, NKJV throughout, unless otherwise indicated).

Do all know that those who need to be warned include the members of the Churches of God (COGs)?

(Some Christians apparently will be in Jerusalem around this time and will also flee--Matthew 24:15-19--more information on that is included in the article Who is the King of the North?)

Years ago, various issues of the old publication The Journal: News of the Churche of God used to have somewhere (normally in an ad) an assertion to the effect that "Petra is not the place of safety" (or that there will be no such place). The December 2001 edition even contained the following quote:

Mr. Henson sees relevance in Joshua 15, where Joshua assigns the tribe of Judah its boundaries. 'This passage talks about a "salt sea" (verse 2), which could bring to mind Utah's Great Salt Lake. "If you take away the J [from the word Judah] and change the D to a T, you have Utah,' he pointed out. 'Also, in verse 55 appears the name Juttah, which is the same as Utah if one simply deletes the J and one of the T's.'

That type of reasoning was very weak at best.

The purpose of this article is to explain some of the reasons why a place like Petra seems to be a more logical choice to be the "place of safety" for the Philadelphians. It also explains who will and will not be able to be protected in the place during the time of the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord.

Two sermon-length videos of relaled interest are available Physical Protection During the Great Tribulation and Might Petra be the Place of Safety?

Two Basic Christian Groups: The Philadelphians and the Others in the Church of God

Notice something from the Old Testament:

9 For the Lord's portion is His people;
Jacob is the place of His inheritance.

10 "He found him in a desert land
And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness
;
He encircled him, He instructed him,
He kept him as the apple of His eye.
11 As an eagle stirs up its nest,
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings, (Deuteronomy 32:9-11)

The children of Israel had a place in the wilderness (see also Exodus 15:22) of the desert, and the way God took them up like the wings of an eagle was to have them walk.

There are similarities that apply to the place of protection, which also includes a place in the wilderness.

Christians are to pray to God to be able to escape:

9 Keep me from the snares they have laid for me,
And from the traps of the workers of iniquity.
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I escape safely. (Psalm 141:9-10)

2 Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape;
Incline Your ear to me, and save me.
3 Be my strong refuge,
To which I may resort continually;
You have given the commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress. (Psalm 71:2-3)

Jesus, Himself, warned:

34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36)

Notice that Christians are to pray to be worthy to escape. Hence, this is not all Chrisitians.

Is there Great Tribulation protection for Philadelphian Christians?

Yes.

But, let this be perfectly clear, there are two groups of God's people mentioned in Revelation 12--one which goes to a place of safety and one which does not. It states:

13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.

14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12:13-17).

The above shows that after persecution of verse 13 (this would be the persecution of Daniel 7:25a and 11:29-35) the church (symbolized by a woman) has to "fly into the wilderness to her place."

Being in heaven with Jesus is not the same as being in any wilderness--hence this is not some type of "rapture" as many Protestants believe in.

Also notice that the church "is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent."

Notice also that since a flood of water is used to try to destroy the church, but is helped by the earth, that the church is NOT in heaven, but on the earth.

Carefully notice that just keeping the commandments of God and having the testimony of Jesus Christ is not enough to insure that one will go "into the wilderness," be "nourished," and protected "from the presence of the serpent."

The dragon, through the Beast power, will “make war” with those who do not go. For "the saints shall given to his hand for a time and times and half a time" (Daniel 7:25)--again the time period the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord.

Whether you believe that the churches mentioned in Revelation 2 & 3 are prophetic church eras or conditions that exist within the Church throughout history (or both), the Bible is clear that some will be protected and others will not.

Regarding the letter to the angel of the Church of Philadelphia, Revelation 3:10-11 states:

10 Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

The Philadelphians are the only ones that God promises to keep “from the hour of trial that comes upon the whole world.”

Revelation 12:14-16 helps point out is how Jesus is intending to keep His Philadelphia Church "from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world" (3:10)--this "hour of trial," this "time and times and half a time" includes the period of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord (cf. Revelation 13:5-8).

Understand that it is ONLY the Philadelphian Christians that are promised a way of escape from the coming Great Tribulation. If all Christians were to be granted protection, there would be no reason to give Christians instructions as Jesus did.

Regarding the letter to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans, notice that it shows they walk a different path: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent" (v.19).

What are the differences between those groups? To the Philadelphians, Jesus said,

8 I know your works. See I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have have a little strength, kept My word, and have not denied My name. (Revelation 3:8)

The message starts out the same for the Laodiceans, "I know your works...” but it certainly does not end the same--

15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' -- and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked -- 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. (Revelation 3:15-18).

The Philadelphians are promised to be kept from the hour of trial because they kept God's "command to persevere" or as the AV says "kept the word of my patience" (v. 10). If the Philadelphia era of the Church existed while Herbert W. Armstrong was alive (as he believed it did), could this possibly mean that the remaining remnant of the Philadelphia era are the ones who still believe, teach, and practice what Jude referred to as "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3)? (Click here for the article What is a True Philadelphian?) Would this not include the 18 truths that HWA restored to the Church of God without adding extrabiblical requirements?

Would not this Church also have the same priority of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (in the Continuing Church of God, we have a book on this translated into over 1oo0 languages--see Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages) to the world? Remember Jesus said, "Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes" (Luke 12:43).

I perhaps should add that groups and independents that misunderstand prophecy (such as those concerning The King of the South and Zephaniah 2; see also Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?) will probably rationalize themselves away from flying/fleeing when it will be time to go--and they will be refined (it is also possible that God may somehow use some of them to assist The Two Witnesses).

John Ogwyn had some interesting insights on some of the differences between the Philadelphia Church and the Laodicean Era as he wrote the following prior to the formation of the United Church of God:

In Revelation 3, we read of two final phases of the history of the Church of God. The Church of Philadelphia was to be characterized by a zeal to do the Work. God promised to set before them an 'open door' as well as to protect them from the future Great Tribulation. However, there is a final seventh stage of the Church described, as the Church at Laodicea. This church was to be described by spiritual lukewarmness and lethargy. It is described as a worldly church, and certainly one which fit in with the spirit of these permissive, modern times ... Some of God's people have been overwhelmed by the cares and problems of this life or by personal problems and have dropped by the wayside. Others have been deceived by false prophets and have gone into apostasy. Still others have become so lethargic and softened by comfort that they have lost their vision and merely wish to maintain local churches, no longer caring about doing the Work ... Will you be one whom God uses to finish his end-time Work? Do you have that true Philadelphian spirit that reaches out to the whole world in genuine love and concern to share God's message of Truth and hope? Do you consider it important that the House of Israel be warned of the impending time of Jacob's trouble?

Sadly after John Ogwyn's death, the group he had been part of no longer had that true Philadelphian spirit. (but that does exist in the Continuing Church of God.)

Interestingly, the late WCG evangelist Dean Blackwell taught that the work would need to be revived and cited the following scripture:

2 O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. (Habakkuk 3:2)

Here is some of what he wrote:

Why do you think in Habakkuk, God said that He’d “revive His work in the midst of the years”? Would this be said if they were doing the work in all the time of the New Testament Church? ...

Habakkuk ... You might note that in Habakkuk 3:2, he says:

O Eternal, I have heard thy speech and was afraid: O Eternal, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

He is referring to God reviving His work in the midst of man's last century. He said that God would make known what is happening and what's going to happen in man's last years, in the day of His wrath. He requested that God remember mercy and hide His people in a place of safety. Notice that he mentions this will be in the last years — in the midst of the last years. But your Bible says the church was going to go to sleep. They weren't going to be doing the work of God, and He would have to revive His work in the midst of those years. ...

What did we just read there in Habakkuk 3? Did He say, of the Sardis Church, that He gave them an open door; that they were small in number, and that yet He opened the doors that no man could close? He didn't say that at all about them. He didn't open a door getting the work done until the Philadelphia church. That's what your Bible says! No one knew the key of prophecy. No one even knew about Israel. Why, the Sardis church never could have preached the gospel around the world as a witness. (e.g. Blackwell D. A HANDBOOK OF CHURCH HISTORY. A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Ambassador College Graduate School of Theology, April 1973, p. 17)

Sardis does not get protected either.

As far as wrath goes, various pre-tribulation rapturists sometimes cite the following:

9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Thessalonians 5:9)

But that does not state that all Christians will receive physical protection--only that Christians have the opportunity of salvation through Jesus. Of course, if all Christians took Jesus' warning to those of Thyatira (some of which He warned could go through the Great Tribulation), Sardis, and Laodicea seriously enough, plus became Philadelphian, then they would not suffer like the rest in the Great Tribulation.

Notice also from Psalms:

7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Psalm 62:7-8)

11 God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. 12 Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work. (Psalm 62:11-12)

This Psalm ties in items that Dean Blackwell saw in Habakkuk 3 related to work and mercy. It also mentions a place of refuge and that there are some who here and accept God's power--which non-Philadelphians have problems with during this end time (see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?). The trusting in God at all times is also a tie-in with proper church governance (The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government).

That said, the work has been revived during this time of Laodicean prominence and truths restored (including those related to Habbakuk) in the Continuing Church of God (see also Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things and The Final Phase of the Work).

Greek Terms Seem to Have Clues as to Why the Philadelphians and Not Others

Looking at the meanings of the names of the different churches seems to help reveal some characteristics of each. According to Strong's Greek concordance, Philadelphia means "fraternal affection," "brotherly love," "love of the brethren," "fond of the brethren."

Sardis seemingly means "that which remains" (Bunch, Taylor G. The Seven Epistles of Christ. Washington, DC: Review and Herald Publishing Assn., 1947 as cited in The Seven Cities of Asia Minor, Ambassador College Study Guide, pre-1987, pp. 7-8).

Also according to Strong's, Laodicea is a combination of two words, laos which it defidikenes as "people" and , which is defined by Strong's as "right," "judgment," "punish," and "vengeance." Bible Dictionary defines Laodicea to mean "justice of the people." Might the term Laodicean convey that the predominant characteristic of this Church is the carnal view that people rule, the people judge, or, in fact that the people are judgmental?

I personally feel that the term Laodicea conveys a difference in governance and that most Laodiceans have rejected the restored truth about governance (The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government), which results in a lukewarm attitude about doing the work. As well as the fact that the Laodiceans do not recognize sins and other problems in their midst (they tend to rely on themselves or certain leaders even if they have conflicts with portions of scripture) or faithfully accept what the Bible prophesies related to dreams and prophets in the last days (see also Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?).

What Happens to Those Not in a Place of Protection?

We have seen that God will not keep those in the Laodicea portion of His Church from entering the tribulation. So what, specifically, will happen to those who are not in a place of protection? Some of the answers may lie in the book of Lamentations, which details that time:

4 The tongue of the infant clings To the roof of its mouth for thirst; 5 The young children ask for bread, But no one breaks it for them...9 Those slain by the sword are better off Than those who die by hunger; For these pine away, Stricken for lack of the fruit of the field. 10 The hands of the compassionate women Have cooked their own children; They became food for them In the destruction of the daughter of my people...19 Our pursuers were swifter Than the eagles of the heavens. They pursued us on the mountains And lay in wait for us in the wilderness (Lamentations 4:4-19).

This book, written by the prophet Jeremiah, foretells what will happen to the modern-day descendants of Israel, and indications are that it may include "spiritual" and not just physical Israel (i.e., Lamentations 1:4,2:20,4:7,5:21-22). Even if you believe that these prophecies were fulfilled around the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. (as preterists do), remember Jesus said:

21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no nor ever shall be (Matthew 24:21).

Thus, we can look at the most horrifying events that have happened in the past and yet realize that the coming Great Tribulation will be worse.

Since a portion of God's people have fallen in the past (1 Corinthians 10:1-11), many things were recorded "for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stand take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:11-12).

Matthew 24:22 states, "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved" yet, though the situation appears bleak--almost hopeless--notice the conclusion of the verse, "but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened."

Similarly in Jeremiah 30:7 it says, "Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it."

Yes, God will deliver some of His Spirit-begotten children from the the physical terror of the Great Tribulation. He'll deliver the remnant of the Philadelphians. For Jesus says, "But not a hair of your head shall be lost" (Luke 21:18).

Just prior to the time of the Great Tribulation, the arch-angel Michael stands up to help God's people:

1 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1)

The expression "At that time" is the same Hebrew expression that is in Daniel 11:35. This suggests that Michael will likely provide protection to God's people when they fly/flee (more on prophetic sequence in Daniel can be found in the article Who is the King of the North?).

Are most of God's people going to go to a place of protection or most going to go through the Tribulation?

The Bible give us clues. The three places where the NKJ Bible uses the expression "time and times and half a time" are Revelation 12:14, Daniel 7:25, and Daniel 12:7. They seem to be referring to the same time period. Daniel 12:7 states "a time, times, and half a time, and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished." This suggests that nearly all of the "holy people" are affected. This is also consistent with Revelation 13:5-7, regarding the Beast persecuting the saints for 42 months.

In Daniel 7:24-25 it states:

24 The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings. 25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.

Note that some of the saints will be persecuted before they are "given into his hand"; perhaps that particular persecution means all of God's people, or more likely at least many of the Philadelphians, will be persecuted before the period "time and times and half a time" begins (Daniel 7:25a ). Then the Philadelphians will flee and escape the sword:

50 0 You who have escaped the sword,
Get away! Do not stand still!
Remember the Lord afar off,
And let Jerusalem come to your mind. (Jeremiah 51:50)

So, the above talks about God's people who escape--but not all will.

Getting back to Daniel, the expressions "completely shattered" and "Then the saints shall be given into his hand" seem to show that most of the saints will be in the tribulation (Daniel 7:25b). We know this cannot mean all because the book of Revelation says the Philadelphians will be kept from the hour of trial (Revelation 3:10)--protected "from the presence of the serpent" (cf. Revelation 12:14). God will in some way separate Christians then living when these terrible calamities finally come to be. The Philadelphia Christians will be protected from the Tribulation--most of the rest of the real Christians, however, will not be! (Revelation 3:16).

Considering the following warning as pertaining to the non-Philadelphia Christians at this time:

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, 9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years. 10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’ 11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ” (Hebrewss 3:7-11)

Consider that while Jesus only promises to keep the Philadelphian Christians from the "hour of trial" there is a warning to other Christians not to harden their hearts like happened with the Israelites in their "day of trial." Yet, the bulk of the non-Philadelphian Christians have hardened their hearts related to supporting true hierarchical governance (see also The Bible, Peter, Paul, John, Polycarp, Herbert W. Armstrong, Roderick C. Meredith, and Bob Thiel on Church Government), accepting that God has been confirming last days signs (see Does the CCOG have the confirmed signs of Acts 2:17-18?), and that restoration of truth has been happening in the Continuing Church of God (see also Continuing Church of God, Elijah, and Restoring All Things).

Most of the non-Philadelphian Christians will be killed, martyred (see also Persecutions by Church and State). Consider also the following:

12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'"

"Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." (Revelation 14:12-13)

Why would God allow much of the Church to go through persecution? Daniel 11:35 states:

35 And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purge them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.

Also Daniel 12:9-10 states:

9 And he said, 'Go your way Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed til the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified and made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.

Who is counseled to by gold that has been refined? Who is warned that they will be rebuked and chastened? The Laodiceans (Revelation 3:18,19). Even when Babylon the great is clearly evident on the world scene, it seems that God's people still need to be warned, "And I heard another voice from heaven saying, 'Come out of her my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues'" (18:4). Some, sadly, probably will "receive of her plagues" (or that warning would probably have not been necessary).

It is possible that the following from Ezekiel is mainly referring to protection for those who were God's people:

3 You shall also take a small number of them and bind them in the edge of your garment. 4 Then take some of them again and throw them into the midst of the fire, and burn them in the fire. (Ezekiel 5:3-4)

However, just getting to the place would not be a guarantee one could not have problems per verse 4. Some of those to be burnt could be some who made it to the place, while it may also (or instead) be referring to some of God's people who do not make it (cf. Daniel 11:33).

What About the USA and its British Allies

Now, what about others in the USA and its British-descended allies that are not actually biblical Christians?

Some think there are physical advantages to fleeing to Tennessee, Wyoming, Kauai, mountainous regions, or rural areas e.g. (see MS: Should Tennessee Be Ranked #1 For Survivability For Preppers That Want To Survive The Cataclysmic Times That Are Coming?).

And thile there can be some advantages there, remember that the Apostle Paul wrote Christians are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Most people, Protestant or otherwise, do not realize what will happen to the USA and its British-descended allies.

Consider the following prophecy:

39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain (Daniel 11:39)

The above prophecy is showing that the coming European King of the North beast power will destroy the strongest fortresses. In the 21st century, the strongest fortresses, the strongest military, belongs to the USA and to a lessor degree its British-descended allies.

While moving to a less populated part of the USA may help some temporarily, people should not count on that.

Notice part of Ezekiel 5:

1 “And you, son of man, take a sharp sword, take it as a barber’s razor, and pass it over your head and your beard; then take scales to weigh and divide the hair. 2 You shall burn with fire one-third in the midst of the city, when the days of the siege are finished; then you shall take one-third and strike around it with the sword, and one-third you shall scatter in the wind: I will draw out a sword after them. 3 You shall also take a small number of them and bind them in the edge of your garment. (Ezekiel 5:1-3)

Those verses are pointing to the descendants of Joseph (the USA and British descended peoples) (see also Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).

Ezekiel also wrote:

1 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 2 “Son of man, set your face toward the mountains of Israel, and prophesy against them, 3 and say, ‘O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord God to the mountains, to the hills, to the ravines, and to the valleys: “Indeed I, even I, will bring a sword against you, and I will destroy your high places. 4 Then your altars shall be desolate, your incense altars shall be broken, and I will cast down your slain men before your idols. 5 And I will lay the corpses of the children of Israel before their idols, and I will scatter your bones all around your altars. 6 In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. 7 The slain shall fall in your midst, and you shall know that I am the Lord.

8 “Yet I will leave a remnant, so that you may have some who escape the sword among the nations, when you are scattered through the countries. 9 Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations. 10 And they shall know that I am the Lord; I have not said in vain that I would bring this calamity upon them.” (Ezekiel 6:1-10)

16 ‘Those who survive will escape and be on the mountains
Like doves of the valleys,
All of them mourning,
Each for his iniquity.
17 Every hand will be feeble,
And every knee will be as weak as water. (Ezekiel 7:16-17)

Yes, various ones will flee to the mountains. Yet, destruction is coming (cf. Jeremiah 30:7; Daniel 8:24-25; 11:39).

The prophet Amos wrote:

9 ‘Assemble on the mountains of Samaria; See great tumults in her midst, And the oppressed within her. 10 For they do not know to do right, ‘Says the Lord, ‘Who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.'” 11 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “An adversary shall be all around the land; He shall sap your strength from you, And your palaces shall be plundered.” 12 Thus says the Lord: “As a shepherd takes from the mouth of a lion Two legs or a piece of an ear, So shall the children of Israel be taken out Who dwell in Samaria -- In the corner of a bed and on the edge of a couch! 13 Hear and testify against the house of Jacob,”Says the Lord God, the God of hosts, 14 ‘That in the day I punish Israel for their transgressions, I will also visit destruction on the altars of Bethel; And the horns of the altar shall be cut off And fall to the ground. (Amos 3:9-14)

The above indicates that some will be hiding in the mountains and other places in the USA while others are will be taken out of the USA (which is the prophetic Samaria--see Spiritual Samaritans: Old and New). Most of the Anglos that are not killed will be made slaves. Hiding in the mountains may protect a few for a time, but it will be few that survive that way for long. See also Will the Anglo-Saxon Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?

Top Ten Nations for Safety?

Have you wondered where the safest place to be is in turbulent times? One secular source claims the following nations are the safest:

December 8, 2015

The 10 safest countries if World War Three breaks out

Following a string of terror attacks and violence, we take a look at the safest places if another world war broke out

1. Fiji:

The remote island nation of Fiji lies within the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

It keeps Fiji isolated from potential invaders.

It’s small in population, neutral in foreign affairs and does not have any resources to justify invasion.

2. Ireland ...

3. Malta ...

4. Denmark ...

5. Iceland ...

6. Chile ...

7. Bhutan ...

8. New Zealand ...

9. Tuvalu ...

10. Switzerland ... http://pulse.com.gh/travel/revealed-the-10-safest-countries-if-world-war-three-breaks-out-id4438918.html

The above list is interesting as some of those lands and islands initially would not be impacted by World War III, but ultimately they would get affected. They will NOT be places of safety for the entire time of the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord.

Why?

Well, the Bible warns that islands and coastal regions will end up with problems, so that eliminates or at least reduces the safety factors for many on that list. Consider that the Bible teaches the following:

11 And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. . . . 25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:11,25-26)

12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. (Revelation 6:12-14)

17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” 18 And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. 19 Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. 20 Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. (Revelation 16:17-20)

(See also Islands and Bible Prophecy.)

It will not only be the islands and coastal regions that are affected by these events, as even inland areas apparently will have flooding too (the Netherlands, a very low lying country, comes to mind as does the Florida Everglades). Chile, Bhutan, and Switzerland are mountainous and thus subject to being leveled. Iceland is sort of like a large mountainous island, so it is also at real biblical risk.

Because Denmark, Switzerland (Genesis 49:19), and Ireland have many descendants of Israel, they are prophesied to be negatively affected, and will face issues with from the coming Beast of the Sea of Revelation 13 (see Ezekiel 5:4 and the article Anglo - America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).

New Zealand, being inhabited by descendants of Ephraim, will be among the earlier casualties of World War III (see also Anglo - America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).  It will NOT be a place of safety.

The author took a secular, carnal approach. The Bible warns:

6 For to be carnally minded is death . . . (Romans 8:6)

As Christians, we are to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

All the 'top ten' have problems that will render them unsafe at some time during the Great Tribulation and/or the Day of Lord. They are not the place of protection.

Irvin Baxter

Years back, the late Irvin Baxter of the End of the Age telecast, essentially said the following on a program titled Jews say, NEVER AGAIN (11/28/19 date ):

The Great Tribulation ... The United States and Israel will be places of safety from the coming holocaust.

In that telecast he gave no scriptural reasons for this.

Biblically, he is in error.

The United States will be destroyed towards the start of the Great Tribulation (Daniel 11:39) and the nation known as Israel will not fair well.

Some More Clues about Where the Place Isn't

Although some have suggested that the Bible gives no clue about where the place of safety will be, this is inaccurate. First notice that apparently some of God's people will apparently be in the area of Judea and Jerusalem around this time:

5 Declare in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say:

"Blow the trumpet in the land;
Cry, 'Gather together,'
And say, 'Assemble yourselves,
And let us go into the fortified cities.'
6 Set up the standard toward Zion.
Take refuge! Do not delay!
For I will bring disaster from the north,
And great destruction." (Jeremiah 4:5-6)

The above passage is suggesting that there will be a time that will come that those in Judea and Jerusalem will have to flee into a place of defense. This is consistent with what Jesus told His followers to do in Matthew 24 :15-16 when they see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel (which happens right after the sacrifices, which have not yet started, have been stopped--to find out more about when this can be, check out the article When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?).  And Jeremiah is basically warning that disaster will come from the north--in this case apparently the King of the North. And this may be because some of God's people have fled to Judea/Jerusalem in order to escape from some of the persecutions from this northern power (for more information on WHEN to flee/fly, please see the article Who is the King of the North?).

In Luke 21:20-21, Jesus confirmed the concept that some of His people would be in the same area and would need to flee:

20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.

It thus appears that the place of safety is not in Jerusalem or Judea. Notice also that the armies surrounding Jerusalem will be a signal that it is time to flee. But, sadly, most Christians will not accept that sign, probably because of lukewarmness and claims that it is being done for peaceful reasons.

As far as the location to flee, since the Bible also warns that God's people should flee Babylon and go out of Chaldea (Jeremiah 50:8;51:6,44-45; Zechariah 2:7; Revelation 18:4), Babylon and Chaldea apparently are not the places either.

Notice the following,

6 "Flee from the land of the north", says the LORD...7 Up Zion! Escape you that dwell with the daughter of Babylon (Zechariah 2:6,7).

This not only suggests that the place may not be in a northern land, but that some Christians will have need to flee from the land of the north.

Since the Bible seem to forecast near total destruction to the islands of the world (Revelation 6:12-14; 16:17-21), no island seems to be a likely place (more information can be found in the article Islands and Bible Prophecy).

Zephaniah and the Need to Gather Together

During the Great Tribulation, the Beast will control buying and selling:

16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:16-18)

Does this mean that the Philadelphian Christians will starve?

No.

Notice some of what the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write:

15 He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil: 16 He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure. (Isaiah 33:15-16)

20 "Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, You who have escaped from the nations" (Isaiah 45:20).

Isaiah thus indicates this place will be a fortress of rocks for those that escape from the nations (note: the escaping from the nations suggests that groups with origins in CGI, such as ICG and CEM, are in error for teaching that God intends to protect people where they are) and those protected will be able to eat (some have wondered if this could be 'manna') and drink. It is likely that they will also have many possessions in common, consistent with what happened in Acts 2:43-46.

It is also of interest to note that those that escape will be assembled--they are not lone independents--this is also consistent with writings in Zephaniah 2:1-3.

God inspired the Prophet Zephaniah to write the following:

1 Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation, (Zephaniah 2:1)

Although it has certain misunderstandings, the Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary realized that the gathering together was intended for a religious group or assembly:

Zephaniah 2:1

Gather yourselves together - to a religious assembly, to avert the judgment by prayers, (Joel 2:16, "Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders," etc.) (from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

When are they to gather together?

2 Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the Lord's fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon you! (Zephaniah 2:2)

This gathering is to take place will before the day of the Lord (which happens about 2 1/2 years after the Great Tribulation of Matthew 24:21 begins) and before some type of decree is issued. People who have not gathered together and think they will be able to know what to do at the end are mainly deceiving themselves.

Consider also what the New Testament teaches about the importance of gathering together as we get closer to the end:

We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming. (Hebrews 10:23, Gods Word Translation)

Who does God want to gather together?

The end time Philadelphian Christians. Notice what Jesus stated and something the Apostle Peter wrote:

19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19, NKJV)

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10, KJV)

This is a peculiar people. These are people who the world does not desire. These are Philadelphian Christians. Notice what the Apostle Paul wrote:

1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)

This gathering together before Jesus returns is for Christians.

How else do we know that Zephaniah 2:1-3 is related to Christians? Because the decree is for the end time and because of what else God inspired Zephaniah to write:

3 Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. (Zephaniah 2:3a)

The above is a reference to Christians as they are to be the "meek of the earth" (Matthew 5:5) and to Philadelphians who "have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility." These are Philadelphian Christians who understand that church leaders need to have integrity and are willing to be humble enough to accept the authority of a church led by a low-level prophet in the absence of a clear apostle (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-15). They are humble enough to not think that they should remain 'independent,' as many who once were part of the old Worldwide Church of God have done.

Why does God tell them they may wish to be gathered together? So:

3 ... It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the Lord's anger. (Zephaniah 2:3b)

Interestingly, the Hebrew words translated as Zephaniah means “Yahweh Hides” or “Yahweh Has Hidden” (Holy Bible: Vine’s Expository Reference Edition, p. 826).

Why have I written that Zephaniah 2:1-3 has to do with Philadelphian Christians?

For they are the only ones who will actually 'gather together' as they should.

Why?

Because it is only to the Philadelphians that Jesus promises to protect from the coming hour of trial, also referred to as the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord (Revelation 3:7-13).

Notice also the following from a former WCG member:

1) In Matthew 24:37-39 the discussion is still somewhat general. The two groups in this context are:

A) those who are protected at the place of safety;

B) all the rest of mankind who are not protected.

After this general comment, Jesus Christ became more specific. From here on He repeatedly contrasts TWO groups. But neither of those two groups represents the world at large. Both of those groups represent people who really SHOULD BE His "servants"; they both should be doing God's work, and they both should be protected from the end time events, but only one group actually is protected.

The two groups that Christ repeatedly contrasts in the next section appear to represent:

A) the Philadelphian Christians

B) the Laodiceans.

In repeatedly referring to the same people, who are alive at the time of His return, Christ is highlighting different aspects about these two groups. So notice:

2) In Matthew 24:40 the Philadelphians are taken to the place of safety, and the Laodiceans are left behind.

3) In Matthew 24:41 this is repeated, the Philadelphians are taken to the place of safety and the Laodiceans are left behind.

... In Luke 17:37 the disciples are, in effect, asking: WHERE is the place of safety? WHERE are they taken?

And they answered and said unto him, WHERE, LORD? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body [is], thither will the eagles be gathered together. (Luke 17:37)

Regarding this section of Scripture I have often pointed out that they asked the wrong question, but it is the same question that most of us would also have been inclined to ask. We want to know WHERE the place of safety is, as if that was somehow important. What they really should have asked is: "WHY LORD?" Why are some left behind?

What is the difference between these two groups? Why are some who are seemingly in the Church not going to be protected? Because it was the wrong question, the answer to which Christ did not want to divulge, therefore Christ gave a rather cryptic answer. It was a polite way of saying: "I am not going to tell you that right now". However, this cryptic clue appears to be a reference to Petra, more than to any other place. (Nelte, Frank W. But If That Evil Servant Shall Begin to Smite His Fellow Servants ... April 1995. http://www.franknelte.net/article.php?article_id=161&print=yes viewed 08/02/14)

Getting back to Zephaniah, notice that book is teaching that a decree is issued, apparently by a church leader--and I believe that the leader will be part of the Continuing Church of God. This would seem to happen after the gospel has been preached enough to the world as a witness (Matthew 24:14), Jewish sacrifices are stopped, and the abomination is set up (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; see also The 'Peace Deal' of Daniel 9:27) per Jesus' statements in Matthew 24:15-16.

What kind of decree will be issued?

A decree that may allow those who are gathered together and who listen to it an opportunity to be protected (Zephaniah 2:1-3). A decree that the Philadelphians will listen to and then fly/flee.

When is a decree to be issued? After an event that Jesus told of that He tied to the writings of the Prophet Daniel:

15 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), (Matthew 24:15)

14 "So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), (Mark 13:14a)

What did Jesus say happens next?

16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. 18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:16-21)

Why a decree?

Apparently, to make it easier for people who read what Jesus said to better be able to understand that Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 and Daniel 9:27b and Daniel 11:31 had been fulfilled.

By whom will the decree be made?

The Bible says:

7 Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
8 A lion has roared!
Who will not fear?
The Lord God has spoken!
Who can but prophesy? (Amos 3:7-8)

The prophet may make the decree personally and/or pass it on to another authority in the church to make.

Who is the only Church of God in the 21st century to teach all of this?

The Continuing Church of God.

If you are not with the group that is leading the final phase of the work will you not be able to fly/flee if you wait until the last moment? While that may be remotely possible for some, remember that God inspired Zephaniah to admonish God's people to 'gather together...before the decree is issued.'

Most will discount this and many will scoff. Most COGs do not have any when considered to be a prophet, and those other than CCOG who claim to, have prophets that have been proven to be false (e.g. PCG, CGPFKG, TPM).

Furthermore, I let me mention that I read a post from a CCOG scoffer who picked at the very idea that one should suggest that a COG is Philadelphian and those part of such a COG will have be subject to being protected in a place of safety.

He and many others do not realize how important Jesus taught paying attentions to world events and prophecy is. Notice something Jesus taught:

34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:34-36)

Notice Jesus said to watch and pray ALWAYS. He was referring to prophetic matters. THIS CAME FROM JESUS, BUT MANY SCOFF AT PROPHECY for differing reasons (cf. 2 Peter 3:1-7)--yet being a prophetic scoffer is a mistake (cf. 2 Peter 3:8-9).

Jesus realized that if people did not pay attention to prophecy and pray alway, they would not properly take the steps to "be counted worthy to escape all these things." Yes, God uses prophecy as a motivator for people. Remember that God used Jonah to warn Nineveh (Jonah 3:1-4) and they repented (Jonah 3:5-9), and they did not get the punishment they were going to get then (Jonah 3:10).

Consider also the following:

2 Then the Lord answered me and said:

“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

Notice that the above is saying that something really, really bad will happen in the appointed time of the end. That means this has future application. Notice also that what is coming will be so bad that the time will come when people should run/flee when it does happen. The time will come when those Philadelphians who understand Habakkuk 2 in its proper timeframe will flee.

So, what is this prophecy related to?

Debt.

Notice what else the Prophet Habakkuk was inspired to record:

6 “Will not all these take up a proverb against him,
And a taunting riddle against him, and say,
‘Woe to him who increases
What is not his -- how long?
And to him who loads himself with many pledges’?
7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly?
Will they not awaken who oppress you?
And you will become their booty.
8 Because you have plundered many nations,
All the remnant of the people shall plunder you,
Because of men’s blood
And the violence of the land and the city,
And of all who dwell in it. (Habakkuk 2:6-8)

“The United States has the largest debt in the world” (US News & World Report -- Jan 28, 2011 http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2011/01/28/the-10-countries-with-the-most-debt)--and the debt has gone up a lot since that report came out. Here is another comment:

The United States has the largest debt in the world -- the largest debt burden held by any civilization in human history, as a matter of fact. (The US National Debt: Can it Be Balanced, or Will The USD Crumble? December 27, 2016. https://www.trigtent.com/usa/us-national-debt-can-it-be-balanced-or-will-usd-crumble)

Habakkuk 2 teaches that the time will come when people should flee from this indebted nation--the USA!

I, personally, have taught the end time risks of Habakkuk 2 longer than any living COG leader that I am aware of. And the only Church of God group that I am aware of that has been boldly teaching about this warning in Habakkuk 2 for years is the Continuing Church of God (and the end time applicability of Habakkuk 2 was even in the first edition--January-March 2013--of our Bible News Prophecy magazine; and the headline shown on the front cover was "Habakkuk's Warning is for Us Today"). The Laodicean groups that I am aware of are NOT teaching this. We in the Continuing Church of God expect to tell people WHEN the time the Philadelphians should flee.

Jesus specifically told the Laodiceans, in a prophecy, that they needed to repent (Revelation 3:19) or face consequences (Revelation 3:14-19, and that they would be rewarded for doing so (Revelation 3:20). The Laodiceans are Church of God Christians "who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12:17).

Many COG groups no longer officially teach the idea of "church eras," and various ones also teach against it (though many are silent about them). Those that are unwilling to accept the idea of church eras, have tended to misunderstand Jesus' teachings to the seven churches and will, unless they change, not accept the related truths today.

The old Worldwide Church of God clearly did teach church eras. Notice one related quote from the late Herbert W. Armstrong:

"Greetings, everybody! This afternoon I want to speak on the mission of the Philadelphia Era of the Church, this Church today in comparison to the first era of the Church, the Ephesus Era of the Church. It's been seeming more and more to me, as the years go by, that the Bible was written primarily for the Philadelphia Era of the Church...Today's mission of the Church you will find in Matthew 24:14. And this gospel of the kingdom . . . that is the same gospel that Jesus preached . . . shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."(Armstrong HW. Mission of the Philadelphia Church Era, December 17, 1983)

The Continuing Church of God has the same mission and the same commitment to fulfilling Matthew 24:14 that Herbert Armstrong advocated. Many do not realize that not teaching church eras was one of the first changes in doctrine implemented by the Tkach Administration after the death of Herbert Armstrong (see The 18 Restored Truths: Do You Know What the First Changes the Tkach Administration Made?).

Although many Laodiceans do believe in church eras and do believe that they should watch events related to biblical prophecy, sadly, they have compromised and accepted compromised leaders who will not know when the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21) that will begin. This is documented in the article The Laodicean Church Era. Yet, they will lack the motivation and humility to make the necessary changes.

Notice also:

6 Gather the people,
Sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the elders,
Gather the children and nursing babes;
Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber,
And the bride from her dressing room.
17 Let the priests, who minister to the Lord,
Weep between the porch and the altar;
Let them say, "Spare Your people, O Lord,
And do not give Your heritage to reproach,
That the nations should rule over them.
Why should they say among the peoples,
'Where is their God?'" (Joel 2:16-17)

Joel was inspired to write that the most faithful needed to gather together so that the 'nations,' apparently those led by the end-time King of the North, would not rule over them. Between Jeremiah 4:5-6, Zephaniah 2:1-3, and Joel 2:16-17, etc. God's people are told to gather together before it is too late (see also 2 Thessalonians 2:1).

It remains my prayer that those who are Philadelphians and are scattered in groups will soon assemble together, before it is too late. Sadly, because many COG groups do not understand key aspects of end time prophecy (see, for three examples: Is the Future King of the South Rising Up?, Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations?, and The 'Peace Deal' of Daniel 9:27)

Getting back to Zephaniah, he continues by suggesting that the place will not be in Gaza, at the seacoast, nor Canaan, the land of the Philistines:

For Gaza will be forsaken, And Ashkelon desolate; They shall drive out Ashdod at noonday, and Ekron shall be uprooted. Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast; The nation of the Cherethites! The word of the LORD is against you, O Canaan, the land of the Philistines (Zephaniah 2:4-5).

According to the commentary at Nelson's Study Bible on these verses Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod and Ekron are major cities of the Philistines and Cherethites is simply another name for Philistines. The land mentioned is currently primarily occupied by the Palestinians. (More on Gaza and the Palestinians can be found in the article Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy)

Since people are to leave Judea, are not to go to Gaza, nor Canaan, nor to various places in the north, which direction can they go? Well, they cannot go west because the Mediterranean sea is in the way. This would seem to suggest going east, south, or possibly southeast (southwest would take one to Gaza).

There is a sermonette-length video available titled: Zephaniah's 'Gather Together' Prophecy.

Where is the Place?

David wrote:

5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5).

This may have a dual meaning. It may be referring to the tribulation and may also be referring to an interesting event in David's life. David was hiding in the woods from Saul (1 Samuel 23:19), and

25 When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David. Therefore he went down to the rock, and stayed in the wilderness of Maon ... 26 ... So David made haste to get away from Saul ... 28 ... so they called that place the Rock of Escape. (1 Samuel 23:25,26,28)

The word translated 'Rock' is Sela and the word translated as 'rock' are derivatives of the same word. Thus there was a Sela of Escape for David. Let me add that although Petra and Sela basically mean the same thing, currently there is a rocky place in Jordan, north of Petra, that is called Sela. Petra, itself, is at coordinates: 30.3285° N, 35.4444° E, while Sela is at 30°46′17″N 35°34′59″E.

Now Jesus taught, "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath" (Matthew 24:20) which is consistent with Revelation 12:14 which clearly states that it is a place to go to, it is in the wilderness, and it is away from the presence of the serpent. The word translated as wilderness, is translated as desert in the NIV. This word is eremos, which Strong's Concordance defines as lonesome, waste, desert, desolate, solitary, wilderness. Thus, it is not protection in our own houses (as some have erroneously suggested) nor is it protection in a large city nor is it in heaven (which is not a wilderness). It is somewhere in the wilderness.

Petra, the rocky outpost in Jordan has been speculated to be the place. And where is Petra?:

Situated within the harsh desert, Petra’s vitality was dependent upon an intricate hydraulic system fed by a perennial spring. This spring, the Ain Musa (Spring of Moses), is fabled to have been one of the places where Moses struck the rock with his staff to produce water for his wandering people after their flight from Egypt. Not surprisingly, the valley in which Petra is situated, the Wadi Musa (Valley of Moses) is also named after the Biblical patriarch. In addition, Moses’ brother Aaron is believed to be buried atop the Jebel Haroun (Mount of Aaron), a mountain just south of the city. The belief that Aaron was buried so near Petra is especially noteworthy because it played an important role in Petra’s rediscovery by John Burckhardt (Petra: History, Myth, and Earthquakes; Standford.edu website).

In terms of its location from Jerusalem, Petra (Sela on some Bible maps--though technically there is another place called Sela) is mainly south and slightly east of Jerusalem as is the place called Sela. Speaking of Sela(h):

The Edomite city of Selah, whose name in Hebrw translates something like "rocky cliff" is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. (Report on Edomite Selah's Excavation. Artifax, Spring 2019, p. 21).

Also, the tems 'Selah' is a 'pause' in many Psalms. Sometimes it seems to point to a place of protection or aspects possibly related to it.

Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Petra

I should probably mention that some have alleged that the idea of Petra and the 'place of safety' were non-biblical inventions of Loma and/or Herbert W. Armstrong. This is not the case. The idea of the biblical cave-containing area of Sela (which could be Sela or the area currently known as Petra) being a place of protection for God's people predates the Armstrongs mentioning it by over one-half a century (and likely even before then).

Although the F.W. Farrar (author of the following had timing issues), notice what he wrote related to Revelation 12:14:

But the Woman, the Mother-Church ... flies to the Wilderness--to Petra ... and is safe there for 1,260 days. ... The Dragon is overcome by Michael, and the Woman, aided by eagle-wings of divine protection, escapes in safety. (Farrar FW. The Messages of the Books: Being Discourses and Notes on the Books of the New Testament. E.P. Dutton and Co., 1885, pp. 523-524)

So, F.W. Farrar pointed to Petra being a place of safety for 3 1/2 years.

Other 19th century Protestant commentators, such as from the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges refer to the outcasts of Isaiah 16:4 as "protected guests," whereas Barnes' Notes on the Bible states related to parts of Isaiah 16:

From Sela in the wilderness - The word 'Sela' (סלע sela') means "a rock;" and by it here there can be no doubt that there is intended the city of that name which was the capital of "Arabia Petrea."... Vitringa says that that desert around Petra was regarded as a vast common, on which the Moabites and Arabians promiscuously fed their flocks. The situation of the city of Sela, or (πέτρα petra) Petra, meaning the same as Sela, a rock, was for a long time unknown, but it has lately been discovered. ...

Let mine outcasts - This may be understood as the language of Judea, or of God. 'Mine outcasts' may mean the exiles of Judea, or God may call them "his." ... and God claims for them protection.

Dwell with thee - Not dwell permanently, but sojourn (יגוּרוּ yāgûrû), let them remain with you as exiles; or let them find a refuge in your land.

Be thou a covert to them - A refuge; a hiding-place; a place of "secrecy" (סתר sêther).

From the face of the spoiler - That is, the conqueror ...

The spoiler would be the Beast, and two-horned beast (the final Antichrist), who is associated with that conqueror (cf. Revelation 13).

Notice the following regarding the Hebrew word translated as covert:

OT:5643

OT:5643 cether (say'-ther); or (feminine) cithrah (Deuteronomy 32:38), (sith-raw'); from OT:5641; a cover (in a good or a bad, a literal or a figurative sense) ... covering, covert, disguise [-th], hiding place, privily, protection, secret (-ly, place). (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006, 2010 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Hence, scripture refers to a place of protection, which could also be considered to be a place of safety.

Therefore, we see that various ones other than the Armstrongs, wrote and/or saw ties in with the cave-filled area of Petra and protection for God's people.

It should also be understood that Roman Catholic writers such as Irenaeus and Hippolytus also believed that there was a physical place to flee to (see also Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected?).

Although we in the genuine Church of God consider him to be a heretic, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, even and Protestant theologians normally consider Irenaeus to have been a saint and faithful Christian leader. He claimed to have learned some of what he taught from Polycarp of Smyrna. Anyway, Irenaeus wrote:

And then he points out the time that his tyranny shall last, during which the saints shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure sacrifice unto God: "And in the midst of the week," he says, "the sacrifice and the libation shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation [shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete."Now three years and six months constitute the half-week. (Irenaeus. Against Heresies (Book V, Chapter 25, Verse 4)

Now, that the promises were not announced to the prophets and the fathers alone, but to the Churches united to these from the nations, whom also the Spirit terms "the islands" (both because they are established in the midst of turbulence, suffer the storm of blasphemies, exist as a harbour of safety to those in peril, and are the refuge of those who love the height [of heaven], and strive to avoid Bythus, that is, the depth of error) (Irenaeus. Adversus haereses, Book V, Chapter 34, Verse 3. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885).

Thus, Irenaeus understood that the Church, not just Jews that were later converted (as some Protestant theologians have suggested--since many Protestant leaders do NOT believe Christians need to follow the Ten Commandments), would flee for 3 1/2 years--the midst of the week is a reference to the seven year 'peace deal' of Daniel 9:27.

A major Roman Catholic theologian of the third century, Hippolytus, wrote:

And the dragon, he says, saw and persecuted the woman which brought forth the man-child . And to the woman were given two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, where she is nourished for a time , and times, and half a time , from the face of the serpent. That refers to the one thousand two hundred and threescore days (the half of the week) during which the tyrant is to reign and persecute the Church, which flees from city to city, and seeks conceal-meat in the wilderness among the mountains, possessed of no other defence than the two wings of the great eagle...

The Lord also says, When you shall see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place (whoso reads, let him understand), then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains, and let him which is on the housetop not come down to take his clothes; neither let him which is in the field return back to take anything out of his house. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. (Hippolytus. On Christ and Antichrist, Chapters 61 & 62).

Hence, it should be clear that the scriptures involving the Church and the tribulation were interpreted in the second and third centuries to mean that the Church would flee somewhere on the earth.

Later Roman Catholic writers have confirmed this. Notice the following from a 20th century priest commenting on Revelation 12:14:

Verse 14...

She is given "two wings" of a Great Eagle.  This intimates a rescue by airplane. ...

The "Great Eagle" may send or have present a powerful airplane to bring its citizens home ... God promises that those who trust in Him shall take "wings as eagles".  The "wings" of the great eagle will enable the woman to fly into the wilderness. This wilderness is a heathen nation ...

The great eagle therefore, as a nation, has never been Catholic.  The word "eagle" suggests that the nation may have become great by conquest. This eagle will protect and shelter the Church during the reign of the Beast.  The place of safety for the woman ... will refuse to join Antichrist and will protect the Church during his domination of the world...

The time is stated in three different ways, in years, months and days to make the literal meaning unmistakably certain. Evidently it is three and a half years actual time. The time given in verse 14 is indefinite, similar to that of Daniel (XII.  7); But since in Daniel (XII. 11) it seems to mean 1290 days, so here it evidently synchronizes with the 1260 days of verse 6 and the same period in chapter eleven. (Kramer H.B. L. The Book of Destiny. Nihil Obstat: J.S. Considine, O.P., Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: +Joseph M. Mueller, Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, January 26, 1956. Reprint TAN Books, Rockford (IL),pp. 296-297)

Thus, we also see from Roman Catholic writings that the idea of a physical place of safety was not a new invention of one of the Armstrongs. Additionally, even the Rheims New Testament commentary admits that the Bible teaches that there is a place in the desert for the true church to flee:

The Church shall flee as to a desert in Antichrist's time, but not decay or be unknown, no not for so short a time. (p. 556).

Furthermore, it is my opinion that the demons themselves know about this place (recall that even Satan quoted scripture to Christ, see Matthew 4).

Notice that the power behind the “secret society” is expected to be hidden in a cave:

Anne Catherine Emmerich (October 1820): I saw the secret society undermining the great church and near them a horrible beast … concealing itself in a cave (Emmerich AC. The Life and Revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich, Volume 2, p.290).

I also believe that somehow demons influenced a mystic Roman Catholic saint and prophetess named Hildegard to warn that those in a place with caves worked for the devil and were an advanced group that support the Antichrist. Notice what she wrote in the 12th century:

And fly from those who linger in caves and are cloistered supporters of the Devil. Woe to them, woe to them who remain thus! They are the Devil's very viscera, and the advance guard of the son of perdition.

Therefore, O you My beloved children, avoid them with all devotion and with all the strength of your souls and bodies. For the ancient serpent feeds and clothes them by his arts, and they worship him as God and trust in his false deceptions ... Because they are afraid of My people, they do not openly resist these institutions of Mine, but in their hearts and their deeds they hold them as nothing. By devilish illusion, they pretend to have sanctity; but they are deceived by the Devil, for if he were to show himself to them openly they would understand him and flee him. By his arts he shows them things he pretends are good and holy, and thus deludes them. O woe to those who persevere in this death!

But because the Devil knows he has only a short time for his error, he is not hastening to perfect infidelity in his members; you, you evil deceivers, who labor to subvert the Catholic faith. (Hildegard of Bingen. Scivias. Paulist Press, Mahwah (NJ), pp. 301-302).

Since I believe that the mystic was demonically-influenced, she is actually warning against supporting the true Christians who will be protected who she is claiming are the "supporters of the Devil" (probably because they will oppose the Catholic Church). Since she calls them the advanced guard "of the son of perdition," she seems to be referring to a group of people who will be protected in caves just before Christ returns (I stated that because certain Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies seem to refer to the returning Christ as the “antichrist”, who is also sometimes referred to as “the son of perdition”—for more on this, please read the article Do Certain Greco-Roman Catholic Prophecies About Antichrist Warn Against Jesus?).

Hence, I believe that the above demonically-inspired vision will be used to try to persuade people to be against those that are in caves (Jeremiah 48:28), who seem religious (Revelation 14:12), and are apparently miraculously fed (Isaiah 33:15-16). Those being protected will be teaching that Jesus is about to return (who certain Greco-Roman Catholic prophecies call Antichrist)--this would be expect to result in persecution of those with similar beliefs. Yet notice that the above vision does indicate that even the demons have known about a place of protection where some people will be miraculously fed, for quite some time.

It is interesting to note that the Bible might suggest that perhaps others will ignore Hildegard's warnings as it suggests that some will join God's outcasts:

8 The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says,
"Yet I will gather to him
Others besides those who are gathered to him." (Isaiah 56:8)

More from Roman Catholic (or Greco-Roman Catholic Influenced) Sources

Notice some of what the 13th century Roman Catholic Inquisitor Bernard Guidonis claimed he learned from those he persecuted:

Again, they distinguish between two churches, the carnal church which they say is the Roman church which contains the multitude of rebrobate, and the spiritual church which contains those people they describe as spiritual and evangelical, who emulate the life of Christ and the apostles. They say the latter is their church. ...

Again, they claim that there is a double Antichrist, one spiritual or mystical and the other the real, greater Antichrist...

Again, they say that both in the time of persecution by Antichrist and in that of the aforesaid war carnal Christians will be so afflicted that, despairing, they will say, “If Christ were God, he would not permit Christians to suffer so much and such intense evil.” Thus despairing, they will apostacize from the faith and die. But God will hide the elect spiritual individuals so that they cannot be found by Antichrist and his ministers. Then the church will be reduced to the same size as the primitive church when it was first founded. (Bernard Gui: Inquisitor’s Manual, Chapter 5. Translated by David Burr, History Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. https://www2.kenyon.edu/projects/margin/inquisit.htm 02/21/19 ).

So, the idea that there was a 'place of safety' for the Philadelphians (the more spiritually elect), as opposed to the more carnal (Laodiceans) was a belief that some who opposed the Church of Rome had many centuries ago.

The Chilam Balam (meaning "oracular priest" "jaguar"), set of writings that seem to combine Mayan and Spanish beliefs that came from the late 15th/early 16th century with apparent Catholic influence, makes the following statements:

Son, where is the cenote 566? All are drenched <with> its water 567. There is no gravel on its bottom; a bow is inserted over its entrance 568. <It is> the church.

566 Evidently a reference to a cave type of cenote ...
567 Probably .. .the water of baptism is meant ...
568 A reference to the arched doorway of the church (José Hoíl J, Roys R. The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel. Roys Publisher, 1933. Reprint Forgotten Books, 1967, pp. 80, 233).

Thus, the idea that the church would possibly be in a desert and/or cave area has existed for some time. Petra, by the way, seems to have something that could possibly be described as a somewhat arched doorway.

Perhaps I should also add here that some of the Mayans seem to believe that in the time of a false Archbishop (possibly a refernce to the final Antichrist) that those who consider themselves faithful in Central America (and probably South America) should hide in the forest (this would be those who were not with the main faithful portion of the church which would have gone to the area of rocky caves):

There is no reason or necessity for you to submit to the Archbishop. When he comes, you go and hide yourselves in the forest. If you surrender yourselves, you shall follow Christ, when he shall come (José Hoíl J, Roys R. The Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel , p. 77).

Early Greco-Roman Catholic writers such as Irenaeus in the 2nd century Hippolytus in the 3rd century (Hippolytus. On Christ and Antichrist, Chapter 61) also basically taught this. Hence, Hildegard is once again not even faithful to Catholic positions on prophetic matters.

Furthermore, notice what a late third century Roman Catholic bishop and saint named Victorinus wrote:

But the woman fled into the wilderness, and there were given to her two great eagle's wings … to that … church … let them go to that place which they have ready, and let them be supported there for three years and six months from the presence of the devil. (Victorinus of Petau.  Commentary on the Apocalpyse. Ante-Nicene Christian library: translations of the writings of the Fathers down to A.D. 325.  Edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson. T. and T. Clark, 1870. Original from Harvard University. Digitized Nov 16, 2006, p. 423)

Additionally, notice what Cyril of Jerusalem (who is considered a saint by the Roman Catholics and the Orthodox) taught in the fourth century:

Antichrist shall reign for three years and a half only. We speak not from apocryphal books, but from Daniel ; for he says, And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time . A time is the one year in which his coming shall for a while have increase; and the times are the remaining two years of iniquity , making up the sum of the three years; and the half a time is the six months. And again in another place Daniel says the same thing, And he sware by Him that lives for ever that it shall be for a time , and times, and half a time. And some peradventure have referred what follows also to this; namely , a thousand two hundred and ninety days ; and this, Blessed is he that endures and comes to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days . For this cause we must hide ourselves and flee (Cyril of Jerusalem. Catechetical Lecture 15. http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310115.htm viewed 12/27/08).

Thus, the idea of true Christians fleeing, being supported, and being away from the devil for 3 ½ years is consistent with both biblical and certain Catholic teachings.  No one should rely on Hildegard’s false admonition.

More Protestants and Petra

It may also be of interest to note that there are even some outside the COGs which believe in the concept of Petra as a place of protection. Some Protestants feel that Petra is the place that Jewish Christians who become converted during the tribulation will be protected in.

Protestants, however, tend to have a problem reconciling the fact that the Book of Revelation refers to believers as those "who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12:17) and "the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12) with the fact that most Protestants believe that the ten commandments are done away--hence referring to those protected as "Jewish Christians", as opposed to recognizing that all real Christians keep the ten commandments, is how I have heard some try to rationalize that view.

Protestant scholar Dr. Walvoord mentioned:

(Matthew 24:15-22), some believe that there will be a specific place in the desert that Israel can flee... (Walvoord JF. The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook. Victor Books, Wheaton (IL), 1990, p. 579).

One or more of the books in the "Left Behind' series mention some 'believers' congregating in Petra at the end-time.

Actually, the idea that Christians who seem to be Jewish (because they keep the seventh-day Sabbath) being protected in Petra is widely-held in Protestant circles that accept the idea of the Great Tribulation and the rapture.

Protestant scholars Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson wrote:

… the last half of the Tribulation … Many commentators suggest the Jews will flee to the ancient mountain fortress of Petra which is in the wilderness of Jordan … Satan’s final “war” will fall upon the believing Jews, the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17) (LaHaye T, Hindson E. The Popular Bible Prophecy Commentary. Harvest House, Eugene (OR), 2006, pp. 523-524).

Notice what some others have written:

Those Jews in Israel who have come to know Yeshua personally during the first half of the tribulation will be responsive and it is to this believing remnant that Jesus makes His appeal.

Ray Stedman remarks on this event,

Who are they who must flee so urgently when the last days begin? Who dare not hesitate long enough even to go back into the house to pick up a wrap, but must immediately head for the hills? There is no need to wonder, for the Lord says plainly, "those who are in Judea" Now Judea is a geographical part of the land of Israel, ancient Palestine. It comprises the hill country surrounding the city of Jerusalem and includes the city as well. It is to the residents of Jerusalem and Judea that this warning is addressed.

Furthermore, the Lord's mention of the Sabbath establishes the fact that these residents of Judea are Jews. He urges them to pray that their flight will not be in the winter, with its distress of cold, or on the Sabbath, with its travel limitations, for Jews are allowed to travel only a short distance on a Sabbath day. Later in this passage these Jews are called "the elect" ("for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened"), and this makes clear they are believing Jews...

But here the Sabbath distinctly will be a restricting factor in the flight of these people. Here then will be a class of people who cannot be identified with the present day church They will be Jewish believers in Christ who will be converted after the removal of the church and before the time of the Great Tribulation.

... Most Bible scholars believe this godly remnant will find refuge in the ancient rock-hewn cliff city of Petra, and in the surrounding region in the land of that once belonged to the descendants of Esau, that is Edom (Southern Jordan). The remnant will survive there, protected by God, for three and a half years (Graff, Ron and Dolphin, Lambert. Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done..., Chapter 11. Peninsula Bible Church, Palo Alto (CA), 1998).

It should be pointed out that Ray Stedman is referring to Jesus' statement in Matthew 24:20 about the Sabbath. However, contrary to most Protestant teachings, Jesus did not state that this applied only to the Jews. In that verse, Jesus clearly was telling all believers to pray that their flight (possibly to Petra) not occur on the Sabbath or the winter. But it is true that those being protected keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ as those that are Christians, but are not protected, also do (Revelation 12:17). Note that those who DO NOT flee are sometimes called a remnant, but these are Laodiceans (and those of Sardis), they are not what the Seventh-day Adventists think they are (for the SDA position, see SDA/CCOG Differences: Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666).

The truth is that true Christians have always kept the Sabbath, thus Protestant exegesis of these passages has been tainted by their refusing to follow the practices of the early Christians in regards to the Sabbath and ten commandments. Basically these Protestant writers seem to think that only Jews could keep God’s commandments while at the same time believing in Jesus.  That is bizarre, because if these are physical Jews and they do that, then this would mean that the two witnesses would be preaching that the commandments still need to be kept—something that most Protestant scholars disagree with. The truth is that those being protected, possibly in or near Petra, will be Philadelphia Church era Church of God Christians.

And although he was somewhat discussing the idea of the millennium, Irenaeus used an interesting choice of words when he wrote the following:

Now, that the promises were not announced to the prophets and the fathers alone, but to the Churches united to these from the nations, whom also the Spirit terms "the islands" (both because they are established in the midst of turbulence, suffer the storm of blasphemies, exist as a harbour of safety to those in peril, and are the refuge of those who love the height [of heaven], and strive to avoid Bythus, that is, the depth of error) (Irenaeus. Adversus haereses, Book V, Chapter 34, Verse 3. Excerpted from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1. Edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885. Online Edition Copyright © 2004 by K. Knight).

Thus, Irenaeus is endorsing the concept that the writings in the Old Testament about refuge and safety apply to Christians who avoid the depth of error.

And, the Roman Catholic theologian Hippolytus, in the third century wrote:

And the dragon, he says, saw and persecuted the woman which brought forth the man-child . And to the woman were given two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, where she is nourished for a time , and times, and half a time , from the face of the serpent. That refers to the one thousand two hundred and threescore days (the half of the week) during which the tyrant is to reign and persecute the Church, which flees from city to city, and seeks conceal-meat in the wilderness among the mountains, possessed of no other defence than the two wings of the great eagle... (Hippolytus. On Christ and Antichrist, Chapter 61).

Hence, he understood that the Church (and not just some later converted Jews) would end up in the wilderness near mountains.

Furthermore Roman Catholic Bishop and the Inquisitor Bernard Guidonis noted about some he called heretics:

Again, they say that both in the time of persecution by Antichrist and in that of the aforesaid war carnal Christians will be so afflicted that, despairing, they will say, "If Christ were God, he would not permit Christians to suffer so much and such intense evil." Thus despairing, they will apostatize from the faith and die. But God will hide the elect spiritual individuals so that they cannot be found by Antichrist and his ministers. Then the church will be reduced to the same size as the primitive church when it was first founded (BERNARD GUI: INQUISITOR'S MANUAL, Chapter 5. Translated by David Burr, History Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. http://phi.kenyon.edu/Projects/Margin/inquisit.htm 04/09/07).

Hence, it has long been understood that a small part of the true Church of God would be hidden by God, but that another part would not be.

Furthermore, a Roman Catholic mystic known as the "Blessed Elizabeth Canori-Mora" (early 19th century) proclaimed that after certain events, "the flock of Jesus" would be "gathered" "in a place of safety"(G. THE CHRISTIAN TRUMPET, OR, Previsions and Predictions about Impending General Calamities, The Universal Triumph of the Church, The Coming of Antichrist, The Last Judgment, and The End of the World. Compiled by PELLEGRINO [Gaudentius Rossi], A Missionary Priest with Superior's permission. Boston, THOS. B. NOONAND & CO., 1873, p.127).

The idea of a place of safety has been discussed by many for centuries.

Herbert W. Armstrong and Petra

Although it is not certain that Petra will be the place, Herbert Armstrong thought it may be as he wrote:

Petra may very well be the site for God's protection of HIS PEOPLE---those who are counted WORTHY TO ESCAPE the terrifying GREAT TRIBULATION that is soon to strike an unsuspecting Israel! PETRA, an ancient Arab stronghold deep in the rugged mountains, is accessible only by traveling through narrow, twisting gorges on horseback! (Letter, April 15, 1956).

We thought of that, when we were in Petra---and how undoubtedly that is the very place where WE shall spend from 3 to 7 years during the Great Tribulation and possibly also the terrible Day of the Lord, soon to come---IF we are close to God instead of this pleasure-man world--- if we are praying always, and WATCHING, and accounted worthy to escape the things that are coming on the earth! (Letter, May 8, 1956).

Apparently many are carelessly supposing they are now SURE of being protected through the Great Tribulation (now ALMOST READY TO STRIKE!). Whether it will be Petra or another place, many feel carelessly secure, and, after that, entering God's Kingdom with ETERNAL LIFE! But YOU DON'T HAVE IT "MADE." You are still being TRIED -- to determine whether you shall have this protection -- whether you shall enter the Kingdom of God! It is those who are LED BY the Spirit of God -- NOT those who are led by desire for more and more physical and material things!...SO, hundreds of you are SLACKING OFF in your RESPONSIBILITIES in GOD'S WORK!...SO, hundreds of you are SLACKING OFF in your RESPONSIBILITIES in GOD'S WORK! (Letter, September 1, 1968).

Thus, Herbert Armstrong felt that those who slacked off in their responsibilities in doing God's work, would probably not go.

He further wrote, "I hope to arrange for the use of Petra as a possible refuge or place of safety during the Great Tribulation, when I see King Hussein." (Letter February 25, 1982).

It may be of interest to note that in 1962, there was an article under Herbert W. Armstrong's editorship titled This is PETRA! by the late Dr. Hoeh. It has additional reasons why some believe that Petra (or a place similar) may be the place in the wilderness for the protection of the Philadelphian remnant.

After this writing apparently Mr. Armstrong felt that many misconstrued this writing to indicate that it was about time to go, so he then wrote,

Incidentally, I know many of you seem to have your hearts set on going very soon to Petra as "the place of safety" during the soon-coming Great Tribulation. Well, GET YOUR MINDS OFF PETRA. Brethren, I HAVE NEVER said that Petra definitely is the place of protection where God will take us. I HOPE IT IS NOT! One reason it could be the place is that it is a place NOBODY ELSE WOULD WANT TO GO. It would be the most UNpleasant, UNcomfortable, miserable place you could go! There is nothing to be desired there. But, just in case, God HAS miraculously given me very gracious favor in the eyes of King Hussein and also his brother, the Crown Prince. They are very friendly to me personally (Letter, July 16, 1982).

Carnally speaking, Petra is not a place many would pick (cf. 10 safest nations to be in during World War III? Has WWIII begun?). But God may have chosen it or at least somewhere relatively near or like it.

Petra and Other Scriptures

The late Dr. Herman Hoeh wrote:

Later, Jesus gave the exhilarating GOOD NEWS to those faithful ones who put the WORK of God far above their own personal considerations. He said "Because thou hast KEPT the word of my patience, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TEMPTATION [TRIBULATION) WHICH SHALL COME UPON ALL THE WORLD, TO TRY THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH!" (Rev. 3:10) . Yes , Jesus promised SAFETY. He promises supernatural PROTECTION to His own elect.

On the Wings of an Eagle

Eagle God brought the ancient Israelites out of Egypt on symbolic "eagles' wings." This symbolizes the loving care and protection of God for His own children. Notice, now, an amazing prophecy. It is about the same Church of God addressed in the promise of protection we have just read in Revelation 3.

"And to the woman [the Church) were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time from the face of the serpent" (Rev. 12:14), In this end-time prophecy, John writes of the last, end-time REMNANT Church which is to ESCAPE the terrible WAR and tribulation that will soon strike our heedless people, They are, just as the ancient Israelites, carried to a place of SAFETY ... in the wilderness by the supernatural power of Almighty God, their Banner, their Shield, their Prorector!

Where Will They GO?

Now notice another amazing prophecy. Daniel was inspired to write of this impending nuclear war, and its immediate aftermath. He describes the rising BEAST power in Europe, a coming resurrection of the ancient ROMAN EMPIRE, symbolized as the "King of the North." But the European power crushes and occupies these poorly equipped up-start countries.

"And at the time of the end [NOT back during the days of the Seleucidae of Syria)... the king of the north shall come... like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships, and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.

"He shall enter also into the glorious land [Palestine], and many countries shall be overthrown, but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edam and Moab and the chief of the children of Ammon" (Dan. 11:40-41).

Why are these areas spared?

For a very special reason!

A PLACE of Protection

God promises His people will be flourished, provided for, in the "wilderness"! He will supernaturally protect them, carrying them safely there on symbolic "eagles' wings. " They may be taken by air, sea or land-the Bible doesn't sayBut where is this "wilderness" place God is readying?

Many Bible statements indicate it is in the areas anciently occupied by the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, southeast of Jerusalem, in the rugged, barren mountains beyond the Dead Sea — the modern country of Transjordan (Dan. 11:41 and Isaiah 16:4-5).

Regardless of WHERE the "place" is that God's Church is nourished and protected during these perilous times described in so many dozens of prophecies — the way to make sure you are going there is clear!

To those who will truly repent of wanting their own way, and who will come to God through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, He promises spiritual, supernatural, MIRACULOUS shelter!

Does this sound fantastic? Does it sound incredible? Have we strayed so far from our RULER and our SAVIOUR that we think Him UNABLE to save us? Is it ridiculous to most today to really believe in God above and His supernatural protection — His divine INTERVENTION in our own personal lives?

Of course not!

He is our Fortress! He is our Rock! He is our GOD! He will supernaturally bring His people to a place of safety! (Hoeh H. If World War III Comes--There is a Way of Escape. Plain Truth, June 1963)

Let me add that there are also other reasons that those regions will be spared as it is likely that they will work with the the King of the North against the final King of the South (cf. Daniel 11:25-26).

The late John Ogwyn wrote about the region of Petra:

In three specific references, the Bible seems to associate Petra with God's end-time place of protection for His people, but these scriptures are all somewhat vague and can be understood in more than one way. If these verses do not refer to Petra, though, it would seem that God really has not given us any indication of the location where He will nourish His people during the final three-and-a half year period ... (Isaiah 42:11-13) ... Isaiah 33 ... verse 10 ... (v.14) ... (vv.14-16) ... Another reference is Isaiah 16. Here God tells the Moabites, who rule the area of Sela or Petra (v.1), to shield His outcasts ... While the details of how and where God will protect His people are fascinating, we must all keep in mind that in the ultimate sense our protection does not come from any place--it come from God (Ogwyn, John. Is There a Real Place of Safety? LCN, July-August 2001; pp.5-6).

Note that John Ogwyn's writings point to Petra or Sela.

Let's fully quote Isaiah 16:1-4,

1 Send the lamb to the ruler of the land,
From Sela to the wilderness,
To the mount of the daughter of Zion.
2 For it shall be as a wandering bird thrown out of the nest;
So shall be the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.

3 "Take counsel, execute judgment;
Make your shadow like the night in the middle of the day;
Hide the outcasts,
Do not betray him who escapes.
4 Let My outcasts dwell with you, O Moab;
Be a shelter to them from the face of the spoiler.
For the extortioner is at an end,
Devastation ceases,
The oppressors are consumed out of the land..

From these verses, we learn that Moab hides the outcasts, those who escape and then wander--this could be God's people as Jesus told them "pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape" (Luke 21:36). The fact that they are called 'outacasts' indicates that perhaps the governments of the world may have thrust them out of their lands, perhaps even stronger than when the Egyptians told the Hebrews to leave in Exodus.

The fact that they are called wanderers suggests that perhaps they do not start in Petra. It could refer to the fact that they are from many lands and/or that they have wandered to different places before coming to Jordan/Moab.

We have seen that this place has something to do with Moab, Sela, and the wilderness. We know that some of the area that once was Moab is modern Jordan (while there also used to be Edomites there, we in the COGs tend to feel they moved further north). We also know that Sela means rock. It is called Petra in Greek, which also means rock. There is a deserted town in Jordan named Petra, which could be the place called Sela in Isaiah. Petra is not a city itself, and is in a lonesome, rocky, desert wilderness that contains caves. It is possible that some other place on Earth also meets these criteria, but thus far something like Petra appears to be the leading candidate.

The scriptures that precede Isaiah 16 may also provide a clue. Notice:

10 Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, From the terror of the Lord And the glory of His majesty. (Isaiah 2:10)

They will carry away to the Brook of the Willows. For the cry has gone all around the borders of Moab, Its wailing to Eglaim And its wailing to Beer Elim. For the waters of Dimon will be full of blood; Because I will bring more upon Dimon, Lions upon him who escapes from Moab, And on the remnant of the land (Isaiah 15:7-9).

It is possible that the term "Brook (Hebrew nachal which indicates a stream, flood, or similar) of Willows" (Hebrew arab') may be a reference to the area near Petra called Wadi al-Arabah (which some claim means something like "valley of the desert" or perhaps "drainage area of willows"). Wadi al-Arabah is also called Wadi al Jayb.

As Wadi al-Arabah is about 180 kilometers long, from the southern shore of the Dead Sea to Al Aqabah in the south (hence it is in Jordan, though some of it may be in Israeli territory), it runs past Petra to the west and it is somewhat close enough to Petra to "carry away to."

A Wadi is supposed to be some type of drainage area (or simply a low area or valley that drains when flooded).

A small one closest to Petra seems to be Wadi Musa ("valley of Moses")--which is currently not wet--but on a map it looks like it would drain into Wadi al-Arabah if wet enough. But it is possible that since the name Wadi implied a wet area when it was given, that this "Brook of the Willows" includes the area of Petra. But this is uncertain--but again these verses in Isaiah 15, like those in Isaiah 16 do also indicate that perhaps some area in Jordan is involved.

Interestingly, Jeremiah wrote,

You who dwell in Moab, Leave the cities and dwell in the rock, And be like the dove which makes her nest in the sides of the cave's mouth (Jeremiah 48:28).

For thus says the LORD: "Behold, one shall fly like an eagle, And spread his wings over Moab..." (Jeremiah 48:40).

It should also be noted that Petra is south, south-east of Jerusalem, which, as we saw earlier, is a possible direction for the place to be.

Realize, however, that Petra is one of the leading, if not THE leading, tourist destination in Jordan, hence there could be economic and other factors against that precise location itself (though if only a small amount of Christians flee, that might be tolerable, and even helpful to, the tourist industry possibly as a 'side-show' or to be of cultural or prophetic interest). Other than the aspect of caves (which does not mention the amount of caves), it should be noted, that many other areas in Jordan also are in the right direction and fit the description of the place--so it is possible that the Church may flee into Jordan and not stay in Petra, but somewhere else in Jordan or a neighboring area.

Consider also the following from the New Testament:

38 ... They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. (Hebrews 11:38-40)

Notice that some of them were is the deserts, mountains, and in caves. Those faithful were to be examples for us.

Some have wondered about Bozrah. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah wrote:

5 "For My sword shall be bathed in heaven; Indeed it shall come down on Edom, And on the people of My curse, for judgment. 6 The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, It is made overflowing with fatness, With the blood of lambs and goats, With the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the Lord has a sacrifice in Bozrah, And a great slaughter in the land of Edom. 7 The wild oxen shall come down with them, And the young bulls with the mighty bulls; Their land shall be soaked with blood, And their dust saturated with fatness." 8 For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, The year of recompense for the cause of Zion. (Isaiah 34:5-8)

20 Therefore hear the counsel of the Lord that He has taken against Edom, And His purposes that He has proposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out; Surely He shall make their dwelling places desolate with them. 21 The earth shakes at the noise of their fall; At the cry its noise is heard at the Red Sea. 22 Behold, He shall come up and fly like the eagle, And spread His wings over Bozrah; The heart of the mighty men of Edom in that day shall be Like the heart of a woman in birth pangs. (Jeremiah 49:20-22)

12 I do surely gather thee, O Jacob, all of thee, I surely bring together the remnant of Israel, Together I do set it as the flock of Bozrah, As a drove in the midst of its pasture, It maketh a noise because of man. 13 Gone up hath the breaker before them, They have broken through, Yea, they pass through the gate, Yea, they go out through it, And pass on doth their king before them, And Jehovah at their head! (Micah 2:12-13, Young's Literal Translation)

It is the eagles wings (cf. Revelation 12:14) and the idea the the most faithful are God's sheep (cf. Psalm 95:7; 100:3; John 10) that get some to wonder about Bozrah. Anyway, Bozrah is in the right general direction. But, since this seems to mainly be a prophecy for Edom, it is not clear it is related to the place of protection for the Philadelphians in the wilderness. However. if the Turks were to turn against God's protected people, then this could be the place where the Turks (Edom in various prophecies) and/or Jordanians (as some Edomites are likely there) are destroyed (cf. also Obadiah). The Philadelphians are the most faithful remnant of spiritual Israel (cf. Romans 2:28-29; Revelation 3:9)--so we will see about Bozrah. Now, because of how the Turks are expected to betray the physical nation of Israel (and perhaps also the faithful Christians), God has a special punishment. More on Turkey can also be found in the video What Should You Know About Turkey in Prophecy..

Irrepective of the actual location, the idea that those going to the place will undergo final training is one that we in the Continuing Church of God embrace. Yet, we do not believe that the faithful are simply going to save their physical selves, but to be trained so that they can be more effective servants of God.

It may be of interest to note that although Moab (somewhat associated with modern Jordan) is likely to somewhat support the upcoming King of the South (Daniel 11:40), Moab ends up escaping the punishment by the final King of the North (Daniel 11:40-43)--and possibly God allows this escape because the place of protection may be in their land (though the King of the North would likely believe that there are other reasons, including political ones).

Some Other Scriptures Which Seem to Discuss The Place

There is another passage of scripture that may be alluding to a Jordanian location for the place, which states,

5 If you have run with footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they have wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of Jordan? 6 For even you brothers, the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; Yes they have called a multitude after you. Do not believe them, even though they speak smooth words to you" (Jeremiah 12:5-6).

Yes, persecution will be worse than the name calling, insults, censoring, economic persecution, and other things many have had to endure in the 21st century. Those who cannot handle what is coming are NOT expected to be protected in the place in the wilderness during the Great Tribulation The implication of Jeremiah's writing to God's people is if you are having a difficult time living in a relatively peaceful land, what will happen to you when you are being pursued by 'a multitude' in the 'floodplain of Jordan'? Remember, the serpent spews out a flood to try to destroy those who flee to the wilderness (Revelation 12:14-15). Thus it is possible that this is at least part of why Jeremiah is warning God's people about how they will do in the 'floodplain of Jordan' (many maps suggest this floodplain looks like it is east of Jerusalem, God's people would probably need to cross it if they arrive in Jerusalem and head towards caves in Jordan).

Notice also the following report from 2018 about a floodplain in Petra:

November 10, 2018

PETRA, Jordan (AP) -- The death toll from flash floods in Jordan rose to 12 on Saturday and the kingdom’s main tourist attraction, the ancient city of Petra, was closed for cleanup after what local officials said was the biggest deluge in the area in decades.

Friday’s floods struck several areas of Jordan. Rescuers continued the search for missing people around the Wala reservoir in central Jordan on Saturday. In the southern town of Maan, authorities opened a shelter for dozens of people whose homes were surrounded by water. ...

In Petra, the ancient trade hub carved into rose-hued rocks, heavy rains began at around 1 p.m. Friday and last for about 40 minutes, said Rafael Dorado, 41, a tourist from Spain.

At about 3 p.m., a torrent of water came gushing through the site’s steep and narrow access canyon, flooding the area within minutes, he said. Delgado said he was observing from a hilltop temple in the area, but saw other visitors scrambling to higher ground. ...

Suleiman Farajat, the chief administrator in Petra, ... “It’s really, I wouldn’t say scary, but surprising how huge the flood was,” he said. https://www.apnews.com/9b212d4d7a854adca90cda7da5c759fd

Thus, a flood could be in Petra or on the way there, consistent with Revelation 12.

Another portion in Zephaniah, which occurs slightly after it talks about the meek of the earth being hidden (2:3), also seems to provide confirmation to a Jordanian location for the place in the wilderness:

I have heard the reproach of Moab, And the insults of the people of Ammon, With which they have reproached My people, And made arrogant threats against their borders. Therefore, as I live," Says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, "Surely Moab shall be like Sodom, And the people of Ammon like Gomorrah-- Overrun with weeds and saltpits, And a perpetual desolation; The residue of My people shall plunder them, And the remnant of My people shall possess them." This they shall have for their pride, Because they have reproached and made arrogant threats Against the people of the LORD of hosts" (Zephaniah 2:8-10).

Right after recording that God told Moab to not betray those that escape (Isaiah 16:3) shelter His outcasts (verse 4), Moab's pride (vs. 6) and the fact that Moab would be stricken (vs. 7) are mentioned. These verses appear supportive of the concept that the place is somewhere in Jordan (like Petra or Bozrah or ?) and that all in Moab (modern Jordan) will not like God's people being there.

This will not be an easy place to live in (though better than the alternative of being turned over to the one who shall "destroy the mighty and also the holy people," Daniel 8:24):

Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. For behold, the Lord comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity (Isaiah 26:20-21).

Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Behold, My servants shall eat, But you shall be hungry; Behold, My servants shall drink, But you shall be Thirsty; Behold, My servants shall rejoice, But you shall be ashamed; Behold, My servants shall sing for joy of heart, But you shall cry for sorrow of heart, And wail for grief of spirit (Isaiah 65:13-14).

So in spite of the hardships at this place, God's servants shall rejoice at this place.

There Could Be A City Location

It is possible there could be a city near the location, or eventually as the location:

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; They found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, Their soul fainted in them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place (Psalm 107:2-7 ).

These verses may be saying that after being in the wilderness, that possibly God's redeemed may end up dwelling in a city. There is a town near Petra, called Wadi-Musa. Wadi-Musa still is in the wilderness. In biblical times, a town of that size would have been considered a city. Thus it may possibly be a place that Philadelpians will dwell for a short time as for a while they will apparently need to be in caves in Moab (Jeremiah 48:28).

One reason that a small city might be the eventual location is because many mountainous areas will destroyed by a great earthquake that occurs around the end of the tribulation:

And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found (Revelation 16:16-20).

Therefore it is possible that God will have His protected people flee from Petra when they learn that the armies have gathered together in "the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon". And that they will go to a small city, or perhaps in tents outside some small city.

How Do the Philadelphians Get There?

Some have wondered HOW the Philadelphians will get to the place.

There are different ideas of this.

At risk of repeating comments and scriptures already in this article, let's start out with the following from the late Dr. Herman Hoeh:

On the Wings of an Eagle

Eagle God brought the ancient Israelites out of Egypt on symbolic "eagles' wings." This symbolizes the loving care and protection of God for His own children. Notice, now, an amazing prophecy. It is about the same Church of God addressed in the promise of protection we have just read in Revelation 3.

"And to the woman [the Church) were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time from the face of the serpent" (Rev. 12:14), In this end-time prophecy, John writes of the last, end-time REMNANT Church which is to ESCAPE the terrible WAR and tribulation that will soon strike our heedless people, They are, just as the ancient Israelites, carried to a place of SAFETY ... in the wilderness by the supernatural power of Almighty God, their Banner, their Shield, their Prorector! ...

He promises spiritual, supernatural, MIRACULOUS shelter!

Does this sound fantastic? Does it sound incredible? Have we strayed so far from our RULER and our SAVIOUR that we think Him UNABLE to save us? Is it ridiculous to most today to really believe in God above and His supernatural protection — His divine INTERVENTION in our own personal lives?

Of course not!

He is our Fortress! He is our Rock! He is our GOD! He will supernaturally bring His people to a place of safety! (Hoeh H. If World War III Comes--There is a Way of Escape. Plain Truth, June 1963)

Yet, consider that when God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt on eagles' wings, they walked. Oh yes, God supernaturally intervened, but they physically walked.

Now Revelation 12:14 states that they will fly to the wilderness. And in Matthew 24:20, Jesus said to pray that our flight would not be on the Sabbath or winter. But He also mentioned about physically fleeing (with the implication being walking/running), at least for some, in Matthew 24:16-19.

In Jeremiah 12:5, physically running/walking is implied in the departure.

Isaiah 16:3 calls God's people in the wilderness "outcasts." The implication is that at least some governments will push them out. Recall that the Egyptians urged the children of Israel to leave (Exodus 12:33) and gave them money to do so (Exodus 12:36):

33 And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, "We shall all be dead." 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:33-36)

God will intervene. Scriptural indications are that some will walk and some will fly to go to the place in the wilderness. It may be that the governments of the world will want us out of their countries, and be willing to bus us out or otherwise help us leave.

God gave the children of Israel favor from the Egyptians. He will make it so the Philadelphians will be able to travel to the place of protection in the wilderness.

It is likely that a combination of methods, differing by nation and sometimes by individual will occur.

Remember as Christians, we are to "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Just like God brought His people out of the land of Egypt, God has a plan and will make it come to pass. He will intervene in various ways.

Do the Work

Now, let's look at what God's people will be doing after being in this place:

19 I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles (Isaiah 66:19).

Doesn't this sound like those that go to this place will preach the Gospel once they leave it? Is it not then logical that those that were allowed to escape and go to this place were those that placed their top emphasis on getting the Gospel out prior to escaping?

The CCOG has had its English language booklet, The Gospel of the Kingdom of God, translated into over 1,000 languages and expects to reach at least 2000 (see also Preaching the Gospel in Over 1000 Languages)!

It thus seems that perhaps the reason that the Philadelphians are protected is because they are currently doing the work, will do a type of work in the place of safety (even a Roman Catholic prophecy calls those in the place a "the advanced guard"--which essentially seems to imply that they will be someone getting out the message that Jesus will return to establish His millennial kingdom) , and will be used of God to do another proclamation work after the place of safety (yes, that would be after I Thessalonians 4:16).

Watch, Pray, and Do the Work

Jesus said, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming...Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing" (Matthew 24:42,46). He also said, "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is" (Mark 13:33).

Also, look at what we are warned in the book of Ezekiel (the book must be warning people who at least have read the Bible),

Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness, says the LORD God...they would deliver neither sons nor daughters; only they would be delivered, and the land would be desolate (Ezekiel 14:13-14,16).

Thus depending on others will not save you. That is why Paul says in Philippians, "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (2:12). The Continuing Church of God believes the '18 restored truths' and places their priority on publicly proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom, it seems that it has the mantle of the Philadelphia era of the Church (for more information, please read What is a True Philadelphian?). However, just being in any Philadelphia-leaning COG group is not a ticket to the place of safety. However remember that God's people are to be gathered together "Before the decree is issued ... Before the day of the LORD's fierce anger" (Zephaniah 2:1-2), thus the Church will probably be the instrument that issues the decree to flee!

We are living during the Laodicean era of God's Church. That means that of all the truly converted Christians most are Laodicean (which is why only the remnant of the Philadelphia era would be around today).

So what are we now to do, individually, to be delivered and to avoid the consequences of the Great Tribulation? We are to pray that we will be accounted worthy (Matthew 24:20); to ask God to help us repent now so we won't need to be severely chasten during the Tribulation later. We need to pray that our flight will not be on the Sabbath or in the winter (Luke 21:36). We need to watch. Watch world events (Matthew 24:20, Mark 13:33) and our own lives (Luke 21:36). And take heed that no one deceives us! (Matthew 24:4)--in today's "attend the COG of your choice" environment being at least partially deceived is easier than before (here is an article titled Unity: Which Church of God for You?).

Laodiceans have many errors in prophecy (see list in the article The Laodicean Church Era and/or watch the video 50+ Laodicean Prophetic Errors).

The Bible does not show that the Laodiceans will be taken to the place of safety, only the Philadelphians. The Philadelphians have God's "command to persevere" (Rev 3:10) and are told to “hold fast to what you have, that no man may take your crown” (v.11). Perhaps this is a warning not to be swayed by doctrinal changes contrary to our core, fundamental beliefs, which are instituted by men, irrespective of their position or education. We are told to be “so doing” when Jesus returns (Matthew 24:46). We need to have works of which God approves (Revelation 3:8). We must be hot--not lukewarm (v.15).

The group that is being the most faithful to the Philadelphian ideals is currently the Continuing Church of God.

What About other COG Groups?

There are heretical leaders who have misled true Christians what they are to hold fast to.

I feel that most of the true COG leaders that are not basically supporting the two criteria that I believe the Bible, as well as clearly Herbert W. Armstrong, set for the Philadelphia portion of the Church are men whose actions are contributing to the taking of crowns of those that could be Philadelphian. Plus, let me add that the Sardis remnants and Laodicean churches have so many prophetic misunderstandings that they will NOT know it is time to flee until it is too late (e.g. watch  50+ Laodicean Prophetic Errors).

Many also contribute to diluting the efforts to get the gospel to the world as a witness. And that is part of the reason why the COGwriter website has articles on two dozen Church of God of the scores of such groups (those articles can be found at the COGwriter home page).

The Book of Revelation shows that there will parts of four Churches of God at the time of the end (Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) and I believe that those that are actually part of the Church of God, but are not actually Philadelphian are almost all in the Thyatira, Sardis, and/or Laodicea churches. And those non-Philadelphian groups have so many prophetic misunderstandings that they will NOT know when the Great Tribulation will start until it is too late.

Notice what Jesus says happens to many those that follow them in the end:

Thyatira...22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, (Revelation 2:18,22-23).

Sardis...Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you (Revelation 3:1,3).

Laodiceans... As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent (Revelation 3:14,19).

Yet notice that there is a difference for the Philadelphians who were not deceived into following false or heretical teachings:

Philadelphia...Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth (Revelation 3:7,10).

While it is possible that some in the Thyatira, Sardis, and/or Laodicea churches may repent, only the Philadelphians are promised protection from the great tribulation, "the hour of trial".

And that is another reason that understanding church eras is important. 

(The main reason, however, is that seven times related to the seven Churches of Revelation 2 & 3, Jesus states, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" Revelation 2:7,11,17,29;3:6,13,22. More on Church eras can be found in the article The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3.)

Although Jesus said to watch world events (Mark 13:32-37), many are watching the wrong events, misinterpret certain key prophetic passages, and misunderstand what Jesus wants His most faithful to do in the 21st century that they will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin until it is too late and hence will not flee (Matthew 24:15-21) or fly (Revelation 12:14-17) to the place of protection when they should.

Who Goes to a Place of Protection?

Herbert W. Armstrong taught that those in the Body of Christ who were part of doing the work were going to be protected. He wrote the following,

Those in the true Body of Christ shall be protected until this tribulation will be over (Rev. 3:10-11)--applying to those faithful in God's Work now going to the world. Rev 12:14; U.S.A. 26:20. But YOU must make your own decision -- and to neglect doing so is to have made the wrong decision! God isn't kidding! This is for real! ... The decision in now yours! (Armstrong, Herbert W. The United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy. 1975; p:60).

And of course he was right--the decision is yours. We all need to heed God's warning to the Laodiceans--"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 3:22).

Notice what the 1973 WCG booklet The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse taught:

To these elect, Christ said, “FEAR NOT, little flock; for it is your fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).  He promised that this elect would always be on earth.  The end-time remnant of that group would have special strength to preach Christ’s Gospel to all the world for a witness (Matt. 24:14). 

You need to find out where that Work is being carried on!  Why? Because it is only those having a part in that Work who have any guarantee of safety.  Others may survive after years of ordeal and pain, but the path of the elect is safe and sure.

They are those called and chosen, who have truly repented of their own carnal ways, and have accepted the holy ways of God ...

To this end-time “elect” doing God’s Work, Jesus says, “I know your works” behold I set before thee an open door” (Rev. 3:8).  This door refers to a way being opened to preach the Gospel (II Cor. 2:12).  Today, that way is through the mass media of radio, television, the printing press, and personal evangelism.

“And ... no man can shut it: for thou hast [only] a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Rev. 3:8).  The very elect would NEVER become corrupted by false doctrines, or be muzzled by boards of men—they would never deny Christ’s name or His doctrines!

As a reward for this faithfulness, Jesus gave this exhilarating good news to those faithful ones who put the Work of God far above their own personal desires.  He said, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev 3:10) ...

The elect are the end-time remnant of the Church of God and Work of God on the earth ...

Believe it or not, that group exists!  The “elect” are on the earth at this moment, doing God’s work.  A way of escape is available and attainable to YOU!

And in the 21st century, that would be the real remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God. And it is now best represented by the Continuing Church of God.

Notice what the August 1959 edition of Herbert Armstrong's Good News magazine taught,

God will set before us an open door and no man can shut it. God can shut it, and He will when the work is finished and the Philadelphia Church has gone to the place of safety ... Philadelphia has little strength to do this great work which God has given it to do ... It is the Church of Laodicea who had no vital part in the work of God today even though they live today and are part of the generation which will see Christ return (What is the Laodicean Church? Good News, August 1959, p.12).

I believe that the Bible clearly teaches that the remnant of the Philadelphia era of the Church will go to the place of safety. At this time, I believe that the direction to properly do so will come from the Continuing Church of God.

My position is that Petra or Sela may be the place, but if it (or some similar area in or near Jordan) is not the place, then the Bible is simply not specific enough to any other particular location for us to know. Those who assert that Petra is not the place (or near the place), seem, to me at least, to be asserting a questionable position at best.

However, more important than where the place is, is being accounted worthy to be there. Notice what Jesus taught:

Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man (Luke 21:36).

Only those supporting the true Philadelphia-work of the Church of God and who are truly Philadelphians will be protected in that place. we all need to pray always and "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18) so that we may be accounted worthy to be there.

Two sermon-length videos of relaled interest are available Physical Protection During the Great Tribulation and Might Petra be the Place of Safety?

Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?

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B. Thiel, Ph.D. There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra. www.cogwriter.com 2001,2002,2004, 2006/2007/2008/2009/2010/2011/2012/2013/2014/2015/2016/2017/2018/2019 100/2020 /2022 /2023 /2024 0305

Articles of Further Interest May Include:

Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? Will Jesus' return be a secret? What does the Bible really teach?
The Churches of Revelation 2 & 3 from 31 A.D. to present
The Ephesus Church Era predominant from 31 A.D. to circa 135 A.D.
The Smyrna Church Era predominant circa 135 A.D. to circa 450 A.D.
The Pergamos Church Era predominant circa 450 A.D. to circa 1050 A.D.
The Thyatira Church Era predominant circa 1050 A.D. to circa 1585 A.D.
The Sardis Church Era predominant circa 1585 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D.
The Philadelphia Church Era predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. And its remnant is best represented by the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present.

This is PETRA! This is a 1962 Good News article by the late Dr. Hoeh.