[3] The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Early Christians who understood Jesus's warning that God's wrath was going to come upon Jerusalem, fled to the mountains of Pella in the Decapolis region on the other side of the Jordan when they saw the Roman armies surrounding the city. Their escape of the coming tribulation was only because they heeded Jesus's prophetic oracle. Their faith allowed them to survive the horrific events of Jerusalem's destruction.
Though the circumstances are different today, there are certainly warning signs that judgment may be coming to the American church. I believe it's coming for the church because judgment begins with the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). The destruction of Jerusalem was not judgement against Rome, but against the house of God who were the Jews. Same thing for the destruction and exile of the divided kingdom of Israel in the Old Testament.
For this reason, "the prudent who see the danger", need to "take refuge". I take that to mean, "Be watchful and prepare yourself for what's coming." Proverbs 24:10 warns that if you falter in a time of trouble, it is because your strength is small.
Proverbs 24:10 NIV
[10] If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!
Jesus said that there will be some Christians who will stumble when tribulation and persecution comes:
Matthew 13:20-21 NKJV
[20] But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; [21] yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
And Paul said that there will be a falling away before Jesus returns on the Day of the Lord:
II Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV
[3] Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,
The message here is be prudent, learn from Israel, heed Jesus's warnings, and strengthen yourself so that you do not falter in times of trouble! Be watchful and prepare yourself for what's coming! Do not "keep going and pay the penalty"!
Proverbs 24:11-12 NKJV
[11] Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. [12] If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
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