"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ... And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come." (Tit. 2:11-13, 1 Thes. 1:10)

Many argue the church will lose their Blessed Hope if they are persecuted by the Antichrist. Actually, Jesus is more of a Blessed Hope by delivering His elect out of the Great Tribulation than if He did it right now. The empowering of the saints to overcome the Beast does not take away the Blessed Hope; it enhances it.