The Truth About the Tribulation
In today’s modern thinking on the tribulation is that Christians will be raptured away before the Great Tribulation which will spare them of the horrors of the persecution which the Bible warns about.
So what does the Bible say on this subject, and who does it affect?
According to Matthew 24:22 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
So according to Jesus the tribulation will be so bad that if the days were not shortened no one would survive.
In John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Speaking to His Disciples He said that in the world you will have tribulations.
Acts. 14:22. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Here again the Bible makes it quite plain that we have to go through a lot of tribulation before we will enter into God’s kingdom.
It is interesting how the Apostle Paul regards the Thessalonians, how they have endured persecutions and tribulations, that they were glorying in the church over their endurance in their trials.
2Thesselonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Even the Apostle Paul tells the Thessalonian Church that they glory in the fact that they have endured persecutions and Tribulations. This gives the reason why enduring persecutions has a positive spiritual impact on our Christianity.
So why will tribulation have a positive impact on our Christianity?
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Patience, hope. These are positives of the Christian life. In other words, tribulations strengthens our Christianity and does not in anyway weaken it.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Looking at some of the Bible characters who endured trials and persecution, a death decree.
Daniel: he was thrown into a den of Lions for a night. His friends, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego endured a fiery furnace Which was the result of a death decree by King Nebuchadnezzar at Babylon. Many of God’s prophets went through trials, tribulations and even death. And they stood firm and unwavering in their faith. Didn’t those who lived during the dark ages experience tribulations? It is estimated that some fifty to eighty million of God’s saints were killed by the tribulation of state church.
The thing that concerns that belief that those who believe in the pre-tribulation rapture, will think that they will be taken before the tribulation will not be ready and be lost. The truth is that we must pass through the great tribulation which strengthens our faith to be ready for Christ’s return.
In Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,
12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Here in Revelation is describing a great multitude that no man can number. In verses 13, 14, the question is asked: where did they come from? And the answer is given: they are those who have come out of the great tribulation. So when Jesus comes the second time, he takes all His believers out of the great tribulation. May We all be ready for Jesus return in glory to take us back with Him, so we will always be with the Lord, amen!
