The Great Tribulation

2021-12-08

One of the marks of Christianity is tribulation. “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know” (1 Thessalonians 3:3-4).

It is very important to say that Christians are appointed to tribulation but are not appointed to wrath. Compare 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 with this verse from the same book: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

What is the difference between tribulation and wrath? Tribulation is affliction and persecution and is what the world does to Christians. Wrath is what God will do to the world. The sources and targets of these two things are different.

In the final seven years, however, “shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). Christians are appointed to tribulation, as we previously saw, including “that” tribulation. Otherwise, the Bible would not call it tribulation.

Understand, that in modern Christianity, the “Great Tribulation” is considered to be the entire final seven years. However, you will not find this seventieth week of Daniel in its entirety defined as the “Great Tribulation” anywhere.

Biblically, the Great Tribulation is the fifth seal: “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held” (Revelation 6:9). It follows the same order of events in both the Olivet Discourse and in Revelation 6: Antichrist, war, famine, and disease and death: “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9). Once that “living” idol is set up in the Temple, you know the Great Tribulation is just beginning (Matthew 24:15). “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Revelation 13:15).

The goal of this tribulation is for the Antichrist to eradicate Christianity from the planet. The Lord will cut this effort short, because if He didn’t, “there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24:22). For there to be a genuine rapture, those days had to be cut short.

During this fifth seal, the souls of Christians in heaven cry out against the earth’s wickedness for vengeance, but we see they are comforted: “white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled” (Revelation 6:11).

Daniel agrees with this chronology: “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them” (Daniel 7:21).

The elect spoken of in the Olivet Discourse is not the Jewish nation. It for every believer to watch for: “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch” (Mark 13:37).

It is only once this happens that the Lord returns to gather His people together in what is known as the Day of Christ, which is commonly called the rapture.