world-burningTribulation… THE Tribulation.  Seven years of tribulation?  Are Christians protected from tribulation?  Are Christians spared having to go through THE Tribulation?  When is the tribulation?  Will the rapture be before, half way through, or after the tribulation?

More importantly… what is found in Scripture about tribulation and the tribulation?  Whatever is found in Scripture is what we’re to believe about this topic.

Aside: The hardest thing to do in rightly handling the Word of Truth is to keep from allowing our preconceived ideas to influence what we read.  It is imperative that God’s Spirit reveal His truth to us… not what others tell us the truth is.  Which also applies to my comments in this post!  TEST EVERTHING!!

Consider the Scripture… closely…

   Mt 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.

   Mt 24:21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.  22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

   Mk 13:24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.  26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

   Jn 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

   Ro 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

   Rev 1:9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus…

   Rev 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

   Rev 7:13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Gleanings…

Jesus told his followers they would have to endure tribulation of epic proportions (Mt 24:7-9).  History proves this applied not only to followers in that day, but Christians ever since then.

Jesus did not delineate or define the tribulation any further than to say it would be tremendous and would be cut short or all would die (Mt 24:21-22).  Q:Is it possible… just possible… that “cutting short” applies to the time-line of human history and not just to a specific period of time at the end of time?  Again… I’m just asking if it is possible?

Jesus said after the tribulation (Mt 24?), he would return.  The phrase “after the tribulation” could refer to the tribulation He describes in Mt 24 and/or The Great Tribulation some equate to seven years.  This is worth examining closer…

Jesus told his disciples and followers that as long as they were in the world they would have tribulation (Jn 16:33).  Not just in his day, but until Jesus comes back is how I take it.

Paul wrote that not even tribulation (Mt 24?  Jn 16?) can separate believers from the love of God in Christ (Ro 8:35, 37).  That, I am thankful for!

The Apostle John wrote to the believers in his day he was a partner with them “in the tribulation!” (Rev 1:9)  This is astounding!  Is it possible John equated what Christians were going through in his day as the tribulation?  Is it possible that John in this verse defines the tribulation for us?  Mull that possibility over in your mind…

Jesus says his church will experience tribulation for ten days {The number of completion} and that by being faithful unto death they are saved (Rev 2:10).

All those who are martyred for Christ during the tribulation are rewarded (Rev 7:13-14).  Q: Would God only reward those who die for His Son during a seven year tribulation rather than those who died as a result of tribulation between the first and second coming of His Son?  Just a question I have knowing God is merciful and fair to all.

That’s enough for today.  These are just thoughts and questions I had while driving to the church last week.