The great tribulation is a very important issue in these last days that we are living in, and I ask you to please consider what is said here, and compare it with the Word of God in the Bible. Will the church go through the tribulation? Well, if you believe in the rapture theory, then I urge you to take a look first at the rapture truth page, before continuing with this study. There are going to be so many Christians waiting for this secret rapture before the great tribulation that are not going to be prepared for what is coming upon God's people. Friend, I urge you to get ready, prepare your heart and mind for a time of trouble like never before. This page is not here to scare you or to cause any excitement, but to give you the truth from the Word of God in the Bible about the great tribulation that is coming.
2 Timothy 3:12 ...'Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.'
Jesus confirmed Himself that there would be great times
of trouble for the church ... Matthew 24:21-22 ...'For then shall be great
tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be
shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.' ... Now Jesus gave this statement
after prophesying about the destruction of Jerusalem, which happened in AD70. The saints endured horrendous persecution after this, and
between 538 and 1798, the Roman Catholic Church slaughtered over 50 MILLION Christians. This time period was prophesied by John in
Revelation 13:5,7 ...'And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue
forty and two months. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all
kindreds, and tongues, and nations.' ... Now did God take these saints out of this tribulation? No, He kept them through it. What do
I mean by God keeping them through it? Many of the saints who were burned at the stake were filled with the peace of Jesus, and even sang
hymns while it was happening, because they felt His presence through it.
Let me give you some examples of God's people suffering persecution and tribulation:
- Israel in Egypt before the Exodus.
- Daniel and his friends in the fiery furnace.
- The Christians fed to the lions in Rome.
- 1260 year persecution by the Papal Church of Rome.
God didn't take His people out of these times of trouble did he? So what makes you think He is going to take you out of the tribulation to come? Why would He allow His people of old to give their lives for Jesus, but not allow you to do it? There are many Christians dying for their faith as you read this, so why should they die, but you be raptured away? Friend, don't believe in this Jesuit teaching of the rapture. Be ready to give your life for Jesus.
Revelation 12:11 ...'And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.'
The true saints of God will be willing to give their lives for the name of Jesus. Many professing Christians will need to be tested to see whether they have true faith. And that test will be giving their lives for the Lord. If you are not willing to give your life for the Lord Jesus, do you think God will allow you into His Kingdom? Why do you think the tree of knowledge was put in the Garden? It was a test to see if Adam and Eve would obey God or satan. The same is with tribulation, it will separate the sheep and the goats, the wheat and the tares. Take a look at Revelation 12 and 13, they tell all about the persecution of God's people right up to the very end times ... Revelation 13:15 ...'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.' ... Friend this is the very last test for God's people before the second coming of Jesus. Those who do not take the mark of the beast are the saints, and this beast (see America in prophecy) will cause them to be killed.
Matthew 24:9 ...'Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you.'
Take a look at this next verse, and then I want to ask you a question ... Revelation 12:17 ...'And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.' ... The dragon is satan. Now I would say that satan knows the Bible more than anyone on earth. So why is he bothering going to make war with the saints, if he knows they are going to be protected from tribulation and be raptured away from it? It's because he is the one who invented that teaching, so that God's people would not be prepared for the war he is going to wage on them.
God's people will also still be on earth when the seven last plagues fall, just as the Israelites were in Egypt, when God sent those plagues upon that nation. But God's people were protected through it.
Revelation 7:9,14 ...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. 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.' ... Notice what has happened to this great multitude. They came OUT of great tribulation. Now some interpret this the wrong way. They were not 'raptured' before the tribulation, but came out of it. To come out of the tribulation, you would first have to be IN it. Do you see the truth of this? Please take note of this vital point: There are only two ways that they could come out of tribulation. The first is through death, being killed for their faith. The second is that they went through the tribulation without compromising their true faith, obeying God, and they were still living when Jesus returns at the second coming.
This time of trouble will be very intense, and the reason for that is because probation will be closed, everyone's fate will be sealed ... Daniel 12:1 ...'And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.' ... This Michael, the great Prince who stands for the children of God is none other than Jesus Christ. There is a judgment going on in heaven right now ... 1 Peter 4:17 ...'For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?' ... Now when Michael (Jesus) stands up, the time of judgment (investigative judgment) is done, and THEN there shall be a time of trouble.
God's Spirit will be withdrawn from the earth and there will be a short time of tribulation like never before. It says at that time God's people will be delivered, which is at the second coming of Christ. Just as the door to Noah's ark was closed seven days before the flood, the door to probation will be closed to the earth before Jesus returns. With God's Spirit being withdrawn, the lost will be given over completely to satan's control, which will start this great tribulation for the saints. The lost will have the mark of the beast, and the saints will have God's seal, and there will be one final battle between good and evil. This battle is the battle of Armageddon, which will be fought all around the earth (not just in Israel), just before the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Did the New Testament ever teach that being a Christian would be plain sailing? Take a look at the following verses:
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.'
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.'
2 Thessalonians 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.'
Revelation 2:10 ...'Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.'
1 Peter 4:12 ...'Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.'
Friend, we are living in the very end times and the great tribulation is coming. Satan is gathering his forces to wage war against God's people. His aim has always been to destroy the people of God, the true church and he will not stop until every person has decided their allegiance and Jesus returns to put an end to it.
2 Timothy 3:12 ...'Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.'
The church will go through the great tribulation. But we need not fear it, for our God will be with us and we can do and endure ALL THINGS through Him ... Philippians 4:13 ...'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' ... Be of good cheer, for Christ has overcome the world, and keep your eyes peeled on that eastern sky, where Jesus shall burst upon the scene with all His mighty angels to redeem His bride. Be faithful unto death, and you shall receive the crown of life.