The Tribulation By Dr. Gary M. Gulan, 1984 (rev. 86, 07)

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1 Introduction: God s word reveals a future time period called the Tribulation. The Bible devotes more space to the seven-year Tribulation than it does to any other historical period. (LaHaye) Scores of references are contained in the Old Testament. Many passages cover the Tribulation in the New Testament with most of the book of Revelation covering it. Students of God s Word understand the concept of a future Tribulation and even some unsaved people understand the concept of a future coming event like the Tribulation. When we talk about the Tribulation we are not talking about daily hardships or trials. The Greek word for tribulation ( thlibo ) literally means a pressing together. This would be tribulation in a general use. Jesus said in this life you will have trouble, (Jn. 16:33). In the book of Job we find Eliphaz stating that man is born to trouble, (Job 5:7). James tells us we face all kinds of trials, (Ja. 1:2). Tribulation (Acts 14:22), anguish (John16:21), affliction (Acts 7:10-11), burdens (2 Cor. 8:15), persecution (Acts 11:19), and trouble (1 Cor. 7:28), all translate into English the general sense of tribulation. However, this is not what we are talking about when we talk about the Tribulation. The Tribulation we are discussing is a specific period of time that; (1.) is something the earth has never experienced before, (Matt. 24:21); (2.) is world-wide not just local or individual, (Isa. 24:1,3,4,5,6,21; 34:2; Rev. 3:10); (3.) is Mankind acting differently than ever recorded in history, (Rev. 6:16); (4.) is the revelation of the mystery of lawlessness, (2 Thess. 2:6-8); and (5.) is God pouring His wrath upon the earth through seal judgments, (Rev. 6), trumpet judgments, (Rev. 8-9), and bowl judgments, (Rev ). The Tribulation is a seven year time period between the Rapture and the Second Coming where God exercises His wrath on the earth. The Tribulation is one astonishing event after another that unless those days be shortened, no flesh would be saved, (Matt. 24:22). THE TERM TRIBULATION (1.) The term Tribulation comes from the content of Jesus sermon on Mount Olivet, (Matt. 24:21,29). (2.) The Greek uses the word tribulation (Greek thlipsis ) meaning pressure, anguish, persecution, suffering or trouble. This is the word that Matthew uses, (Mt. 24:21). Luke uses the word tribulation (Greek anagke Lk. 21:23) meaning constant distress. (3.) The Hebrew uses the word travail (Hebrew kayyoledah Isa. 13:8; 25:17-18; 66:7-8; Jer. 22:23; 48:41; Hos. 13:13; Zeph. 1:14-18; Micah 4:9-10; 5:1-2) meaning labor, travail, fear, trembling as of a woman in birth pangs. (4.) The Latin term for tribulation comes from an agricultural tool used for separating the husks from the corn. Daniel the prophet states this time period would be a time of trouble such as never was, (Dan. 12:1). THE NAMES OF THE TRIBULATION (1.) The beginning of sorrows (Matt. 24:8) refers to the first three and a half years. The last three and a half years are called the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:21). John uses a more emphatic usage in the Greek, the tribulation, the great one, (Rev. 7:14). Jeremiah calls it Jacob s trouble (Jer. 30:7).

2 Page 2 (2.) The most frequently used title for the Tribulation is The Day of the Lord (Isa. 2:12; 13:6,9; Ez. 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1,11,31; 3:14; Amos 5:18,20; Obadiah 15; Zeph. 1:7,14; Zech. 14:1; Mal. 4:5; Acts 2;20; 1Thess. 5:5; 2 Thess. 2:2; 2 Pt. 3:10). Zephaniah the prophet calls the Tribulation a: (1.) day of wrath (Zeph. 1:15); (2.) the day of distress (Zeph. 1:15); (3.) the day of wasteness (Zeph. 1:15); (4.) the day of desolation (Zeph. 1:15); (5.) The day of darkness (Zeph. 1:15; Amos 5:18,20; Joel 2:2); (6.) the day of gloominess (Zeph. 1:15; Joel 2:2); (7.) the day of clouds (Zeph. 1:15; Joel 2:2); (8.) the day of thick darkness (Zeph. 1:15; Joel 2:2); (9.) the day of the trumpet (Zeph. 1:16); (10.) the day of alarm (Zeph. 1:16). (3.) Sometimes the Tribulation is referred to in a sense of time such as: (1) the latter years (Ez. 38:8); (2.) the latter days (Ez. 38:16); (3.) the time of the end (Dan. 11:40); (4.) The end of the world (Matt. 13:39); (5.) the latter times (1 Tim. 4:1); (6.) the hour of trial (Rev. 3:10); and (7.) the last days (2 Tim. 3:1). THE NATURE OF THE TRIBULATION The most common character of the Tribulation is one of: (1.) Vengeance, (Isa. 34:8; 35:4; 61:2; 63:1-6) (2.) Wrath, (Rev. 6:16-17; 11:18; 14:19; 15:1,7; 16:1,19; 1 Thess. 1:9-10; 5:9; Zeph. 1:15,18) (3.) Judgment, (Rev. 14:7; 15:4; 16:5-7; 19:2) (4.) Indignation, (Isa. 26:20-21) (5.) Punishment, (Isa. 24:20-21) (6.) Trial, (Rev. 3:10) (7.) Trouble, (Jer. 30:7; Zeph. 1:14-15; Dan. 12:1) (8.) Destruction, (Joel 1:15) (9.) Darkness, (Joel 2:2; Zeph. 1:14-18; Amos 5:18) The Tribulation period will be characterized by death on a gigantic scale. War, famine, wild beasts, persecution, and judgment will greatly reduce the population. (Herman Hoyt) THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIBULATION From a Biblical study there are at least six purposes of the Tribulation (1.) To show how evil the world is and punish it for its evil, (Isa. 13:6-11; 24:21; 26:21; 63:3,4,6; Zeph. 1:14-15; Rev. 3:10; 6:10; 11;10; 13:8,12,14; 14:6; 17:8). The concepts of vengeance (Isa. 34:8; 63:1-6), judgment (Rev. 14:7) and wrath ( Rev. 6:17) are all involved. (2.) To judge the Gentile nations, (Isa. 34:2-4; 35:4; 61:2; 63:1-6; Jer. 25:32-33; Dan. 2:31-43; 9:27; Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Thess. 2:16; Rev. 11:18) (3.) To judge those who rejected and did not accept Christ in the Church dispensation, (2 Thess. 2:11-12) (4.) To bring a great multitude to salvation, (Rev. 7:9,14). (5.) To both chastise Israel and purify a remnant of Israel for the Kingdom, (Matt. 24:32; 25:30-34; Isa. 63:1; Jer. 30:3,7; 31:27; 33:14; Ez. 20:33-44; 36:18-32; 37:16-22; Dan. 9:24; Mal. 3:1-6; 4:5-6; Rom. 11:1-29). The concept of purging a group of people, (Ez. 20:37-38), refining a group of people

3 Page 3 (Zech. 13:8-9), and purifying a group of people (Mal. 3:3) are all part of this purpose. The goal is to create a national spiritual regeneration, (Jer. 30:9; 31:33-34; 33:16; Ez. 37:23-24); and restore the theocratic government under th David/Messianic regent, (Jer. 30:9; 33:15; Ez. 37:24-25). (6.) To defeat Satan and His program, (Dan. 7:25; 11:36; 2 Thess. 2:3,4,9; Rev. 13:1,2,6) Ever since Satan s rebellion, he has been against God with a counterfeit program, (Isa. 14:12-14). There will be false Christs (Matt 24:4-5) and false prophets (Matt. 24:11). There will be much deception (2 Thess. 2:). From a human perspective there are at least four purposes: (1.) To bring time to an end, (Dan. 9:24, consummation of time ). (2.) To fulfill Israel s prophecies, (Ez ). (3.) To shake man from his false sense of security, (Events of Rev. 6-19). (4.) To force man to choose Christ or Anti-Christ, (Rev. 7:3). (LaHaye) THE TIMING OF THE TRIBULATION (1.) Many scholars believe the Tribulation was first recorded by Moses, (Deut. 4:29-30), however, he did not give a specific date or timing of it. (Gromacki; Walvoord) (2.) Daniel the prophet wrote about the Tribulation describing it as the seventieth-week, (Dan. 9:24-27). There is a gap of time between the 69th week and the 70th week of Daniel. We know that Messiah was cut off which ended the 69th week. According to the apostle Paul, Israel s rejection or the cutting off of the Messiah, caused the grafting in of a new mystery program called the Church (Rom. 11:1-36). When the church is raptured God will deal again with Israel and start the 70th week of Daniel. We know from Daniel that the Tribulation lasts 7 years, however, no timing is given as to when it starts, only when it ends. (3.) Paul lets us know that after the restrainer is removed, the man of sin is revealed and the Tribulation starts its course, (2 Thess. 2:4). The restraining ministry of the Holy Spirit on earth is a major ministry. The indwelling of he Holy Spirit is a major identifying feature of the Holy Spirit s ministry in the church. When the Rapture occurs many of the ministries of the Holy Spirit will be changed and the Tribulation will be able to start with the man of sin. (4.) Many believe the Tribulation begins with the signing of a covenant between the leader of the federated states of Europe (i.e. The Revived Roman Empire) and Israel. This will set into motion the events of Daniel s 70th week. The he (Dan. 9:27) refers to the little horn (Dan. 7:24-25; 2 Thess. 2:3). MAJOR EVENTS OF THE TRIBULATION There are hundreds of events that will take place in the Tribulation. It would take an intense study of the Old Testament prophets and the book of the Revelation to list out every event. Here is a brief sample. (1.) The special ministry of the Holy Spirit, (Joel 2:28-30). (2.) Four horsemen, (Rev. 6:1-8) (3.) Seven seal judgments, (Rev. 6:1-17, 8:1) (4.) Four angels on the corners of the earth, (Rev. 7:1) (5.) 144,000 evangelists, (Rev. 7:9) (6.) Seven trumpet judgments, (Rev. 8:1-10:7)

4 Page 4 (7.) The bottomless pit opened and demons released, (Rev. 9:1-2) (8.) Three woes, (Rev. 9:12) (9.) Four angels released from the river Euphrates, (Rev. 9:14) (10.) The little book opened, (Rev. 10:2) (11.) Beast from the bottomless pit, (Rev. 11:2) (12.) Two witnesses, (Rev. 11:3-6) (13.) A special place to hide His people, (Rev. 12:6,14) (14.) Battle in heaven, (Rev. 12:7) (15.) Satan kicked out of heaven, (Rev. 12:9) (16.) Beast of the sea, (Rev. 13:1) (17.) Beast out of the earth, (Rev. 13:11) (18.) Abomination of desolation, (Rev. 13; Dan. 9) (19.) Buy and sell, mark of the beast, and 666, (Rev. 13:16-18) (20.) A special angel proclaiming the gospel, (Rev. 14:6) (21.) Great persecution, (Rev. 15:1-8) (22.) Seven bowl judgments, (Rev. 15:1; 16:1-21) (23.) The mystery religion, (Rev. 17) (24.) The mystery government and business, (Rev. 18) (25.) The great battle against the Lord in the Armagedon, (Rev. 19; 16:14-16) (26.) Second Coming of the Lord, (Rev. 19) GOD S GRACE WITHIN THE TRIBULATION (1.) God will send the Holy Spirit, (Joel 2:28-29). (2.) God will commission 144,000 spirit-filled evangelists, (Rev. 7:9). (3.) God will send two extraordinary witnesses, (Rev. 11:3-6). (4.) God will prepare a special place for His people, (Rev. 12:6-14). (5.) God will send an angel to proclaim the gospel, (Rev. 14:6). (6.) God calls His people to safety, (Rev. 18:4). Conclusion: (1.) The book of Revelation (Rev. 6-19) tells us a sequence of events in the Tribulation. (2.) Not everything within the Tribulation is terrible. Many will be redeemed within the Tribulation. (3.) The church will not go through the Tribulation. Those who have eternal life will not come into judgment, (Jn. 5:24). Those justified by His blood are saved from God s wrath, (Rom. 5:9-10). The Christian has been acquitted and there is no condemnation held against them, (Rom. 8:1). Christians actually aid in God s judgment of the world (1 Cor. 6:2) and angels (1 Cor. 6:3). (4.) How close are we to the Tribulation? No one knows the exact time and no one can set a date for the end-time Tribulation, (Matt. 24:36). However, Our generation has more legitimate reasons for believing that the Tribulation is closer than any other previous generation. (LaHaye) We see world unrest (Matt 24:1-8), Israel exists as a nation, (Ez ), the rebirth of Russia and its connections with Iran, (Ez ), increases in travel and knowledge (Dan. 12:4), major changes in capital and labor, (Ja. 5:1-6), a huge amount of scoffers, (2 Pt. 3:1-2), current moral breakdown of society (2 Tim. 3:1-5), a rise in lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:7-10), a rise in the occult and in cults (1 Tim. 4:1-5), the questioning of

5 Page 5 doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1), the rise of mystery Babylon (Rev ), and the seed form of the one world government, (Dan. 2); all seem to point that we are close to the beginning of the end times and the Tribulation. Books used in this article: The Merciful God of Prophecy, Tim LaHaye, Time Warner, 2002, Pp Daniel, The Framework of Prophecy, Alfred Martin, Chicago: Moody, 1963, Pp The King Is Coming, H. L. Willmington, Wheaton: Tyndale, 1973, Pp When The Trumpet Sounds, Thomas Ice and Timothy Demy, Eugene: Harvest House, 1995, Pp Every Prophecy of the Bible, John Walvoord, Colorado Springs: Victor, 1999, Pp Things To Come, J. Dwight Pentecost, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976, Pp ,184,195, Daniel s Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks, Alva J. McClain, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1940, Pp. 5-7 The Coming Prince, Robert Anderson, London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1909, Pp Systematic Theology, Lewis Sperry Chafer, Dallas: Dallas Seminary Press, Vol. IV, p The Theological Wordbook, Charles Swindoll, Nashville: Word, 2000, Pp Biography of A Great Planet, Stanley Ellisen, Wheaton: Tyndale, 1975, Pp. 44,86, ,148,150 Basic Theology, Charles Ryrie, Wheaton: Victor, 1986, Pp Practical Christian Theology, Floyd Barackman, Old Tappan: Revell, 1984, Pp When The Trumpet Sounds, John Walvoord, Eugene: Harvest House, 1995, Pp Lectures In Systematic Theology, Henry Thiessen, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979, Pp , 369 Systematic Theology, Robert Duncan Culver, Great Britian: Mentor, 2005, Pp Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994, Pp The Moody Handbook Of Theology, Paul Enns, Chicago: Moody, 1989, 141,391,323,649 The End Times, Herman Hoyt, Chicago: Moody, 1977, Pp. 18,20,128, Are We Living In The End Times? Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, Wheaton: Tyndale, 1999, Pp The Merciful God Of Prophecy, Tim LaHaye, Time-Warner Books, 2002, Pp What Jesus Says About Earth s Final Days, Mark Hitchcock, Sisters: Multnomah, 2003, Pp The Blessed Hope And The Tribulation, John Walvoord, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976, Pp The Second Coming, John MacArthur, Wheaton: Crossway, 1999, Pp Understanding Christian Theology, Charles Swindoll and Roy Zuck, Nashville: Nelson, 2003, Pp. 1229, A New Systematic Theology Of The Christian Faith, Robert Reymond, Nashville: Nelson, 1998, Pp Kept From The Hour, Gerald Stanton, Miami Springs: Schoettle Pub, 1991, Pp Unveiling The End Times In Our Time, Adrian Rogers, Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2004, Pp The Rapture Question, John F. Walvoord, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Pp Elemental Theology, Emery Bancroft, Grand Rapids: Zondervan 1977, Pp Christian Theology, Millard Erickson, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989, Pp ,1206, Are These The Last Days? Robert Gromacki, Schaumburg: RBP, 1970, Pp No Fear Of The Storm, Tim LaHaye, Sisters: Multnomah, 1992, Pp Every Prophecy Of The Bible, John Walvoord, Colorado Springs: Victor, 1999, Pp , , Is The Antichrist Alive Today? Mark Hitchcock, Sisters: Multnomah, 2002, Pp Baker s Dictionary of Theology, Everett Harrison, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979, p. 530

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