Tribulation You only have to turn on the Television or look on the Internet today and it does not take very long to determine that we live in a world of much Tribulation. There are some areas that suffer much Tribulation compared to others. When ISIS first began to arise in 2014 there were many videos and pictures of Torture and Beheadings and Crucifixions, it was a daily occurrence and many Christians and many others that were faced with denying their Faith or be killed. Each day they faced Tribulation to the point of death, many believers in Christ became Martyrs for Christ. To die as a witness for Christ was a reality to them all, there are other countries where Believers in Christ are also killed on a daily basis, Tribulation is a reality for all of these Martyrs. They will die for their Faith just as Jesus died for His Trust in God the father. Do you know that Jesus was a Martyr? Yes! Jesus was a Martyr for you and I and the whole world, Jesus is called the Faithful Witness/Martyr and He is also called the First Born of the Dead. This is recorded in Revelations 1:5 and also in Revelations 3:14. Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Rev_3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; The Church of God has always faced Tribulation and many have become Martyrs for God, these Martyrs of God will arise Immortal in the First Resurrection and will Reign with Jesus Christ for His 1000 Year Reign on earth before the White Throne Judgement takes place. This is recorded clearly in Revelations 20:4 Rev_20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. This English word Witness is the Greek Word Martus and is where we get our word Martyr from, Jesus was a Martyr and there are also many Martyrs for God and Christ. What I find so amazing is that wherever Believers suffer great Persecution and Tribulation there you will find Martyrs, Tribulation is a reality for each one of them and they will not deny their faith in God.
They are not afraid of Tribulation, for them the Church faces Tribulation every day, it is not something that they fear, it is something that they walk through and something that they enter in through so as to enter the Kingdom of God. In places where Believers do not face Persecution and Tribulation to death on a daily basis they appear to be fearful of Tribulation to the point that they teach many that we will not go through Tribulation but will be magically removed before the Great Tribulation. They appear to have a fear of Tribulation and an escapist mentality. Jesus said very clearly that the Sign of His Coming and the End of this Age will not appear until AFTER the Tribulation Period has ended as found in Matthew 24:29-31. Mat 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: Mat 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Jesus also said very clearly in Luke 21:25-28 that the Signs in the Sky must be seen as taking place before our Redemption is going to draw near, that is the Time when we are to LOOK UP, not before. Luk 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Luk 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Jesus also said very clearly that His Coming is at the Door when you will see all these things and not before as recorded in Mark 13:28-29. Mar 13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: Mar 13:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Jesus even Commanded you and I to Learn a Parable NOW of the Figtree as recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. Before Summer appears you will physically see all of the Signs of Growth on the Trees, Likewise you will physically see all of the Signs on the Earth and in the Sky before Jesus will come. Mat_24:32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
Mar_13:28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: Luk_21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; Jesus said He will come after the Tribulation Period has ended not before, you will NOT find any verse where Jesus states that He is coming before the Tribulation Period. I would like to challenge every Believer in Christ to search this for yourselves and see the Truth. We will all go through a Tribulation of some kind and when the Great Tribulation does come the Believers in God will go through the Tribulation before Jesus will come. So what does this Tribulation Word mean and what is the Greek Word that is used by the Disciples and by Jesus Christ? The Greek Word is Thlipsis and it means a crushing, a pressing, a compressing or squeezing it is translated as Tribulation or affliction or trouble in the English. It is the same word used in regards to a pregnant woman going through Contractions in Child Birth and the squeezing and stretching that is taking place in the Birth, this is recorded in John 16:21. Joh 16:21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, THLIPSIS for joy that a man is born into the world. Yes! A woman goes through Tribulation in Child Birth but once the Child is born the Tribulation is not the issue as now a beautiful child is born. Tribulation is what we all go through in Life and it is also a very important part in the Life of a Believer, I want to now take you on a Journey through the New Testament and look at many of the verses where this Thlipsis/Tribulation word is used. Did you know that a Believer MUST go through Much Tribulation/Pressing to enter into the Kingdom of God? Yes! Paul made it very clear in Acts 14:22. Act 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. Yes! We Must continue in Faith even when are going through much Tribulation, this Verse MUST bring great Strength and Hope to those today that are going through Great Tribulation and are Killed for their faith in Christ. There will be times when we will go through short periods of Tribulation and times when we will go through long periods of Tribulation, regardless we must continue in the faith. Jesus did NOT hide the Truth from us regarding the Tribulation we will go through, in John 16:33 Jesus even said that in this World we SHALL have Tribulation/Pressing but we are to have good cheer as Jesus did overcome the world.
Joh 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. Yes! Jesus is our Strength and our Hope, He died as a martyr and never sinned once in His Life, we can Trust in Him even unto death. We can have Victory in Jesus. Our Faith may be tested in times of Tribulation but through the Tribulation our Faith is made very precious, far more precious than Gold, our Faith in Christ will be tested by Fire but it will be found to be full of praise, honour and Glory at the Coming of Jesus Christ. 1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Dont give up on your Faith in Christ even when in Tribulation as the Prize of the race is precious, it is our Eternal Life in Jesus Christ and the Resurrection of the Dead that we will receive when He shall come. Paul states in Romans 5:3 that we should Glory in Tribulations knowing that Tribulation works Patience. Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Rom 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. I do believe that the Truth that Paul teaches regarding Tribulation must be enforced and Preached today in all Churches of God. Romans 5:3 states clearly that we should Glory in Tribulations knowing that Tribulation works Patience. Jesus gives us a great exhortation to be Patient and in Revelation brings it up quite often as follows: To the Churches Jesus said: Rev_2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: Rev_2:3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev_2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Rev_3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. To the Saints that will be alive during the Tribulation Jesus says the following: Rev_13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. Rev_14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Jesus wants us to continue to walk in Faith and Patience even through the Tribulation Period. In times of Tribulation we must be Patient and continue in Prayer and Bless those that Persecute us as Paul mentioned in Romans 12:12-14. Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. You dont hear that taught much in Churches today sadly. Paul knew full well that Tribulation cannot separate us from the Love of God through Jesus as mentioned in Romans 8:35-39 Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. These Verses definitely need to be taught to the Body of Christ today especially where they are killed on a daily basis. It is vital in times of Tribulation that we are comforted by God and are to comfort one another as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 2Co 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2Co 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. Jesus wants us to continue to walk in Faith and Patience even through the Tribulation Period.
Our Tribulation may only be for a moment but it is the end prize that matters as Paul describes so well in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 2Co 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2Co 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. It is through Tribulation that we are found to be approved as Ministers when we continue in faith and patience, look at what Paul states in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10.. 2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 2Co 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; 2Co 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 2Co 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 2Co 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; 2Co 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; 2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. Paul knew what Tribulation was and rejoiced in God through the Tribulation, we can learn much today from Paul. Look at what Paul says to you and I in 2 Corinthians 7:4. 2Co 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. Paul had a great word of encouragement to those in Thessalonica as written in 1 Thessalonians 1:6 1Th 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 1Th 1:7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. We should not be moved by Tribulation for we KNOW that we are appointed Tribulation as Paul declares to you and I in 1 Thessalonians 3:3. 1Th 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. 1Th 3:4 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.
We must as the Body of Jesus Christ get back to the Word of God and not fear Tribulation, God is greater than the Tribulation and it is through Tribulation that we can shine. We must be a Light in times of Tribulation and give Hope and Truth to a fallen world. God wants us to Preach the Good News even in Tribulation. God so Loved the Whole World that He gave His only Begotten Son that all who believe in Him will not Perish but have Everlasting Life. Jesus wants us to continue to walk in Faith and Patience even through the Tribulation Period. Jesus said that He will come after the Tribulation Period is over and not before. Please I beg of you, walk in Truth and Faith even in times of Tribulation so that your Light may shine and you will be seen as being more Precious than Gold. The Church can Triumph in times of Tribulation as Paul declares to you and I. I will show you a Beautiful Exhortation by Paul to you and I as found in 1 Thessalonians 1. 2Th 1:2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2Th 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 2Th 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: 2Th 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 2Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Yes the Churches do go through Tribulations. Yes! We will be rewarded at the Coming of Jesus Christ when He shall come after the Tribulation is completed. Dont be deceived. 2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; I Hope you have learnt a Great Truth from this Message and I do Hope that you will not Fear Tribulation, but instead Trust in Jesus until you die or until He comes.