by Brad Sherman

9

  What About Tribulation?




The sum of Your word is truth...
— Ps 119:160 (NASB)



     Tribulation and persecution is certainly not the most popular topic and, as a result, the subject is  largely ignored. It can be easy to “cherry pick” as we study the Bible and avoid those difficult passages that we don’t want to deal with. But Psalms 119:160 (NASB) says, “The sum of Your word is truth...” As a friend of mine once said, “The sum of God’s word is truth, not some of it.” But honest students of the Word of God cannot be selective. The Word is truth (John 17:17) and the truth makes us free (John 8:32).

Faith Not Fear
     The previous chapter showed the lack of scriptural basis for the escape rapture doctrine. When making this case, I have often been amused at how difficult it is for many people to even consider the possibility that Christians might not be leaving earth before the Kingdom appears. What I see in many faces is unmistakable — fear! Why? Because, to say that the Church will not leave earth at the rapture automatically translates to being on the earth during The Great Tribulation, which in turn, conjures mental images of absolute horror and unthinkable world wide suffering.

     I don’t want to downplay the seriousness of persecution and tribulation, but the sensationalism that has been associated with The Great Tribulation and its use to promote the escape doctrine is truly unfortunate. This issue has become so emotionally charged that it is difficult for many to hear the truth. Too much of our evangelism has been based on an apocalyptic “go to heaven” message that uses fear as a major motivator. Our doctrines, including our message of salvation, should be faith based, not fear based.

     This, once again, raises the issue of preaching the gospel of the kingdom versus the gospel. The point was made in Chapter 3: Politics of the Kingdom, that Jesus and the apostles preached the gospel of the kingdom, that is the coming government of God to the earth, while much of modern Christianity has simply preached the gospel of salvation. While salvation is certainly a good thing to preach, a salvation message that leaves out the hope and expectation of the kingdom of God and peace on earth can easily move from faith, responsibility and victory to fear, irresponsibility, and escape.

     Therefore, let’s lay down fear and see what the Bible says about the great tribulation, persecution, and of course, protection. Hearing the Word produces faith and faith is the victory that overcomes the world.

The Great Tribulation
     The phrase “The Great Tribulation” has been used so much that one would think that there is surely an entire book of the Bible entitled: The Great Tribulation. But the fact is, the phrase “the great tribulation” is only used one time in the Bible:

 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. -Revelation 7:14 (NKJV)

     But it should be noted that some translations do not place the definite article “the” before “great tribulation.”  This suggests that those of whom Revelation 7:14 speaks of may refer to all those through history who have endured terrible suffering, not just those who went through a specific period of tribulation at the end of the age. Persecution against the people of God has been going on ever since the days of Noah before the flood. Most of the world knows this, but only where people have not experienced it, like America where we have been blessed with extraordinary peace, does the mention of persecution and tribulation seem distant or removed. Jesus did, however, speak of a great tribulation which would be different than any other. 

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. — Matt 24:21 (NKJV)

The Scope of the Great Tribulation
     What makes this tribulation spoken of in Matthew 24 unique is not clear. For those people have suffered torture and cruel deaths throughout history, the term "great tribulation" would be an accurate description.  Therefore, broadness in scope seems to be most logical understanding. When Jesus said, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” He was undoubtedly referring to the prophecy of Daniel.
   
At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.   And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.— Daniel 12:1-2 (NKJV)

     Most understand the passage above to be talking about a period of time near the end of the age because of the phrase,  “those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake”, which is a reference to the resurrection.  Connecting this to passages such as Revelation 3:10 which speaks of “... the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world...”, it is easy to assume that this tribulation will be all encompassing and there will be no location on the planet that is not consumed by it.

     But what is meant by the term “whole earth” or “whole world?”  We automatically assume that it means the entire planet. But when we look at the context we can see that references to the whole earth in the Bible are often a form of hyperbole used as emphasis. In Exodus we read how locusts covered the face of the whole earth. But does that mean that locusts covered all of Africa, Europe, Asia, etc? No. In fact, the context shows that locusts only covered the land of Egypt. Therefore, the phrase, “covered the face” of the earth was hyperbole used to emphasize the severity of the locusts over the land of Egypt.

So Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind on the land all that day and all that night. When it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt and rested on all the territory of Egypt. They were very severe; previously there had been no such locusts as they, nor shall there be such after them.  For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every herb of the land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. So there remained nothing green on the trees or on the plants of the field throughout all the land of Egypt. — Exodus 10:13-15 (NKJV)

     We also read in Colossians, which was written about 64 AD, that the gospel had been preached to every creature under heaven. The same is true of Romans 1:8.

 ... the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. — Colossians 1:23 (NKJV)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. — Romans 1:8 (NKJV)

     But what about the Far East or the continents of Australia and the Americas?  There were entire civilizations in the western hemisphere at that time. Are we to assume that the gospel had spread there by 64 AD? No, of course not. We are still finding people groups that have never heard the gospel. It was simply a way of saying that the gospel had spread to every part of the world that they were connected to.

     Jeremiah prophesied how Babylon had become a desolation and referred to it as the “hammer of the whole earth.” 

...the hammer of the whole earth has been cut apart and broken! How Babylon has become a desolation among the nations! I have laid a snare for you; — Jeremiah 50:23 (NKJV)

     The geographical area that Babylon ruled is historically known and it was not the whole earth. It was the general area we know as the Middle East, including Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, parts of Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Again, depending upon the context, “whole earth” refers to the geographical area surrounding Jerusalem and the Mideast. Returning to Dan 12:1-2 (see above), it says “...there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” There are two things in this passage that seem to indicate that this “time of trouble” is specific to Israel and the surrounding area instead of the whole planet. First is the reference to Michael, the prince who watches over Daniel’s people (Israel).  Second is  the phrase, “since there was a nation.”  Both of these indicate that what is being said is specific to Israel.

The Scope of Antichrist’s Power
     Daniel’s vision of the little horn rising to power is understood by many to be the Antichrist rising to power at the end of the age. The idea of the Antichrist, as a ruler gaining control of the entire world is another case of sensationalism, much like the sensationalism and fear associated with the Great Tribulation.  Contrary to some teachings, this man at the end time, represented by the little horn in Daniel’s vision, will not gain total power.  Daniel Chapter 11 describes some of the warfare that will take place:

At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.—Daniel 11:40-45 (NKJV)

     First he is attacked by kings from the South and the North, and he overthrows many, but it does not say all. Then we see that news from the east and the north trouble him, which is apparently news of armies coming against him, and he goes out to war against them. Again he  destroys many, but not all. The identity of all those who fight against him is not clear, but we can see from this passage that this “Antichrist” is involved in war from start to finish. Though he is formidable, this indicates that some nations do not come under his power and will align themselves against him militarily.

Persecution In General
     Even if the references to the whole world and the Great Tribulation are speaking of Israel and the Mideast, that does not mean that persecution and tribulation will never come to other parts of the earth. It already has. Christians have been persecuted and killed in many places outside the Mideast. Jesus said: "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (John 15:20 NKJV).

     Persecution and tribulation will always be present to some extent when we speak the truth of God’s Word. In Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, we read about the Word that was sown on rocky soil. It sprang up immediately but had no depth of root and endured only a while. Why? Because tribulation and persecution came because of the Word.

But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;  yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. — Matthew 13:20-21 (NKJV)

     Right here in America, we are seeing an increase of persecution against Christians. There are so many examples that I am almost past being shocked. There is a growing demonically inspired hatred for Christians in our culture. Exactly what the future will look like is not clear, but the fact is, persecution against Christians is not coming to our nation, it is already here. Some of the questions that we should be asking are:
    •    How intense will it get?
    •    Will it affect me personally?
    •    How can I prepare for it?
    •    What can I do to reverse it?

     I can personally testify that I would like to just ignore these things and live in denial.  I know that we all have personal lives and dealing with our own issues can be plenty to bear at times. But we must also be people who understand the times and not simply react to circumstances after the fact, but be prepared in advance to provide answers for those who are not prepared. Paul prepared the church regarding the affliction to come, so that they would not be shaken:

...no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.  — 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 (NKJV)
   
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. —2 Timothy 3:12 9 (NKJV)

For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, — Philippians 1:29 (NKJV)


Protection From Tribulation
    There is an abundance of scriptures regarding the persecution of Christians. Yet we know that many people have been born, lived out their lives as Christians, and never had to endure serious persecution or tribulation. This has been particularly true of America. But if we will be on the planet when the great tribulation arrives, whatever it looks like, will we be protected? That is a good question, one for which I do not have an absolute answer. But even Jesus, just before His crucifixion, prayed, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Mat 26:39). We can pray in the same way.

     However, the Bible gives us comforting words on this issue.  One such word of comfort promises that those who persevere (persevering in itself can be difficult) will be kept from the hour of trial.

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. —Revelation 3:10 (NKJV)

     This is similar to Jesus praying for us saying,  "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one (John 17:15). I am also reminded of how the plague of flies and of hail that came upon Egypt did not come to Goshen, where God’s people lived (Ex 8:22; 9:26), and of Luke 19:10 which says,  "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Paul also encouraged Timothy regarding deliverance in the midst of tribulation:

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! — 2 Timothy 4:17-18 (NKJV)


Keep the Kingdom in Focus
     The most important thing is to remember the goal and avoid getting focused on tribulation. Our focus is the King and the Kingdom of God, even though that is exactly the reason we encounter opposition.

...so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer. — 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (NKJV)

     When Jesus endured the unspeakable suffering of the cross, He did not look at the momentary suffering, but the eternal joy that was set before Him. Therefore, we too should look to Him knowing that if we are called to suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him. Consider these verses:

... looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,  while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” —2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NKJV)

... and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. — Romans 8:17 (NKJV)


A Dream about Protection
     In closing this chapter on Tribulation and Persecution, I would like to share a dream that I once had which brought me comfort. I wrote the dream down and began to search the scriptures for the symbolism that I had seen.

I was standing on a flat place on the side of a mountain on the edge of a precipice.  From below the paw of a bear made of stone, ten times larger than I, rose up until it towered over me. Then it fell toward me as if to crush me, but as it was about to hit me, it shattered and fell away without touching me.  Then a  bear came up from the same cliff and tried to attack but I struck it with my sword and it fell backward off the cliff.

     The scriptures I found brought me great encouragement. I will leave the interpretation up to you.

Moreover David said, "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!" — 1 Samuel 17:37 (NKJV)

Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, Who destroys all the earth," says the Lord. "And I will stretch out My hand against you, Roll you down from the rocks, And make you a burnt mountain.  —Jeremiah 51:25 (NKJV)

Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. —Nahum 1:6-7 (NKJV) 


Closing Thoughts
     This chapter was not intended to provide specific answers regarding persecution and tribulation.  It has simply established the scriptural basis for multiple possibilities. Just knowing that there are multiple possibilities can have a significant impact on our paradigm. More knowledge is usually a good thing, even if it doesn’t provide absolute conclusions.

     This chapter has also established the fact that persecution and tribulation are a real possibility, even though we should also pray for protection and deliverance. Though it does not produce an exact picture of what kind of trouble may lie ahead, this knowledge produces a  certain sobriety and a desire to seek God, His will and His direction. Christianity is not a game or a religious add on to our lives; this IS our life. We cannot navigate dangerous days by ourselves. We need God’s guidance and protection.

     The possibility of persecution also produces a certain responsibility to engage politically and otherwise. We must seek to make a positive impact on the culture because whether our nation, state, city or community will be a “Goshen” insulated to some degree from tribulation may depend on our influence upon civil government through faith and obedience to God.

Paradigm Builder
     The tribulation that precedes the coming of Jesus and His Kingdom may be primarily focused on the middle East and other parts of the world may not be equally affected. Whether or not our nation, state, city or community will be a “Goshen” insulated to some degree from tribulation may depend on our influence through faith and obedience to God.

How would you describe your position regarding this concept:
    Before reading the chapter :
        1- I disagreed
        2- I was unaware or ambivalent
        3- I already agreed

    After you read the chapter/book:
        1- I disagree
        2- I am considering
        3- I agree   




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(c) Copyright, 2013, Brad Sherman