Tribulation

By Charles F. Stanley

"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. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened." - Matthew 24:21–22

Christians and non-Christians are interested in the future. Everyone has questions. Some are motivated by curiosity, others by fear and anxiety. For the most part the future is a mystery. I say “for the most part” because certain future events have been revealed by God.

Many of the questions that Christians ask surround the period of time known as the Great Tribulation.

What will happen to Christians when the Tribulation happens? Who will be spared? We are certainly not the first to question the future. Jesus was prompted by His disciples to describe the events to come that signaled the end of the age.

The first reference to a seven-year period of time when the earth would be besieged with great suffering is found in the ninth chapter of Daniel. Though there is considerable debate among theologians concerning many details surrounding this period of time, it is commonly called the seventieth week of Daniel, indicating the seven-year period that we know as the Tribulation. A further study of chapter 9 describes the beginning of the Tribulation, marked by the signing of a pact or treaty with the leader of the revived Roman Empire (the Antichrist).

The Great Tribulation is divided into two distinct periods. Jesus says that in Matthew 24:14 when He says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (emphasis added).

The halfway point (three and one-half years) in the Tribulation defines the end of a lesser degree of suffering and the beginning of unequaled woe. Jesus describes this first half of the Tribulation: “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs” (Matt. 24:7–8 nasb). Just like an expectant mother feels the pains of birth in various stages, so will the earth feel the pains of the Tribulation in differing degrees. He continues, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name” (Matt. 24:9 nasb). His words indicate that this period of seven years will be divided. To put it in terms we are more familiar with, things get bad and then they get worse!
With the beginning of the Tribulation marked with the signing of the treaty, the second half begins with the breaking of the same treaty.

A Closer Look

What those who are living during this period can expect is summed up in One World by John Ankerberg and John Weldon:

The Tribulation period is composed of seven years, the first three and one-half years constitute a period of apparent relative peace when the Antichrist signs a peace treaty with Israel. The last three and one-half years involve massive destruction that is described as the Great Tribulation. This leads to the final world conflict of Armageddon.

Several characteristics define the first half of Tribulation: (1) false Christs, (2) wars and rumors of war, and (3) occurrences in nature such as famines and earthquakes. It is easy to understand why many people believe we are in the midst of the Tribulation now when you think about these signs and then turn on the television news and listen to the day’s events. However, because I believe that Scripture supports the conclusion that the church will be raptured before the Tribulation, it is apparent that the Tribulation has not begun, or I would not be writing this book!

After the first half of the Tribulation ends, then begins the time when there will be inconceivable anguish on the earth. Dwight Pentecost describes it this way: “The tribulation period will witness the wrath of Satan in his animosity against Israel (Rev. 12:12–17) and of Satan’s puppet, the Beast, in his animosity against the saints (Rev. 13:7). Yet even this manifestation of wrath does not begin to exhaust the outpouring of wrath of that day.” What could be worse than Satan’s wrath? God’s, of course.

Dr. Pentecost wrote, “Scripture abounds in assertions that this period is not the wrath of men, nor even the wrath of Satan, but the time of the wrath of God.” Many verses support of this suggestion. Zephaniah 1:18 states,

Neither their silver nor their gold
Shall be able to deliver them
In the day of the Lord’s wrath.

Isaiah 26:21 states, “The Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.” Because this time of tribulation comes from God Himself, it will be earmarked by the kind of suffering and also by the intensity of the suffering.

I am sure of two things: (1) the Tribulation will happen, and (2) the church will not be present during this time.

Why? What reason is there for the Tribulation? Primarily, there are two reasons: (1) to prepare Israel for her Messiah, and (2) to pour out judgment on unbelieving people and nations.

This brings us to the question concerning what we, as believers, will experience at this point in history. With the second purpose being to judge unbelieving people and nations, I believe this gives credence to the belief that the church (believers) will not be present.

Among the verses that support this idea is Revelation 3:10: “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.” Suffice it to say, I believe that Scripture indicates the church’s absence on earth prior to this period of time.

Application

We can conclude a number of things about the Great Tribulation, but these conclusions are tempered by where we stand—with Christ or without Him.

If you are among those who have taken that crucial stand and have confessed Christ as your Savior, I believe Scripture affirms that you and I will not be present during the Tribulation. Yet the church is not exempt from normal suffering. On the contrary, Scripture asserts that believers will suffer for faith. There are two considerations here: (1) what we believe, and (2) what we will experience in the way of trials and tribulation. No one is exempt from suffering, but there is a difference in the trials that we experience and the tribulation of those left after the Rapture.

The application of this study is far different for the unbeliever. Because I believe that the church (those who believe in Christ as Savior) will be raptured before the Tribulation, your status is rather tenuous. Knowing Christ as your Savior is your security for now and eternity.

Growth

I would add a word of caution to anyone who attempts to study this topic. Only God and His Word are infallible. In your attempt to discern what Scripture says about the future, be careful that it comes from the truth of Scripture and not your own interpretation. I believe we can know certain things about the future, but not everything.
Know this for sure: if you are a believer, God will provide for you today and tomorrow. Whatever the future holds, He is in control. With that in mind, what have you to fear?

Adapted from “Charles Stanley’s Handbook for Christian Living” (2008).

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