The Church and the Tribulation
Many Christian prophecy teachers teach that “the Church” will NOT go through Earth’s final “tribulation,” but will instead be “raptured” (taken to heaven) before the final crisis hits. But the Bible teaches that all through the ages, the faithful have gone through “tribulations” and this will continue till the final great tribulation before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ for tribulation is necessary for Christian growth. Here are some Bible references that show that:
Matthew 24:21, 22 – Jesus said that a terrible time of trouble would come upon the world after His ascension and will continue till His second return and that it would be more intense than any other in the history of this world. “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.”
The first persecution of the infant church came from the Jewish leaders (Acts 4:1–3; 7:59, 60; 8:1–4; etc.). A little later the Gentiles also persecuted Christians (Acts 16:19–24; 19:29; 1 Corinthians 15:32), and for about 3 centuries the church was persecuted by pagan Rome. In 538 AD began the 1260 years of papal supremacy and persecution of the saints (Daniel 7:25) which ended at 1798 AD by Beanpole Bonaparte. But this tribulation will resume by the papacy at the end of time.
John 16:33 – Jesus added, “In the world YOU shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Acts 14:22 – Paul told Christians, “We through much tribulation must enter the kingdom of God.”
Romans 5:3 – True Christians are to “glory in tribulations” because “tribulation works patience” and develops Christian character.
2 Thessalonians 1:4 – Paul wrote of the many “persecutions and tribulations” which “the churches of God” were enduring in the first century (Christians were thrown to the lions and burned at the stake).
Revelation 1:9 – John was our “companion in tribulation.”
Revelation 2:10 – Again to His church, Jesus said, “YOU shall have tribulation…”
Revelation 7:14 – God’s end time people “came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” They did not escape it, but endured through it, being purified.
Daniel 12:1 – “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.”
The good news is that God’s children will survive the final tribulation. Jesus assures His faithful children, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). And if Jesus is with His children who can stand against them? (Romans 8:31).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
