Many Christian prophecy teachers are now saying that "the Church" will NOT go through Earth's final "tribulation," but will instead be "raptured" (taken to heaven) before the final crisis hits. On the surface, such an idea sounds good - for who wants to suffer? The fact is, Christians have suffered "tribulation" throughout history and there will be no complete relief until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ at the very end of the world.
If you look up the word "tribulation" in the New Testament, almost every reference applies to what true Christians go through, rather than what they escape from.
John 16:33 - Jesus Christ said to His followers, "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."
Matthew 24:21,22 - Jesus said there would be "great tribulation" which His followers (the "elect") must endure. Yet for "the elects sake, those days shall be shortened."
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 in the coliseum, eaten by wild dogs, burned at the stake and lit up as torches in Nero's garden).
Revelation 1:9 - John was our "companion in tribulation."
Revelation 2:9 - To His church, Jesus said, "I know your works and tribulation…"
Revelation 2:10 - Again to His church, Jesus said, "YOU shall have tribulation…"
Revelation 7:14 - God's final 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.
Thus the clear biblical evidence reveals that Christians have always gone through "tribulation" and will endure tribulations until the end. Yet we need not fear what man, governments, Satan or devils can do. Jesus Christ has promised, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." Matthew 28:20.
If you look up the word "tribulation" in the New Testament, almost every reference applies to what true Christians go through, rather than what they escape from.
John 16:33 - Jesus Christ said to His followers, "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."
Matthew 24:21,22 - Jesus said there would be "great tribulation" which His followers (the "elect") must endure. Yet for "the elects sake, those days shall be shortened."
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 in the coliseum, eaten by wild dogs, burned at the stake and lit up as torches in Nero's garden).
Revelation 1:9 - John was our "companion in tribulation."
Revelation 2:9 - To His church, Jesus said, "I know your works and tribulation…"
Revelation 2:10 - Again to His church, Jesus said, "YOU shall have tribulation…"
Revelation 7:14 - God's final 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.
Thus the clear biblical evidence reveals that Christians have always gone through "tribulation" and will endure tribulations until the end. Yet we need not fear what man, governments, Satan or devils can do. Jesus Christ has promised, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world." Matthew 28:20.
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