Of Tribulation, Judgment, and Wrath

[Last Daze]

From what I've see down through the decades of looking at prophecy, these three terms are often a source of much confusion.  In order to accurately apply these terms, their meanings must be understood, along with other relevant details such as the subject and object thereof.  Failing to do so will lead to confusion.

First, a definition of each without regard to context:

• Tribulation - affliction, trouble, persecution
• Judgment - a decision rendered often with consequences for the guilty
• Wrath - anger and its resulting action

Each of these terms requires a subject and object in order to be meaningful.  The context in which each is used will determine that.  To apply the term correctly, additional information is needed.

• Tribulation - who is causing the trouble, and who is being afflicted.
• Judgment - who has rendered the decision, who has been judged, what was that decision, and what are the consequences
• Wrath - who is angry, who are they angry at, and why.

If we take the time to make these distinctions, and view them in their context, it will give us a more accurate understanding of what takes place during the end times.

[Last Daze]

Of Tribulation

When it comes to the Christian faith, those who believe in Jesus Christ should expect tribulation from those of the world.  It's been that way since the first century.

• If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave 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 15:19-20

The type and degree of persecution may vary but the theme is consistent.  No believer should consider themselves immune from persecution.  We are not greater than our master.

When it comes to the end times, there is going to be an unprecedented time of great tribulation.  This is spoken of by both Jesus and Daniel.

• For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.  Matthew 24:21
• And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time.  Daniel 12:1b

Both of these statements are associated with the abomination of desolation and Daniel tells us that it will be 3.5 years in duration (Daniel 12:7).  That's all we have as far as a time frame for a tribulation period that is distinctly different from what has taken place down through the centuries since the first.  The difference between the tribulation experienced by believers during the spreading of the gospel during the last ~2000 years and that of the coming 3.5 years of great tribulation has to do with scope and intensity.  That's what makes it the "great" tribulation.  It will be a global time of declaring one's faith, a segregation that will often lead to martyrdom.

The tribulation experienced by believers during the time of great tribulation comes from the mark and the image described in Revelation 13.  The man of sin performs great signs and wonders to deceive the world into thinking that he is God.  Everyone will be required to receive his mark and worship him as such.  Those who refuse are to be killed.  That time of great tribulation is cut short with the opening of the sixth seal.  This means that the scope and intensity of persecution is diminished, not that the 3.5 years is shortened.  The man of sin is given authority over the saints for 3.5 years but his ability to prosecute the war against them is diminished with the introduction of God's judgment and wrath beginning with the sixth seal.

 

[Last Daze]

Of Judgment

After enough time has lapsed, and everyone has decided whether or not they are going to worship the man of sin, the sixth seal is opened.  This brings an end to the time of great tribulation as it pertains to believers.  The 3.5 years of great tribulation mentioned by Daniel continues but it is now no longer just believers who are being troubled.  The seventh seal begins the time of God's judgment.  Those who commit idolatry by worshiping the man of sin will come under the judgment of the seven plagues.  While the war against the saints continues, it is greatly impeded by what takes place at the sixth seal and the ensuing effects of the plagues.

The people of the world were deceived by the man of sin into thinking that he is God and the plagues are God's way of debunking that lie.  The first four affect creation in a way that reveals the man of sin's impotence to do anything in response.  This will cast doubt on his claim of deity and those who know God as the sovereign creator will have to resolve the contradiction of his claim with what they're experiencing.  The plagues are brought to bear for the purpose of convincing people that they've been deceived and that they should repent. 

The 3.5 year war against the saints, and the 3.5 years of great tribulation spoken of by Daniel and Jesus ends with the death of the two witnesses.  This coincides with the end of the 6th plague which is the second woe.  There is only one more plague to follow, which is the third and last woe, the culmination of the wrath of God.

Of Wrath

God becomes angry when people persist in disobedience.  The first six plagues are God's judgment of idolatry, of worshiping the man of sin.  People will either repent or harden their hearts.  The plagues will progressively get worse and effectively segregate the humble from the wicked.  There will come a point when all who are going to repent have done so.  Since the plagues are God's judgment of sin, those who repent will no longer be affected by them.  Those who persist in the disobedience of sin will face God's wrath at the seventh plague.  Those who humble themselves and repent, and stay so, will inherit the earth.

[Last Daze]

The coming time of great tribulation that Daniel speaks of in Daniel 12:1, and that Jesus reiterates in Matthew 24:21, will accomplish the purpose of bringing the body of Christ to the unity of the faith.  Different events will serve to distinguish between those who serve God and those who serve themselves.  All pretense will evaporate and truth will be revealed.

The first segregation will occur with the mark and the image.  Who will stay true to God even if it means forfeiting their life, and who will succumb to deception and worship the man of sin?  After the tribulation of those days, when everyone has had time to make that decision, God begins His time of judgment which will culminate in His wrath.

The next segregation occurs during the plagues.  They are God's judgment of those who commit the sin of idolatry and worship the man of sin.  They are God's final call to repentance before His wrath destroys the wicked from the earth.

[Keras]

Multitudes of people throughout the world await the Glorious Return of Jesus to reign as King of the world. Many others doubt this and would like to eliminate the possibility, because they do not want to face the consequences.

Belief in the reality of Christ’s Return and His Kingdom, as against disbelief, means that there are two major categories of people in the world:- Those referred to in Scripture as “the people of God”, 1 Peter 2:10  and those who do not belong to Him – John 8:47.

For His people still living at the Return, who can be from every race, nation and language, there will be rejoicing, praise, worship, and unending happiness. For those who have refused the salvation offered, it will be an opposite kind of destiny or just annihilation, but for both: the consequences will be eternal.

The distinction between the two groups is not based on education, race, wealth, culture, or religious affiliation. It is based on our relationship with God. We are all in one category or the other. The Bible calls unrepentant sinners “evildoers”. It calls forgiven sinners  “saints”.

Romans 2:9-11 There will be trouble and distress for every human who does evil, first for the Israelite, then for the Gentile. But for everyone who does what is right, there will be glory, honor and peace. God has no favorites.

 

We who are followers of Jesus Christ are to keep faithful, praying, proclaiming the Gospel, manifesting His love and mercy, living for Him and doing His will– until He comes.

An attitude of faithful consistency in serving and obeying our Lord, is different from the escapist attitude of some who talk so much about the prospect of being raptured out of this wicked world at any moment.

The prophetic truth: “we shall be caught up in the air to meet Him,” as He Returns to earth, should not obscure the importance of being prepared for the trials and tribulations to come before His Millennial reign.

 

James 5:7-11 You must be patient, my friends, until the Lord comes. Consider the farmer, looking for a good crop, waiting patiently for the rains to fall. You, too, must be patient and strong, for the coming of the Lord is near. My friends, do not blame your troubles on one another, or you will be judged and there at the door stands the Judge. As your example of patience, look at the prophets, who stood firm under ill treatment. See how Job stood firm and how God blessed him in the end, for the Lord is merciful and compassionate. Those who keep their faith will be happy and blessed.

1 Peter 1:5 Because you have put your faith in God, you are under the protection of His power, until the salvation now in readiness is revealed at the end of this age.

Philippians 1:9-11 And this is my prayer: that your love may grow ever richer in knowledge and insight of every kind, enabling you to learn by experience what things really matter. Then on the Day of Christ, [His Return] you will be flawless and without blame, yielding the full harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. John 3:16-21                            

Ref; REB. Some verses abridged.