The Great Tribulation - Soul Choice Ministries

The Bible says that Christians will suffer and experience tribulation in this life. Is the suffering and tribulation referenced in John, chapter 16 referring to the Great Tribulation coming on the earth? No. There is an enormous difference.

John 16:33 says, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

When the Bible speaks of tribulation for the Christian, it is referring to the worldly tribulation we will suffer such as persecution, mockery, affliction by men, and even murder by evil people.

Galatians 6:12, “You will suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.”

2 Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:25, “Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep…”

The Great Tribulation is a seven-year period coming when God Himself pours out His wrath for the sin on the earth. The devil also goes forth with his fury to do destruction.

Revelation 12:12, “For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath…”

Throughout the Bible we see references to God’s wrath, as the following verses describe:

Revelation 6:17, “For the great day of his (God’s) wrath is come.”
Revelation 15:7, “Vials full of the wrath of God.”
Revelation 14:10, “The wrath of God, which is poured out in full strength.”

Jesus said in Matthew 24:21, “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 except those days be shortened, there shall no flesh be saved.”

Today, Christians suffer and die around the world by the hands of wicked, evil people. During the Great Tribulation, an unprecedented number of people will suffer and die because of God’s wrath poured out, and by Satan, who will act out through the Anti-Christ. At the beginning of the Tribulation, take notice of who opens the seals!

Revelation 5:9, “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood.”

It’s Jesus Christ Himself!

The first phase of the Tribulation as described in Revelation 6, will be a truly horrendous time. Here is what the Bible states:

People should kill one another, famine, pestilence, a huge number of Christians killed, one fourth of the earth’s population will be killed with the sword and by hunger, and by wild beasts, or animals. There will be a great earthquake; the sun became black, the stars of heaven fell to the earth, many in number. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And great men hid themselves in the caves and wanted rocks to fall on them, as they said, ^“For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

Other events that will also be occur:

Revelation 8:5, Thundering and lightening and an earthquake and hail and fire mingled with blood. And a third part of the trees was burned up, and all green grass.

Revelation 8:10, A great star fell burning, and fell upon the rivers and upon the fountains of waters. Many men died of the waters.

Revelation 9:2, The bottomless pit opened, and a great smoke darkened the sky and demons came out, with power as a scorpion to hurt men to torment them for 5 months and men would seek death but they couldn’t die.

Revelation 9:15, Evil angels are released to slay the third part of men, by fire, smoke and brimstone. Yet, the men that were still alive would not repent of their murders, or their sorceries, or their fornication, or their thefts. (v. 21) A fourth of the population was already killed, and now another third.

Revelation 10:6, No rain for three and a half years, the waters turn into blood, the earth smitten with plagues.

Revelation 16:3, The Sea all became blood, and every creature died. Imagine the stench. You know what rotting fish smells like.

Revelation 16:4, Now the rivers and fountains of water all became blood. That now includes all water turned into blood, so there will be no water to drink.

Revelation 16:8, Sun scorched men with fire and great heat.

Revelation 16:20, Every island fled and the mountains were not found. Imagine that! Everyone living on an island or in the mountains dead. Great hail, where every hailstone will weigh possibly 100 lbs. The plague was exceedingly great.

Revelation 7:9,14, A great multitude that no man can number were martyred during great tribulation.

The Great Tribulation is quite different from the tribulation we experience on earth now. This seven-year period is for the purpose of punishing the sinner, not the Body of Christ. The focus during that time will also be the nation of Israel.

Born again believers in Jesus Christ, have been forgiven of sin. The wrath of God is no longer directed at us. Why would the Lord Jesus pour out God’s wrath upon His bride, the Church? The Bible states we are not appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9).