When the term tribulation is used in the church, everyone thinks of a set time before Christ’s return. The term tribulation period comes from Revelations 7:14 where the term is rendered as tribulation the great one. Therefore, it is difficult to understand the term tribulation because it is so closely connected with the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. In fact the term is more theological than biblical.
The majority of people who study the Second Coming assume the tribulation doctrine is true without ever studying the tribulation to understand Christ’s return. That was the case when I first studied the return of Christ. Do Christians want to play around in the world and still receive the saving grace of God in the nick of time? When you think about it, how can you define the time of Christ's return without knowing what God said about the tribulation?
When fellow Christians can find evidence beyond the shadow of a doubt to prove pre- mid- and post tribulation from the same version of God’s word, something has to be dead wrong. God’s word is consistent with the truth and that can not be changed. However, when Satan has his hand involved in the beliefs of the church he stirs up controversy, which lead to arguments, quarrels and eventually the breakup of the church. Who benefits the most from separating believers, to destroy his opposition and conquer the church.
During the time I studied the Second Coming, God helped me to prove each of the tribulation viewpoints beyond the shadow of doubt. Yes, Christ is coming but the father is still the only being that knows the times and dates. The prophets who wrote the manuscripts the bible was derived from expected God to come in their day. Jesus told several parables that the master of the house settled accounts immediately on his unexpected return, the brides waited for the groom without oil and the groom came when they were out. Jesus said the when the master of the house returned it would be better if you were found to be working at your assigned task than to be found waiting. You just do not know when he will be coming.
God’s word has a different approach to the idea of tribulation than those who have prophetic ministries. This article was designed to show God’s approach and the help you can receive from him as you go through tribulation not to prove a time period exists. Reading this article may change your mind so take time of your own to prove the truth about tribulation. If I were to summarize my conclusion it would look like the following, A deep concern about future uncertainties and things we can not control is the cause for tribulation.
A personal note to help you understand, the use of the original word will be color coded that you may know the origin and use of the word in the king James version of the Bible. The NIV uses words other than are listed below but they display more contemporary use of the American Language. Included are 50 verses from the New Testament that contain the word tribulation, three of which contain the phrase great tribulation. The commentary that follows each verse is a personal viewpoint from the insight of the Holy Scriptures that I have developed with the help of Jesus Christ. However, I would rather you consider the following information in a godly and prudent manner by taking the time to listen to God and think over his written word.
The first thing I do is to find a definition on the topic of study so I will have a basic idea of what I am studying.
Tribulation is a pressure of evil placed on everyone to teach us to persevere, to know our savior and to experience the power of God to overcome the pressure to sin. In this parable those caught in the trap of evil was overcome because he or she has not learned to lean on the foundation of truth and Jesus Christ for the help they need. Tribulation is the thief that steals the word preventing the word from anchoring its roots into the soil of the spirit. Without root the plant will lack strength to grow.
How does trouble and persecution cause the spirit of man to fall away from the ability to overcome the trails of this life. Keeping this parable in context with tribulation you must see that those who fall away are those who worry about the problems they face and where the money will come from to have the things they want out of life. Persecution and tribulation will prevail when your are not listening to God. Those who heard and understood prospered.
Christians are persecuted today and further persecution can be expected especially in the future when the saints have been handed over to Satan for a time, times, and half a time. Daniel 7:25 Satan is making war against the saints today, bur no one knows the extent Satan is capable of defeating the church until that day arrives.
In the last 5 years the stress level in the work place has increased dramatically and continues to grow as the seconds tick away. In the last 40 years the world has increased the pressure to subdue Christian activity. Roe versus Wade outlawed prayer initiated by public officials, unwanted babies are murdered with government approval, and displaying the Ten Commandments is no longer lawful in public buildings. The irony of it all is every citizens of the United States has freedom of speech, but public employees can not speak about God or practice their beliefs in public buildings. The pressure to reduce Christian activity to a standstill continues to increase and Christians in America are watching the show from their armchairs without defending their freedom of religion. The persecution of the Christian faith will continue waging war against the church leaving only a remnant.
Personal note: the Greek words Megas thlipsis forms the phrase "great tribulation" and is present in the following verse.
No matter the tribulation view you believe the Bible the Lord will not return until after the tribulation. Everyone on the face of the earth will not be exempt from the tribulation of those days. Jesus said that you would face tribulation (John 16:33) in your lifetime, but that he had overcome the world. For example, the loss of a loved one creates a mental anguish such as distress.
Distress creates a problem within the disposition of human beings and affects the decision making process. Distress creates a state of uneasiness and apprehension, and a deep concern about future uncertainties and things we can not control. Your emotions are affected by feelings and how you feel about things can and do control your decisions.
Matthew 24:21 is a parallel passage to this verse with one difference in reference to the tribulation. The word megas (see explanation on Matthew 24:21) is absence but the words being unequaled from the beginning describe more than the usual. There must be a reason for such absence but you should be the one who determines the importance.
There is no other way to describe the agonizing pain of childbirth other than pure physical pain. However, God greatly increased the pain of childbirth as the result of Eve deceiving Adam to sin.
Tribulation comes in two forms, physical and spiritual. You can expect tribulation in this life because man has chosen to rebel from God and live as they see fit. The limits placed on man by God are both practical and productive to the life you enjoy. Jesus said he overcame he world because he was never alone, his father was in him guiding his every step.
Joseph is a good example of the trials and tribulation that you can expect in this life. Can you imagine what went through Joseph’s mind every time he faced punishment for doing the will of God? During his time of trouble, Joseph learned the importance of serving others when ruling.
Most Americans can not imagine the struggle of feeding their family when food is scarce. They can recall seeing children that look like living skeletons in the midst of war and draught on television. The same conditions would make you spend much of your day worrying over where the next morsel of food would come from.
The fear of certain death caused a number of biblical characters to run from the harm they faced. Imprisonment, pain, being escorted through the streets in front of those who know you do a lot of damage to self esteem. The expectation of those things adds to the mental stress because you have been wronged for doing what is right in God’s eyes. This verse involves fear connected with the persecution and death of Stephen and how the gospel was spread along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to what is now northern Syria.
Revelations speaks of the first beast having the power to give breath (life) to an image that will speak. His command will be worship the image or die. Will you serve God to the point of death or worship the beast. What will you do then, because when you think about it long enough, only god can make objects of metal come to life?
As a Christian you will experience the pressure of affliction, oppression, anguish, burdens, persecution, tribulation, trouble, distress, and dire straits. Paul writes that tribulation teaches perseverance overtime. Paul also points out, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God, one of which is the narrowness of the road that leads to life.
Like Paul you should expect hardships. Avoiding the hardship defeats the purpose of tribulation by failing to learn and experience the trustworthiness of God. Paul went to Jerusalem with his eyes wide open knowing that he was going to be imprisoned by Rome. Paul thought of it as gain rather that something to avoid and the outcome was that he was able to spread the gospel to a number of people he would not otherwise been able to speak to.
In this passage distress is similar in meaning to the word tribulation. Paul is saying that anyone who indulges in sin can expect trouble. Let’s also consider the domino effect of tribulation that eventually affects everyone in its path. Like the waves caused by a speeding boat, tribulation spreads outward until the ripple effect strikes home.
Reverent submission was the key to Jesus Christ’s sinless life. However the stiff-necked person will refuse to bow to the God that created him. Man is born with a rebellious spirit that demands to be in charge and be waited on hand and foot. Jesus Christ denied himself of a life of his own and reverently submitted his will to his Father for benefit of mankind. It was through his reverent submission to God, he learned obedience from the trials he suffered. With God the outcome of tribulation should reap benefits. One of those benefits is being able to stand in the midst of the battle with the shield of faith quenching the fire of sin thrown at us.
Tribulation will not separate you from the love of God as long as you continue to follow the ways of God. Cling to him, set your mind on him, and do everything within your power to please your father in heaven. Nothing can separate the love of God from you but you have to trust in him to be your help in your time of need.
Man has faced trouble because of his sin ever since it was brought into the world. Consider this, God has instructed his children how to overcome every form of tribulation subject to man.
Submitting to temptation is the first step to the mental anguish of sin because conviction and guilt always follows the deed. God has told you to submit to him and Satan will flee from you. Doing what God tells will not help you to avoid tribulation but it will help you to go through it unharmed. Once you submit to God you can rejoice in the fact that you have overcome the temptation of the evil one.
Self-centeredness and the lack of unity with your spouse is the main culprit found in divorce. Problems in marriage need management not the arguments or the reasons that blame the other person for the trouble. Dealing with the arguments governed by self-centeredness is a full time job. There is nothing wrong about marriage that a strong effort on your part to become a team, but Paul wanted to spare you the anguish. Marriage is a bed of roses that has been equipped with way too many thorns.
God comforts us as we experience tribulation so we are able to assist others in their tribulation. True comfort comes from God who shows you how to hang in there and keep going. God stabilizes your life when you lean on God for his wisdom and help. If God can help you in your time of need he is also able to help others when they need it.
Hardships were so great that Paul wanted to die to end of the pain he was suffering. This is something we all go through when we wonder when it will all end. In this passage Paul wants to encourage you to seek God and to keep going no matter the circumstances. You are going to face evil no matter what you do, but Life goes on. Job was told to curse God and his friends said he was a sinner but Job remained true to God in his trial.
You can share your love about the hard times of your life by how you overcame tribulation with God’s help. Sharing those hard times may bring up things that you may not want known but they demonstrate your love in ways that can not be counted. Tribulation used in this fashion develops relationships with the person in trouble, but the knowledge that God can rescue them from your tribulation is priceless.
Tribulation does not appear to be momentary in the midst of the trial. Focusing on the trouble leads to worry which only feeds the anguish you already are facing. Where you place our focus during tribulation is the key to the solution. Look to Jesus for the solution that quenches the fiery darts of tribulation and gives glory to God.
Stumbling blocks will be found in the Christian walk no matter what you do. Paul said, he made the choice to sin when he wanted to do good things. In spiritual warfare you will feel Satan pushing you against the wall and intimidate you sin, only to make you feel guilty after the fact. Christians who are rooted and grounded in God’s word will have the praise of God and receive a rich welcome into his kingdom because they submit to God. Encouragement comes in many ways, but when anyone applauds your effort they build up your self-esteem.
Everyone subconsciously watches your life and overtime see what you have done with your life. The manner in which you live often encourages other people to seek the inner power you have to manage life. How you handle trouble says a lot about your personal beliefs and your disposition. In Christian life others Christians who place your needs before God in prayer share your troubles. Troubles become easier to bear when you know others love you and pray on your behalf.
God’s grace is sufficient even in times of extreme hardship, trials, and sufferings that you can contribute to another person’s need. Paul was responding to the Macedonian church that gave generously in a time of extreme poverty to his ministry. That generosity may have come at the time Paul was in dire straits.
God’s grace is such that life equals out so no one is pressed beyond his level to endure the trials of life. Paul concludes that the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn the plenty of someone else will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 2 Corinthians 8:14. God wants each of his children to share what they have with fellow Christians regardless of their trial.
Paul knew that people study the lives of others to see what they stand for and how they manage their lives. Paul handled his life is such a manner that he asked fellow Christians to imitate his life. He set the example for the early church for people to follow. Therefore, when he struggled in tribulation they could see with their own eyes how to handle their life. Suffering during the trial is minor when you look at the benefits you learn. Paul was saying that everyone could benefit from suffering even those in the front lines of spiritual warfare.
Troubles bring out the best and the worse in people. Paul received help from Philippians during his time of hard times and was the reason he praised God with a passage most Christians know. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13. The strength Paul received from God gave Paul the resolve to complete his mission.
Paul was saying that his tribulation was nothing to the tribulation Christ went through. Everyone from Adam and Eve faces tribulation in one fashion or another. Some have faced worse trials than you have had or will ever have. Instead of complaining about our tribulation, all of us should rejoice in the tribulation that Christ went through because of the benefits provided for those who have chosen to follow Jesus. Tribulations may have a bad taste during the trial and involve pain but in the long run teach us to live a godly life.
Paul realized that your deeds had to agree with your spoken words. One cannot live the same manner the world does and preach the gospel of Christ. The Thessalonians became imitators of Paul because of the outcome of the trials he endured. Paul demonstrated that even in tribulation, he could live a victorious Christian life.
Jesus Christ warned you when he said you would be persecuted because of his name and the truth you stand for. Tribulation is spiritual warfare. God equips his children with the weapons of truth that will quench the fiery darts of the evil one. Do not panic when the trials come for they will come. Managing your fear and emotions enables you to make the right choices, but fear will take control your life if you allow it to.
Applying the principles of God’s word to the way you live expresses your faith in God louder than all you could ever say. The proverb, Actions speak louder than words, is true. You can encourage others by the way you handle the trouble you face in life. Tribulation brings out the virtues of faith with a demonstration that other people will see and want for their own.
The Lord says vengeance is mine. He will recompense those who afflict you according to their deeds. This is hard to apply when all you want to do is to return the favor. Tribulation teaches you to live a discipline life governed by love. Revenge in like manner would make you just as evil in God’s eye therefore, make room for God’s wrath. Those who trouble you are sowing seeds that will produce a crop of trouble from God. Hasn’t God said to do unto others as you would have done to you?
It is not uncommon to be with a group of Christians doing God’s work and be scoffed by those passing by. Christ suffered this same kind of abuse on the cross by those who wagged their heads and hurled insults at him. Come down from the cross if you can yet it was the strength of his love for you that kept him there to die for our sins.
Widows and orphans have one thing in common, they do not have the family support that most people have. Family is a source of encouragement and methods to handle the trouble that stalks widows and orphans lives. Being alone causes loneliness and those who suffer from it cling to anyone who will talk to them. James says our religion is in vain if we do not obey God’s commands to care for others.
God is not partial, you are not the only person who has tribulation because your brothers in Christ all over the world are bearing the same kind of trials. Tribulation like temptation is common to each man on the face of the earth. John’s trial was that he was exiled to the island of Patmos because of his stand on Jesus Christ. While in exile, John received the most beautiful vision of God and our future home in the ages to come. Because of his trial, John was able to share, The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. Revelation 1:1
It is safe to say he knows what you have done in your life because God lives in you. God is not partial and those not recorded in the book of life will answer to God on the day of Judgement. The trials you face are known and not forgotten because Jesus was with you every step of the way.
Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10
Suffering for your beliefs is not uncommon in the Christian walk. God wants worshipers who worship him in truth and in spirit, this means that beliefs and actions must be in agreement. Being faithful amounts to being loyal to your word and beliefs to the point that you would die rather than deny them.
A bed is a place for rest but suffering robs you of sleep. God is speaking of a place where the wicked have no rest. Repenting is the key to understanding the intense suffering God will inflict on those who sin as a result of their teaching and to those who are deceived. The fire of hell is reserved for those who cause sin and those who sin.
Personal note: the Greek words (mega /lh qli=yi$ ew$ -- Megas thlipsis) which forms the phrase "great tribulation" is present in this verse.
Matthew 24:21, Revelation 2:22 and Revelation 7:14 have one thing in common, the Greek words megas and thlipsis that forms the phrase "great tribulation".
Great in this case comes from the Greek word megas, which describes the intensity and degree of the following; mass and weight, compass and extent, measure and height, stature and age, number and quantity, intensity and degree, affections and emotions.
For tribulation to be great, the degree of tribulation would have to agree with the above terms. Great is an adjective, which modifies a noun when directly proceeding it giving the noun scope. For example, When you use the term great in the phrase great power, the degree of power could be amplified to overwhelming power.
Strong’s exhaustive concordance defines tribulation as pressure and vines further define tribulation as anything which burdens the spirit. The words rendered from the Greek word thlipsis are afflicted (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, and trouble. The most common idea portrayed by these words is mental and physical pain.
The question that needs to be asked is how does the word great amplify or modify tribulation? The primary meaning to the word tribulation comes from is pressure. Pressure is the use of steady use of force by one body in contact with another body. One scripture relates tribulation as unequalled since the beginning of time, The word great amplifies the scope of tribulation for those currently suffering have tasted only a fraction of the tribulation to be expected in the end times.
By definition, the word megas does not apply to tribulation in terms of number. When mega applies to numbers, Mega is defined as Large and One million or 10 to the 6th power. The word ‘Mega" has invaded our computer language in terms of megabytes equal to 1,048,576 units of storage capacity. Those who listen to radio know the call letters and the megahertz number assigned to their favorite station. When it comes to how time has been applied to the length of the tribulation to come, the number of years the tribulation period has been credited as having is greatly exaggerated.
Some prophetic teachers teach that those coming out of the great tribulation are the tribulation saints or those who were saved during the tribulation period. They also teach the duration of the tribulation period as being seven years in length. Is the tribulation period nothing more than a theological term to describe the end times?
The prophets writing the message of God to other churches thought they were in the latter days of the end times and that Jesus Christ could return for them at any time. Somewhere between the idea of Christ’s imminent return and the tribulation period Christians have the idea that if we miss the rapture they could still go to heaven by remaining true to the faith until the tribulation has been completed. We all have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Jesus said:
Man does not survive on the food the dust of the earth provides but needs the knowledge that proceeds from God to truly survive the deception the world indulges in. There has always been a God given reason for personal involvement by reading the word of God. A personal relationship with God begins with your time and effort to know God through his word. This involves taking a reverent approach to the sacred scriptures and opening your mind to the truths of God’s word. Considering God’s word as truth always proceeds taking his words to heart. Jesus Christ warned man that he could be deceived and the written word has been dissected, rearranged, examined, analyzed, and then explained in minute detail and been mishandled by inadequate study to make you wonder what is right. God is always right and his word grafted into your soul is able to save you.
The king James uses two nautical terms in this verse that defines the entry point into the Kingdom of God and the path to life. No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless they go through Jesus Christ. The road to life is well defined and limited by the moral behavior that our father demands. In nautical terms Strait and narrows is the restrictive passages between two large bodies of water such as those divided by landmasses that approach the lane of passage from each side.
The entry into the Kingdom is severely restricted to one way and that through the name of Jesus Christ. The path once in the kingdom is well defined and you are advised not to stray to the right or to the left. The key to staying on the path that leads to life is submission to God and accepting his authority as your Father.
Everyone has been in the crowding situation described in this verse. This condition is similar to going home after the morning service where everyone has to funnel through the exit to shake hands with the minister. It is the condition that you face as you leave a football stadium after the game. The crowd comes from every where closing in on you to leave, but in the process they restrict your movement and rub your shoulders in an uncaring manner. Everyone in this situation has the same goal and once through the exit door the pressure is relieved.
Satan loves to put you into the same condition by letting you know you are going to be hurt and showing you door to relief, but the choices are limited to those Satan wants you to make. Once you made the wrong choice the pressure is relieved and without the pressure you realize the error of your choice. Those split second decisions while under pressure cost you, your life is the kind of intimidation Satan specializes in.
People who successfully endure trials and tribulation have learned to persevere. Its comforting to know that trials only last a short time and the knowledge gained from the experience makes it easier to endure the next trial. Consider the trial, the tribulation as the cake and the experience of leaning on our Savior for help, as the icing on the cake.
Every kind of trouble is closing in on us and we can’t go this way or that way without being harmed, what can we do? Christians find themselves in this condition more than any other group. The best thing coming from trials and tribulation is that it drives you to your knees and into the loving hands of God.
As a Christian your walk is restricted to what is proper, fair and just and the rule to do to others what you want done to you in return. Your friends, that is worldly friends will advise you to do otherwise, go ahead they won’t miss it or its only a little lie. Yet when you take their advice they are the first to condemn you. They are the first to turn on you and make fun of you, but they are the first to shame you for doing what is right in the eyes of God. As Christians we must learn to accept harassment as a badge of honor.
The world wants to remove God from the responsibility from ones own actions. With God out of life’s equation they can live without restrictions. Your choice to live as Jesus did tells the world that they are living the wrong kind of life. They admire you for your stand but because of the choice they have made they can not live up to your standards.
Luke 6:38 Luke tells us to give and to expect a return in multiples units according to the measure you give in. Jesus said this; So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matt 7:12. In other words what other people do to you is the way they expect to be treated by you. Whereas God demands that you love them regardless of how they treat you. You will have justice through this promise that God will spend his wrath on them for what they have done to you.
Don’t expect God to render justice as you would like. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9. However, there is a point when God says enough is enough and then on the final day of this age you will see the punishment of the wicked with your own eyes.
Helping those in need is more than a command of God. Devoting yourself to do good deeds is far better than doing things that hinder life at its best. Strive to assist others in their time of need making what little they have into something they can be glad to have been through.
Chapter 11 of Hebrews, is known as the hall of faith because it tells of the faith of men who were looking for a city not built with the hands of man. It speaks of the men who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised for the sake of God. They trusted God because their lives were held in the balance. During their lives they endured the kind of trouble that you and I make every attempt to avoid for the opportunity to serve God at their full potential.
Satan believes that man will give all he has for his own life (Job 2:4). Survival is a strong instinct especially when you believe that life stops at death and you have no paradise to look forward to. Satan is not going to tell you about eternal life and his reward for rebelling against God. Nor is he going to tell you that everyone in his kingdom will be exiled to a place of punishment. From Satan’s perspective tribulation throws doubt in your face saying that God’s promises is an elaborate hoax.
Reading Hebrews chapter 11 shows that these men of faith went through tribulation beyond what most men have to endure and because they endured received the reward of life with God. Joshua said that none of God’s promises ever failed. We too, should know that God will keep every promise he ever made to his children. By being true and obeying our father we can expect eternal life. Tribulation is one way that we learn the benefits from leaning on the promises of God for the help needed to overcome stumbling blocks and solve the problems that is in the world. God has the answers even in tribulation.
Personal note: Below are a list of synonyms related with tribulation and the idea of tribulation rendered throughout the Bible. These words may help you to further understand tribulation. Finding synonyms
Adversity - A state of hardship or affliction; misfortune. . A calamitous event.
Affliction - A condition of pain suffering or distress. A cause of pain suffering or distress.
Agonize - To suffer extreme pain or great anguish. To make a great effort; struggle.
Anguish - Agonizing physical or mental pain; torment.
Anxiety -. A state of uneasiness and apprehension about future uncertainties. A cause of anxiety A state of intense apprehension uncertainty and fear resulting from the anticipation of a threatening event or situation often to a degree that the normal physical and psychological functioning of the affected individual is disrupted. 3. Eager often agitated desire.
Apprehensive - Anxious or fearful about the future; uneasy. Capable of understanding and quick to apprehend.
Bitter -. Having or being a taste. Difficult or distasteful to accept admit or bear. Resulting from or expressive of severe grief or anguish
Burden - Something that is carried, Something that is emotionally difficult to bear A source of great worry or stress; weight
Cliffhanger - being unsure of how things end . A dramatic event effecting the emotions ending In suspense
Complaint - An expression of pain dissatisfaction or resentment.
Coward - One who shows ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain. -
Cruel -. Disposed to inflict pain or suffering. Causing suffering; painful.
Difficulty - The condition or quality of being difficult. Something not easily done" accomplished comprehended or solved.
Dismay - A temporary state of mental confusion and clouded consciousness resulting from high fever "intoxication shock or other causes. It is characterized by anxiety disorientation hallucinations delusions
Disquiet - To deprive of peace or rest; trouble. Absence of peace or rest; anxiety
Distress - To cause strain anxiety or suffering to. Anxiety or mental suffering.
Doubt - To be undecided or skeptical about. To tend to disbelieve; distrust To regard as unlikely.
Fortitude . Strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage.
Grief - Deep mental anguish as that arising from bereavement. A source of deep mental anguish. Annoyance or frustration. Trouble or difficulty
Grimace -. A sharp contortion of the face expressive of pain contempt or disgust
Hardship - Extreme privation; suffering. a cause of privation or suffering.
Hurt - To cause physical damage or pain, to injure. To cause mental or emotional suffering to; distress
Moan - A low sustained mournful cry usually indicative of sorrow or pain.
Oppress - To keep down by severe and unjust use of force or authority. To weigh heavily on.
Pain - An unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury disease or emotional disorder
Pang - A sudden sharp spasm of pain. A sudden sharp feeling of emotional distress.
Patient - Bearing or enduring pain difficulty provocation or annoyance with calmness.
Perplex - To confuse or trouble with uncertainty or doubt. To make confusedly intricate; complicate.
Pinch - To squeeze or bind (a part of the body) in such a way as to cause discomfort or pain.
Precarious - Dangerously lacking in security or stability - Subject to chance or unknown conditions Based on uncertain unwarranted or unproved premises.
Prick - A persistent or sharply painful feeling of sorrow or remorse.
Relief -. The easing of a burden or distress such as pain anxiety or oppression.
Remedy - Something such as medicine or therapy that relieves pain cures disease or corrects a disorder
Remorse - Moral anguish arising from repentance for past misdeeds; bitter regret
Risk - The possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger A factor thing element or course involving uncertain danger; a hazard.
Rumor - Unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth; hearsay
Sore - Painful to the touch; tender.
Sorrow - Mental suffering or pain caused by injury loss or despair
Sting - To pierce or wound painfully with or as if with a sharp-pointed structure or organ as that of certain insects.
Straits - A position of difficulty perplexity distress or need. Often used in the plural
Suffer - To feel pain or distress; sustain loss injury harm or punishment.
Suspense - The state or quality of being undecided uncertain or doubtful Pleasurable excitement and anticipation regarding an outcome such as the ending of a mystery novel Anxiety or apprehension resulting from an uncertain undecided or mysterious situation Anxiety or apprehension resulting from an uncertain undecided or mysterious situation
Thorn - One that causes sharp pain irritation or discomfort.
Threat - An expression of an intention to inflict pain injury evil or punishment
Throe - A severe pang or spasm of pain as in childbirth - condition of agonizing struggle or trouble.
Torment - Great physical pain or mental anguish
Travail - Work "especially when arduous or involving painful and strenuous effort; toil - Tribulation or agony; anguish. 3. The labor of childbirth.
Tremble - To shake involuntarily as from excitement weakness or anger. To feel fear or anxiety.
Trial - A state of pain or anguish that tests patience endurance or belief.
Trouble - A state of distress affliction danger or need. A condition of pain disease or malfunction.
Troublesome - Causing trouble or anxiety; worrisome. Difficult; trying.
Twinge - A sharp sudden physical pain. 2. A mental or emotional pain.
Uncertain - Not known or established; questionable. Not determined; undecided. Not having sure knowledge. Subject to change; variable.unsteady.
Uncomfortable - Experiencing physical discomfort.- Ill at ease; uneasy. -. Causing anxiety; disquieting.
Uneasy - Lacking a sense of security; anxious or apprehensive. Affording no ease or reassurance. Awkward or unsure in manner; constrained.. Causing constraint or awkwardness. Not conducive to rest.
Unsettled, - Not in a state of order or calmness; disturbed.. Likely to change or vary; variable. Not determined or resolved.
Unsure - Doubting or disputing and uncertain. causing hesitation or wavering; lacking Confidence wondering or questioning the feasibility of things. Not trustworthy
Wail - To grieve or protest loudly and bitterly; lament A long loud high-pitched cry as of grief or pain.
Worrisome - Causing worry or anxiety. Tending to worry; anxious.
Wrench, A sudden sharp tug at one's emotions; a surge of compassion sorrow or anguish. A break or parting that causes emotional distress. b. The pain so associated.
When the term tribulation is used in the church, everyone thinks of a time just prior to Christ’s return. The term "Tribulation Period" comes from Revelation 7:14 where the term is rendered as tribulation the great one. Therefore, understanding the return of Christ has been made more difficult because this doctrine has been linked with the rapture of the church. However, the term, "Tribulation period" is more theological than biblical.
Within the Christian community there are theologians that can teach the entire seven years of the tribulation period. They can show the month and year when particular events will take place during that time period. They know the purpose of the events and the desired affect on mankind. Their illustrations are graphic as well as convincing. Yet, when the doctrine is analyzed and compared, connecting the information they teach to a specific time of tribulation can not be done.
There is a another problem with the tribulation period, because it is a theological term those who teach it can define the period in any way they think best. What I mean by that is, theologians can define its scope when the average bible student can’t find what they are teaching. That forces the average layman to believe the teaching by blind faith. Doctrines need to be credible so, when the doctrines can not be compared with the word of God we should investigate the teaching before believing.
The purpose of this study was to see if there was a time period associated with the tribulation the great one. Is there a time period of seven years defined as tribulation within the text of the Bible? Did God set aside a specific period of seven years for suffering? Are theologians in agreement with the word of God?
The Hebrew word Tsarah is the equivalent word for tribulation and occurs 73 times in the Old Testament. OT:6869 tsarah (tsaw-raw'); feminine of OT:6862; tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival: KJV - adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.
A personal note to help you understand, the use of the original word will be color coded that you may know the origin and use of the word in the king James version of the Bible. The TNIV uses words other than are listed below but they display more contemporary use of the American Language. Included are 73 verses from the Old Testament that contain the word tribulation. The commentary that follows each verse is a personal viewpoint from the insight of the Holy Scriptures that I have developed with the help of Jesus Christ. However, I would rather you consider the following information in a godly and prudent manner by taking the time to investigate and think about his written word.
Jacob lived up to his name the one who grabbed the heel. Jacob had a lot of trouble during his lifetime most of which was of his own making. However, during his lifetime he learned to lean on God because rescued him from it.
Joseph was distressed because of what he was about to endure. The brothers were distressed because of their guilt. Trouble comes in many forms but not quite like those we make ourselves.
God is forewarning his people not to forsake him for when they do disaster will come with no one to rescue them.
Israel was given a song to remind them not to forsake God.
God allows you to worship the god of your choice but he also forewarns you of its consequences. Let the god’s you have chosen to worship save you from your troubles.
Who can stand being told I told you so, I told you so all day long. Taunting by Hanna’s rival was her source of tribulation.
Calamities are the events that bring distress, severe affliction and disasters but reject your God and you are asking for them.
Trouble can be avoided and David’s life was spared because he spared the kings life.
When trouble lurked at his door David knew who to trust, but he also dealt with those who brought the trouble to him.
When trouble lurked at his door David knew who to trust, David was not ashamed of his beliefs and openly expressed his trust in God.
Sennacherib surrounded and demanded complete surrender of Jerusalem but because Hezekiah and the rulers of Jerusalem trusted God, Sennacherib fled after 185,000 of his men died mysteriously overnight.
God kept other nations in turmoil to strengthen Israel after they had forsaken the god’s of other nations and begun to seek the God of Israel.
A statement of faith knowing that your trust in God will save you out of your troubles.
In his prayer, Nehemiah reminds God he alone delivered his people out of their troubles. Yet it is the distress of trouble that drives you to your knees.
Nehemiah acknowledges it was because of the sin of turning to other gods that Israel was in great distress.
Job is saying that it doesn’t matter how many times calamities strike your life God will rescue you. Still, it is the time of trouble that you learn to lean on God for help.
Trouble comes and goes but the real question is do you pray when trouble comes into your life?
Whether or not you are in trouble God is never far away. If God seems to be a quadrillion miles a away it is for your benefit. You need to trust in him in good times as well as the bad times.
Keep in touch and the Lord will answer you when you are in trouble.
For better or worse God has promised to be with you until the end of the age. Trouble may only for a moment away but you need God when trouble copmes.
Relief is on its way the moment you ask God for help.
Troubles come and trouble goes but its wonderful to know you have been redeemed in the midst of trouble.
God loves you before, during, and afterwards, God loves you regardless of your circumstances.
God doesn’t care if you are rich or poor God brings relief because he loves you.
God brings relief because he loves you, but right standing with God insures relief.
God should be our stronghold whether the time is good or a time of trouble.
Keeping yourself in right standing with God is an ever-present help.
God has promised that you can cast all your cares upon him, but do you revere him for deliverance?
Its wonderful to come out of trouble smelling like a rose and seeing those who brought you trouble getting what they deserve but it is just as wonderful to look to the one the deliverance came.
No one wants trouble in his or her life yet we are glad that we can trust God to restore order in our life.
This man sought the Lord in his distress until he knew God had heard his plea.
God’s wrath, indignation and hostility gives you good reason to revere the Lord.
Trouble does more than build your trust in God, but it also develops a sincere love for God. Even then, God tests man to see if he will obey him regardless of his or her life goals.
Trouble will make seek those who will comfort you.
There are many promises made by God that he will be wherever you go but you can call on him anytime of the day or night and he is there to help you.
There are times when life takes you to the pit of despair when we can not remember that God is with you to lift your spirit out of despair. In times of trouble God is the lifter of spirits.
Our God is a God of comfort who will comfort us ao we can comfort others in their time of sorrow.
God is the lifter of spirits and he is always there to save you from the worse of enemies.
You can always cast all of your cares on Him.
Who do you rely on when trouble is at your door?
Being ready for trouble is possible when you know God’s word. God is our peace maker and a shelter from the storm. Though trouble can overwhelm you knowing God takes the sting out of the struggle that assaults you at every corner.
It’s those who obey the Lord that are saved out of their trouble. It is those who are out to make trouble for you that are caught in their own trap.
People love to boast about what they have done not knowing that they must first tame and control their own tongue.
It is also good to know that we have one we can trust that is closer than a brother.
For most of my life my mouth has created most of my trouble
To err is human to have faults is normal, to be at fault causes every eye to focus on what you have done. However, a little humility goes a long ways with God.
A broken tooth or a lame foot is a constant reminder of their cause but reliance on those who are in trouble all the time is as useless as a broken tooth or a lame foot.
Tribulation is seldom used for trouble in the future but here like other examples of future tribulation it is used to warn you of God’s wrath. If you can imagine the day of God’s return and you are being gathered by an angel you would see darkness and gloom. There is also a day of gloom for the wicked as they will be thrust into utter darkness.
Men have certain hardships in this life that is bound to happen and as Ecclesiastes would say. What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Even though the profit margin is small we still go and do the work.
As long as God is the priority of your life in the good times he will be the God of the times of trouble that comes into your life.
This was Hezekiah’s response to the Assryian field commander demand that Israel surrender to him. Hezekiah laid everything out on the table before God and left it in his to resolve. The next day the Assyrian commander left for home after losing 185000 of his troops.
Idols are utterly useless but God is willing to let your lifeless idols save you out of your troubles.
God will have compassion on whom he will have compassion on God can be troubled by the troubles we go through so much that he does redeem us from our troubles.
Tribulation is expressed and described in many ways, here it is associated with the groan of childbearing. Sometimes groaning is the only way to express how you feel.
The example of childbearing is used to express how trouble grasps and controls our life. Though tribulation can control our life and cause us to suffer emotional pain God is always ready to step in with the help we need.
Most of us have heard there is never a cop around when you need one. Our minds are geared to respond to the trouble of the physical world. Most of the trouble seen by the Christian comes from the spiritual realm and it does seem as if God is a stranger when we face trouble. Its how we face tribulation and what we focus our minds upon that reveals how close God is to our needs. God sticks closer than a brother but when we focus our mind on the trouble we are facing God only appears not to be in sight.
When God makes a promise you can count on his word.
Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, "Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good. Jeremiah 16:19 TNIV
There are good times and there are times of trouble God is with you in both.
Mental anguish can mentally handicap your life to the point that tribulation controls your ability to think. Knowing God will stabilize your life so you can live a victorious life by trusting in Jesus to rescue you in your time of need.
Anguish can mentally devastate your life to where you see no more reason to live. Trust in God will keep you going and keep your life on a even keel.
No one knows exactly what will occur the time described in this verse however it does tell us that it is one of a kind and will cause strain, anxiety, or suffering in a different scale. Does this mean God will withdraw his mercy. No it does not.
No appreciates those who gloat over your misfortune but when trouble comes appreciates the help you can give.
It is not good to destroy those that could be your salvation in the future.
Jonah received help even when everything said he was a goner. He got God’s attention from inside the belly of a whale and was spit up on the shoreline. It may not have been an ideal rescue but it was miraculous in his eyes.
God is good all the time even in times of tribulation.
God deals with Tribulation in such manner that it does not return.
Habakkuk was in a condition we are in waiting on the day of the Lord when we will be delivered from this life of trouble. Yet I would never wish what is going to happen to the ungodly on that day. It should give us incentive to help God build his Kingdom.
God’s wrath is nothing you want to receive and yet one day God will say enough, the number is complete. And the day of reckoning close at hand, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of wrath.
No one will travel through life with out passing through the sea of trouble. God gives us a promise in the following verse; I will strengthen them in the Lord and in his name they will live securely," declares the Lord. Zechariah 10:12 God is always with us where ever we go he is our constant help, our refuge to seek and a shelter in our day of need. If anything Tribulation gives us a reason to seek God for the help we need. And our seeking God in the trouble we face we learn to trust our Savior.
The doctrine of the tribulation period appears to be a combination of end time doctrines. Like other doctrines that are synthesized from other doctrines to make it easier to understand it appears the opposite is true. Studying the end times, last days, end of the age and prophecies concerning the coming of Christ are better understood when studying each of the doctrines individually.
In my study of the end times I had to ask myself why I was studying the return of Christ. I discovered two things regarding the human nature, even though one of those things was I couldn’t wait for the kingdom of God to come. The first thing I learned was I wanted to know how long I could play around before I had to be serious with God. The second thing was that I could look like an idot by telling what I knew.
Would your life be any better if you could narrow the last day down to a date on a calendar? Before we go to such extreme perhaps we need to ask another question. Did God want you to know the exact date of his return or did God want you to keep busy doing the work of the kingdom till he returns?
Even though you can obtain a massive amount of information about Christ’s return, how does that help God’s plan of saving the world from utter destruction when he does come? God made it known that it would be better for you if you were found busy doing the work he called you to do. For the time being it is better to know that he has a plan to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11. You and I have been involved with God’s plan from the moment of conception and will because of our choice to follow him see the glorious promise God spoke of in our future.
The remaining prophecy about Christ’s return can take place in a relatively short period of time. In under a minute every one of the predictions can come to pass because with God all things are possible. The ultimate goal is going home to be with our father. However, for the time being it is better to be about our father’s business.
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