One of the most often-asked questions submitted to any pastor/preacher/teacher/evangelist who shares a message about the last days is “Will Christians have to go through the Tribulation Period?” I know personally that I have needed to answer this very question dozens of times during my nearly 25 years of Gospel Ministry. Listen, it’s an important question. It is an intense question; and yes, it is a divisive one as well. There have been denominations split over this question. I feel there have even been close friendships severed due to an improper Biblical interpretation on this subject.
Before we get into what the Bible says about this sometimes controversial doctrine, I want to first speak from a Pastor’s heart – as what I’m about to say I believe would also come from our Savior’s heart as well. There is too much division in the Church today. There are too many of God’s children walking around looking for a reason to be critical, mean, angry, and even hateful. In this season of great deception, evil, and malevolence, we as Christ-followers should ever be fine examples of grace, compassion, and brotherly love.
Nineteen times the words “love another” as in love one another appear in the New Testament. I feel it’s our tender Shepherd trying to get something through our thick skulls – the Church is commanded to be “longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2) So please… for Jesus’ sake, let’s not use this doctrine as a means to attack each other.
Instead, I firmly believe that contrary opinions on this subject are still something that fine Christian men and women can hold hands in fellowship on and walk this road of living for Jesus together. While we understand that we may differ on minor things, we totally agree on the major doctrines – like salvation through faith in Jesus Christ alone! (Ephesians 2:8)
What Is The Tribulation Period?
In both the Old and New Testaments, God warns those who will take heed that there is a future time of great judgment coming to the inhabitants of the Earth. Just as God had already judged the whole world with the flood of Noah due to humanity becoming intensely evil and violent, He has also warned that there will once again be another worldwide judgment to come for the same reasons.
This judgment, as Daniel puts it, will “make an end of sins… and bring in everlasting righteousness.” (Daniel 9:24) Although there are many other references to this “Day of The Lord” or “that day” in the Old Testament (being mentioned over 200 times), the crystal clear unveiling of this approaching time of worldwide judgment was given in the last book of the Bible, the Book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
In the Book of the Revelation, we find confirming facts about this coming day of God’s judgment that the Old Testament had already revealed. For instance, we are taught that this time of judgment will last seven years. This is exactly what Daniel was told by God when receiving the “70th week” prophecy concerning the nation Israel – that it would last seven years. There are also other confirming doctrines that testify that what is spoken of in Revelation is exactly “that day” as prophesied in the Old Testament.
For instance, in Revelation we find one very charismatic ruler rising above the rest of the leading authorities of the world and he deceives so many into falling for his charm that literally the keys to rule the whole world are simply given to him. The Bible teaches his rise to rule will be undergirded by the dark, deceptive powers of Satan himself – all of this being also foretold in Daniel 8:23, 24 – where it’s mentioned “And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power…” (v. 24)
The most terrifying revelation of this season of judgment, or Tribulation Period, are the world-altering and awful judgments that are to come – many of which are very frightening indeed! We are told that during the first set of judgments there will be bloodshed, violence, war, great famine, scarcity of even basic food necessities, and widespread death due to these awful “man-made” judgments.
In the Book of Revelation, the Scriptures teach us that one-fourth (or 25%) of the world’s population will be decimated by these alone – meaning nearly 2 billion souls will be destroyed within a few months of the Tribulation Period beginning. The sad part is God is only getting started. There are actually THREE sets of SEVEN judgments in the Tribulation period. We have only just covered four of the first set of seven – called the Seal Judgments.
God’s Word goes on to describe even more horrible plagues and judgments thrown down upon this wicked world. Time will not allow me to teach them all in-depth but to name a few there will be a huge asteroid striking the Earth and doing immense damage to the atmosphere, foliage, and water sources. There will also be a massive earthquake that is felt worldwide, spreading fear and dread causing Earth’s residents to beg for the rocks and mountains to fall on them.
I must also warn you that during the Trumpet Judgments (the second set of seven judgments) God also tells that there will be a massive number of creatures who look like demonic scorpions (Revelation 9:1 – 11) as well as an army of other-worldly, hellish horsemen numbering 200 Million (Revelation 9:14 – 19) being sent out to destroy billions of incorrigible sinners who refuse to repent.
It is more than fair to say this season of Earth’s future will be devastating. If you decline to worship the Antichrist (the charismatic one who rises to rule the world, mentioned above), you will be hunted down and killed for this refusal – even having your own family members and neighbors betraying you and turning you in to the authorities.
Revelation 13:16-17
[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: [17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
If you instead choose to worship him and take his mark (Revelation 13:16, 17), then most of the judgments outlined in the Book of Revelation will be aimed squarely at you. Also of great importance: if you take “the mark” as mentioned above, you immediately disqualify yourself from ever receiving salvation and forgiveness from God. Basically, you doom yourself to the eternal judgment of hell by taking it.
Will Christians Go Through The Tribulation Period?
There are two extremely important points you must understand about the Tribulation period before one can answer this question.
First of all, one of the most important reasons for the Tribulation Period is for God to complete His dealings with Israel. This is why the Old Testament has so much to say about this coming “Day of The Lord” because it is very much centered around the nation Israel. Today, Israel is mostly in a blinded, rebellious state concerning Jesus Christ. Very few of the Jewish people have trusted in Christ as their Savior. Paul speaks on this emphatically in his letters of the New Testament.
During the Tribulation Period, Israel is initially going to fall for the deception of the ruler who rises to the top, also known as the Antichrist. He is going to charm and flatter them while holding immense hatred for them in his heart. Through this ruler, they very likely will receive permission to build their third temple – which to the nation of Israel is HUGE!
Through a series of events, this ruler (the Antichrist) will show his true colors, begin to persecute and try to destroy Israel, and finally, once and for all, they will call out to Jesus Christ as their Messiah! They will then become the recipients of His supernatural protection in the latter half of the Tribulation Period.
So, to recap… Point One is that the Tribulation Period is meant to bring the Jews to Jesus! This is why it’s also called the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7) in the Old Testament – it is meant for Israel.
Jeremiah 30:7
“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”
The other reason for the Tribulation Period is to judge the Earth for its immense and pervasive wickedness. Just as the Earth in Noah’s day had filled the cup of wickedness to the full, so too in the time just before the begin of the Tribulation Period will the inhabitants of the Earth be so ungodly, so evil, so deceived, and so reprobate that they will have also filled the cup of wickedness to the full – thus requiring God’s judgment to fall upon them. God will only put up with this worldwide wickedness for so long before He intervenes in the events and affairs of mankind. That’s the second important point to realize.
With that information in mind, I hope you’ll see the answer to this question right before your eyes. There is no purpose for the Church in the Tribulation Period. Since it is designed and sent to punish the wicked for their rebellion against the LORD’s Christ, the Church will not be required to go through this time of judgment due to the fact that we have indeed responded in faith and obedience to Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
I’ve always looked at it like this… If God has stated He will judge this evil world due to their rebellion against Jesus, then we (the Church) have dodged the bullet because we HAVE trusted in Jesus and surrendered to Him!
As is always the case, I don’t want you to just take my word for it. I’d rather you take our Lord’s Word at what it says concerning all this. Here are a few key verses that state rather obviously that the Church will not go through the Tribulation Period.
1 Thessalonians 5:9
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”
For starters, the context where this verse is given is discussing the “Day of the Lord” (v. 2) – meaning the Tribulation Period – and how we (the Church) are not appointed to it. In fact, the Greek word translated “wrath” from this verse is the word “orge” which means “punishment, anger, indignation, or vengeance.” Our Lord Jesus Christ has no desire or intention to pour out His indignation upon His own bride, the Church. This is reserved for the wicked, rebellious inhabitants of the Earth alone.
Revelation 3:10
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
In this verse, we have some very strong clues as to what Christ is going to do with His church before this time of judgment is to come upon the earth: He is going remove us from the earth beforehand. Notice the statement “…the hour of temptation…” that Jesus states here He will keep us from.
The Greek word translated “temptation” is the word “peirasmos” which means “to test, to prove, or to put through a trial.” If you are a Christian today, you have already taken this test and passed it with flying colors! You are born again into God’s family. You are His Child. There isn’t another test you’ll need to take down here concerning your heavenly adoption.
Again, the Tribulation Period is sent to the world to judge and prove the wickedness of mankind. These things sent from God are supposed to drop sinful men to their knees in repentance but instead, they prove humanity’s hardness of heart and unwillingness to bow before Holy God in sorrow and surrender.
Also note how Jesus points out that these things will come upon “…them that dwell upon the earth.” I believe He makes this distinction with a great purpose in mind. We are taught elsewhere in the Bible that Christ will come back just before the Tribulation begins and supernaturally “snatch away” from the Earth those who have placed their trust in Him. This is lovingly called the Rapture of the Church. While this doctrine has its own detractors, there is merit in this teaching as it is also mentioned several times in the Bible.
2 Thessalonians 2:1
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him…”
1 Thessalonians 4:16 – 18
“[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
John 14:2, 3
“[2] In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
1 Corinthians 15:51 – 53
“[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
2 Thessalonians 3:5
“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”
Luke 21: 34 – 36
“[34] And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. [35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
The “Church Is Gone” Principle
Revelation 4:1, 2
“[1] After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. [2] And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.”
From our verse above, you’ll find the Apostle John being whisked away from the Earth and taken into Heaven where he received and was shown things that were to happen afterward. (v. 1) Many theologians believe – in John – we have a “type” of the Church being raptured away just before the beginning of the Tribulation Period as it is given in the Book of Revelation.
Whether we are “typified” in John or not, there is ONE VERY IMPORTANT thing to note about the last book of the Bible from this point (Chapter 4) on… Nowhere else is there any instruction given to the Church throughout the rest of the Book of Revelation concerning how to navigate what amounts to be the singularly most challenging time to be alive on the Earth.
Given that the whole New Testament is God’s instruction manual for the Church on how to live in the midst of a godless world, you would think if His Church was appointed to go through the Tribulation period there would be pages upon pages of more instruction on how to traverse these troublesome times (to put it lightly) – but there isn’t.
Wouldn’t you think our Lord would be emphatically more concerned with telling us how to handle our ‘day to day’ affairs during the Tribulation period if we were in fact, going to be here? There are no such instructions, nor any mention of the Church upon the Earth after this “whisking away” of John in Revelation 4:1, 2. That silence is deafening. There are no instructions because the Church will not be here to experience the horrors of judgment that God will pour out upon this unbelieving, rebellious world.
When teaching the Doctrine of the Rapture and the “whisking away” of the Church just before the Tribulation Period begins, some well-intending Christians say “Well, you rapture folks just aren’t willing to suffer for Jesus…” and other comments such as that. I find their comments very arrogant, demeaning, and insulting. Christians who believe in the doctrine of escaping the Tribulation period do so because we believe that it was never meant for Christians to start with. This has nothing to do with our willingness to suffer for Jesus.
With His help, I pray to be willing, obedient, and courageous enough to suffer for Him down here even before the start of the Tribulation if need be. Truth is, without His help, we would all take the path of Peter and deny Christ before others. If you think otherwise, then you’ve already fallen into the very same trap that snagged him. “I’ll never deny you Lord..” he said, even wagging his finger at the other disciples – “These guys may, but I never will…” We all know how that story ended.
The early Church prayed for boldness and courage as they were wanting to impact a godless society they were in, but not of. Time and time again their prayers were “…Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy servants…boldness…” (Acts 4:29) As our society trends from ungodly to just pure evil, we will also need that same boldness to stand for Jesus while we’re down here. But let’s not fall into despair, for when the time comes for the Day of The Lord to begin, our Shepherd will lovingly “catch away” all His beloved lambs beforehand.
The “Good Common Sense” Principle
When Jesus was teaching one day, He spoke of something that I think very few pastors, teachers, and preachers appeal to when teaching on the doctrines found within the Bible.
I’ll give the reference and then offer my point…
Matthew 7:9-11
[9] Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? [10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? [11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Here, our Lord was teaching on the all-important doctrine of the goodness of God. He was fighting against the false notion that God doesn’t care and He doesn’t take good care of His own children. Within Jesus’ mini-sermon, He asks all the listeners to give themselves a test before believing something is true. Basically, Jesus taught “What you are believing in your heart, does it make good common sense?”
If it doesn’t (like, say a dad giving his kid a stone when he asked for bread), then it’s extremely likely that God would never do that! Yes, I literally believe Jesus right here was giving anyone who was hearing him explicit permission to appeal to their own “good common sense.”
The truth is, no good dad would ever give his kids a stone when they asked for bread. Nor would he give his kids a snake when they asked for a fish. No, he has better common sense than that!
Here’s another example: If you and your spouse went out for a date night and you told your teenage kids to make sure they cleaned their room before you arrived back home from your date, if only one obeyed and the other disobeyed, would you punish the one who did what he was supposed to do? Would you literally look at both of them and say “Now you’re both in trouble! Go upstairs and we’ll discuss what your punishment will be!”
No you wouldn’t. Why? Because that doesn’t make good common sense. Sure, there may be some awful parents who handle things that way, but no GOOD parent using GOOD common sense would ever punish a kid for obeying exactly what they were told to do!
Our God is a GOOD God. In fact, in the passage above where Jesus was teaching, He made sure to point out that “If ye then, being evil [a sinner], know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much MORE shall your Father which is in Heaven give GOOD things to them that ask Him?”
Our Lord has been away (bodily) from the Earth for nearly 2,000 years. Before Jesus left, He gave very specific directives on what we are to do in order to obey Him during His absence. The Tribulation Period is His punishment that is to be meted out upon those who refused to obey their Creator and God while He was away.
Our Heavenly Father is GOOD. He will not punish those who did exactly what He told us to do. He will reward the faithful and punish the wicked – just as He says in His Word!
Revelation 3:10
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
Friends, I’m not looking for the Antichrist, the seals, trumpets, or bowl judgments – I’m looking for Jesus! I hope you have placed your trust in Him as well. If so, congratulations on missing the wrath to come! If you haven’t, please get in touch with us here so we can introduce you to our soon-returning Savior! The hour is late. You must hurry!
1 Thessalonians 5:9 – 10
“[9] For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, [10] Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”
Rev. Jason Sherman is a blessed husband and proud dad of four wonderful children. He serves at Pathway Ministries as an Announcer at GoMix Christian Radio, Administrator at Christian Bible College, and Pastor of Students at Pathway Christian Academy.