Chapter 4 – THE GREAT TRIBULATION

Duration: 3-1/2 years (42 months; 1,260 days; Time, Times, and half a Time)
Timing: When the Abomination of Desolation is put in the temple and sacrifices and offerings are stopped
Key Scriptures: Daniel 9:26-27; Matthew 24:9-28; Revelation 12,13

Daniel 9:27 shows that antichrist puts an end to sacrifice and offering halfway through the seven-year tribulation. Matthew 24:15-22 (part of our timeline) shows that it begins the Great Tribulation. In Revelation, we get many more details of this time that provide much more insight and context. At the same time, some of the details can be a bit confusing if we don’t pay attention to the entire message.

For example, in Revelation 12:1-6 (shown below) we get an account of a vision that is far reaching in its scope. It shows us a woman, which apparently represents the nation of Israel. Through her comes the Messiah (the Child). Then it shows us a dragon, which represents Satan. Now, verse 4 can be a bit confusing if we aren’t keeping things in context. What this verse is telling us is that Satan is responsible for causing a third of the angels to rebel. What it is NOT telling is WHEN this happens, or when they are all finally kicked out of heaven. Nor is it saying that Satan is the one who casts them down. Remember, this is a vision, not a timeline. 

It continues, and shows how Satan tried to defeat Jesus (the Child). Verse 6 gets confusing because it, again, is not giving us a timeline. While it may seem to be talking about the same time period, it is not. Verse 5 is discussing the time of Jesus’ first advent; verse 6 is talking about the time of the Great Tribulation, which lasts 1,260 days (time, times and half a time – 3-½ years). Here are the verses just discussed:

Revelation 12:¹ And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. ² She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. ³ And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. ⁴ His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. ⁵ She gave birth to a male child, one who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, but her child was caught up to God and to his throne, ⁶ and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. 

If you see the broad, sweeping nature of this vision, you are less likely to be confused. The good news here regarding the Great Tribulation is that at least some of the Israelis are going to be taken to a safe location, where they will be safe from Satan and the antichrist. Verse 6 could very well be describing an airlift evacuation to escape an invading force.

Okay, so the account doesn’t stop there, it goes on to give us some more details into the timing of these things. But we have to be careful how we interpret it.

Moving on in Revelation 12, verse 7 says there was a war between the angels. When this occurs is not shown, only that Michael and the holy angels defeat Satan and the demons (it’s 2 against 1 after all). In verse 8 we see who wins and that there is no longer any place for the demons in heaven. We still don’t know when this is. Verse 9 makes the outcome of the battle crystal clear. 

In verse 10, we start to catch a glimpse of the timing of this battle. It says, “the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” Who are the brothers? Well, who’s writing this book? John. Who are John’s brothers? Christians? When is Satan accusing the brothers? After Jesus’ death and resurrection. So, we can already tell that this battle occurs in the End Times (the time between Jesus’ ascension and return). The demonic rebellion could have happened at any time – even before the creation of the physical universe – but here it seems to be that the demons are finally expelled from heaven during the Great Tribulation (or perhaps this is what begins the Great Tribulation, which is Satan’s wrath). 

If verse 10 gives us a peek, then verse 11 opens the door so we can see it more completely. Definitely, the brothers are Christians. Definitely, this battle (for eviction from heaven) happens in the End Times. Notice, too, that the Christians (the brothers) resist the devil even unto death.

In verse 12, we learn that the Great Tribulation period is not God’s Wrath, but Satan’s. In the End Times the devil is thrown down to earth and no longer allowed into heaven to accuse the brethren (as he has been). He immediately makes war (v. 13) with the woman (Israel) but when that doesn’t work (v. 14-17), he goes after “her other [adopted] children”, the Christians, who “hold to the testimony of Jesus”. 

Therefore, the Great Tribulation period is actually Satan’s wrath for being finally banished from heaven and seeing that his time is short. Carefully read the text.

Revelation 12:⁷ Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, ⁸ but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. ⁹ And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. ¹⁰ And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. ¹¹ And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. ¹² Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

¹³ And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. ¹⁴ But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. ¹⁵ The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. ¹⁶ But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. ¹⁷ Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

Going back to the Olivet Discourse, we see what his rage looks like when antichrist makes war against the believers.

Matthew 24:⁹ “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. ¹⁰ And then many will fall away [stumble] and betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. ¹² And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

This persecution might bring on the great rebellion that Paul speaks of in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Certainly, as Jesus just said, many will fall away from Him.  

Jesus goes on to give an even more urgent and detailed warning.

Matthew 24:¹⁵ “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, ¹⁸ and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. ¹⁹ And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! ²⁰ Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. ²² And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. ²³ Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. ²⁴ For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ See, I have told you beforehand. ²⁶ So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. ²⁷ For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ²⁸ Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.”

Verse 15 connects the 7-year period in Daniel 9 with the tribulation. When Jesus says, “let the reader understand”, I think He is telling us to not confuse this temple of Daniel’s prophecy with the temple of Jesus’ day (the one destroyed in 70 AD). 

The above verses are warning of a vicious attack upon both Jews and Christians. Why both? Because in verse 16 He mentions Judea and in verse 22 he says for the sake of the elect, which refers to all believers in Christ, whether Jew or gentile (see again Rev. 12:17 above). 

Verse 27 foreshadows His coming, but it will not happen until later (“so will be the coming”).

Revelation 6:⁷ When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, “Come!” ⁸ And I looked, and behold, a pale horse! And its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed him. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword and with famine and with pestilence and by wild beasts of the earth.

Here, “Death” may be the antichrist and “Hades” may be the false prophet. In the harmony of the Olivet Discourse and the seals, the parallel between Matthew 24:15-28 and Revelation 6:7-8 is striking. Let’s move on.

Revelation 7:⁹ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹² saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

¹³ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” ¹⁴ I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵ “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.

¹⁷ For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

I placed the above quote here because it shows that a countless multitude of followers of Jesus are to die in the Great Tribulation. These are not merely Jews, but are from every nation on earth (v. 9). So it is important to realize that Christians, believers in Christ, die in the tribulation. Also, the notion floating around that there are “tribulation saints” who are in a different category from the rest of the saints is not supported in scripture either.

Abomination That Causes Desolation

Now we get to the pivotal moment in the tribulation. According to Jesus, this is the thing that divides the Early Tribulation (1^st 3-½ years) from the Great Tribulation (2^nd 3-½ years). 

Matthew 24:¹⁵ “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains… ²¹ For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.”

At this pivotal point 1,260 days into the tribulation, something like an animatronic statue is erected in the temple of God. 

Revelation 13:¹¹ Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. ¹² It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, [on its behalf] and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. ¹³ It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, ¹⁴ and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of [on behalf of] the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. ¹⁵ And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. ¹⁶ Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, [bondservant] to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, ¹⁷ so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. ¹⁸ This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. [Some manuscripts 616]

This statue is allowed to stand for 1,290 days.

Daniel 12:¹¹ And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.

Another element to this abomination is the antichrist himself.

Revelation 13:⁶ It [the antichrist] opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, [tabernacle – the temple] that is, those who dwell in heaven.

Connecting the dots:

1. Daniel 9:27 says, “On the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
2. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 says the antichrist “opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” 
3. Revelation 13:⁵ And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. ⁶ It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. ⁷ Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, ⁸ and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. ⁹ If anyone has an ear, let him hear: ¹⁰ If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
4. Jesus warned that when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place, RUN!

The Two Witnesses

Although these two amazing individuals perform some outstanding feats, I do not consider their activities to be part of God’s Wrath. However, I do believe that their activity occurs during the Great Tribulation.

Malachi 4:⁵ Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes.

The above verse, I believe, tells us that one of these two witnesses is Elijah, the prophet. I think that many commentators agree with this view.

As to the other witness, his identity is not as easy to determine. However, I think that we have enough biblical clues to come up with an educated guess.

1. Elijah was taken up into heaven while still living. 
2. Enoch was also taken up into heaven while still living. No other people are mentioned as having this happen to them. (Paul may have been for a short time, but even he didn’t know if it was physical or spiritual. Plus, he returned and later died. Elijah and Enoch have not returned yet, that we know of.)
3. Hebrews 9:27 says that it is appointed to man to die once. Since the two witnesses are killed at the end of their ministry, it must be reasoned that they have never died before. (While there are exceptions to this rule, like Lazarus and others whom Jesus or others raised from the dead, their deaths were temporary and they carried on with their lives, but then they all died again. I suppose that since their deaths were of a short duration, they are excused from holding to this rule?) I don’t believe that there is any biblical reason to think that Moses is the other witness, even if the apostles saw him in the transfiguration. Could Moses be the other witness? Sure. God can do whatever he wills, but if so, Hebrews 9:27 would be an enigma. 

So, for now, I’m going with Enoch and Elijah as being the two witnesses – not that their identity matters to us yet.

Revelation 11:¹ Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, ² but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. ³ And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

⁴ These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. ⁵ And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ⁶ They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. ⁷ And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit [abyss] will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, ⁸ and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically [spiritually] is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. ⁹ For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, ¹⁰ and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. ¹¹ But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. ¹² Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. ¹³ And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

As interesting as the account of the two witnesses is, it has little bearing on the larger picture of these End Times events. Therefore, we will look no further into their story. Just understand that I consider them to be the prophets Elijah and Enoch, that they return during the Great Tribulation, and their works are not considered a part of God’s Wrath.

Synopsis of the Events of the Great Tribulation

1. Abomination of Desolation (the signal of alarm)
2. Sacrifices cease in temple
3. ¼ of earth’s population dies
4. Great persecution against all, especially Jews and saints
5. The Two Witnesses preach
6. Many false prophets deceive many
7. Mark of the Beast forced upon the world
8. Many believers fall away (maybe from the mark)
9. Remnant of Jews saved in Israel
10. Cry of the Martyrs (although this happens in the GT, it is covered below in the section on GOD’S WRATH, subsection Justification, since it is the reason for it)

Objections to the Posttrib View of the Tribulation

There are a number of objections made by many teachers and preachers in the world against this posttribulational exposition. I could not cover them all if I tried, but I will try to hit the highlights for the reader as we progress. 

Beginning here and continuing through chapter 5, each chapter will have objections to the posttrib view, where major objections are leveled.

First, it should be pointed out that of the five or so main positions on the timing of the rapture (pretrib, midtrib, prewrath, posttrib, and no rapture), only one can be correct, if any of them is.  That means, by definition, that the others are false and should be rejected as being true. Therefore, we should take this very seriously. After all, truth matters.

John 8:³¹ Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. ³² And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

1 Timothy 4:¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (NIV)

I’ll not be specifically addressing the positions of Midtrib, Prewrath, or No Rapture. This is because my answers to the objections work for those positions as well; for once we see the truth in a matter the error becomes evident as well, whatever it is.  

I. Olivet Discourse Not for Church

Some want to discredit the Olivet Discourse from referring to the Church. They say it applies only to the Jews because Jesus’ hearers (the 4 of them) were all Jews. Well, if this is the case, then we might as well discard the entire Gospel! When Jesus said this: 

² “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:2-3) 

He said it to the same apostles to whom He gave the Olivet Discourse, in the same week. In fact, when He was on the Mount of Olives, He was only addressing Peter, John, James and Andrew (Mark 13:3). Three of these men were identified as “pillars of the Church” by Paul in Galatians 2:9. All of whom were apostles of the Church, appointed by Christ.

Such an argument also ignores what Jesus plainly said in the Olivet Discourse:

Matthew 24:⁹ “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.”

Mark 13:³⁷ “And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

Besides, Paul was an apostle to the gentiles and he also gave us the timing of the rapture: At the return of Christ, AFTER the dead in Christ are resurrected (1 Thess. 4:15) and after the antichrist is revealed in the temple (2 Thess. 2:3). Since there are Christians who die in the tribulation, it is impossible for their resurrection to occur before their time of death.

If this were a valid point, it would stand in stark contrast to every other teaching in the Bible on these matters. 

II. 7-Year Wedding Feast

One argument comes from the traditions of the Jews in the first century. It says that the wedding would incorporate a week when the groom would take the bride and be alone with her to consummate their marriage. This week is then associated with the 7-year time of the tribulation, metaphorically, since the Church is the Bride of Christ.

It’s true that we are the Bride of Christ. However, we are not to take the traditions of men over the clear teaching of scripture. Besides, in First Century Jewish wedding ceremonies, the whole party would go out to meet the groom as he approached the house and usher him back in (just as the posttrib view postulates).

There is no Bible verse that alludes to the Church being removed from the earth for seven years before the return of Jesus – not in Matthew 22 or Luke 14; and not in Revelation 19 – not one verse. Also, the passage that discusses the wedding feast, Revelation 19, shows the feast occurring at the return of the Lord – an event that Jesus showed as happening AFTER the tribulation and God’s Wrath (Mt. 24:29-31).

III. Church and Holy Spirit Removed

There is an argument that is partly explicit and partly implicit. We begin with the explicit:

2 Thessalonians 2:⁶ And you know what is restraining him [the antichrist] now so that he may be revealed in his time. ⁷ For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.  

The argument says that the “he” who is restraining the antichrist is the Holy Spirit, and by extension, the Church. It says that the Holy Spirit will be removed from the earth and then the tribulation will begin. 

This argument is ill conceived for several reasons.

1. The Holy Spirit is not mentioned. The “he” could be an angel, which is quite biblical.
2. There are clearly saints in the tribulation (Rev.7&20). I do not believe that the Holy Spirit would leave His children for any reason. He was given to us until the Lord returns.
   No. He will not leave us, nor forsake us.
3. This still ignores all of the clear scriptures that expressly show the timing of the events.
4. How is the Holy Spirit removed from anywhere? He is omnipresent.

“Ekklesia” Not Present

Another argument is the implicit thought that the Church is removed from the earth because a word sometimes translated as “church” (ekklesia) is not used in the book of Revelation after 4:1 in its discussion of these events (although it is used in Rev 22:16). This is perhaps the weakest of all objections to the posttribulational view. 

The word translated as “church” occurs 113 times in the New Testament (English Standard Version). 

Strong’s Concordance gives us the following information on this word:

ekklésia: an assembly, a (religious) congregation
Original Word: ἐκκλησία, ας, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: ekklésia
Phonetic Spelling: (ek-klay-see’-ah)
Short Definition: an assembly, congregation, church
Definition: an assembly, congregation, church; the Church, the whole body of Christian believers.

So, in essence, this word is used sometimes to denote the entirety of Christ’s followers. Is this the only word or phrase that can be used for this? Absolutely not! “Elect”, “Saints”, and many other terms can be used interchangeably to refer to those who belong to Christ. For example, the word translated as “elders” is used 12 times in the book of Revelation. Since the position of elder is an appointment within the Church, it stands to reason that the rest of the Church will be where the elders are. Also, the word translated as “saints” is used 13 times in Revelation. 

Also, and of great significance, is the realization that the Church does not need to be identified by a particular, single word. In fact, what we see in the book of Revelation is the believers being referred to in various descriptive phrases. Some of these phrases include:

• Those who call on the name of the Lord (Rev 6:14)
• Those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne (Rev 6:9)
• Fellow servants and their brothers (Rev 6:11; 22:9)
• Servants of our God (Rev 7:3)
• They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14)
• The Lamb … will be their shepherd (Rev 7:17)
• Those who fear [God’s] name (Rev 19:5)
• They have conquered [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb (Rev 12:11)
• Those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus (Rev 12:17; 14:12)
• Those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus (Rev. 12:17; 14:12)
• Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord (Rev 14:13)
• Those who had conquered the beast (Rev 12:11; 15:2)

 Therefore, this argument is tantamount to saying that verses that refer to Jesus must use his common name “Jesus”, and any use of other titles or names do not count. Jeshua, Immanuel, Messiah, Christ, the Son of God, etc. are all different ways in which we refer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus. So using this line of reasoning, we could say that Revelation 5 is not referring to Jesus because it talks about the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, and the Lamb of God!

That’s why this is an empty argument, without any merit whatsoever. Did you know that Matthew is the only Gospel to use the Greek word ekklesia (translated as “church”)? Mark, Luke and John don’t use it at all. In fact, many books of the New Testament omit its use (Mark, Luke, John, 2^nd Timothy, Titus, 1^st Peter, 2^nd Peter, 1^st John, 2^nd John, and Jude). 

Do we really want to throw out all of the solid, clear biblical teaching on this subject simply because a part of the Bible doesn’t use a particular word, when others will do? I hope not.

IV. Other Miscellaneous Objections

Church Kept From Hour of Trial

We will be “kept from the hour of trial”, taken from

Revelation 3:¹⁰ “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.” 

They seem to overlook that part that says, “to the angel of the church in Philadelphia” (Rev 3:7). 

This is not expressly for the end times Church; it’s for the church in Philadelphia. Whatever it means, it cannot mean that the rapture occurs before the tribulation – that would be inconsistent with scripture.

However, I don’t ever want to be one who does not attempt to apply the whole message of the Word to our daily lives and to see what it says that we can apply to our own situation, whatever that may be. So, for argument’s sake, let’s go ahead and assume that this message is for the End Times church. What is our Lord saying to us? 

To be clear, this passage of scripture is taken from Revelation 3:7-13. In it, The Lord is telling us a few things:

I [Jesus] have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. (v. 8)

The offer of salvation is open to anyone who would simply walk through the door of faith. No one on earth, not even Satan, can keep you from receiving salvation. Also, no one and nothing can come between you and your Savior. Not torture, not deprivation, not persecution of any kind can separate you from your Lord. 

Paul talked of this in Romans 8:

Romans 8:³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

So, the first point He makes is that no one can close this door that He has opened. He is powerful to save.

I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (v. 8)

Here Jesus is talking to the ones who remain faithful to Him and His message. He acknowledges our weakness (even if we do not), and drills into what is most important: staying faithful to Him and His word. During the tribulation, we know that deception, persecution and other horrific acts done by unbelievers will be worse than ever. Here, Jesus is letting us know that He pays attention to who remains faithful to Him and His word through it all. 

Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. (v. 9)

No matter how harsh our treatment may be; no matter how degrading and demeaning; no matter what suffering we face for being His faithful followers, He will turn the tables on our persecutors. 

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. (v. 10)

Before we jump straight to the part we want to see, about keeping us from trial, let’s first look at what He says before that, “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance…” 

Why is He talking about patient endurance if we are to be pulled up out of the hour of suffering which requires patient endurance? For Him to merely mean that we have waited a long time for His arrival would be incongruent with the rest of the revelation of scripture. 

Next He says that He will keep them [us] (literally, “you”) from the hour of trial. What does He mean by “keep you from…”? Is He really promising to rescue His faithful out of the world and literally carry us, or catch us up from it all? 

If this is what He means, then the Bible is inconsistent in its message on this. We already know that His faithful are killed during the Great Tribulation (Rev 7 & 20).  We already know that He will gather his faithful at His return, which is after His wrath and after the tribulation. (Mt 24:29-31) So what does He mean by “keep you from…”? 

Well, we know He doesn’t mean rapture us out of the earth. Perhaps the answer lies in what follows His promise, namely,  “the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth”. 

Let’s consider for a moment that His message is a unified whole. Let’s assume that He means what He says, and says what He means. What has His message been so far in this passage?

1. He is powerful to save, when we are weak.
2. He notices our faithfulness.
3. He will bring justice upon our persecutors.
4. When the time comes, if we are faithful in our patient endurance, He will help us through our trials.

So, it would seem that He is telling us that He will be with us in our trials. And that the testing is for the whole world; those who dwell on the earth. I think He allows the tribulation, to show everyone just which side they are on. 

But He continues. 

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. (v. 11)

This is a little odd, really. But it can make sense if we pay attention to the full revelation of scripture. I mean, there are two things He says here that seem a bit confusing.

“I am coming soon,” He says. Really? He said this, like, 2,000 years ago. What does He mean by “soon”? Well, all I can do is point to what Peter told us about the Lord’s timeclock. 

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Peter 3:8)

Also, I could say that He means once these things come to be, His return is soon.

Next, He says, “Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” But didn’t He just tell us that He is the one with the power to “open” and “shut” doors? So, what does He mean by Us being the ones to hold fast?

It is true that He is powerful to save; more powerful than any force on earth or in heaven. However, it is also given to us the ability to wreck our own salvation. Did you know that if you accept the Mark of the Beast in the last days, you will lose your salvation? It’s true. Look at Revelation 14:9-10:

Revelation 14:⁹ And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s Wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

This is one way we can actually lose our salvation! “…so that no one may seize your crown.” Look, if you didn’t have the crown of salvation, no one could take it. You must already have the crown in order to lose it. 

To me, this warning is to “hold fast” to your salvation and do not take the easy way out (avoiding persecution by taking the Mark of the Beast). Because if you do, you will lose it all!

The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. (v. 12)

Again, “the one who conquers…” Jesus continues His theme of hanging in there when things get tough. If we are taken out of the world during the most horrific time of suffering known to Christians, why is He running this thought home?

The bottom line in this argument against the posttrib teaching is that it is vague at best, and at least is denying the continuity of scripture. In these remarks, Jesus can in no way be saying that He is going to remove the Church from the earth during this time of trial and testing. If anything, He’s saying to remain faithful to Him, endure persecution, and know that He is powerful to save – not necessarily save your mortal body from death, but to save your eternal soul from hell. And I think He is also reminding us to not take the Mark of the Beast (in a very nuanced manner).

Or, as I said from the start, we can just take this passage the way it is presented and apply it to a church that is no longer on earth. Either way, it falls far short from discrediting the posttrib teaching in the Bible.

Lot and Noah

 “Lot and Noah were taken out, so the Church must be too.” Well, Lot’s wife wasn’t spared (albeit through a different means), and Noah was definitely in the flood – he was just protected. But what about the Jews who were in Egypt when God let loose His plagues on them? They were there, but they were kept safe. But let’s not get distracted; see the answer to “Not Appointed Unto Wrath”.

We Can Escape

“We can escape the things coming.” Jesus said in Luke 21 

Luke 21:³⁶ “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” 

If we are to stand, then we are not going to fall into the temptation to succumb to the wiles of the devil. This means that we are not going to accept the Mark of the Beast and therefore forfeit our salvation. And don’t forget, this is from the very teaching where Jesus told us the timing of these things. He didn’t contradict Himself, as this argument implies. We know that some people will be kept safe from the devil in the desert. Maybe He’s saying we should ask for the same kind of protection.

No Encouragement

“What’s encouraging about being in the tribulation?” This question is a response to this:

1 Thessalonians 5:⁹ For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

The encouragement doesn’t come from being in the tribulation. It comes from joining the Lord and our fellow believers whether we live or die.

Questions to Ponder

1. Which Bible chapters make up the Olivet Discourse?
2. What event signals the beginning of the Great Tribulation, which is the second half of the 7-year tribulation?
3. The Great Tribulation is the result of whose wrath?

Answers

1. Mt 24-25; Mk 13; Lk 21
2. The Abomination that Causes Desolation (Mt 24:15-16, 21)
3. Satan (Rev. 12:6, 12, 17)

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Preface/Introduction
Ch 1: Ezekiel’s War
Ch 2: The Tribulation
Ch 3: 3rd Temple Built
Ch 4: The Great Tribulation
Ch 5: The Wrath of God
Ch 6: The Return of Christ
Ch 7: The Resurrection of the Dead in Christ
Ch 8: The Rapture
Ch 9: Armageddon
Ch 10: The Millennium
Ch 11: The Judgment
Ch 12: The New Creation
Ch 13: Conclusion
Ch 14: Summary
Glossary