TRIBULATION: What is Tribulation?

TRIBULATION: A PART OF THE END TIMES; A PART OF EVERYDAY CHRISTIAN LIFE

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
–Matthew 24:21

Since many people are interested in the end times (and the Bible warns of a period of “great tribulation“), there are a number of people interested in tribulation.

From various conversations over the past several years, it’s clear that most do not know what tribulation is. What many know about tribulation, they have learned from the countless false teachers which abound in these times in which we live.

When they think of “tribulation,” many church-goers think of “The Great Tribulation” (a phrase apparently not found in Bibles prior to 1862 [the first Darby Bible translation and Young’s Literal translation]).

So, many believe “tribulation” to mean “persecution.” Over the last 200 years, many so-called “Christian study aids” have been changed to emphasis the “tribulation is persecution” angle.

While the two are related, they are not the same thing: tribulation is NOT persecution.

THE BIBLE and TRIBULATION

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
–2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The Greek word translated as “tribulation is θλίψεων (thlipseōn).

Basically, it means “pressure.”

thlípsis – properly, pressure (what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that “hems someone in”; tribulation, especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, “without options”).

2347/thlípsis (“compression, tribulation”) carries the challenge of coping with the internal pressure of a tribulation, especially when feeling there is “no way of escape” (“hemmed in”).

[By contrast, 4730 (stenoxōría) focuses on the external pressure exerted by circumstances.]
—HELPS Word Study

“No way of escape.”
—End Times Tribulation: Believers Should Have Much Tribulation

So: rather than the Christian suffering persecution and pressure being exerted from an external source, “tribulation” is that uncomfortable feeling one gets from internal pressure.

It is that feeling of no way out; no escape; no options.

Tribulation is a feeling of extreme discomfort which some people describe as “feeling trapped.”

And that is what the end times is all about: forcing people to make a choice.

Comfort by the world and in the things of the world OR comfort offered by Jesus in a world which hates the Christian.

Honoring Jesus Christ with one’s lips OR honoring Him with deeds–even if it means one’s giving up one’s life.

The man of sin OR Jesus Christ.

Eternal torment OR eternal life.

THE TRUE CHRISTIAN AND TRIBULATION: A NORMAL PART OF HIS LIFE

“that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
–Acts 14:22

The Bible declares that the true Christian must go through “much” tribulation in order to enter the kingdom of God. The pressure of feeling “trapped” in a world with “no way out” is a familiar one to the true believer.

The Christian is promised both persecution and tribulation. IF one isn’t experiencing persecution and/or tribulation, one should examine whether one is really a Christian.

BUT Jesus also promised a compensation for all the tribulation caused by living in this world of sin.

Though nagged by feelings of “no escape,” the Christian would obtain “peace” through both Jesus having shown the way and by the true believer’s  relationship with Jesus Himself.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
–John 16:33

Just as Jesus overcame the world, the Christian is also promised to overcome.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
–1 John 5:4-5

IN CONCLUSION

Tribulation is NOT the same as persecution.

Rather, tribulation is the knowledge that one WILL suffer persecution because of one’s testimony of Jesus Christ. It is a feeling of being under pressure. Of being forced to make a choice; of there being no escape from making that choice.

Tribulation is the sure feeling of dire consequences for standing up for Jesus Christ in the end times; of feeling “cornered.”

“Great tribulation” is the feeling one gets when the stakes become higher. Instead of losing one’s job or suffering ridicule, one is threatened with physical harm or death.

Tribulation is NOT the same as persecution.

Rather, tribulation precedes persecution.

There is a time of “great tribulation” coming.

It is a time which will demand a choice from all who have Jesus’ name in their mouths.

What choice will the reader make?

“When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.”
–Deuteronomy 4:30-31

Tribulation can be better managed through preparation.

The time of preparation is NOW.

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available

“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
—John 20:31

THE GOSPEL

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

RELATED ARTICLES

• End Times Tribulation: Believers Should Have Much Tribulation
• Do You Know if You are Going to Heaven? Be Sure!
• TRIBULATION: Christians Experience Tribulation Every Day
• PEACE in a World of Tribulation
• Great Tribulation: Periods of Time in Revelation VS Claims of Man
• End Times Trials, Tribulations, Trouble and Disaster: Put your trust in Jesus
• Persecution, Tribulation, Troubles, Trials: What the Bible says to Christians

by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier

images:
1- ETPR/Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ETPR
2- ETPR
3- ETPR/Stuart Miles, FreeDigitalPhotos.net/ETPR

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-16. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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