Sermon Notes
Pastor Jeff Stanfill

"What About a Tribulation Period?"
September 17th, 2006 - PM Service

WHAT ABOUT A TRIBULATION PERIOD?
TEXT: MATT. 24:21, MARK 13:19, REV. 7:14
INTRO:
When Christians speak of tribulation it is a word that means great adversity and anguish, intense oppression or persecution.

But when we take that word and put it in the context of end times, it becomes a specialized word described as Great Tribulation. Somewhat oddly, I'll admit, I want to approach first the specialized term and then the general term. One reason, within our own fellowship there are believers who understand this topic with different perspectives. And depending upon one's view, the Great Tribulation, has limited application to you. Second, the background and general truth of tribulation speaks to all of us regardless of any view of the end times.

I. THE GREAT TRIBULATION
1. For Christians who understand that Jesus will return before the millennial reign of Christ, the Great Tribulation is a period of time occurring just before Jesus establishes His kingdom on Earth. The term comes from Matt. 24:21 and Rev. 7:14, READ 7:14.

2. Perhaps Merrill Unger defines it best, "This is the period of unparalleled suffering that, according to premillennial eschatology, will precede the establishment of the future kingdom of Israel (Acts 1:6). The trouble will embrace the entire earth (Rev 3:10). Yet in a distinctive sense it will center upon Jerusalem and Palestine, being called by Jeremiah specifically "the time of Jacob's distress" (Jer 30:7). It will involve the Jewish people who will have gone back to Palestine in unbelief. It will also be connected with catastrophic judgments upon the Gentile nations because of their wickedness and anti-Semitism. The colossal scenes of the Revelation, beginning with chap. 5 and the opening of the seven-sealed book, through chap. 10, form a prelude to worldwide commotion prior to the Great Tribulation itself described in chaps. 11-18. The Great Tribulation is identical with the last three and one-half years of Daniel's seventieth week of years (Dan 9:24-27; Rev 11:2-3)."

3. "According to Rev 13-19, there will be the cruel reign of the "beast coming up out of the sea" (13:1) who, breaking his covenant with the Jews (2 Thess 2:4), will demand divine worship. This earth ruler, the Beast, is empowered by Satan, and the entire terrific episode of fighting God is made possible by the unprecedented activity of demons (Rev 9:1-11; 16:13-16). (from The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.).

4. This will be a literal seven year period when great wickedness will so prevail that God begins to respond with His wrath. Many believe that Christians will either miss the entire seven years or half of the seven years because Jesus will secretly take them off the earth to Heaven with Him until He returns at the end of the seven years to establish His rule on earth. This secret rescue by Jesus is called the Rapture, a Latin word translating the Greek word for appearing. A Scriptural case can be presented for this depending upon how one understands the meaning of several passages.

5. But there are some who see the Great Tribulation as less a specialized term describing a specific seven year period. These Christians, who tend not to believe in a literal millennial reign, see the Great Tribulation as a mark in time when the Romans destroyed the Jewish Temple and great affliction was inflicted on the Jewish people. They see that the things described by the words and images the Bible uses to tell of the Great Tribulation are describing something that occurred in AD 70 when Jerusalem was sacked by the Romans.

6. The debate between these views can be intense. It is up to you to decide and I'm not going to use pulpit time to present the case for and against each but direct you to read and study on your own. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, H. A. Hoyt The End Times.
II. GENERAL TRIBULATION.
1. Tribulation is a word used in the Bible for the suffering of God's people. The OT word has the picture of being in a strait or narrow place (Ever been between a rock and a hard place?). It is the experience of afflictions. It is distress in life. The NT word is a picture of being pressed together, like grapes in a winepress. It is pinching and squeezing. (Have you ever been in a pinch? Ever felt squeezed dry by the conditions around you?) If so, then you have experienced tribulation. But the tribulation believers undergo is not like everyone can experience - too much month, not enough money; caught in the squeeze of the demands from children and from aging parents; a time of difficult decision-making on the job. Instead, this is the hardships, pressures, persecutions, trials that Christians uniquely suffer.

2. God's people experience tribulation in various ways. There is inner turmoil or troubles of the heart (Ps. 25:17) that can come from the distress of living righteously in an unrighteous world. There is persecution (1 Thess. 1:6). There is imprisonment (Acts 20:23). There is derision Heb 10:33. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. Even poverty due to faithfulness to Christ Heb 10:34. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

3. But God has a purpose for tribulation. It is not a wasted experience for the Christian. God may at times actually disciplined His people with tribulation as He promised in Deuteronomy 4:30. Tribulation can be a means through which we participate with Christ for His sufferings were tribulations. Therefore, God uses tribulation to deepen our fellowship with Jesus. But the suffering caused by tribulation can potentially accomplish things within us Rom 5:3-5. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

4. Jesus promised tribulation, "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33). This is the inevitable consequence of being children of light in a world populated by children of darkness. ILLU: We are perceived as the cancer cells of the human body. And as healthy cells normal keep cancer cells in check, so the evil ones work to keep the good ones in check. It is opposition, warfare, suffering. But take heart for in the same breathe Jesus said, "But take heart! I have overcome the world."

III. HOW DO WE 'TRIBULATE'?
ILLU: Old pastor quoted by Chuck Swindoll, "When God sends tribulation, He expects you to tribulate!" So, how do we "tribulate"? What is a Christian's victorious response to tribulation - whether general tribulation or Great Tribulation for if you believe as some believe that the Great Tribulation occurs before Jesus returns, then you need to know what to do.
1. Faith in the goodness and justice of God. James 1:2-4. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. God has not abandoned you when you are suffering He is working most for you! It is satanic propaganda that makes us think God does not care. ILLU: Zach in the treatment room. I was near and doing what was best.

2. Faith in God's Word. With His Word, God binds Himself to us. With His Spirit, He binds us to Himself. His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me. Run your fingers through your hair and know that each is numbered by God. He will never forsake us! His promises are His bond to us!

3. Focus on the purpose of tribulation.
· Our faith is tested under tribulation. Will I really trust in God or do this my way? Will I hold faithful to God or "curse God and die"? Untested faith is like the difference between a virtuous person and an innocent person. An innocent person is one who has not be tried or tempted. One cannot be called virtuous until they have been tested and remained true. Faith is pure and true when under the test it has held firm.

· Out of that is produced greater stability and maturity in our lives. ILLU: What is the key to making good decisions? Answer: Experience. How do you get experience? Answer: From making bad decisions! Tribulation is like the stressing of human bones through exercise. They become tougher and hard. So does our maturity and stability become greater.

4. Find victory by applying Jesus' victory in your life. Jesus has already overcome all our tribulations! How can I do this?
· Accept that tribulation is the consequence of following Him. Sometimes we suffer from doing wrong. But when suffering for doing right, we accept that all the grace of God is moving in our lives. God moves Heaven and Earth to guard the name He has placed on His children - His name! He draws near us, not allowing anything to separate us from His love.

· If identifying with Him in His suffering, will I not be identified with Him in His victory? Am I not suffering? Then as sure as I am suffering, my victory will be as real as the pain!