Great Tribulation

Paul confessed that "among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest" (Eph 2:3). Therefore "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Ro 1:18). But God supplied a solution that "even when we were dead in our transgressions, [he] made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)" (Eph 2:5). "Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him" (Ro 5:9). "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Ro 8:1). "God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation" (1Th 5:9). "Since we are of the day . . . [we put on] a helmet, the hope of salvation" (:8). Nevertheless, James observes to "consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (Jas 1:2-3). The concordance describes trials with the Greek word peirasmos meaning temptations and testing. It is derived from peirazo (Gr.) meaning "to make proof of and put to the test." Paul strengthened "the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God'" (Ac 14:22). "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2Ti 3:12). The concordance defines tribulation as affliction or distress. Jesus encouraged them saying, "'In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world'" (Jn 16:33). He said, "'Keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man'" (Lk 21:36). Tribulation sounds more severe than trials. Paul spoke proudly of the Thessalonians "for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure" (2Th 1:4). Jesus told the church in Philadelphia that since you '"have kept My word, and have not denied My name [and] you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing'" (Rev 3:8,10). The believers in Macedonia and Achaia reported that the Thessalonians had "turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, who delivers us from the wrath to come" (1Th 1:9-10). We are being saved but will also be protected from "'that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth'" (Rev 3:10).