The Great Tribulation? Yep, We’re In It
The Great Tribulation? Yep, We’re In It
I am currently leading two classes on Revelation. The tragic war in Ukraine is reported on daily. Between the two it is hard not to think of the Great Tribulation.
Embarking on any part of Revelation exposes you to potential criticism and censure. Some, however, appreciate having their thinking challenged. I will share and you can decide when it comes to the Great Tribulation.
A common view is that in the future the world will undergo a seven-year period of unparalleled suffering known as the Great Tribulation. Some believe the church will be taken out of the world prior to this, in the middle of it, or at the end of it.
With great respect for many dedicated Christian leaders who hold these views, there seems to be some obvious interpretation problems. First, when the Great Tribulation is mentioned in Revelation 7:14, it never says it is seven years. Some theologians do, but the apostle John did not.
Second, the idea of seven years comes from Daniel 9:20-27. Daniel’s prophecy covers a period of 490 years. However, some maintain that in the middle of verse 26 there is a gap of nearly 2,000 years and counting. The first part refers to the crucifixion of Jesus, and the second part hasn’t happened yet. Although Daniel does not say the prophecy is put on pause, some Christian thinkers do. What that means is that instead of Daniel’s prophecy being 490 years, it turns out to be 2,490 years and counting. That’s a problem.
Third, Jesus predicted the prophecy of Daniel would be fulfilled in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Matthew 24:1-34 details that prophecy. Jesus applies Daniel’s prophecy to that moment, not our future (Matthew 24:15). Jesus said that all the things discussed in Matthew 24:1-34 would happen in the lifetime of the disciples. We learn about direct address in grade school. Jesus spoke directly to his disciples saying “you” will see these things some fifteen times. The language of Matthew 24 makes some think Jesus’ words could not possibly apply to that generation but understanding history and prophetic discourse makes it plausible. Jesus predicted that Daniel’s prophecy would be fulfilled in 70 A.D., not in our future.
So, if the Great Tribulation is not a seven-year period in the future, when is it? First, we need to realize that Revelation is actually about the church age. It was designed to give perspective, encouragement, challenges, and hope to Christians facing persecution. Every chapter of Revelation is for the benefit of the Christian community in its present situation with a positive hope about the coming of Christ. The book is much more practical than many think.
John is writing about “the last days.” The last days in Scripture began when the church was born nearly 2,000 years ago (Acts 2:17). It refers to the church age. Revelation opens by Jesus saying he is revealing what will “soon” take place (Revelation 1:1). This applies to every generation of the church. Every generation of the church, including ours, lives through the Great Tribulation.
Stripping away the romanticism or mysticism surrounding the Great Tribulation, we need to think objectively about our world. We live in a world where there is hatred, lies, murder, rape, theft, human trafficking, persecution, domestic violence, life altering addiction, demonic torment, mental/emotional/psychological anguish, false religion and philosophy, identity crises of many kinds, economic oppression, terrorism, disease, famine, war and more, more, more. If we put a global statistic to each aspect of human suffering, the world would collapse under its weight.
I have made over 4,000 hospital visits and 400 funerals in my time. Yet, I have never heard a critical care patient or grief stricken person express interest or concern about the Great Tribulation. The reason is simple: they were in it. If things are going good at the moment, and if we close our eyes to the suffering around us, we can think that the Great Tribulation is yet to come. Otherwise, it is obvious we are in it.
However, Revelation, gives us good news. We are told those who join the multitudes in heaven have come (literally, are coming) out of the Great Tribulation (Revelation 7:9,14). Regardless of how hard life hits us, if we are faithful to Christ unto death, we get to come out!