The careful student of the prophetic scriptures cannot fail to observe that in
both the Old and New Testaments the Spirit of God speaks of a trial involving
the pouring out of divine wrath on men.
This is known as "the great
tribulation," "the time of Jacob's trouble," "the coming hour of temptation,"
"the day of the Lord," and other terms. This specific period of judgement is
clearly distinguished from the ordinary trials and tribulations to which the
people of God have been subjected in all dispensations, and which are promised
to the church of God at the present time. "In the world," said our Blessed Lord,
"ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world."
"We must," declared the apostle Paul, "through much tribulation enter the
kingdom of God." Speaking for all saints, Paul could say, "We glory in
tribulation."
So long as Satan is the god of this world and believers are on
this earth. there will be trial and tribulation to face. This arises from the
very nature of things. The world is opposed to everything that is of the Spirit
of God. The Christian's trials arise from the adverse circumstances through
which he is passing, like Israel of old journeying through the wilderness. More
than this, there is the direct opposition of the enemy: "All they that will live
godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." But there is one character of
tribulation that God's children in this age will never have to know, and that is
exposure to divine wrath.
We look for His return as our deliverer from the coming wrath. This is a
principle of great importance when it comes to defining the church's
relationship to the great tribulation, when the vials of wrath will be poured
out on guilty Christendom and apostate Judaism.
[Harry A. Ironside]
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1 Thessalonians 5: 9-10 ... For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 ... Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Romans 5:9 ... Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Revelation 3:10 ... Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.❤
Revelation 3:10 ... Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.❤
