How far are we from the tribulation? Well, as I’ve often pointed out in the past, there’s a large body of difference and debate among premillennialists regarding what “the Tribulation” means. This is a theme which has been on my mind for a while now. So, I’ll begin by briefly re-iterating what I think.
First of all, according to John in Rev 1:9, the tribulation was already present in his time. Jesus tells us to expect tribulation in this world (John 16:33). Paul writes about rejoicing in hope and persevering in tribulation (Rom 12:12).
Given this, I disagree with futuristic premils who assert that the tribulation only begins at the Abomination of Desolation, midway through Daniel’s 70th week. Some form of tribulation must be present before that point because it always has been. Jesus’ words at Matt 24:21 should be seen as describing the severity of a particular set of days, rather than introducing the tribulation.
Two more things: the second half of Daniel’s week is sometimes referred to as “Antichrist’s Great Tribulation.” But, really, this is God’s punishment of the world (compare 2 Thess 2:8-12 with Rev 3:10). It’s also common to hear assertions that tribulation and God’s wrath can’t be present simultaneously. Romans 2:5-9 talks about God’s wrath and tribulation occurring together.
God’s wrath results in tribulation. More often, though, tribulation (as apposed to God’s wrath) is the saint’s lot in life.
I began thinking about all this once again because of a Ligonier Ministries interview with Sinclair Ferguson. The topic of the discussion centered on what people could do about keeping their jobs in a climate where the gospel is considered offensive.
Ferguson made, what I think to be, very significant comments. His advice was to read through the New Testament. He said one could find a “phenomenal amount of instruction about how to live in a world that’s antagonistic to the gospel.”
Sinclair Ferguson noted that the New Testament world was “pre-Christian.” Whereas he thinks the world we currently find ourselves in (at least in his case, the United Kingdom) it is “post-Christian.” Interestingly, he added that it was “in a way” exciting that we’re living in “parallel times” to the New Testament.
The key thing to ask ourselves is what tribulations New Testament believers had to endure. Will modern Christians see similar circumstances before Christ’s return for His church? I believe this is already happening.
It isn’t just Ferguson who has made similar observations of our post-Christian society. Reformed Apologist James White has also drawn attention to the persecution of Christians around the world. He warned that real persecution may well happen in the United States. Specifically, he has stated that a totalitarian anti-Christian government could be two or three election events away.
Now these two Reformed Folk aren’t alarmist prophecy watchers. They don’t have the book of Revelation open as they scan the daily news. Yet they seem to be seeing at least some of the writing on the wall without listening to Hal’s (Lindsey) prophecy updates. I think that’s fairly significant.
As far as American Christians are concerned, President Trump has been a temporary reprieve. I don’t care much for those Christian moralists who unfairly throw him under the bus, regardless of what he does. President Trump has his flaws. Yet many of these same folk ignored the increasingly hostile post-Christian environment which gained traction under the previous administration. And they’ve been generally silent on the butchering of pre-born children!
Reprieve or not, Trump cannot be around forever. It isn’t too difficult to look around and take note of the growing leftist fascism in the US, even though President Trump is in power. Imagine for a moment what it will be like once he’s gone. There will be payback.
How far is the tribulation? For many believers around the world it’s already here. For many of us in the West, perhaps it’s just around the corner. Honestly, it would be nice if the Lord takes His church out of here soon. However, it may not happen as we’d like. We need to be spiritually prepared.
Now I know that I sound like a squeaky wheel. But the kind of preparation I’m thinking about doesn’t involve changing our rapture positions. Simply expecting to face tribulation doesn’t help in itself – the posttrib folk need to do better than that.
It has everything to do with putting faith in Christ and living daily for His glory. This is an area I often struggle with. Let us all keep each other in prayer. And keep looking up.
Maranatha!
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