'Are We Living In The Tribulation Now?'

ARE WE IN THE TRIBULATION NOW?

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [Daniel and the Jews] and upon thy holy city, [Jerusalem] to (1) finish the transgression, and to (2) make an end of sins, and to (3) make reconciliation for iniquity, and to (4) bring in everlasting righteousness, and to (5) seal up the vision and prophecy, and to (6) anoint the most Holy." (Daniel 9:24)
As we tick down the hours to the end of this present age, I notice that more and more Christians, perhaps assuming things can't get much worse, are coming to the conclusion we must be in the first half of the Tribulation now.



I have received comments, emails, and even articles for publication in that those who wonder if we are in the Tribulation right now. Many wonder about all the different ideas of when Jesus will come for His Church. They site pre-trib, pre-wrath, and even post-trib that we all will go through the coming Tribulation. Course, anyone who follows my sermons, knows that I am totally Pre-Trib, but the question raises, “why cannot Christ coming for His elect occur during the first half of the coming tribulation?”

There is no solid verse in the Bible that limits the “catching away” of God's church to only these three time periods....It speaks of imminency, that Christ could come pretty much anytime, the King of the Universe, God our Father, tells His only begotten Son to bring His children home. But I am reminded of a verse that Solomon used to denote that things have a purpose, and sometimes we don't understand that purpose. 

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

The Tribulation Period is no exception to that rule. It has its primary and secondary purposes. The Prophet Daniel tells us that its purpose is six fold and it opened this message as a heading:

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [Daniel and the Jews] and upon thy holy city, [Jerusalem] to (1) finish the transgression, and to (2) make an end of sins, and to (3) make reconciliation for iniquity, and to (4) bring in everlasting righteousness, and to (5) seal up the vision and prophecy, and to (6) anoint the most Holy." (Daniel 9:24)

For every born again believer who is patiently waiting for the SOON return of our Lord, the points that Daniel makes in Daniel 9, the first four have been accomplished at the cross. The final two points are yet future and do not apply to the church. 

The prophecy is to the Jews and of Jerusalem and the Temple. And the anointing of the Messiah takes place at the Temple following the 2nd Coming.

The primary purpose of the Tribulation, therefore, is to effect the national redemption of the Jews. God made a promise to Daniel and listed what will usher in the Kingdom Age. When Christ was cut off during the middle of His ministry, the timeclock that pertained to Israel in its Spiritual application, ceased. The clock stopped.

“And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” (Daniel 9:27)....

We all know the history surrounding this time period. God has a habit of allowing 40 years for judgment to be withheld, and only brings that judgment when ample time has elapsed. Hence when Jesus died on a cross in roughly 30 AD...then 40 years later the temple was totally destroyed and razed to the ground. But that left an unfinished 7 year period to complete the prophesy in Daniel 9, and we have been waiting for nearly 2000 years for that prophesy to be fulfilled. And make no mistake about it, God keeps His promises, and that prophesy will come to pass. 



WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND THE TRIBULATION?



I have made the bold statement, that is backed up by scripture that the coming Tribulation is designed for two things...we have stated that the Tribulation is for the national redemption of Israel, but there is another, secondary purpose. That purpose is outlined in Revelation starting in Revelation chp. 6 and is a main theme through the whole of the book after this chapter. And what is the theme besides the national redemption of Israel? It is the complete annihilation of all rebellion on this earth. God will wipe this earth clean of all men and women that follow the Beast system, and those who take it's mark. 

15”And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” (Revelation 6:15-17)

If God is taking out judgment on all mankind present for their rebellion and sins against God, then by definition, to be a Christian, one must accept Christ and repent of their sins. So the Church has no purpose in God's judgment against unrepentant sinners who are in rebellion.

But let us take a third reason for the Tribulation that is fast approaching. The tertiary purpose for the Tribulation is to permit Satan free reign over the earth.

Among the many purposes of Heaven outlined in Scripture is the trial of Satan. At the conclusion of the Tribulation Period, there will remain no doubt among the angels as to the depth of Satan's guilt or the severity of his punishment.

"Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?" (Isaiah 14:15-17)

DOCTRINE OF IMMINENCY

The doctrine of imminency teaches that the Rapture could have taken place at any time from Paul's day until the starting point of the Tribulation Period. But God has allowed time to continue to our present day and for this purpose to be fulfilled, Satan must have total control of this earth, but to achieve that, the restraining force, (the Holy Spirit) must taken out of the way. 

6 “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:” (2^nd Thessalonians 2:6-8)

But Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will indwell me until He returns. I have no part in the Tribulation, I am neither a member of the elect House of Israel nor a Christ-rejecting Gentile.

Jesus also promised that He will never leave me without the power of His Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who would be with me till the end of this age. 

16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18)

If the Holy Spirit must be 'taken out of the way' BEFORE the Antichrist can be revealed, which is the only logical way to interpret these passages, then He cannot leave me comfortless without breaking His Word. And we know that God keeps His promises.

No matter how I try to make it read otherwise, I cannot. If the Holy Spirit is NOT 'taken out of the way' then that Wicked CANNOT be revealed. And if the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way, so am I...and so are you, if you be found in Jesus Christ and Him crucified for your sins. 

Let's identify the players in that previous verse of 2^nd Thessalonians, as there are many slow to discerners among us, who cannot see the obvious, but speak of their own intellect. 

"The mystery of iniquity" -- the spirit of Antichrist. (1st John 4:3) "He who letteth". First, "he" is a personal pronoun, so this isn't a 'thing' to be taken out of the way, but a 'Him'. 'To let' is an old English phrase that signifies indwelling, as in the phrase, "Room to Let."

That "Wicked" is also a personal pronoun and in context, refers to the one whom Jesus destroys at His Second Coming.

Let's read it again in modern English: "The Antichrist won't be revealed until after the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is taken out of the way."

So the whole argument comes down to when will the Holy Spirit be removed? The clear implications based on spiritual discernment is the when the Holy Spirit is removed, we will be removed right along with Him...and that will happen before the Anti-Christ is revealed. To even think that I would lose the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence while I am still alive on this Christ rejecting planet. It is unthinkable and entirely not scriptural upon a close examination of the text AND in context.

In looking at my opening statements on this message, where do I come up with the Tribulation being 7 years?...Daniel says the AC will rule for one week of years. It is the final week of Daniel's 70 week year prophesy that is yet to be fulfilled. The period is broken up into two distinct time periods. The first part is a collusion between church and state, where the Harlot Church will do much like she did during the Middle Ages...accuse and try those who will not follow her edicts, and the state will commit the executions. She will blend all religions into a One World Religious abomination that has her as the head of power, as she controls the reins of the Beast she rides...

11And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”(Revelation 13:11-14)

The last half will see the “Abomination that causes desolation” stand in the Temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God...He will have no use for the Harlot Church and will destroy her. 

15 “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

16And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:15-18)

No matter how you slice and dice it..the bible shows how the Tribulation will play out into two periods of 1260 days and total 2520, which is a 7 year period.
Since Israel marks time with a 360 day lunar calendar (right to this very day) finding another time frame that fits requires some seriously wishful thinking. The first half of the Tribulation will be many killed by this Harlot, as she has done in the past, but the second half of the Great Tribulation, will make this time pale in comparison....There will be natural wonders and many are slain because of the wrath of God poured out on this Christ rejecting world, but the second half is where God unleashes the entire cup of His indignation that is flowing to the brim. 

9 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” (Revelation 14:9-11)

But praise be to our God that He has given us a promise that we will NOT receive His wrath...there are two passages that are used over and over again, because they lay out that we are not the object of what is coming upon the earth. 

10Because 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.

11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Revelation 3:10-11)

and the must quoted verse that Paul wrote to let us know, that we will not see the coming wrath of God:

9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (1^stThessalonians 5:9-11)

LETS ANSWER THAT TRIBULATION QUESTION..

Now let us address the question that was raised. “ Can Christ come during the first half of the Tribulation or the first 3.5 years?”

Because as we have noted, the Tribulation is lined out for the purpose of judgment that is to last for these last 7 years.

The Tribulation is not the Church's season of redemption. It is Israel's. The purpose of the Tribulation is either redemption for, or judgment against the lost.

The Church is neither under judgment or in need of redemption. So that would eliminate the need for the Church to be even present during this time.

TRIBULATION SAINTS??

A serious misconception found in some churches, as that suffering must happen after the “catching away” of the church. I have to totally disagree with that idea, as man has lived through much suffering coming from other men. The suffering will continue after Jesus comes for His church, but in exponentially more severity, as suffering grows as the time of the Tribulation goes along. One person asked me where in the book of Revelation is the term “Tribulation saints” is found, as he couldn't find one verse to back up the idea....He was a little bit of a scoffer at the idea that there is extreme suffering during this time period. 

What I felt he was trying to do, is find no difference between church age saints, and tribulation saints. True there has always been suffering and martydom all down through the ages populated with mankind. But during this period of time, everything has changed on this planet. Men will continue to persecute other men, as man is evil and without constraint as the Holy Spirit being withdrawn to Pre-Pentecostal manifestations of His power...oh, He will still be here, but not in the same position that God occupied during the Church Age, by His Spirit. 

But let us see if there is a difference found in scripture that points to two different groups of people, before and after the Tribulation starts. 

As to the concept of "Tribulation saints" -- I'm assuming that the notion that they are not the Church Age saints is the 'mild scoffing ' referred to. Any possible alternative identification, however, begs a bigger question. Who are the Church Age Saints. The apostle John identifies what each group is. John writes concerning church age saints:

4”Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.”(1^st John 4:4-6)(my emphasis)

That set of verses applies to those who have Jesus Christ as Personal Savior and have been “Born Again” into the coming Kingdom of God. So we are overcomers, as Jesus overcame, so have we, though Him...

33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

But on the flip side of this coin, we have a people called “saints” that Jesus said would be over come. 

6 “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:6-8)

Note that the apostle John wrote both verses...Jesus tells him that the saints will overcome this world, because Jesus has overcome the world. It is not speculation to assume that the differences in status are irrelavenet? 
People ask me how the Rapture of the church would bring glory to God, through His Son? Would he not receive more glory by showing up and rescuing all the saints on earth from persecution and dealing a death blow to all who persecute and kill the saint? I guess it's just human nature to doubt, when the evidence is found in Hope...we can't see what's coming. We can only read about it...Paul mentioned this Hope that is in us, in one of most favorite chapters in all the Bible..

19 “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” (Romans 8:19-25)

Let me make a point here that might sum up the preceding verses. During the Age we live in, the Church Age, salvation is attained through belief and faith in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. If a most powerful, and glorious King of kings and Lord of lords comes to rescue all that believe in Him, how much faith would you have to have to believe what you are now witnessing? ...This God of the Ages, the Great I AM, that I AM, just appeared in the heavens in all His glory would that negate HOPE?....Jesus said plainly for all to understand:

23 “And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

24For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.” (Luke 10:23-24)

We are those who hear, but do not see...We seek, but He promised we will find...If we seek Him with our whole heart, Jesus, our Blessed Hope will reveal Himself to all who seek His face. 

With this discussion, does it not stand to reason that God is working everything out in Dispensations? Are we not in the Age of Grace that will soon end and God will deal with this planet and its inhabitants called the Jews and the Nations..One on one and mankind that is still here will be subject to the extreme wrath of a Vengeful God, who will make Himself known in all His anger. 

Are there two standards for salvation in the Church Age? Of course not. Does that not suggest the existence of two separate administrations of God?...Yes, I hope you can see the differences in the two groups, before and after the Tribulation starts...And friend, that beginning could be as early as tomorrow....We don't know and it is not revealed....But God has given us appointed times that He has revealed Himself to His people, and most likely will do it at the end of the Age...If you have been a follower of my sermons, you know what I'm talking about...this fall will be a time that Jesus could come....I SAY MAY...I make no predictions, but look to scripture that says God has a Plan for Mankind....Half is finished...the other half is waiting to be completed...

Confusing, no? Now, is God the author of confusion?...Wanna know what I speak of? Search the blogspace and find any messages on the End Times...there you will find your answer..

As bad as it seems, the Rapture not withstanding, we are NOT now in the first half of the Tribulation. We wouldn't be in the Tribulation even if the Rapture is really mid Trib. Or Pre-Wrath. Or Post trib. The AC has to be revealed before this time gets underway. A peace treaty needs to be confirmed...I say confirmed, as there already is a peace treaty that was signed in the past...The Bible says that the AC will CONFIRM a prior peace treaty and make specific promises to the nation of Israel and it's surrounding neighbors....As I posted last time, the third temple is all set to begin construction...It only takes a powerful leader to give the go ahead and make a confirmation of a peace treaty “HE SAYS he will honor”....course we know he is a liar...and that man is on the world stage right now....when will he appear??? When the church is gone.

The antichrist has not yet been revealed. The peace treaty has not yet been confirmed. Temple worship has not yet been restored. All these are events that take place BEFORE the Great Tribulation begins. It is that termination of sacrifice that begins the Great Tribulation.

The antichrist can't cause the sacrifice to cease until AFTER it has begun. That can't happen until the Jews possess the Temple Mount. The antichrist cannot take his seat in the Temple of God, causing Israel to reject him, which kicks off the Great Tribulation, until AFTER there is a Temple to sit in.

These events are clear, unmistakable AND independent of the Rapture. None of them exist because we aren't in the Tribulation Period. We are indeed close.

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)