Bible Discussion Thread

The Tribulation: Concurrent experiences with different effects.

When viewing the Tribulation to come; we can tend to be locked into a matter of fact chronological and literal reciting of events; even keeping the proper concepts of Christ's eventual return to rule and reign in glory and defeat the Antichrist and False Prophet as well as to judge the world when He returns. This is a necessary undergirding for the message; but often people seem to have a sense of morbid curiousity; or feeling that there is a random series of events that occur and resigning themselves to the idea that no real design or logic can be given to explain them.

Perhaps the biggest thing that is ignored i that there are concurrent things going on depending on the spiritual state of individuals. Purpose #1 for the Tribulation would be to finally get Israel to acknowledge their King; but first as Isaiah 10 and 11 demonstrate they will embrace the "Assyrian" who God uses to chastise them until thy realize at the last minute is their ultimate betrayer. Thus; we have the rather shocking contrast between the indestructible 2 Prophets as well as protected 144,000 compared to the rest of society. Whatever their struggles are they will hold great power until the Beast from the Abyss destros them (2 Prophets) and the 144,000 appear in heaven. Once God's purposes are done for Israel; He will deal with the rest of the nations which is purpose #2.

God will use the Tribulation to bring the final fulfillment of Joel 2 for the nations; but of course it involves individuals; some of which will be saved and others who are lost. Once the world is ripe for judgment there are prophecies such as Isaiah 17 that will come to fruition; many of which complete judgments against rebel nations and certain descendants laid out in the O.T.

Revelation is the "Grand Central Station" of the final conflagration and what all other scripture leads up to.

I hope to cover some of this in detail shortly.

Hello Priday,

Tribulation is to be seen as spread over the day that God decreed for the Son.(Ps.2:7) In Matt.24 Jesus refers to the time period,"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be"(24:21-22) But for the elect's sake " those days shall be shortened.". God called us before the worlds began and we all are elects-in-waiting.We are to make our election sure.

The Spirit makes us of 'sevens' to distribute salvation of judgment which are pendent to the word sent forth. (Is.55:11) It is in these connection we have Jerusalem where 'our Lord was crucified' equated spiritually with Egypt, Sodom. (Re.11:8) Seven seals, breaking of each is consequential. Jesus Christ is shown riding out on the white horse and we meet him in Re.19 as the Word of God. The second horseman on a red horse tells the origin of wars from the first skirmish to this climacteric battle, "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army./And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him,"(Re.19:19-20) This great army is explained in detail in Ez.37." these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold,"(v.11) It is from ' the whole' house of Israel meaning saints redeemed from the earth or the elect. "Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live."(37:9) The outpouring of the Spirit tells we are looking at the church rather and the ministry of reconciliation.

The great tribulation in whichever form it may come is of no consequence for those who abide in Christ. They are set in heavenly places and their lives are hid in him. (Col.3:3-4)