The Tribulation: A Time of Wrath

The Tribulation: A Time of Wrath

The very word “tribulation” causes a lot of anxiety and consternation within the hearts and minds of almost everyone. The mere mention of the word causes people to freeze up and become unwilling to talk or even think about what it is really all about. 

The word “tribulation” appears 22 times in the Bible; with five of those times being in the book of The Revelation. 

But perhaps the most famous usage of the word “tribulation” was used by Jesus himself; when he was elaborating on the coming days of “Jacobs Trouble.” He called it the “Great Tribulation.”

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be “great tribulation,” such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

The definition of the word tribulation alludes to a season of distress, trouble, suffering and sorrows. It can often simply refer to a person or nations period of troubles. 

In fact, out of the 22 times in the Bible that the word tribulation is used, fifteen of them are describing trials of a personal season of trouble. 

However, seven usages of this dark word are specifically describing a very intense time of Great Trouble for Israel and indeed for the whole world!

Throughout Scripture, the tribulation is referred to by other names such as the “Day of the Lord,” “the time of Jacobs Trouble” and the more common term “Great Tribulation.” 

So then; what exactly is the “Great Tribulation?” Why is it depicted in the Bible? And who is the source of all this terrible wrath? Finally, upon whom is all this “time of great wrath” going to be unleashed?

1. The “Great Tribulation” is a future seven-year period of time when God will conclude His disciplining of Israel and finalize His Divine and righteous judgment of the unbelieving world.
2. It is depicted throughout the Bible as a warning from God, that he being righteous and just as the Sovereign Creator cannot and will not tolerate unrepentant sin and unrighteousness forever. He has “set a day”when he will judge all the world.  

Now then, having defined the first two items of importance to this “Day of Wrath,” let’s analyze where all this terrible Wrath emanates from. 

Revelation 12:12 identifies one of the sources of the Great Tribulation era wrath. “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,”

Yes, Satan, the great red dragon is one of the forces that causes the tremendous chaos and evil in the world during the Tribulation. 

Satan, having been cast out of Heaven, and having lost the ancient Rebel “War in Heaven;” then in full anticipation of the commencement of the “Lord’s Day;” plots to bring the full force of his Hellish powers to bear against the Lords anointed, namely the remnant of Israel and the tribulation era Saints.

Secondly, the principal source of Wrath as the “Day of the Lord” and God’s judgment reaches its full scope; is none other than Jesus Christ himself! 

Revelation chapter six offers for our review the unveiling of the epic “Four Horses of the Apocalypse.” As it progresses to the opening of the sixth seal of Gods judgment; we find a vivid portrayal of our world; united as one under the authority of Satan’s Antichrist! 

Then in verse fourteen, we are shown the glorious vision of the sky rolling back upon itself, as Jesus Christ comes to earth to take vengeance on Satan, his Antichrist, and the whole world system that has rejected Gods gracious pardon of his sacrificed Son!

Revelation 6:16 And they said to the mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth upon the throne; and from the WRATH of the LAMB!

The Lamb depicted here at the climax of the Tribulation is none other than Jesus Christ! He is returning to earth at this point in time, not as a humble sacrificial little lamb; but in his role as the Lion of the tribe of Judah; and he will bring the armies of Heaven with him!

Upon whom is the Lords Wrath unleashed? 

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. 

Thus; we see from scripture that the terrible time of trouble that is slated to envelope our world someday is really a time of Testing. It will test all mankind to make them choose between Satan’s Antichrist and Jesus Christ. 

Satan will unleash his horrible Wrath on the the worlds population; by enforcing a system of universal worship via his name, number or image! By accepting Satan’s loyalty sign of allegiance, mankind of that day will consign themselves to Satan’s ultimate fate.

But by simply accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior; anyone, even during the Tribulation, can overcome the Wrath of Satan!

But what about overcoming the Wrath of the Lamb? How can one withstand the Lamb’s Wrath? Well, Revelation chapter six, verse seventeen, as well as several other scriptures poses for us that very serious question!

Revelation 6:17 For the great day of his Wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? 

Nahum 1:6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?

Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire

Joel 2:11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

The answer as to who can possibly be able to withstand the Day of the Lamb’s Wrath is unequivocally; NOBODY! Not Satan, not his Antichrist, not all the powers of the nations of this world; and most definitely……not YOU!

Yes, there is definitely coming a Time of Great Tribulation for our world. It will be a literal firestorm of supernatural Wrath! Whose side will you be on? Whose Wrath will you endure? 

But, for the Saints of God, we have a pledge of Gods divine protection against any Wrath!

Revelation 3:20 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, (the Great Tribulation) which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Focus on Jerusalem 

by: Darrell G. Young

October 25, 2021