God’s Purpose For The Tribulation
By Thomas Ice
While many people think the tribulation will involve the church, the Bible does not provide support for such a notion. Instead, Scripture informs us of at least a three-fold purpose for the coming tribulation, none of which involves the church.
The New Testament teaches that the church will be taken at the rapture to be with the Lord before the tribulation begins. God has not destined His bride for His wrath (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Revelation 3:10).
The tribulation in Bible prophecy is the period of time that begins with the signing of a covenant between Israel and the antichrist and ends seven years later at the second coming of Jesus Christ. The most extensive biblical comments on the tribulation are found in the writings of John, specifically in Revelation 6-19. In these chapters, John provides a detailed exposition of the tribulation days.
God’s basic purpose for the tribulation is that it be a time of judgment, while at the same time, He will use the tribulation to bring His elect people to faith in Jesus as their Messiah.
While a number of goals for the tribulation could be given, there are at least three specific major purposes:
Gentile Judgment
• To make an end of wickedness and wicked ones – This purpose for the tribulation is seen to be a punishment in history upon the whole world for its sins against God.
World-Wide Evangelism
• To bring about a world wide revival – The seven year tribulation will be a time of phenomenal evangelistic outreach. This purpose is given and fulfilled in Revelation 7:1-17. During the first half of the tribulation, God will evangelize the world by the means of the 144,000 Jews and thus fulfill the prophecy found in Matthew 24:14.
Conversion of Israel
• To break the power of His holy people, Israel – One of the most glorious and important purposes of the tribulation will be the conversion of Israel. The Bible teaches us that God will use the tribulation to bring His elect people to faith in Jesus. Israel will be prepared for her conversion and acknowledgment that Jesus is their Messiah.
What a glorious day that will be! Israel will be converted to Jesus as their Messiah resulting in the second coming, which will in turn give rise to the millennial reign of Christ.
The church is no where to be found in these tribulational activities.
Other groups of individuals will go through the tribulation, but not Christ’s bride, the church.
Maranatha!
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