Do you think we are very near the tribulation period?

Lost4words said:

Tribulation has been on going since the birth of Christianity.

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This is my understanding as well. Christ spoke these words "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be" to the universal church of every age. Every generation of the church on earth from the first to the last will know "great tribulation".

Don't misunderstand what I'm saying. I'm not saying great tribulation will be limited to the church on earth. All we need do is live in this world, and knowing history we understand this world is becoming more and more wicked all the time.

But I don't believe evil throughout this world is what Christ was warning His disciples, and every Christian of. Since the beginning at creation we read of murder, and lies being part of human nature from the fall. Great tribulation, if we take Christ at His word, is something like never before, and shall never be again. And according to the book of Revelation great tribulation Christ warned us would come began to be seen in the first century of the universal church.

In Revelation chapter seven John is shown, what I believe is the full embodiment of the saints in heaven. They are so many that John describes them as "a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues". The angel tells John they came out of great tribulation.

Revelation 7:14-17 (KJV) And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

How could the whole embodiment of saints in heaven have come out of "great tribulation" if it had not been that which Christ warned His church would come to them?

Matthew 24:21-22 (KJV) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Is there any other entity on earth besides the church that has survived almost two thousand years of "great tribulation" and is still growing? The mistake I believe is seeking to understand Christ's warning as physical warfare rather than spiritual. When we realize the battle the church is engaged in is spiritual, then we understand the great forces we, as the body of Christ are up against.

Ephesians 6:10-13 (KJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Therefore, as the body of Christ on earth; the church, knowing "great tribulation", much spiritual warfare will be our lot in this life, so we claim the promise of Christ. Though the affliction is great it will not endure, for Christ will cut short those days so that the faithful church might continue to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in the power of His Spirit and the elect of God whosoever they be will be saved by grace through faith until the fullness of the Gentiles come in....AMEN!

Matthew 24:21 (KJV) For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Matthew 24:22 (KJV) And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Maria Billingsley said:

Welcome to CF!
John 16:33
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

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Beautiful reminder Maria...bless you!

Fish55 said:

Hello fellow Christians. Do you think we are near the tribulation period or are already in the tribulation period?

Thank you. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

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Welcome to the forum, Fish55.

Assuming you mean the 70th week of Daniel 9:27, i think we are near, within the next decade likely, which the 70th week will begin.

I don't think we are in the 70th week yet, because the Ezekiel 39 Gog/Magog event has not taken place yet. Which the 7 years in that text corresponds to the 7 years in Daniel 9:27.

Lost4words said:

Define great. Many massive tribulations have happened since the scriptures were written.

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Great in intensity, as in "nothing will exceed it" (my paraphrasing of Matthew 24:21).

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.

APersonWithNoName said:

What signs indicate that the end times are approaching? | GotQuestions.org

the scripture passage it quoted was

Matthew 24:5-8

5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains

I am not seeing any of this now

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You should be hearing of rumors of wars:

• A Fight Over Taiwan Could Go Nuclear | Foreign Affairs
• Israel Is Simulating a War with Iran - 19FortyFive
• Medvedev: NATO's involvement in Russia-Ukraine conflict brings risk of 'full-fledged nuclear war' | Fox News
• Russian State TV Keeps Threatening Nuclear Strikes—Should We Be Concerned

Matt5 said:

You should be hearing of rumors of wars:

• A Fight Over Taiwan Could Go Nuclear | Foreign Affairs
• Israel Is Simulating a War with Iran - 19FortyFive
• Medvedev: NATO's involvement in Russia-Ukraine conflict brings risk of 'full-fledged nuclear war' | Fox News
• Russian State TV Keeps Threatening Nuclear Strikes—Should We Be Concerned

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A useful and informative post, Matt. Thanks.

Douggg said:

Great in intensity, as in "nothing will exceed it" (my paraphrasing of Matthew 24:21).

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.

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Similar to how the Bible calls the 6 century BC Judgement against Israel "the greatest Judgement God had ever and would ever bring upon a nation, and 'Nothing will exceed it' " as stated in Ezekiel 5:8-9?

Ezekiel 5:8 therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Indeed I, even I, am against you and will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations. 9 And I will do among you what I have never done, and the like of which I will never do again, because of all your abominations.

*note also that every eye of everyone in every nation was to have "seen" God come to earth and do this.

Fish55 said:

Hello fellow Christians. Do you think we are near the tribulation period or are already in the tribulation period?

Thank you. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

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Brings to mind.

Rom_10:19
But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.


Rom_11:11
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Rom 11:15
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

Does anyone see this taking place yet?
What do you believe would anger or provoke the Jews as a people to come to Christ by what they see about the Christian Church today.

Matt5 said:

You should be hearing of rumors of wars:

• A Fight Over Taiwan Could Go Nuclear | Foreign Affairs
• Israel Is Simulating a War with Iran - 19FortyFive
• Medvedev: NATO's involvement in Russia-Ukraine conflict brings risk of 'full-fledged nuclear war' | Fox News
• Russian State TV Keeps Threatening Nuclear Strikes—Should We Be Concerned

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None of things are of any concern
There is no fight over Taiwan and there won't be one
Lots of military's simulate war all the time, they are meant to do that.
Nato won't get involved directly in Ukraine
Media scare tactics, happens everywhere

Fish55 said:

Hello fellow Christians. Do you think we are near the tribulation period or are already in the tribulation period?

Thank you. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

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Nope, its a few decades of yet, at least, possibly a couple of centuries.

There is a school of thought that around 2030's it will be 2000 years since Jesus death and things could happen then, however there is also the school that says effectively, Jesus was buried 2 days and rose sometime on the 3rd day. To God 1000 years are like a day, so 2 days or 2000 years will soon be over and then the 3rd day begins and sometime in that day (ie next 1000 years starting around 2030) Jesus will return.

Thing is nobody will really know, even when its actually happening, until the antichrist proclaims himself god in the rebuilt temple, then everyone can be sure its happening at that time.

Matt5 said:

You should be hearing of rumors of wars:

• A Fight Over Taiwan Could Go Nuclear | Foreign Affairs
• Israel Is Simulating a War with Iran - 19FortyFive
• Medvedev: NATO's involvement in Russia-Ukraine conflict brings risk of 'full-fledged nuclear war' | Fox News
• Russian State TV Keeps Threatening Nuclear Strikes—Should We Be Concerned

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Three different Disciples wrote about what Jesus said concerning the Tribulation.
Jesus was speaking of the time when the Temple would be Destroyed by the Romans in 70Ad

Therefore we can take it to mean, ALL of the things spoken of by Jesus in those Chapters, has already occurred.

Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
Mat 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Mat_24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.


Mar 13:1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!
Mar 13:2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mar 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
Mar 13:4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Mar_13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.


Luk 21:5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,
Luk 21:6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Luk 21:7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?

Luk_21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

APersonWithNoName said:

What signs indicate that the end times are approaching? | GotQuestions.org

the scripture passage it quoted was

Matthew 24:5-8

5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains

I am not seeing any of this now

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When you Misquote, and take things out of Context, you can make Scripture say anything you want it to say.

Matt5 said:

You should be hearing of rumors of wars:

• A Fight Over Taiwan Could Go Nuclear | Foreign Affairs
• Israel Is Simulating a War with Iran - 19FortyFive
• Medvedev: NATO's involvement in Russia-Ukraine conflict brings risk of 'full-fledged nuclear war' | Fox News
• Russian State TV Keeps Threatening Nuclear Strikes—Should We Be Concerned

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Just like all the wars, disasters, pandemics throughout history!

JIMINZ said:

When you Misquote, and take things out of Context, you can make Scripture say anything you want it to say.

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I quoted exactly what was given in the article.

so I was not misquote nor try to take the passage out of context as I mentioned, I quoted exactly from the article, I was not quoting directly from the scripture, I did not add nor taken anything out.

now you may feel gotaquestion org have taken the scripture out of the context, but that has nothing to do with me.

APersonWithNoName said:

I quoted exactly what was given in the article.

so I was not misquote nor try to take the passage out of context as I mentioned, I quoted exactly from the article, I was not quoting directly from the scripture, I did not add nor taken anything out.

now you may feel gotaquestion org have taken the scripture out of the context, but that has nothing to do with me.

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Do you not question what the context of someones statement might actually be?

The fact I questioned yours I came to the conclusion you are wrong in your belief that we are coming to or might be close to the Tribulation, which we are not According to the Scripture I posted to you in rebuttal.

What you have done in quoting gotaquestion.org without questioning their answer to you, is exactl
My personal feelings on the matter of gotaquestion.org is, they believe what they do and will only give you an answer that will never contradict their beliefs as to what the Bible says, to them it's truth, but that belief comes from a lack of Knowledge, Understanding, because they did not research the question themselves, keep that in mind the next time you ask them a question.

One of my favorites on this subject.

Sorn said:

There is a school of thought that around 2030's it will be 2000 years since Jesus death and things could happen then

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Yes, I agree that this is a milestone marking the transition of one millennial period over to another one to follow. 2033 to be exact, since I believe scripture points to AD 33 as Christ's resurrection year.

Jeffwhosoever said:

...and events in Revelation cannot possibly have taken place in the past, such as the 200 million person Army.

But I do believe we are close and tribulation will occur in the next 10-20 years or sooner.

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That was actually a 20,000-man army that was going to come - composed of two myriads of myriads - not 200 million, which incorrectly multiplies things to an exaggerated level of combatants. And it was a fulfilled event back in AD 67 - 68.

But I agree with you and Sorn above that the next decade or so will feature a type of transition over to the next, 7th millennium period of human history. This transition period I believe will be marked by chaotic conditions worldwide that precede a millennium characterized by a return to a more basic level of living conditions. Wouldn't hurt to practice simplifying things, even if I'm wrong.

Jeffwhosoever said:

John said he heard a number and it wasn't 20,000, it was 200 million. He was very specific number that could not be counted, and as sand on the seashore, so its not possible to force fit John's number into a Preterist view. Even Preterists don't attempt that. They merely suggest its symbolic for a big number. And furthermore, Revelation was written during the reign of Domitian, not Nero, so Revelation could not be pointing to AD 70. But I know we must agree to disagree.

Note on the interlinear Greek translation of this number John said "I heard": myriás (from mýrioi) – strictly means "10,000". If he meant a big number, why did he say two myriás of myriás, which is 2 x 10,000 x 10,000 = 200 million, and not what he said elsewhere in Revelation as "a number to large to be counted"? Why specify 2? If John meant 20,000, I would think he would have written 20,000, not 200 million.

The only reason to try to force fit what John stated clearly is because 200 million was not possible in AD 70 or by the timeframe of the Historicist. But 200 million is possible today, with united armies of Russia, China, and their other allies, possibly even India, Iran, and other middle eastern countries that want Israel gone. It has only been about a week since Russia fired an S300 missile at an Israeli aircraft. Putin has aid if it were not for Benjamin Netanyahu, Russia would have already gone to war with Israel, so we are literally seeing the setup to fulfill all of Revelation.

Just consider the possibility that the destruction of Israel as described by the Jewish historian Josephus could have been partially fulfilled in AD 70 but will be fully fulfilled in the (likely near) future, which seems to provide an intersection of multiple schools of Eschatology, which might solve all the problems of interpretation.

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200 million is still not possible today, not unless 95% of those 200 million are just armed with pitchforks and bats