Every student of Scripture with even a cursory knowledge of the NT Church knows that tribulation in the form of persecution, suffering, and death has been the lot of the Church ever since its birth. From its persecution at the hands of the Jews, to that under the Roman emperors and empires, to that today under Islam and other ideologies; the Church's experience with tribulation has been unrelenting, and its death toll over the millennia is counted in the tens of millions.
In the NT, we see in the book of Acts a complete account of how the disciples and Christ's followers were hated and persecuted as Jesus had predicted (
Matthew 24:9). In Acts 4: "And they laid hands on them [Peter and John], and put them in prison" (verse 3). In Acts 5, they were "beaten" (verse 40). As they departed from the "council", they rejoiced "that they were counted worthy to suffer for his name"(verse 41). In Acts 7, Stephen was killed for his stand (verses 54-60). In Acts 8:1 "There was a great persecution against the church." In Acts 16, Paul and Silas were beaten and cast into prison. In Acts 21, persecution resulted in Paul being beaten, and brought before rulers, before whom he testified (Acts 22). In
Acts 22:19 we read that Paul confessed that prior to his conversion, he had "imprisoned and beaten in every synagogue" those who believed in Christ.
There was no lack of tribulation for the NT Church.
But deplorably, we see today a generation of what can best be described as “rapture delusionists.” This generation of North American believers, the most “molycoddled and milquetoast” in the history of the Christian Church, seems in large part to believe that it is also entitled to escape the trials and privations which have beset the historic Church, and to be “...carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease” as the beloved hymn “Am I a Soldier of the Cross” describes.
The following partial enumeration of NT tribulation references...:
Acts 14:22
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much
tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we glory in
tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience;
2 Corinthians 1:4
Who comforteth us in all our
tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
1 Thessalonians 3:4
For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer
tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
Revelation 1:9
I John, who also am your brother, and companion in
tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
...makes it clear that there is no room for “rapture delusionists” in the Christian Church. In solidarity with other believers in parts of the world who suffer tribulation even as we read this, we must be prepared to, as did and do these, “fight to win the prize and sail through bloody seas”, as we see the hymnwriter further pen.
God has promised...:
John 16:33
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.
...that we can be triumphant in Him even in the midst of tribulation. He promises us all of His grace and resources to make this a reality.
But the promise is only for those who resolve not to be “rapture delusionists.”
The pretrib rapture fallacy first appeared in the Christian Church in the 19th century.
It is a modernist fantasy.