VI. THE TRIBULATION

Question 1

Explain the Word “Tribulation” in Scripture

Answer 1

1. To apply to the trials and persecutions that the Christian believers will suffer throughout the Church age as a result of their identification with Christ. (Jn. 16:33)
2. To apply to a special period of tribulation for Israel prophesied by Daniel. Dan. 9:24-27
3. To apply to God’s final wrath upon the Antichrist and the Gentile nations that follow him (Rev.6:12-17), called the “Great Day of His Wrath.”Rev.6:12-17

a. The fact the believers must be ready to suffer trials and tribulations throughout the Church age does not mean that
the Church must go through the “Great Tribulation” and the final hour of “God’s Wrath.” Acts 14:14
b. God has promised to keep the church saints from the tribulation period. Rev. 3:10; 1 Thess. 5:9
c. Furthermore, the Great Tribulation was determined for dealing with Israel, is not a part of the Church age; when the “fullness of the Gentiles” comes, as Paul explains in Rom. 11:25, the Church will be raptured, and God will turn again to effect the salvation of national Israel. Dan. 9:24-27; Dan. 12:8-13

Question 2

What is Daniel’s Dream and Vision about tribulation?

Answer 2

• Daniel also prophesied about times of world domination by Gentile nations.
  o Nebuchadnezzar’s Image Dan. 2:31-44
  o Daniel’s dream of four beasts Dan. 7:1-14
• The four parts of the image and the four beasts represented four successive Gentile empires, the last of which was to be the Roman Empire.