FINAL WARNING: Setting the Stage for Destruction
Tribulation will come.“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.” (Acts 14:22)Jesus tells his disciple that He will return “immediately after the
tribulation.” Of the period after the Tribulation, Jesus says:“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted
worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to
stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)Though Christians can’t even consider being on the earth during the
Tribulation, there are examples, and Scripture to support the case for
this. Jesus Himself (Luke 17:26-30, see also Isaiah 43:2) in His
discussion about the end-times, used the days of Noah and Lot as
examples. Noah, and his family endured the Flood in an ark of
protection. Lot and his family escaped the destruction of Sodom only
by being obedient and turning their backs on the city. If you remember,
Lot’s wife didn’t listen. Jesus even pointed that out in Luke 17:32 when
He said: “Remember Lot’s wife.” In addition, the Hebrews were
protected from the plagues that were brought against Pharaoh and
Egypt. We can also take note of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
surviving the fiery furnace, as well as Daniel going through the ordeal
in the Lion’s Den. These examples also lead us into another aspect of
end-time theology which further explains the flow of events.It is important to delineate between the Tribulation period, and the time
of Armageddon. The Tribulation, or the time when the Antichrist
influences the world, is man’s wrath on man. The time of the end, when
Jesus returns, will be God’s wrath on man. The examples of Noah, Lot,
and the Hebrews were examples of God’s wrath, and a separation from
it. The examples of Shadrach and the boys, and Daniel, were examples
of going through tribulation, man’s wrath, and being protected. And
you’ll notice that these incidents are in the book of Daniel, the
prophetic book that gives information about the time of the Antichrist.The time when Jesus is to return has been referred to as the ‘day of
the Lord.’ So let’s look at what that is.