Are we in the Tribulation Period?
Not every use of the word “tribulation” in the Bible is about the Great Tribulation. The apostle Paul warned the disciples at Thessalonica that tribulation (troubles) would come, and had already come. (I Thess.3:4). Tribulation? Yes! But not the Great Tribulation! Listen to these words…
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, AND that man of sin be REVEALED, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the TEMPLE of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?” II Thess.2:1-5.
The spirit of “antichrist” is already here, but THE Anti-Christ himself, the Beast of Revelation 13, is not yet revealed. Also, at this present time there is NO temple in Jerusalem to fulfill the prophecy of Matthew 24:15. Neither is there presently any international law requiring everyone to bear the mark, or the name, or the number of the Anti-Christ as prophesied in Rev.13:16-18.
We most certainly are NOT in the Great Tribulation!
Our Lord has promised that we, which are saved will NOT go into any part of the Great Tribulation. “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,.” I Thess.5;9.
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon ALL THE WORLD, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Rev.3:9.
Concerning the eminent pre-tribulation return of Christ, the Holy Spirit has said, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” I Thess.4:17-18.
WHAT comfort could there possibly be in telling folks that we are IN the Great Tribulation??