The Great Tribulation and what it means.

I write articles not for fear mongering, or to depress readers, but to reveal what God has promised; a much better world for us later on. Even so, the Great Tribulation is something He will bring soon. During the last days of Satan ruling on our earth the Bible warns of a worldwide event that is like no other. It describes the days of these times as the worst in human history, never to be repeated again. When we look back through history, it’s clear that something has gone seriously wrong. There have been so many battles and wars, natural disasters, diseases and death, that it makes one wonder how we’ve avoided becoming extinct. The introduction of nuclear weapons has especially changed everything where wars are concerned, as they have the power to destroy cities like no other man-made weapon ever has before they were invented. The readiness to deploy these weapons was a massive game changer, with massive potential to completely destroy our planet in just a few hours. With all this in mind, what exactly is coming to us soon, described as worse than any event in history; just how bad will it be?

Before 1914 wars were fought with weapons that were limited in comparison to modern armory. Although still deadly, many wars involving advancing armies were nothing compared to what we have in our world today. In current times the range of nuclear ballistic missiles covers pretty much all of our planet, anywhere is a target and there’s nowhere to hide. Going from wars fought with primitive weapons to advanced hypersonic (five times the speed of sound) nuclear missiles hasn’t actually taken that long in development. On December 17th 1903 the Wright Brothers announced their Wright Flyer had achieved powered flight for 12 seconds at a height of 120 feet travelling at 6.8 MPH. Just eleven years later aircraft were used in World War 1 to deliver bombs and fight air to air combat missions. This wasn’t the first time that airborne platforms had been used to deliver weapons. In 1849 the Austrians launched unmanned hot air balloons loaded with grenade-like devices that were sent to Venice. The limitation of the balloons was obvious, they were dependent on wind speed and direction, other weather conditions, and there was the frustration of many not reaching their targets. These were very primitive (compared to powered aircraft) delivery systems) yet effective when they did hit their targets.

In World War 2 aircraft had advanced in many ways. Just 36 years after the Wright Flyer left the ground under power, there were aircraft able to fly at speeds of 621 MPH (the German Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet). The famous Super Marine Spitfire had a range of over 1000 miles and could reach speeds of 370 MPH. Bombers were able to fly missions into other countries and destroy large areas of cities, firebombing them in some cases. The firepower delivered from above was terrifying for those on the ground, even more so when Germany developed V1 and V2 rockets. It was at the end of World War 2 that really changed our world after two powerful bombs were dropped on Japan, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It was these two bombs that decided how nuclear wars would be fought when the technology advanced, it’s even worse today. Nuclear weapons are possibly the ultimate devices that can destroy targets in a way that leaves nothing behind, and if there ever was a full-scale all out nuclear war it’s estimated that within minutes of each other, hundreds or thousands of destructive explosions would occur. The grim reality is that such a multiple exchange of strikes would leave millions dead, perhaps billions over the following days; a huge difference when comparing the weapons used before World War 2.

So why do we live in such a dangerous world, and who is behind all the evil we see, and sometimes experience? In the 1st book of John we find this scripture: 1st John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. This evil one is Satan. He has been ruling the earth for thousands of years after being hurled down from heaven: Revelation 12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. A few scriptures later we are warned that he is going to create much suffering: Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.

Some may argue that Satan is not the reason for all the suffering that we see in our world, instead blaming the attitudes of people. But who else would cause so many problems for a majority of people who want peace, not wars and endless tribulations? Satan controls our world governments, the Bible confirms this. He took control of them a long time ago, and even offered them to Jesus when trying to tempt him: Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. ⁹ And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” If Satan had no ownership and control over the governments (known as kingdoms in scripture) there is no way he could have offered them up to Jesus. Anyone doubting these facts only has to consider how our world ‘leaders’ are clueless and without any direction to find the way out of trouble, as if they can’t rule without massive problems (directed by Satan). There are countless wars, corruption, and greed found in almost every corner of every government. Watching them trying to succeed, and failing so miserably, at solving our problems would be laughable if it was not so sad to see how they are hopeless at doing anything that benefits us. It doesn’t matter who is voted into power, Satan has the control in the end.

So what about this great tribulation? Well, as we’ve looked at the problems leading us to this point in time, we can see our world has experienced nothing but trouble for centuries, in fact for thousands of years. When we consider the millions slaughtered for greedy bankers and politicians in wars, and the earthquakes, tsunamis, diseases, and other horrible things taking place on earth it’s hard to imagine it could get worse; but it will. The Great Tribulation is set to take place during a time when our world is experience pangs, likened to a pregnant woman about to give birth. As the pangs increase, she knows the child is on the way, this is happening to our world now, with events that have never before taken place on such a scale. God warns that things will become so bad during the tribulation that if those days are not cut short, there would be no flesh left. In the previous paragraphs of scripture describing the tribulation there are scriptures warning of world wars, but the prophecy regarding the Great Tribulation seems to point to far more disturbing events. Here is the warning: Matthew 24:21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. It’s clear that this scripture is telling us that these events are not to be taken as some symbolic or mythical idea. The prophecy is warning us that it will be a time period like no other, not since the world began.

When does this all take place? The book of Matthew builds up to warning us of the great tribulation, describing the times were are living in right now. It tells of frequent earthquakes in one place after another (we are seeing this: this website has a page about earthquakes and a link to a live earthquake website). We are told of wars and rumors of wars (again, we are seeing this more and more today), and among many other distressing situations we are warned of living in the end times, days that are difficult to deal with: 2nd Timothy 3:1 Know also this, that, in the last days, shall come dangerous times. The same chapter goes on to describe how people will behave during these troubling times: 2nd Timothy 3 1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. Does this sound a lot like our world today? I imagine many would answer yes to that question. Satan has control of everything in this world, and his temporary enjoyments are just that; temporary. What God offers is everlasting, pure and full of wisdom, and love. Satan stirs up hate, sickness, and death; he’s a loser in every sense. Who’s side do you really want to be on during these last days?

How can we avoid falling into the trap Satan sets for everyone, even those who think they are strong in faith? God tells us that we can get close to him: James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. We are also informed that we can do the opposite with Satan: James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. But how do we do this? Ephesians offers advice on how to change our ways and become a Christian: Ephesians 4 17-32 ¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. There is a lot of work to do for anyone wanting to serve God and side with him. Our sins and lusts are a constant battle, all day long, every day. In these last days it’s ever more difficult to avoid temptation that leads us into traps laid by Satan. The love of money, pornography, sex outside of marriage, addictions to alcohol and drugs, violent attitudes, theft, and many more actions that can lead many into the hands of Satan. Of course not everyone has a bad attitude, nor a drunkard or thief, but even those who’d be considered ‘squeaky clean’ have problems from their sinful imperfections, and wrongful desires. Nobody is perfect, and anyone who says they are is deluded and very possibly narcissistic. We must humble ourselves before God and Jesus, knowing that they are so much greater than any of us. When the Great Tribulation comes, if during our life, we don’t want to drop our guard and let Satan destroy us. We want to fight him, and his demons, who constantly try and put things in front of us that they know are our weaknesses and downfalls. Trust in the one who can, and will destroy Satan, and definitely do not put your trust in humans: Psalm 146:3 Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there.

We have been given the Bible in complete form, it’s no coincidence that every book and scripture is available to us just when it’s needed. If we study the word of God every day, and do our best to avoid being tempted by what He hates, we stand a chance of being on His side. It’s not easy, and in fact if you’re doing it right and genuinely wish to please Him and His Son you’ll find it to be the hardest battle you have ever experienced. But God does promise everlasting life, and if we can last through the worst times, perhaps during the Great Tribulation, we have a chance of living forever in a world without wars and disasters, never again suffering from ill health, no depression, being able to reside with people from all walks of life without any of the problems we see today. When Satan is gone from this world, and God has brought His Kingdom, we’ll be free from sin and death, and perfect. Can you imagine how amazing that will be? Compare these promises to what we know right now, in a world controlled by Satan. I know who’s side I want to be on, how about you?

If you like these articles and want to know more about Bible scriptures, feel welcome to get in touch.

mark@truthministry.co.uk