"The Great Tribulation"

John 17:14  I have given them thy word: and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. When it comes to the words of others there is a great danger, least we put them on the same level with the words which the Holy Spirit teach. The words and utterance of men have all to be judged by the words of God. We must discipline ourselves to recognize the different between what men say and what God says. Unfortunately, many people rarely open their Bibles, they listen to what the man or woman standing behind the pulpit say, and do not take time to check out what is being said in God`s word. Your Father wrote you a letter. You have no excuse to not know what God says. It is all right here in the letter. Do not trust your soul to what men say. It is God you will face on judgment day, and no one else will be standing between you and Him.

The Great Tribulation, all believe to be still future, but, yet, many Preachers and Teachers hold and teach that the Church of God, altogether or in part, will past through it in whole or in part.

Some teach that all the Church will pass through all the Tribulation: others teach that only a part of the Church will so pass through it all: while there are yet others who teach that all the Church will pass through a part of the Tribulation. These last hold what is known as “the first fruits view,” which identifies the Church of God with the 144,000 of Revelation the 14th chapter, and places the gathering of the Church in or after the middle of the Great Tribulation, and after the revelation of the Beast in his superhuman form, in Revelation the 13th chapter.

But here, again, we see the confusion and contradiction of reading what refers to Israel in the Future into the Present Dispensation: and interpreting it of the Church of God, to the destruction of its present hope of being alive and receive them, its members, to Himself, before the Day of the Lord bursts suddenly like a thief upon a world which cries “peace and safety.”

The Church of God is assured that that Day shall not overtake it as a thief, (1Thessalonians 5:1-4 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.).

The first fruits in Revelation the 14th chapter, are the first fruits of those who are redeemed “from the earth,” (Revelation 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. ). “Redeemed from among men.” They stand “before the throne,” ( Revelation 14:1-3 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.). And they “follow the lamb whither so ever He goeth,” ( Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.). But all such language as this is foreign to the Church of God. We who are members of the spiritual Body of Christ, are already “seated in the heavenly in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: ). And we shall not “stand before the throne,” but be actually seated with Him when He shall receive us up into glory.

The other view, of part of the Church of God passing through the Tribulation is equally erroneous, and misleading. The Body is “one.” There is no amputation of the spiritual body of Christ. There can be no deformity such as would because by the absence of any of its members. If the Head “can not say to the feet, I have no need of you,” while here on earth, how much less can it be said in the day when “the number of the elect shall be accomplished” and the whole body present perfect, complete, and “faultless” in glory. It is impossible for anyone who is imbued with the language of the Pauline Epistles to imagine any connection between the Church of God and the Great Tribulation.

To say that the Church of God will be divided, and part of it go through the Tribulation, and part not: and that this division is based on the degree of holiness or watchfulness, or light, or doctrinal views, is to destroy the whole foundation of Grace, and to put human merit in its place. Membership in the body of Christ is based on life, not light. It depends neither on wages nor works: but, on the “gift of God,” not on the acquirement of knowledge: on the reception of “God`s grace,” not on the reception of “man`s tradition.”

Still less is there anything to warrant the belief that the Church of God must past through the whole, or any part, of the Tribulation.

If we fail to rightly divide the Word of truth as to this we shall bring dishonor upon the free grace of God.

The Tribulation is everywhere either distinctly stated or specially indicated as being connected with Israel. The words are spoken “concerning Israel and concerning Judah,” (Jeremiah 30:4 And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.). This fact, of itself, shows that it has no connection with the Church of God.

In (Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.). It is called “the time of Jacob`s trouble.” And why “Jacob”? Because that name carries us back to that night of Jacob`s trouble, (Genesis 32:24-30 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.). When after many years of exile, he was about to return to his own land, and had reached its borders. There he heard of Esau`s preparation to come and meet him at the head of 400 armed men. When he hear this, “Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed,” (Genesis 32:7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;). He cries to God in his distress, and pleas the “mercies” of God, and deliverance from the hand of Esau, least he come and smitten. It was the cries of Jacob life: when, had “the mother with the children” been smitten, there would have been an end of the future nation of Israel, whose name was, for the first time, revealed on that eventful night.

Even so the coming Tribulation will be the time of Jacob`s trouble,” the crisis of the coming nation. It will not arrive until Israel returns to the land. This is clear from (Jeremiah 30:3 For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.). Which proceeds to describe the “trembling” and “fear,” and adds (Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.). The whole of this chapter should be carefully studied: and with it (Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.). “At that time i.e. at the crisis of Antichrist`s power, shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered.”

It is positively certain that that time has not yet arrived: for, at the destruction of Jerusalem (which is supposed by some to be the Tribulation), instead of returning to their land the people were driven out of it: instead of being “gathered,” they were “scattered:’ instead of being “saved” and “delivered,” they fled in terror.

There are many Scriptures which speak of this time of trouble. Daniel 7:8, Daniel 8:9-12, Daniel 8:23-26, Daniel 11:30-39, Revelation the 6th and 19th chapters. All refer to those days: but it is Matthew the 24th chapter that the Lord Himself gives us its outline, and connects it with the Apocalyptic scenes.

In (Matthew 24:4-6 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.). Its beginnings in “that generation” are describe: but this introduction is closed with the words, “The End Is Not Yet.” This is emphatic: and repeated in ( Mark 13:7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.). And (Luke 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.). That generation did actually see the beginning of those things which the Lord mentions in Matthew 24:4-6.

Then, in (Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Mark 13:8 for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. Luke 21:10-12 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.). The Lord describes the opening scenes of the Great Tribulation itself, which correspond exactly with the opening seals in Revelation the 6th chapter.

The 1st Seal (Revelation 6:1-2), will be a repetition of what took place in that past generation, the coming of many false Messiahs.

The 2nd Seal (Revelation 6:3-4), Wars, “Nations shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom.”

The 3rd Seal (Revelation 6:5-6), Famines.

The 4th Seal (Revelation 6:7-8), Pestilences.

The 5th Seal (Revelation 6:9-11), Martyrdoms.

The 6th Seal (Revelation 6:12-17), Signs in Heaven and Earth.

Then it is added in Matthew the 24th chapter, the 7 to the 8 verses, and Mark 13th chapter, the 8th verse, “These are the beginning of sorrows.” But in (Luke 21:7-8, And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.). It does not go to describe these events, which belongs to the Great Tribulation, but it goes back to what shall be “Before All These Things,” as describes the events up to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 in (Luke 21-12-24). The description having passed over the details of the tribulation itself it self given in (Matthew 24:9-28), and (Mark 13:9:23), joins with them in describing the end, and what shall be “immediately after the tribulation of those days,“ culminating in the coming of the Son of Man, which is the common subject of (Matthew 24:29-31 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Mark 13:24-27 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Luke 21:25-28 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. ).

The very title of Christ as “Son of Man,” in this description of the Tribulation shows that the “Church of God” is not here. That title, has nothing to do with the “Church” or with this Dispensation of grace. It has to do with the earth, and with Christ`s dominion in the earth. It contemplates the Jews as in their own land, observing their own Sabbath laws, ( Matthew 24:20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:). It concerns those who are “in Judah,” (Matthew 24:16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:). All the expressions used point to a people under the Mosaic law. This can not therefore refer to the Church of God, which is “not under the law,” (Romans 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 1Corinthians 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.).

True, the Church of God has tribulation Now, in the world, at least many of its members have, but not the Church, as such, or any part of it, being in “the tribulation”, the great one.

On the other hand, the Scriptures, other than the epistles address to the Church of God, constantly refer to that coming time of tribulation, (Matthew 10:16-23 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 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. Revelation 2:9-13 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 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. Revelation 7:13-17 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes).

Thus, the moment we recognize the great duty of “rightly dividing” the different principles of administration, apportioning each to its own distinct time and Dispensation, we see that the Church of God can have no place in the Great Tribulation: and that, being “not under the law,” it must be excluded from all those Scriptures which have the law for its governing principle, and Judah for the scene of its administration.

In the same way, we must not interpret the 144,000 of (Revelation the 7th and 14th chapter), of the Church of God. We see them involved in the horrors of the Great Tribulation, and in the Dispensation of Judgment: and specially sealed so that they should be persevered through it: whereas the promise to those who belong to the Church of God is very positive that that Day shall not overtake, or come upon it, (1Thessalonians 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.).

But beside this, the very enumeration of them excludes all except those who belong to the tribes of the children of Israel. Not only are these tribes mentioned thus collectively, in (Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel). . Each tribe is afterward mentioned separately by name, (Revelation 7:5-8 Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.).

The promise to Daniel was, that when that time of trouble should come, “thy people shall be delivered.” Here we see how that deliverance will be secured. This is the deliverance which is referred to in (Joel 2:28-32, And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.).

As the Lord had 7,000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal, in the days of Ahab and Jezebel, so He will have 144,000 of those who will refuse to bow the knee to the Beast, or receive his mark in the days of the Great Tribulation.

In (Revelation the 7th chapter) we have two of three peoples with whom Scriptures deals. In (Revelation 7:1-8, we have the Israelites): In (Revelation 7:9-17, we have the Gentiles). It is clear therefore that we must not put in the Church of God where He has left it out. As for the Jews, we are told that “they shall not be reckoned among the nations” (or Gentiles), (Numbers 23:9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.). As to the Church of God, there is neither Jew nor Gentile (as such) in it, (Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all).

If we, therefore, join together what God has thus kept distinct, we must get error instead of truth. Beside, what do we gain by this disobedience to (2Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.). Where does our advantage come in, by thrusting the Church of God in everywhere, whether the Scripture speaks of Israel or the Gentiles, or of Cherubim, or of the Twenty-four Elders, the Bride, Zion, the New Jerusalem, and everywhere else? How much must be lost to us of what God would teach us about these various subjects of revelation.

Here, then, we have another example as to our not reading what is still future into this Dispensation. We need not put the Church of God among those who are numbered of the twelve Tribes of Israel, nor into the innumerable Gentile multitude. A time is coming when the nations will “learn righteousness,” not by the grace of God, but by the judgments of God: not by the preaching of the Gospel, but by the proclamations of His wrath. (Isaiah 26:9 With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.).

These are the learners who will make up this “great multitude which no man can number.” Many may be of that number who will be left behind when the members of the “One Body” shall have been received up in glory. Many who have been members of churches, but not members of the Church of God. Many who have been laboring at trying to make a unity of the Body, instead of “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit.” They will then learn from the judgment of God, what they failed to learn from the grace of God: and they will pass through and come out the Great Tribulation and stand before the throne of God.

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