Tribulation

For those will be days of tribulation, the kind that hasn't been from the beginning of the world, which God created, until now and never will be again! Unless the Lord limited those days, no one would survive. But He limited those days because of the elect, whom He chose. - Mark 13:19-20

In his description of the end times, Matthew followed Mark to the letter (24:21-22). Luke, however, departed briefly to say that the "celestial powers will be shaken (21:26)." Do Matthew and Mark speak of the Great Tribulation at the end of this earthly age or just the tribulation Judea would face at its destruction in A.D. 70? Obviously, theologians differ.

Many years ago a pastoral search committee wanted to know my position on "the tribulation." I realized that the person forming the question already had their own view and wanted to know if my take on the "end-times" matched his. So, I said that I believed that a Christ-follower should "count it all joy" when they faced it (tribulation), because everyone will face it in one form or another.

He was not amused, and that pretty much ended the interview.

In other words, to the person who has to endure tribulation, it will always seem great. The end times may largely be a future mystery, but trial and tribulation are a very present reality for the person who is suffering. Our only task is to endure unto the end (our departure or His return).

God would not rub so hard if it were not to fetch out the dirt that is ingrained in our natures. God loves purity so well that He had rather see a hole than a spot in His child's garments. - William Gurnall