QUESTION: I hear a lot about the tribulation that will come upon the earth. What is the tribulation and why must it come?

ANSWER: What is commonly referred to as the tribulation period is a future time of unequalled trouble and suffering for all those who are then living upon the earth. No believer on the Lord Jesus Christ will go through this tribulation, because all believers will be raptured (see Jan./Feb. 1983 Question) to glory immediately preceding this seven-year period. See Rev. 3:10. The tribulation is called the great and terrible day of the Lord in Joel 2:31. It is called the time of Jacob's trouble in Jeremiah 30:7 because the tribulation will especially affect the nation of Israel. The Lord Jesus says of the last part of this period, "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matthew 24:21).

The book of Revelation, chapters four through nineteen, records the awful judgments which will fall in ever-increasing severity upon the earth. Also Matthew 24:1-44 describes this time of tribulation with particular reference to Israel.

The purpose of the tribulation period is to prepare Israel to receive the Lord Jesus as her Messiah and King, and to prepare the world for the righteous reign of the Lord Jesus as King. Although God does not delight in judgment, yet because men refuse His love and mercy today, God must bring His awful judgments upon the earth. It is only when God's judgments are in the earth that the world will learn righteousness. See Isaiah 26:9.

During the time of this tribulation period the gospel message of the kingdom will be preached by faithful Jewish witnesses. Their message will be, "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come" (Revelation 14:7). See also Revelation 7 and Matthew 24:14. Those who have never heard the gospel of God's grace during today's dispensation of grace and repent of their sins and believe will become a part of the glorious earthly kingdom of the Lord Jesus. They are described as sheep in Matthew 25:33,34. Those who refuse the message will be judged by the Lord Jesus at His coming to earth at the end of the tribulation period. Those who are judged are described as goats in Matthew 25:33,41.

During this awful time the nation of Israel will be invaded and suffer the loss of two thirds of its population according to Zechariah 13:7-9. The remnant of Israel will repent and turn to the Lord Jesus, owning Him as their King. These judgments will then prepare the world for the 1000 year reign of the Lord Jesus over this world. It will be a wonderful time of blessing and peace for the world. See Psalm 72; Isaiah 11 and Revelation 20:4.

—John D. McNeil