The Difference between Tribulation and Wrath

The most important thing to understand when attempting to interpret the tribulation period is the fact that most Biblical prophecies are dual in nature. They were actual events that occurred in history AND they foretell coming future events.

Such an example is found in 1 Maccabees when Antiochus Epiphanes captured the Holy Land, desecrated the temple, and persecuted the Jews. This started the war of Jewish of Independence which led to the recapture and re-dedication of the temple.

This is the event Daniel is describing in his Book. It was an actual historical event. It is also a future prophecy confirmed by both Yeshua (Matt 24) and the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. Bible prophecy has dual meanings.

If we understand this we begin to understand the second coming of Yeshua as described in the New Testament writings.

These are the most difficult prophecies to understand and there are countless interpretations. Some say the tribulation is 3.5 years while others say 7 years. Some believe Yeshua raptures out the Christians and this only happens to the Jews, others say we go through the entire seven years. It is a difficult issue to comprehend.

My position is that it is a seven year event broken down into two 3.5 year periods, we go through just about 7 years of tribulation, as we wait for salvation when the Master returns to save us. I’ve come to this conclusion after much prayer and reading of many scriptures describing this time. Many of the scriptures I use are Yeshua’s own words.

What is the difference between tribulation and the wrath of God? This is a key question to consider.

Tribulation and wrath are two different things:

Tribulation – Greek - #2347 Strong’s – trouble, distress, oppression, affliction, persecution. Same word in Matt 5.11, Matt 5.24, 29, 44.

Yeshua warned his disciples and us that we would experience persecution, oppression, distress, and affliction:

Yeshua warns us we will go through tribulation- Matt 24.9-12: Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Yeshua is warning us of tribulations. He is warning his disciples and all of us in the future to be prepared for this tribulation and persecution.  We will ultimately be saved but the wicked will experience the wrath of Yahweh.

MOSES WARNS US

Moses warned us we would experience tribulation: Deuteronomy 4.30-31 - When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he swore unto them.

Is the servant greater than his master? Yeshua was persecuted and put to death.

Wrath – Greek - #3709 Strong’s – righteous anger of God toward sinful disobedience. Some verses on wrath:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Romans 1.18

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5.9

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Ephesians 5.6

 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 1 Thessalonians 2.15-16

Wrath is God’s righteous anger poured out upon the wicked for their sinful disobedience and ungodly behavior.

My position is that during the tribulation period the righteous will be persecuted by the ungodly. We can already see this developing in our society now. Good is called evil and evil is called good just as Isaiah 5.20 states.

During the tribulation period a remnant of God’s people will be hidden in a place of safety, which many actually be captivity. Some of God’s people will choose to be martyrs. Some will be martyrs for their testimony. It will be a time of purification of God’s people.

All the Apostles except John were killed for their testimony. Yeshua was crucified for His testimony. The tribulation will be a terrible time but many will shine for God:  And he said, Go thy way, Daniel, for these words are closed up and sealed until the time of the fulfillment. Many shall be purified and made white and purged, but the wicked shall get worse; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand. Daniel 12.9-10

Yeshua said His end time bride would be pure and spotless. Those who go through this time will be purified through trials and tribulations. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage I have overcome the world. John 16.33

This is a difficult saying but this is how it shall be in that time. We see tribulation is not the wrath of God.

Amos 5.18-20: Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD shall be darkness, and not light. As if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall and a serpent bit him. Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

He will come to save us and judge the wicked: Matt 24.9-13 - Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

There are many other scriptures to support this view. Each reader must decide for themselves. It will be a difficult time. Please do not think the Christians are raptured out and all this happens to the Jews.