Will the Church Go Through the Tribulation?
Prepared by: Jason Olvera


In the face of such troubling times many are looking for the Lord’s soon return. However, there is much conjecture as to when His return will be. Laying aside the doctrines of men and our own preconceptions; let us take a look at what the Word of God has to say regarding the great tribulation, the second coming of Christ, and the Church. (Romans 3:4; Colossians 2:8)


What Shall Be The Sign of Thy Coming?

The disciples themselves had questions regarding Jesus’ second coming saying, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24:3; see also: Mark 13:3-4; Luke 21:7)  Jesus answering them begins with these same words that I would reiterate to you, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5; see also: Mark 13:5-6; Luke 21:8)
Jesus then describes what those days would be like just before His return, and the end. You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, but we are not to be troubled for such things must be; but the end shall not be yet. (Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9)  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There shall be famines, pestilences, earthquakes in various places, and many other fearful and great signs shall there be from heaven; saying all this Jesus states that this would simply be the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:10-11)
Jesus tells us that we should take heed because we will be delivered up to be afflicted, and some of us killed. We will be delivered up unto councils and rulers, and it shall be for a testimony against them. (Matthew 24:9; Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12)
Jesus then tells us that there would be those among us that would fall away from the faith, and that they would betray the faithful; hating us. (Matthew 24:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:3)  Our own children, relatives, and friends shall rise up against us: for brother shall betray brother, father the son, and so forth; causing many us to be put to death. (Mark 13:12; Luke 21:16)
We shall be hated of men because of the name of Christ. Christ encourages us to be patient, and to endure; for in so doing we will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 24:9, 13; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:17, 19)  For the Gospel of Christ must be preached unto all the world for a witness, and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10)
For when we shall see The Abomination of Desolation (The Antichrist, The Son of Perdition, The Wicked One) spoken of by Daniel the prophet stand in the place of the Holy One; we are to take flight. (Matthew 24:15-20; Mark 13:14-18; Luke 21:20-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)  For then shall come great tribulation; such that it has never been or ever shall be. And except those days be shortened no one would survive, but for our sake those days will be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22; Mark 13:19-20)
When these things begin to occur; we are to look unto heaven for our redemption draws close. (Luke 21:28)


Be Not Deceived

Jesus warns us that leading up to and during this time of trouble there would be those who would come attempting to deceive, and would deceive many.  Stating that many false prophets would rise up among us; deceiving many. (Matthew 24:11)  Jesus tells us that men would say unto us that Christ is in this place or in that place. And that false Christs and false prophets would come; showing signs and wonders to seduce; so convincing that if it were possible they might even deceive us. Christ warned us not to fall prey in believing them nor that we should run after them; saying, Remember that I have told you beforehand. (Matthew 24:23-26; Mark 13:21-23)
Jesus also tells that no man knows the day nor the hour at which He shall come; not the angles in heaven or even Himself, but only the Father knows. (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32)  We need to be watchful of those who claim to know or predict the day at which the Lord shall come.         
I would like to reiterate the words of the Apostle Paul; be ye not deceived for that day shall not come (speaking of The Second Coming of Christ) except there come a great falling away from the faith and teachings of Jesus Christ, and that man of sin (The Antichrist) be revealed. (2 Thessalonians 2:3)


The Great Day of the Lord

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, the moon shall not give her light, the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven; then shall the tribes of earth mourn for they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29-30; Mark 13:24-26; Luke 21:25-27; Revelation 6:12-17)  And he (Christ) shall send his angels with the sound of a great trumpet, and shall gather us together from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. For the dead in Christ shall rise first, and then we which are alive and remain; having endured through the great tribulation: shall be caught up together with them in the air. And so shall we forever be with the Lord.   (Matthew 24:31; Mark 13:27; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
As we see from scripture it is only after the great tribulation that Christ shall return for the Church, and as he does he shall destroy that Wicked One (The Antichrist) with the brightness of his coming. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, 8)  And we shall reign with him forevermore.
Christ himself told us that he would not return the second time until all these things which he told us beforehand were fulfilled. (Matthew 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32)


Be Ye Watchful

Take heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time shall be. (Matthew 24:42; Mark 13:33)  For as it was in the days of Noah so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For they were eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage until Noah entered into the ark, and they did not realize until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. (Matthew 24:37-39) 
Know this, had the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief was coming; he would have been watching, and not have let his house be broken into. Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour ye think not the Son of Man cometh. (Matthew 24:43-44)
For you know that the Day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night, but ye are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. For you are the children of the light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night or of the darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:2-6)
In other words what Christ is telling us is that we may not know the day or the hour, but we do know the signs of the times; therefore we should be watchful and ready for his appearing. (Matthew16:2-3; Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-30; Luke 12:54-56; Luke 21:29-32)  Let us therefore take heed lest at anytime our hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, drunkenness, and cares of this life; that that day comes upon us unawares. Therefore, knowing that the time is near; let us awake from sleep. (Luke 21:34; Romans 13:11, 13-14)  “For the night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works, and let us put on the armour of light.” (Romans 13:12)
I leave you with these last words. Take heed, watch and pray: for you know not when the time shall be. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a long journey; who leaving his house gave authority to his servants. Leaving everyman his work, and commended the porter to watch. Let us therefore watch; for we know not when the master of the house shall come: in the evening, at midnight, or in the morning. Blessed is the servant that is found watching when his lord returns; lest coming suddenly he finds you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all; watch. (Mark 13:33-37; Matthew 24:46)