Tribulations occur all the time due to sin in the world. The word “tribulation” in the Bible is used to mean anguish or pain, or trial. All of us are acquainted with tribulations throughout our lifetime, both personal and on a larger scale. Tribulations throughout the world are increasing because sin is increasing as we draw nearer the end of time.
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 nkjv
The Wrath of the Lamb, or the Wrath of God, is quite a different kind of judgment. It is painful and causes anguish, for sure, but it is not something by which our faith is tested. It is final judgment for sin. It is part of the ultimate penalty for sin. It is reserved for everyone who has rejected the love of God freely offered by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul wrote: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.” Romans 1:18-19 nkjv
Both intense Tribulations and the Wrath of God and of the Lamb are clearly seen in the 7-Seal Judgments found in Revelation 6-16. Between Tribulations and Wrath (between the 6th and 7th Seals), there is a clear pause, emphasizing the Wrath that has yet to begin.
It’s so easy to see and understand when simply reading the Bible text and taking it for what it says. To come to any other conclusion, one must be indoctrinated outside the plain text.
Notice the following:
Seal Judgments 1-6 are continuing tribulations in the world but with much greater intensity and velocity, resulting in times of trouble the world has never known before. Famines, wars and rumors of wars, pestilences, earthquakes, disease, etc., become much worse and more widespread than ever before.
Easy to follow stages of End-time events of Revelation:
- Seal Judgments 1-4 are by great Tribulations (Rev. 6:1-8).
- Seal Judgment 5 is widespread martyrdom of Christians (Rev. 6:9-11).
- Seal Judgment 6 includes signs that introduce the Wrath of God and of the Lamb that actually begins in the Seal 7 (Rev. 6:12-17).
- Seal Judgment 7 begins and ends with torment judgments far worse than the awful Tribulations (Rev. 8:7 and continuing through chapter 16).
Notice the last 3 verses of Seal 6:
“And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’” Rev. 6:15-17 nkjv
That is when fire is poured out of heaven, and water turns to blood, and scorpions torment, etc. None of these things occur in Seal Judgments 1-6, only in Seal 7 (which includes the 7 Trumpet Judgments and the 7 Bowl Judgments).
SUMMARY:
- The Bible plainly says that believers have tribulations in the world.
- The Bible also plainly says that believers will not suffer the Wrath of the Lamb or of God because of sin. The penalty for our sin was put upon Jesus Christ through the Cross. “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Rom. 5:9 nkjv “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 5:9 nkjv
- We should prepare ourselves for the great possibility of enduring many more tribulations before the Lord comes to gather us together unto Him.
Preparation should be through a commitment to live holy lives, seeking to know how He would have us bear fruit unto Him. We should be abiding in Him, in His Word, and also building others up in the faith even as we continue to proclaim Him to the world.
I Thessalonians 5:12-22 nkjv:
- 12 “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
- 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
- 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
- 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
- 16 Rejoice always,
- 17 pray without ceasing,
- 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
- 20 Do not despise prophecies.
- 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
- 22 Abstain from every form of evil.”
