If you ended up living through the Tribulation or half of it, I wonder what spiritual skills you would use to endure through it that you don’t use now. I have Christian friends who land all along the spectrum of the views about whether the church is pre, mid or post Tribulation. When the discussion turns to eschatology, I always trot out my stock response. What does it matter? What would you do differently if you knew the Tribulation was going to begin tomorrow? Is there some mysterious spiritual ability that will come online when the horn blows? Will there be power available in the Trib that is not available now? Will the Spirit give more insight or more courage? I don’t know, perhaps the Spirit will give more comfort to match the level of suffering or do more miracles to inspire faith. These are honest and good questions to ask.
Many years ago as a young believer, I went through the loss of my youngest brother. During that time, it seemed that GHS gave me an extra boost of clarity and faith. He poured out power into my soul that allowed me to face his death head on and be a witness to many. At the time, His ministry to me was the greatest event of my spiritual life. I have had this same experience with the Spirit several more times when extreme events were occurring. Based on these experiences, I could be persuaded that during the Tribulation, He might provide more power than on my average day now. I hope that is the case for any who go through this terrible time in history.
I have been a serious bible student and teacher for almost 30 years now. I have learned many wonderful truths and look forward to learning many more. I don’t believe though that I am going to learn any new major spiritual skills beyond what I already know about. Hopefully my capacity to apply what I know will increase greatly, but as far as new things that will further empower me to faithfully endure the Trib, I don’t see it. I am already flat out using everything in my spiritual armory. I know about the armor and use it daily. So here is the issue for me and my question.
What does it matter if we are going to go through part or all of the Great Tribulation? From my studies, I don’t believe we will go through any of it. If we do though, what more can I do to prepare myself for it than I have already done? Is there another doctrine to learn about the Spirit’s ministry? Lest I sound arrogant, I am just saying, I have spent thousands of hours preparing to win at life today. I flail and struggle but overall I am winning now. I believe if the Tribulation began tomorrow, I would use the same spiritual skills I use now to overcome then. The point? It really doesn’t matter from a preparation standpoint whether we will go through it or not. If we do, then if you are going all out now, it will be enough to win in the Trib. If you are not giving your all to the Lord now, then there is the issue of why not and its time to get busy with the Lord. If, like many I know, you are already focused on living for the Lord, that is all the preparation available. His grace for today is also sufficient for the Trib.
It is this logic that has made me a poor student of prophecy. I admit it. I have spent very little time immersed in the study of the Great Tribulation and the Millenium. I looked hard at it many years ago, satisfied myself that the church was out of here prior to the Tribulation and called it a day. Since then I have focused my studies on successfully living the Christian life now. The last 15 years have yielded some amazing insights that have made my life better. I am a better servant and a more loving man. I believe that learning and living at maximum spiritual velocity today is the best preparation for any adversity the Lord allows. Even if that adversity includes the greatest time of trouble ever seen by mankind.
To those who fear that the church will go through the Tribulation, I say, get busy now preparing to live today. Develop maximum spiritual momentum so that you will have the strength to live victoriously when the trouble comes. To those who believe the church will be raptured out at the start of the Tribulation, I say, get busy now preparing to live today. Develop maximum momentum so that you will have the strength to live victoriously today. There is so much that God wants to give us here and now. Go for it.
I’m grateful you made the post. It’s cerlead the air for me.