Here is the short but thorough answer from God’s prophet on why the seven-year period we term the “Tribulation” is coming:
“But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
“And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
“But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keeping yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:10–21).
This describes all of humanity that fell victim, willfully so, to the serpent’s sly phrase: “Yea, hath God said?”
Adam’s unbelief in God’s prescription for living eternally with Him immediately caused all of Adam’s progeny to be infected by the serpent’s deadly venom—the sin virus wrapped up in the “mystery of iniquity.”
The passage above, given through Jude, describes the absolute depravity of humanity, as America’s founding fathers phrased it in thinking and praying about forming the United States of America. The founders recognized it for what it is—absolute rebellion of humankind and the need to bring that sin-sickness under governance. That’s why most of them agreed to use the term “Creator” to indicate what that governance must take place under.
Jude frames why a time will come when all this rebellion, though governed to some extent by law under human government, must be completely destroyed—rooted out from humanity’s “supernatural DNA,” if that’s the proper term in the matter of the souls of humankind.
All we have to do is to remember the recent things that continue to plague those who, like the righteous Lot, are “vexed” from day to day by the ungodly we live among. We watch as the wicked and rebellious surrounding us just in America murder more than 65 million children in the womb. They seek incessantly to change God’s order. They strive to make us conform to the madness of gender dysphoria. They demand that we validate and embrace their homosexual lifestyles as normal. They legislate and adjudicate in perverted ways parental rights to protect their children against pedophiles—whom they, along with other criminals set free within the lawless system of governing entities, have become.
We are demanded, through climate-change fanaticism, to worship the creation rather than the Creator—whom, it is more than obvious, they seek to cast off as the God who is in control. As Enoch put it, according to Jude, God will come to “execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
The Tribulation, then, is, in part, to punish the anti-God evil and wicked rebels of planet Earth. Secondly, but even more importantly, is that the Tribulation is to call out people who will be His for eternity.
Millions will be saved during this terrible time of God’s wrath and Satan’s rampage against God’s heavenly plan.
Here is how God will move Heaven and Hell to bring about that ultimate plan of Redemption–to bring both Gentiles and Jewish people into reconciliation with Himself.
Twenty-one specific Tribulation judgments are scheduled to fall upon rebellious earth dwellers:
7 Seals Judgments
1) Seal One: Rider on white horse – Rev. 6:2
2) Seal Two: Rider on red horse – Rev. 6:4
3) Seal Three: Rider on black horse – Rev. 6:5
4) Seal Four: Riders on pale horse – Rev. 6:8
5) Seal Five: Slain Tribulation Saints – Rev. 6:9–11
6) Seal Six: Great earthquake/sun darkens/moon becomes red as blood – Rev. 6:12–14
7) Seal Seven: Heaven silent – Rev. 8:1–2
7 Trumpet Judgments
8) Trumpet One: Hail, fire, blood, one-third of trees, and all green grass burned – Rev. 8:7
9) Second Trumpet: Great Mountain-like mass hits ocean – Rev. 8:8–9
10) Trumpet Three: star called Wormwood crashes into fresh waters – Rev. 8:10–11
11) Trumpet Four: Great darkness on earth – Rev. 8:12
12) Trumpet Five: Supernatural locust plague – Rev. 9:1–5
13) Trumpet Six: Demons unbound from Euphrates – Rev. 9:15–21
Heaven again pauses as two witnesses, 144,000 Jewish men sealed for service, plus other things wind up human history. – Rev. chapters 10–15
14) Trumpet Seven: All of the wind-up of chapters 10 through 15 is begun – 10:7
7 Bowl Judgments
15) Bowl One: Great sores befall rebels – Rev. 16:2
16) Bowl Two: Seas turn bloody – Rev. 16:3
17) Bowl Three: Fresh waters become blood – Rev. 16:4
18) Bowl Four: Sun grows darker, yet hotter – Rev. 16:8-9
19) Bowl Five: Pain because of darkness befalls rebels – Rev. 16:10–11
20) Bowl Six: Demons released upon the world – Rev. 16:12–14
21) Bowl Seven: Greatest earthquake flattens every city/100-pound hailstones – Rev. 16:18–20.
God’s anger is righteous, not wicked and evil like that of fallen humankind. He finally must inflict His righteous anger in order to bring a remnant of believers to live with Him forever in never-ending ecstasy in the glory of His presence.
Before that terrible Day of the Lord begins, Jesus Christ will step onto the clouds of that glorious dimension and shout, “Come up Here!” (Revelation 4:2).
All who have believed in Jesus will go instantaneously to Him to be kept from the time of God’s wrath upon the earth’s rebels. You want to be part of this group of called-out believers, not among those left behind who will have to go through what Jesus said will be the worst time in all of human history.
Millions will be saved as believers during that seven years, but most will have to lose their lives—be martyred for their faith.
Here is how to go to Christ when He calls and avoid being left behind to suffer through the Tribulation.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9–10).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Terry James Prophecy Line 
I suppose that one might say that the Tribulation is God’s last “Attention Getter.” For those who refuse it, they certainly can’t claim they weren’t warned when they are finally judged by Jesus.
It is also a time that will end up with the the survivors of Israel will, in a last moment of desperation, call out to God as the forces of the Antichrist are about to entirely wipe them out. Their call will be answered personally by Jesus returning with the angels and every believer in history to save them and the world from total destruction. Then, at long last, they will see who their Messiah truly is and that this is not this first appearance on Earth.
When that happens, everything begins to change as Jesus establishes the first and only righteous government on the planet for 1000 years which will afterward continue into eternity.
For those of us who have accepted the early warnings of these times and that the answer is Jesus and him alone, we will all have a part in that magnificent future.
Last night I was scrolling through my Instagram account. I am a real estate broker so having social media platforms is “mandatory” when buyers and sellers want to see if an agent is legitimate. It is what it is, sigh.
As I was scrolling through my feed (I follow several wonderful Christian teachers so that’s a bright spot) it was mostly advertisements for making money and getting rich, beautiful women and men, beautiful homes, lavish food and travel, sports and entertainment, etc. Before anyone says, “Hey, Insta uses algorithms so those subjects must be what you click on” I assure you, I do not. Instagram also aggregates what visitors to my page are interested in and then feeds it to me. It is disheartening. I was overwhelmed by the endless display of vice and worldliness being proverbially shoved down the throats of the unsaved. And they don’t understand…they simply can’t see beyond our current existence. They are blinded by the evil prince of this world. It breaks my heart and I pray for them every day. We have a multitude of brothers and sisters who will come to the Lord when Tribulation begins and I pray for all who might be saved before they have to endure those terrible 7 years.
Indeed, Jesus says it will be the worst time in human history. I have learned that mankind often believes His words are suggestions and subtle admonishments. THEY ARE NOT; they hold profound meaning, equal to a 5 alarm fire! God, right now, is sending up flares and ringing the sirens, every day.
I thank the Lord for my pastor and his expositional teaching. Church this morning helped me reset my mind and heart. Hundreds of brothers and sisters were listening to the Word, with Bibles open, following along. A taste of Heaven while we wait.
Maranatha to my church family on this site. It can’t be much longer…
Hi, Robin.
I’m glad social media is something I don’t have to use. Matter of fact, I never have!
I’m really old school and pretty private. Besides, I don’t think anyone really cares what kind of toothpaste I use today or how long I brushed my teeth today. It seems that some people really get into that kind of inconsequential trivia. Yikes!
I think as far as the widespread spiritual blindness which consumes most of society, this really says it so well:
1 Corinthians . {2:14} But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them,] because they are spiritually discerned.
As I’ve said on occasion, you can’t watch a television signal on a radio!
I thank God for this website and the spirit-filled articles and comments by people such as yourself. In this disintegrating society, it is really easy to feel isolated out here, but coming here proves that we have plenty of company!
God bless!
I agree 100% Ed, we can see the blessings through the fog of deception. I am very grateful for Terry, you, Bonnie, and so many others I’ve connected through on this site.
I woke up to the Joe Biden demonic post from HIS personal X/Twitter page saying “Just like we drew it up.” If this wasn’t true we couldn’t make it up. NO POTUS in history would dream of allowing this kind of thing. (No I don’t think Biden posted it, it was way past his bedtime. And I’m sure he’s no Photoshop expert.) But to have anyone in any US presidential administration willing to do this, even as a joke, demonstrates our wheels are almost off.
The Bible reveals that different fallen angels, aka the Prince of Persia and Greece (and good angels like Michael who apparently is the angel over Israel) control the nations. I’ve often wondered which fallen angel has taken over control of the USA. Today, that question has been answered in my mind; I believe it is the original fallen angel himself…Satan. When he takes us down, with God’s permission, of course, that’s likely when all semblance of normal life will end on this earth.
I am literally reminding myself throughout the day that God is firmly on His powerful, eternal throne. Jesus told us these things must happen and He said “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Our upward call is surely drawing nigh.
That picture of Biden with the glowing red eyes is definitely disconcerting – but maybe because there may be a lot of truth to it. I always found Obama’s eyes disquieting, as if there was “something else” behind them.
I had a bad feeling about Covid and the injections, enough so that I refused to get any based on mRNA. My suspicions seem to be getting more and more confirmed every day. My initial hunches about things are often right.
Well, I’ve been getting a lot more of bad feelings about a lot of things lately and this is the latest.
So is this WHO takeover of national health organizations, the WEF and the rest of that.
I have even come to believe we are being lied to about climate change due to human activity, whereas I once thought there was something to it – yes this was one time my initial hunch was wrong – but I’ve wised up.
I do think that if we listen to the Holy Spirit, we will get the warnings we need to avoid Satan’s traps. It may sometimes take a while like it did with me and climate change, but I do thing the truth will win out if we keep a receptive mind.
I also think we are being made ready for that upward call more so each day.
I knew Obama was bad news within 2 months of his arrival on the national scene. I researched him and realized he was THE Manchurian Candidate; at the time he genuinely terrified me. This was before I was saved. I tried to warn everyone I knew not to vote for him but was met with charges of racism blah-blah-blah. People rejected what I said as conspiracy theories, even close family members. I’ve been vindicated many times over, but that is very cold comfort.
When COVID and the jabs came on the scene (this was after I was saved) I quickly learned how evil they were/are, and again, tried to warn everyone I knew and loved. I’ve been called a science denier, a hater, a racist, and the rest…and once again I’ve been vindicated. More cold comfort. The consequences of taking the shot are dire. Sadly, we haven’t seen ANYTHING yet when it comes to skyrocketing sudden deaths and plummeting birth rates. It is going to get so much worse, beginning at the end of year three, which is by late 2024…all by design. It is likely this is yet another reason they need more illegal immigrants in the USA; because our population decline is going to be noticeably horrific.
Climate change is a giant lie, utterly devoid of any scientific merit. Thousands (yes thousands) of real scientists and reporters have spoken out against it for the last 15+ years and have been marginalized, silenced, and even killed. It is nothing more than a colossal global scam to take over our land, our freedoms, our currency system, and our identities. Everything the WEF, the UN, WHO, and all of our alphabet agencies do hinges on the implementation of Saving Mother Earth. The One World Religion is clearly rising out of this pagan agenda.
The 50,000-foot view is that it is Satan, all Satan, all of the time. Discernment is a gift, and can be developed by prayerfully reading scripture. However, having high discernment is one of the spiritual gifts bestowed by the Spirit; some people are gifted with a supernatural degree of discernment, to benefit the Church. But the Church often ignores or rejects the warnings. Just look at all the pastors who closed their churches during C-19, or shamed and coerced their members into being jabbed to come to services. And simultaneously implemented a woke agenda.
I have learned to listen to the Holy Spirit and seek His wisdom in all matters. He never confuses or misleads us.
Covid 19, whatever its origin, was vastly over-hyped and so were the shots. I did get a single J & J shot which uses viral-vector technology wherein a desired sequence is grafted into an innocuous virus and injected. I was not totally at ease with it, but Mom and I took it – her because of her age, me because of my heart problem. It actually did bother my heart for about five days afterwards. I told my cardiologist and he said, “You’re not alone!” – quite an admission because I’m sure it could have cost him his job if he told someone else that and they ratted him out. Imagine what the mRNA might have done to me! There have thankfully been no subsequent obvious problems, though I have wondered about that cardiac arrest coming out of the blue last year.
As far as climate change, well, I think it’s happening here in the same way for the same reason as it is on Mars. I would guess it has something to do with an increased output from the sun. Interestingly, this does happen to the extreme during the Tribulation, according to Revelation 16:8-9. Maybe we are seeing the beginning of that now.
Reading scripture certainly does provide discernment because within its pages, we not only see plenty of warning signs to illuminate our minds but it also has a profound spiritual effect as well. I think the evidence is that this applies as a general principle for the Bible as a whole:
2 Timothy {3:16} All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: {3:17} That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Revelation {1:3} Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.
In my trade, you wouldn’t get very far without going to electronics school and reading the books. Same thing when it comes to knowing about God – you won’t get very far without educating yourself by reading his Book!
After that, a person only becomes proficient with constant practice!
I honestly don’t worry about my friends and family who are saved. I know stacks of people who got at least 1 shot…my mom has several! Sheesh! The unsaved are my concern.
And yes, the Bible tells us about the weather changes that are coming, along with the huge decimation of the population. God didn’t say precisely how all these things would come about, only that they would. Telling us thousands of years in advance is proof enough for me that it’s all under His control and within His plan. He has been very gracious to forewarn us.
One of my brothers is an EE and nuclear engineer, the other is an SE. Brilliant guys. Understandably, they are both very detail and fact-oriented. One I believe is saved but he is prodigal, the other I’m not sure about. He seems to be coming around, but only the Lord knows.
I’m accustomed to the fact that as their big sister, I’m viewed much like Jesus was with His family members before His resurrection. Not a lot of respect for my views because I don’t have the formal education they have. All I can do is live by example, be kind and loving, stay out of the argument zone as much as possible, and pray for their salvation. I very much do not want them left behind.
Let’s see. An EE is an electrical engineer, but I don’t know what an SE is. However, I assume it is a technical field. As you know I was an electronic technician. My brother-in-law, Steve, is an EE. Really smart guy and big-time believer. I’ve had some neat prophecy discussions with him and he is very receptive – along with some “shop talk,” of course, too.
Formal education is not the same as intelligence. It provides knowledge in its particular field but the ability to use knowledge in general is a more accurate indication of intelligence.
As far as witnessing concerning God, Jesus, and the faith, our job is to put the information out there the best we can and then it is up to the person receiving it to decide what to do with it. That’s what Jesus did. He provided the evidence – he didn’t force anyone to believe him. He respected their free will.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I like what Paul did when his own people rejected him – he just moved on to the Gentiles. It bothered him, but he did what he had to do and all of us believers are indebted to him for moving on.
Perhaps it might help to think of all of those you have saved, even if you don’t realize it in this life, rather than those who freely made the decision NOT to be saved. I know that doesn’t make all the regret go away, but you can comfort yourself with the thought that you did make the effort as best as you could – and you can believe the God values that.
I’m pretty sure he’s already getting some crowns ready for you even now!
By the way, some prayers for Steve and my sister Lisa would be appreciated. The last two years have literally been hell for him health-wise and he just had another surgery today. I am hoping this is the end and that they are finally done with these problems.
What a blessing that you have Steve to share faith with and discuss what is underway! Proving smart people can be Christians ;).
SE is Structural Engineering. He has nuclear because he served on the fast attacks subs in the Navy and was an officer. AVERY intelligent man.
Yes, it is a relief to know it’s not up to us to save anyone, that is solely the work of the Holy Spirit. But I’m human, and a salesperson on top of that, and keep thinking that if I am persistent and make the right presentation it will click. HA! Foolish I know, and very human. (It’s like having an important and challenging puzzle I am trying to solve…it niggles me.)
Yes, I am praying for Steve and Lisa. So many people are suffering from terrible heath problems today. (More of the fruit of the fallen state of our world.) I am included in those who have chronic health issues. When I start feeling too sorry for myself, I watch recordings made by Joni Erikson-Tada. She is truly an inspiration.
As for crowns, the one I am certain of receiving is the Crown of Righteousness, given to those who long for His return. That one, I’m pretty much a shoe-in.
Thank you for your reliable encouragement, Ed. Have a blessed day, and who knows, maybe today is THE day?! How exciting to think about!
Structural Engineer – see, I learned something new today. Thanks for that and especially for your prayers for my relatives. Latest news has been good and Steve should be coming home today.
Who knows, as you suggested, we all may be coming home even today! How cool is that!
I know about dealing with a nagging problem. I’ve run into that often with electronics, engines, computers, etc. I just feel it to be a matter of not letting an inanimate object beat me! I will go after it persistently and stubbornly until I either resolve it of find it is just too far gone to fix. Luckily, I generally have the first situation come to pass.
By the way, I find your astute observations and the articulate manner in which you present them to be clear evidence the the “intelligence genes” were passed on in a generous manner to you, too. You have by no means been short-changed, believe me.
As far as approaching your brothers about the reality of God, you might pose these questions:
1) Explain the process which permits life to initiate from non-life materials. Present the evidence and examples of this actually happening experimentally to support this premise.
2) Explain how the matter and energy in the universe could come from nothing – a clear violation of the Law of Conservation of Energy and Mass.
3) Why did the physical laws of this universe allow the creation of at least one planet where life, especially of at least one of sentience, can exist?
There’s a few for starters.
Should make for an interesting conversation!
Thanks, Ed, I am pleased to hear that Steve is doing well enough to go home. God is so faithful!
To be clear, both brothers believe in God. The prodigal brother has a lot of personal chaos so he is medicating with alcohol (family inheritance), but he would not deny Christ.
The other believes in God and openly acknowledges Satan and the evil he is spreading. I’m just not clear that he’s made the leap into saving faith in Jesus. Like you correctly observed, that’s the work of the Holy Spirit. So, I’m grateful he knows! I gave him a Bible for Christmas 2 years ago too. (I am the “Bible giver”, I’ve given at least 15 to family and friends over the years. People may not want it, but I pray that someday it will become their treasure.) He has seen a radical change in me since my own salvation 6+ years ago. I’m a living testimony to the power of the Lord, not by my doing, but by Him.
Thank you for your kind words about my brainpower. Admittedly, it is a sensitive subject for me. My younger sister has an IQ of 167 (off-the-charts smart) but until the last 7 years or so, she has lacked an appropriate application of her gift. She is doing better though. (I pray for her as well as she is an atheist.) Between my brothers and my sister, I openly claim to be the family dummy. But I have other gifts and I am NOT grumbling. I’ve seen firsthand how extraordinary intelligence can be a detriment.
Your comment caused me to meditate on the variety of people whom God has chosen for salvation. From the lowly and the poor in mind, heart, and spirit, and the physically and mentally disadvantaged, to the most brilliant of minds like King David, Solomon, Isaac Newton, C.S. Lewis, and present-day scholar John Lennox. Clearly, this isn’t a contest of wits.
I am eternally grateful to be included in our great cloud of witnesses and know He loves me and sees me at all times.
What an amazing Savior we have been given.
Have a wonderful day my friend!
I have a lowly IQ of 116 – just a tad above average, but I’ve done okay with it. My biggest skill is to be able to figure out how stuff works. Been working on engines since I was 14, cars since I was 16 and electrical things just about forever.
In my view, it ain’t the amount of brains someone has, but how they use it. When it comes to the Bible, I figure a lot of what I’ve learned has been very much enhanced by the action of the Holy Spirit because I don’t think my native intelligence would have given me the ability to figure out a lot of the things I have over the years.
God gives those who want them the abilities and tools to do the work he wants done. If we look at Jesus’ apostles, none of them were from privileged backgrounds, except, later on, Paul.
Even Jesus came as a manual laborer, being a carpenter.
God does not look at outward appearance (e.g. 1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 10:34; 2 Corinthians 10:7)- which is really a good thing for me!
Say, you might try out those questions on your sister since your brothers already acknowledge the existence of God. Be interesting to discover her answers.
Thanks, again, for your prayers for my sister and her husband. I have no doubt they help.
You’re right about the questions for my sister, I’ll do that when I see her again!
Thank you! (You function at a much higher level than a 116 IQ.)
Paul is one of my biblical heroes, can’t wait to meet him. An all-time favorite movie of mine is “Paul an Apostle of Christ”, with Jim Caveziel who plays Luke, which was made 5-6 years ago. I watch it several times each year. I ALWAYS cry at the end, and I am not a crier.
Thanks for those kind words re: my I.Q. That’s what I was told it was when I was back in 8th grade. Maybe it built up interest, unlike the fractional sums the banks pay these days.
I’m sure it’ll be interesting to see what kinds of answers your sister has for those three questions. For myself, there is no answer for them if one takes God out of the equation.
When we leave here, I think we’ll get to meet every other believer that has ever lived, including the prominent historical figures in the Bible. We’ll have an eternity to have what should be some really amazing conversations with them because each believer has his or her own story. Of course, being greeted by Jesus when he calls will be the ultimate of all experiences.
I think it’s also possible that with our glorified bodies, visiting other worlds during the Millennium will be something we will get to do. Distance and speed of light limitations for us will likely no longer apply. I have always wondered just why the universe is so vast. Maybe the reason will become totally clear in the age to come.
As far as I’m concerned, this earth is just a stop alongside the breakdown lane.
What I know for certain is that we can’t begin to imagine all the adventures the Lord has planned for us.
As is so often said, for us, this life is the closest to Hell we will ever get, and it’s the closest to Heaven the unsaved will ever experience.
We surely enjoy the best end of that bargain, and I can’t wait!
I once heard a preacher say, “For a believer, this life is the worst it will ever get. For a non-believer, this life is the best it’ll ever get.”
I thought that was a great comment.
We are looking forward to the best!