Tribulations

Greetings in the majestic name of our Lord Jesus, for He is good and His mercy endures forever! God’s goodness and the mercy He shows us is an amazing gift. I often write about the perilous times we face, and you know all too well this is true. With terrorism continuing to escalate, the lack of respect for life, pestilences, wars (as well as hot spots that could erupt into war in an instant), I can see where some could mistake our current time as the end-time Tribulation of which Scripture speaks.

Jesus foretold of these events, so when they are upon us, we do not have to be troubled or surprised. Instead of being consumed by fear of the unknown, we can stand in faith knowing that our faith is the victory that overcomes the world. The term “world” can mean “the earth,” or it can mean “your world.”

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] “ —John 16:33, AMP

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. —I John 5:4

Jesus told us there would be tribulations in our life. The word “tribulation” is thlipsis in the Greek, which means “pressure, affliction, anguish, burdens, persecution, and trouble.” We all deal with tribulations on various levels almost every day. Some are easy to take care of, while others are not. These things can be brought on by ourselves, someone else, an evil spirit, or just for the fact we live in a fallen world on an earth that is cursed.

For example, we can bring tribulation on ourselves by driving too fast and having to pay a fine for speeding, by spending too much money and going into debt, or being fired from a job for not showing up on time. Or, it could be a more serious infraction, such as being found guilty of a DUI, stealing or assault. As I am certain you are aware, our actions have consequences.

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.  —Romans 2:9-11

You can have either “tribulation” or “peace” because of your actions. God told Israel (paraphrasing), “Look here; there is life and death in this world. You have a choice to make—life brings blessings and death brings cursing. Choose life! (Deut. 30:19). If you don’t, you will receive death by default. God does not pick and choose for us, we do! He is the One who blesses as long as you choose life.
What about sicknesses and pestilences such as cancer? These are tribulations. We may not have done a thing wrong and be a mature Christian, but still get faced with a battle. There is a Scripture many use to point the finger at people when they face tribulations. Some may even look at themselves and ask, “Why?”

As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. —Proverbs 26:2

This Scripture states that the curse comes because of something else that has happened or has been done; it does not come without cause or for no reason. Job had friends that came when he was sick and faced much tribulation. They accused him of doing things that displeased God. In Job’s case, we know it was Satan who caused the tribulation. In actuality, it is Satan who causes ALL tribulation, whether directly or indirectly.

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. —Genesis 3:17

Eve was deceived by Satan’s lie, which resulted in Adam knowingly eating from the tree God commanded him not to eat. A direct consequence of Adam’s disobedience caused the earth to become cursed. (Please note that God did not say that “He” cursed the earth.) That’s why pestilence seemingly pops up without cause. The cause in these cases can be as simple as the ground upon which we live is cursed.

Everything we eat gets something from the earth; therefore, the curse sometimes manifests in our bodies.

So, there is much tribulation in these End Times, but as for those who “worketh good,” there is peace. Some people get up tight when you talk about “works,” but the Scripture says that we are created for good works (Eph. 2:10). Look at the promise of God in Romans 2:10 that we just read. Notice the word, “peace,” which means tranquility, the absence of fear, and content. This is why the Bible is made up of so much prophecy and promises—so we know what will happen and not be troubled!

There are many things that we may not understand, such as why a great faith person dies from sickness. Ultimately (and I know this is a blanket Scripture, but that doesn’t make it any less true), God’s people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

—Hosea 4:6

Destruction comes because we either lack knowledge of or have rejected the knowledge of God’s Word—this is why we perish! Some may not know the Word concerning healing or protection. None of us have full knowledge; however, the more we know, reveals the greater degree of salvation in which we can operate. Salvation is not just eternal life or a ticket to heaven. The definition of “Salvation” includes prosperity, healing, deliverance and protection. These are all the benefits we need to overcome in these End Times.

The gift of Salvation is free, but the degree of salvation in which you live is conditional to the relationship (intimate knowledge) you have with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. If there is something in your life about which God has yet to reveal understanding, you need to seek him while doing what you know to do.

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. —Deuteronomy 29:29

Some situations may not be revealed to us this side of heaven. It is during these times that we must be confident in our faith in Christ because our confidence has a great recompense of reward (Heb. 10:35). The confidence in our faith grows as we hear the Word (Rom. 10:17). Also, as we “do” the Word, we develop our testimony, which is another way to overcome (Rev. 12:11). You will never overcome without putting action to your faith. The victory over tribulation is won, but sometimes you have to march into the enemy’s camp and declare it won! Otherwise, they will act as though nothing has happened.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.—Philippians 2:12

I would recommend you read the entire contents of Philippians chapter 2. We are in the times of sorrow Jesus speaks of in Matthew chapter 24; however, we sorrow not as others who have no hope. We have faith in God, and nothing or no one (but ourselves) can take us out of His hands! So, seek God, go to a good church, read your Bible, pray, and be a doer of the Word. Remember, you are a resident of God’s Kingdom in the midst of the world’s turmoil, and He will give you peace in the midst of the storm (Psalms chapter 3). You are victorious!

Michelle and I are praying for you and would like to thank you for your prayers and financial support. Believe with us for meetings to fill our calendar. It is our mission to take the uplifting message of Bible Prophecy to those who are troubled by the times in which we live. In doing so, we also reach the lost and allow them to know Jesus and the great love and compassion He has for them.

We call you blessed, healed and whole! And remember, Jesus is coming soon!