This Blessed Hope: Living for the Return of Jesus | The Tribulation

Tribulation: A Message to the Saints
Key Passage: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

The Tribulation Breakdown:

The Tribulation period can be found in Revelation, Chapters 4-19:

• Chapter 4 - We see the throne room and glory of God

• Chapter 5 - Worthy is the Lamb

• Chapter 6 - The seven seals are revealed (tribulation)

• Chapter 7 - More being saved and sealed (the 144,000)

• Chapter 8-9 - The seven trumpets (more tribulation)

• Chapter 10-11 - The warning of the seventh trumpet

• Chapter 12-15 - The beast is loosed

• Chapter 16-18 - The wrath of God

• Chapter 19 - The marriage supper for the lamb and the beginning of the millennium 

1. Remember who holds the victory (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4)

• The Thessalonians are reminded of their faith.

• Paul is excited about this church because they are growing even with the knowledge of what is coming with the rapture and tribulation.

• We need to be reminded that just as the Thessalonians went through “tribulations” as a church and people, their faith and love for Christ endured.

• This is our call as well, we need to grow in faith and love.

• Remembering that God holds the victory, we have no need to worry and fear.

2. Remember the reality of the tribulation ( 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

• God is a judge and a good judge.

• For all we endure in our faithfulness to Him, there is judgement to those who cause you suffering.

• God loves His people.

• The tribulation is God destroying evil and those that have come against His church.

• Make no mistake the judging is real, but also “just.” 

• Jesus is coming as the final judge to the tribulation.

• In verse 7 and 8, Jesus will come as the judge and with Him, the end of the tribulation that leads to the final judgment.

• Fire indicates destruction.

• Vengeance indicated full punishment.

• The tribulation is for those who do not know God.

• There is an end to the Tribulation.

• Jesus will bring the end to the tribulation but also an eternal place for the ones who do not know God.

• This needs to be a very real reality for us.

• We need to prepare ourselves and others around us.  We do this by living out the faith and love of Jesus Christ. 

• He is the ultimate victory.

3. Remember why we need to know about the Tribulation ( 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

• Verse 11 exhorts us to pray that God makes us worthy of His calling and resolved to do good, all by His Power.

• Verse 12 explains that we do this for the glory of Jesus Christ.

• Our faith and love for Jesus will lead others “OUT OF TRIBULATION” and into glory with Him.

• We know about the tribulation and the consequences of not knowing God in order to activate us to glorify Christ and lead others to Him.

• Tribulation is a reminder to our everyday lives, but “THE tribulation” will lead to an eternal separation of God for many.