Perspective on tribulation

In many parts of the world, Christians are experiencing severe persecution. In our western society, we are largely shielded from this. However, as we approach the time of the end, we can expect this tribulation to increase. Paul encouraged all the early churches by saying, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God’. Acts 14:22. I am inclined, like many people, to live in an isolated and incubated world where my life is mostly about the things that are happening around me. My constant wrestle in prayer is to lift up my eyes to see what God is doing. By looking to the Lord, we will gain perspective. In the broader spectrum of our lives we will see things that are not easily seen.

The generation known as the ‘baby boomers’ has known the most extended period of peace that has been recorded in the history of mankind. We have to consider that it will not continue indefinitely. The experience of the Christian will not be the same as it has been for the last fifty or sixty years. In our Australian society, the normal Christian life is about going to church on Sundays. The focus is on achieving ease and comfort. Of course, we all experience real problems in our lives, such as ill health and family struggles. However, we need to put everything in perspective. Perhaps even at this moment, there are those across the world who are shedding their blood for the gospel. Persecutions are happening in many countries such as China, Indonesia and South America. Jesus said to the church in Smyrna, ‘Be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life’. Rev 2:10.

We know that tribulation will increase as we approach the time of the end. However, Jesus also spoke of the ‘beginning of birth pangs’, saying ‘that is not yet the end’. Matt 24:6,8. In my study of church history, I note that Christians are inclined to confuse the imminent sense of the presence of God with the sense of His imminent second coming. Through each of the major wars, persecutions and tribulations in history, people were inclined to feel that Jesus would soon return. Of course, the day of the Lord was not imminent because we are still here today! However, the imminence of His presence and the impact of His power do draw near to us in seasons of affliction.

The word of God is coming to us so that we can be changed from one degree of glory to another. In the words of Paul, we must behold the Lord ‘with unveiled face’. 2 Cor 3:18. When the veil of our own perceptions is removed, we can behold the glory of the Lord. Many people will be experiencing some form of affliction. We are faced daily with the choice of receiving them from God, or trying to rationalise these afflictions according to our own understanding. We need to be able to lift up our eyes and see into the heavenly places. We need to know what the Lord is doing, and recognise the meaning of every experience that we are facing.

David Falk

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Feature Articles
November 2008

Understanding your way

The words of eternal life

Every good gift

The song that counts

Be fruitful and multiply

A man who prays

Amazing grace

The secret place

Perspective on tribulation

Bearing the yoke

The problem of evil