Disciples and Tribulation
In the
Book of Revelation, saints undergo tribulation, but the unrepentant Inhabitants
of the Earth receive wrath, namely, the Second Death. The New Testament exhorts followers of Jesus to expect tribulation because of their faith. While it may not be an everyday experience in the life of the Body of Christ, neither is tribulation for the sake of the Kingdom unexpected. The chief cause of trials and persecution in the life of the disciple is his or her faithful witness of the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
This
understanding is especially prominent in the Book of Revelation. In
Chapter 7, for example, John saw countless followers of the “Lamb” from
every nation exiting the “Great Tribulation” after persevering through
it.
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This striking image is central to his vision of the “Innumerable Multitude” that is comprised of men purchased from every nation and people by the lifeblood of the “Lamb.” Since they have “overcome” in every trial and tribulation, they are found standing triumphantly before the “Lamb” and the “Throne” in the “Holy City, New Jerusalem.”
At the
beginning of the Book, John identified himself as the “fellow participant”
with the Seven Assemblies of Asia “in the
tribulation and Kingdom and Endurance in Jesus.” In his exile on the Isle
of Patmos - “for the testimony of Jesus” - he participated in the same “Tribulation”
endured by the assemblies.
THE TRIBULATION
The term “tribulation”
occurs five times in Revelation. Each time it is used in relation to
believers. In other words, “tribulation” is what the followers
of the “Lamb” experience. Elsewhere in the New Testament, the word is applied
likewise to what the disciples of
Jesus undergo for his sake - (Matthew 13:21, John 16:33, Revelation 1:9,
2:9-10, 7:14).
In the
Greek text of John’s declaration, ONE definite article or “the” modifies
all three nouns - Tribulation, Kingdom, Endurance. Each term represents
an aspect of the same reality. It is THE tribulation; namely, the same
one out of which John saw the “Innumerable multitude” exiting to stand before
the Lord.
To live faithfully “in Jesus” results in “tribulation” for his Kingdom, and to suffer for him is what it means to reign with Christ.
The Greek
term rendered “endurance” in John’s statement, or hupomoné, occurs six more times in the Book, and it is always
linked to believers who persevere in persecution - (Revelation 2:2-3, 2:19, 3:10,
13:10, 14:12-13), and perseverance
is how they “overcome” and inherit the promises found at the end of each
of the letters to the “Seven Assemblies.”
The “Dragon” and his earthly
vassals wage unrelenting warfare against the “saints,” not with nations
or governments. The object of Satan’s wrath is the church, the Assembly of God
composed of “those who have the Testimony of Jesus” - (Revelation 12:17,
13:7-10).
FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH
The “Lamb”
who was slain to redeem his people now summons his “saints…to be faithful even
unto death,” not only in the city of Smyrna but all believers throughout
the period between his death and his return. They must remain steadfast in
trials, even when doing so means violent death.
Overcoming
saints endure the “great tribulation,”
the period during which the followers of the “Lamb” are tried to the max.
However, they overcome the “Beast from the Sea” and the “Dragon” by
their faithful “testimony.”
After persevering through “tribulation,” the saints will find themselves “standing before the Throne and the Lamb” in the New Creation - (Revelation 7:9-17).
In contrast
to persevering saints, the unrepentant “Inhabitants of the Earth” undergo
God’s “Wrath” - the “Second Death” in the “Lake of Fire,” and
“Wrath” refers to the judicial sentence of God on His enemies. Nowhere does
the Book equate “wrath” with “tribulation.”
Thus, the “Seven
Assemblies of Asia” endure “tribulation,” but they do not undergo the
“wrath” of God. That is reserved for the enemies of the “Lamb” who
afflict his people, and it will be meted out at the “Great White Throne of Judgment.”
Those who
would follow Jesus “wherever he goes” overcome the “Dragon by
the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and because they love not
their lives even unto death.”
They remain faithful in their testimony even at the cost of their own well-being,
wealth, security, and even their lives - (Revelation 12:11).
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