Distinguishing the Great Tribulation from the Wrath of God
by Leland Earls
One of the grossest errors being perpetuated by many evangelical fundamentalists is that the “great tribulation” and the “wrath of God” are synonymous. They perpetuate this error by a well known but inaccurate syllogism which goes something like this:
1) Because the great tribulation is the same thing as the wrath of God, and
2) Since our Redeemer King has delivered us from the wrath to come, therefore
3) It is impossible that the church should go through the great tribulation
This conclusion certainly appeals to the emotions, because no one relishes the idea of passing through of any kind of tribulation. The problem with this syllogism, however, is that the first premise is false, thereby rendering the conclusion false. The great tribulation is simply NOT the same as the wrath of God. A careful study of every passage in which the Greek term for tribulation, that is thlipsis is found, clearly displays that fact that it is consistently used as a term for the testing, trials, and afflictions of the people of God, which are by a loving heavenly Father to either correct of perfect. The ancient Greeks used the word thlipsis to express ideas related to varying degrees of pressure, both external and internal. It is therefore translated by such words as affliction, vexing, harassing, crushing, pressing down and tribulation.
Wherever thlipsis is found in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament), as well as the Greek of the New Testament, the context must be examined to see whether the tribulation is external, internal or both. It will be discovered that in no instance does this term ever refer to the wrath of God being poured out on the world. In the Septuagint, thlipsis and its cognates are used of several Hebrew terms which all more or less express the troubles and afflictions of life. These Hebrew words, held in common bond by the Greek word for tribulation, are consistently used to describe the various difficulties which are allowed to come upon the people of God.
– [Tribulation: the Threshing Phase of Harvest]
It is beyond the scope of this article to deal with tribulation and how God uses it in the lives of His people. However, there is another aspect of the harvest picture that fits into the scenario I am presenting and symbolically portrays the very idea of tribulation that is before us. Our English word “tribulation” comes from the Latin term tribulum, which means “a threshing sledge,” as it was used for dragging over grain when pulled by a donkey or an ox. The verb form means to “press down or rub hard.” Ripened grain cannot be removed from the earth (realm) and gathered into a barn (higher realm) until it passes through the threshing floor. Threshing floors were placed in the open air, leveled and tramped hard, generally on elevated ground, so that in winnowing, the wind might carry away the chaff.
Threshing was done by oxen driven over the grain to tread out the kernels with their hoofs, or by pulling threshing machines over the grain, made either of planks with stones or bits of iron fastened to the lower surface to make it rough and rendered heavy by some weight on it, or small wagons with low cylindrical wheels like saws, This process of threshing separated the grain from the chaff (husks and broken straw). Then in the evening, when the wind would pick up, the winnowing would take place. Winnowing was done with a broad shovel or wooden fork, with bent prongs. The mass of chaff, straw, and grain was thrown against the wind so that the chaff might be blown away. The chaff and stubble were burned, lest, with the changing wind, it might be blown again among the grain.
As we apply this pattern to our spiritual development, it should become apparent that “threshing floor experiences” (tribulations) are absolutely necessary if we are to be proven “fit” for transference to the coming Kingdom of glory. But let us look at the threshing symbolism a little more closely. During the growth of each kernel of grain, it is surrounded by a husk. The kernel is IN the husk but not OF it, even as Jesus declares in John 17:16 that those who are HIS, although in the world, are not of the world. Our being IN the world is necessary for our maturing, even as the husk surrounding the grain is necessary until the time for harvest is come. Thus in the life of the saints, the threshing floor stands for the special dealings of God (He. 12:1-11), which He periodically brings into our lives: the tests, trials, pressures, proving; the disciplines and chastening; that all the “husks” of this world might be separated, no longer “clinging” to us in any way. It is the final phase of the purging process before the “gathering together” unto Jesus (II Thess. 2:l).
The end time import of the threshing process is clearly declared in the prophetic words concerning Jesus as spoken by John the Baptist, recorded in Mt. 3:11-12, “I Indeed baptize you with water to repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Here we have a graphic picture of Jesus as the FIRST and the LAST with reference to the course of this present age. He launched the church for its work during this age by pouring out the Holy Spirit fire on the 120 in the upper room (Acts 2:1-4), and He will consummate this age by purging His threshing floor (this earth). This latter will involve a two-fold work:
1. Preparing of the wheat for gathering into the “heavenly barn;” and for most Christians this will include the “threshing floor experience” of the great tribulation.
2. After the gathering of the wheat (by translation), the “chaff” (the wicked of the world) will be destroyed in the fiery wrath of the seven last vials (Rev. 16:1-21). Also summarized in Rev. 6:12-17.
[Further Distinction between Tribulation and Wrath]
In order to more clearly distinguish between tribulation (thlipsis) and the wrath of God, please note closely the following verse; “Immediately AFTER the tribulation (thlipsis) of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Mt. 24:29). Here I believe is a helpful clarification between the great tribulation and the wrath of God which comes AFTERwards. The word “wrath” is not used in the above verse. However, the descriptive picture given is in complete harmony with what we read concerning “the great day of His wrath” as given in Rev. 6:12-17. This “wrath” will be accomplished primarily by man’s folly returning upon his own head. In the expression in Mt. 24:29, “the powers of the heavens will be shaken,” the Greek word for “heavens” is ouranos, from which we get our English word uranium; the fissionable material from which atom bombs are made.
Thus the words in Mt. 24:29 are descriptive of an atomic war. The fact that the sun and moon will be darkened stems from the fact that tons of dirt and debris will be thrown into the atmosphere, obscuring the light of these celestial bodies. Read Rev. 16:1-17 and I think that it is quite apparent that the effects of these vials of wrath are descriptive of atomic explosions and radiation. These matters are covered in my booklet on “The Shaking of All Things .”
It is very helpful to keep in mind the time patterns involved. The first fruits will be translated in the spring of the year, whenever that momentous year arrives. Then follows the great tribulation of 1260 days (42 months or 3 1/2 yrs; Rev. 11:2; 12:6), the end of which will come in the Fall of the year on the Jewish feast of Trumpets, when the main harvest host will be translated. This is why Paul especially mentions the “sound of the trumpet” in connection with this momentous event (I Cor. 15:51-52; I Thess. 4:16-17). Now note carefully. [The Feast of] Trumpets falls on the 1st day of the Jewish month Tishri. Two weeks later, on the l5th of Tishri, is the Feast of Tabernacles: the very day Christ will return in power and glory with all His saints (Mt. 24:30, Jude 14). The wrath of God falls during the two weeks between these dates! At the same time the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:6-10), takes place in Heaven. Then Christ (with His saints – Rev 19:11-16) streaks to earth to both consummate that wrath and stop the madness of atomic warfare, lest “no flesh would be saved.” (II Thess. 1:7-8; Mt. 24:21-22).
What? Do you think it takes God a long time to pour out His wrath? In Noah’s day it took God just 40 days and nights (Gen. 7:4). He took care of Sodom and Gomorrah in a one-day block buster (Gen. 19:24-29). The ten plagues came upon Egypt in rapid succession (Ex. 7:14; 10:24; 12:29-30). I don’t know the over-all time period, but it had to be a relatively short period of time. Are we then to accept the unscriptural notion that it is going to take God 3 1/2 or even 7 years (as some teach) to pour out His wrath in destruction of the wicked at the close of this age? The answer should be obvious.
Now that we know, Scripturally founded, that the wrath of God is poured out after the tribulation, then this affirms what I have also Scripturally shown, that “tribulation,” in both Old and New Testament, is for the people of God. It is a part of our “wilderness experience” of testing on this earth, that God might know what is in our hearts, whether we will obey His Word or not (see Deut. 8:1-3); and to help develop in us the character of Jesus Christ, even as Paul declares in Rom. 5:2-5, that we “rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and not only that, but we also glory in Tribulations (thlipsis), knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance character; and character hope.” I will leave it there even though more scripture could be used.
– [Wrath Portrayed in the Harvest Pattern]
Although I have already dealt with the final wrath of God, as it is portrayed in the burning of the chaff, there is further symbolism in the harvest picture. After grains had been harvested, later in the summer came the time for the vintage (the gathering of the grapes, as well as their crushing in the wine press in preparation for the making of wine). Each vineyard had its wine press. These presses were generally hewn out of solid rock, consisting of two receptacles or vats placed at different elevations. In the upper one the grapes were trodden, while the lower one received the expressed juice. God uses the process of the treading out of the grapes as a symbolic picture of His taking vengeance on the wicked. Grape juice is symbolic in the scriptures of mortal human blood.
In the harvest chapter, Rev. 14, we see the exact pattern that I have presented to you. In 14:14-16, Jesus Christ, with a sickle in His hands, reaps the harvest of the earth (the ripened grain of His saints). This takes place at the close of the tribulation. Then, immediately following, in 14:17-20, an angel with another sickle is seen (14:17). Then we read; “And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire (this will be atomic fire), and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe. So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth, and threw it into the great wine press of the wrath of God.” (Rev. 14:18-19). We see Jesus consummating this wrath as He returns, with His robe symbolically “dipped in blood” as He “treads the wins press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” (Rev. 19:11-15). Compare Is. 63; 1-6.
Thus we see that God’s entire plan for the closing stages of this age are conformed to the pattern of Israel’s natural harvest in the land of Palestine, and also “choreographed” to dovetail with the major festival dates of Israel ‘s religious calendar. Hallelujah! How beautiful is God’s plan when all of the pieces of the puzzle are fitted together.
