What if the warnings we explored last month are closer than we think? In Part Three last month, I mentioned the paragraphs below as important for any reader to understand and accept as vital, so I am going to remind you of these points:
- The Bible doesn’t give us all the scientific details about the tribulation or the rapture, so we don’t know exactly how everything will play out. It’s as if there is a sealed scroll with its contents hidden, a mystery waiting to unfold, stirring a sense of anticipation and uncertainty about the events to come.
- We don’t know the timing of end-time events—only God does. Even Jesus said, “It is not for you to know.” (Acts 1:7)
- Live by what Jesus taught, so you are prepared for anything—even for pain, loss, or joy.
Before I talk more about God’s plan, allow me explain something important:
“These teachings are helpful for everyone. Encourage people to follow them, so all who have faith in God will do good. But don’t get caught up in arguments about ancestors or disagreements about the Law of Moses. Those debates aren’t helpful.” (Titus 3:9)
This and other passages remind us not to get into arguments over who is right or wrong in understanding God’s word.
What I share here is how I understand God’s words. I encourage you to go to God yourself and ask about what you read.
God has a principle for forgiving us of our sins and living our best life to God’s glory and our benefit in body, mind, and spirit.
In the Garden of Eden, God issued an instruction to Adam and Eve, and they disobeyed, resulting in their demise. God has never stopped giving humanity instructions on how to live. From their initial disobedience, a thread of redemption weaves through Scripture, culminating in the crucifixion of Jesus, which offers salvation and life anew. ‘Life is in the blood, and I have given you the blood of animals to sacrifice in place of your own.’ This principle is the very rock bed upon which our salvation is based. (To grasp the full concept of this statement, you need to read the manual, ‘The Gospel Explained.’)
In my understanding, the crucifixion of Jesus was the beginning of the ‘End Times.’
You may ask, “Why is this?”
Because God’s plan is to equip humanity and equip them to face the end times, however it turns out for them, by sending Jesus to die for humankind in one last sacrifice for the sins of all on earth forever. No more sacrifice is required; we have been cleansed of the sins of our past, given the power to say no to present and future sins, and if we fail at any time, we receive forgiveness by repentance.
So, you may ask, “What is going to happen ahead of us and how will we deal with what is ahead?”
What I am about to share with you is all drawn from scripture, as are all my teachings. Interpretation can vary, and it’s important for us to explore these passages together. Let’s engage in this journey as a shared exploration, checking with God for guidance on the meanings of the words. This collaborative process can help us sustain engagement and deepen our understanding.
The Tribulation (general term)
This refers to the entire period of end‑times distress described in Scripture.
- Often understood as a seven-year period (from Daniel’s final “week”).
- Includes judgments, upheaval, deception, and global turmoil.
- Covers Revelation Chapters 6–18 as a whole.
- Begins with the rise of a world leader and a false peace.
Think of it as the full timeline of end‑times trouble.
The Great Tribulation (specific term)
This refers to the second half of the Tribulation — the most intense, catastrophic portion.
- Lasts 3½ years (also described as “time, times, and half a time,” 42 months, or 1,260 days).
- Begins with the “abomination of desolation.” (Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15) Marked by unprecedented suffering — Jesus says, nothing like this has ever happened before.
- Includes the most severe judgments in Revelation (trumpets and bowls).
Think of it as the climax or peak intensity of the Tribulation.
This will be a time of great suffering for all those on this earth, but two important questions remain without absolute certainty. Ask yourself, ‘Where does my trust lie if tribulation unfolds tomorrow?’ Reflecting on this can offer personal insight and preparedness.
- When precisely will the Tribulation take place? As it stands, we don’t know; nobody knows.
- Who among us will be here to witness what will take place during the Tribulation? Once again, we don’t know.
Some Christians believe that those who live in a true relationship with God will not have to face the Tribulation. They believe they will be raptured off the earth before the chaos falls. Others believe that although all Christians will face the Tribulation, they will not be hell-bound if they do.
We will discuss this in part five next month. The answer may surprise us all—more next month. But in the interim, why not read the manual on “Our Role in the Kingdom”
Blessings
Peter James