How About "No Tribulation"

 

While teaching on the Jewish feasts one Sunday morning I mentioned that the return of Christ and the rapture will probably occur on Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets. This evoked an avalanche of interest about the timing of the rapture. Essentially, they wanted to know, “are you pre-trib or are you post-trib?” My response was simple, “How about no Tribulation?” I went on to explain briefly some Biblical facts that support such a statement. But I could see on their faces that there was shock and distrust, because they could not conceive of such a concept. It was unfathomable. There was not a slot on the bookshelf of their mind where a new concept such as “no tribulation” could find a foothold. A few days later I was informed that I was fired as the Bible Teacher at that Church.

Prophecy needs to be re-examined. Christians in America have been led to believe in a seven-year Great Tribulation. But that entire concept is just not in the Bible. It is a hoax, a total fabrication. I hate to be so blunt, but most Christians are completely deceived about what to expect at the end of the age. I was in a church one Sunday when the Pastor said that believers can count on being raptured before tribulation and judgment are unleashed during the Seven-year Tribulation. The church erupted into clapping and cheers, as if the home team had just scored the winning touchdown. I am afraid they are going to be gravely dismayed when they begin to encounter death, mourning, and famine (Rev 18:8), while their feet have not left planet Earth.

The theory of a seven-year Great Tribulation was hatched by John Darby in the 1840’s. It came to America and was codified in the Niagara Bible Conferences. It then got imbedded in the Scofield Reference Bible. (And we all know how the notes in a study Bible are perceived – they are as true and inspired as the actual word of God.) Then in the early 20th century several Bible Schools and Seminaries spread the Tribulation theory like a tidal wave, most notably Moody and Dallas Seminary. The story-book facade was added later in the 20th century by the Left Behind series of books and movies.

The Tribulation hoax is actually the cornerstone of teaching on end times prophecy in America. It correlates with a rapture to get us all out of here before unspeakable evil and unbearable judgment is unleashed upon all the sinners left behind. But nowhere in the prophecies of Daniel or Revelation do you find the seven-year Tribulation. Unfortunately, most Christians assume it is true and cannot even conceive otherwise.

The great tribulation hoax is based on a sketchy interpretation of Daniel’s “Seventy Weeks” prophecy (Dan 9:24-27). The seventieth week of this incredible Messianic prophecy gets blatantly detached from the first 69 weeks and moved 2000 years later to become the Great Tribulation. Look at the prophecy. It is the Messiah that brought an end to sacrifice in the middle of the seventieth week, not Antichrist. It is the Messiah who instituted a covenant with many, not Antichrist. But this great Messianic prophecy has been surreptitiously and audaciously transformed into the great prophecy of a seven-year tribulation, with Antichrist being the central figure, not Messiah, the anointed One.

Until the Great Tribulation theory is tossed overboard, the ship will veer hopelessly off course. It is an insurmountable roadblock to understanding Revelation rightly, leading to twisted and distorted interpretations at every turn.

How about it – pre-trib, post-trib, or no trib? Unless you get this right, you will not be ready for what actually lies ahead. Very soon, I might add.