The "Great Tribulation" or Great Tribulations

Harold Camping, infamous teacher of end times on his “Family Radio” program on FM KEAR in the Bay Area, says we have been living in the Great Tribulation since 1977. I find it hard to reconcile with Scripture—as do many students of biblical eschatology!

But as we observe the “signs” of the times, many are asking: ‘is this the beginning of the Great Tribulation?’ And a secondary theological question which consumes the thoughts of many: ‘will Christians have to go through the Great Tribulation?’ (There are opposing views on the subject.) I find the question to be somewhat revealing.

No one knows with certainty whether Christians will go through any, a part, or all of the Great Tribulation. But the sad reality is that Satan has succeeded in lulling multitudes of comfort-loving Christians who would not be prepared for the Great Tribulation if and when it should come upon them. In fact, many people don’t want to go through any tribulation—not the just the Great one! Their prayers go like this: "Lord, make my life more comfortable on earth."

We should be so focused on saving our souls, we think little about being kept from tribulation. In fact it is “through tribulation that we must enter the kingdom of God " (Acts 14:22). Tribulation is the only way that we can become spiritually strong, building character (Romans 5:3-5). This is the message that the apostles preached to early Christians who suffered great tribulations (Hebrews 10:36).