Many have stated that because Christians are not appointed to God’s wrath, they cannot be present during the great tribulation.
Let me be clear: I do not write these things to be cutting-edge or to follow the latest theological movements; they come from a faithful study of Scripture without holding on to any one belief. I had to change my mind because my own study, not what I was preached to believe, has led me to these conclusions. I hope that you will honestly evaluate your beliefs.
Is it a presupposition to assume Christ in the tribulation is under God’s wrath?
For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Revelation 6:17
Since it is clear that God’s wrath comes during the tribulation, many then interpret the words “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” found in Thessalonians 5:9, to mean that Christians will not be in the tribulation. However, can I suggest that this is a presupposition? Let me explain why. First, let’s actually look at what Revelation says.
And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
Revelation 6:15–17
Would believers be hiding in the dens and rocks of the earth from their Lord, or would they be looking for their blessed hope? Every verse that speaks about God’s wrath in Revelation seems to be directed toward those who have rejected Jesus (Revelation 11:18;12:12;14:8-10;14:19;15:1;15:7;16:1;16:19;18:3;19:15).
Furthermore, we see that God can protect His chosen during the tribulations.
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
Revelation 9:4
The argument here is not over who is sealed, other than the fact that they are sealed.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:13
My point is not to prove that Christians won’t be raptured during the tribulation. Instead, it is to show that if Christians were present during the tribulation, it does not mean they will be under God’s wrath, because God is sovereign enough to direct His wrath. Another example of this is when Israel was about to come under God’s wrath and be carried off to Babylon; Jeremiah was not under the Lord’s wrath—he was warning them. As a result, Jeremiah suffered, but it was not because of God’s wrath; it was man’s wrath, directed at God’s people for being under His judgment.
Jeremiah was not under the Lord’s wrath
We also know that there will be saved people in the tribulation, but it should not be assumed they are under God’s wrath. Does the following read as if these saints die or were harmed because of God’s wrath?
“And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”
Revelation 6:9–11
Is it a presupposition to assume the words “not appointed to God’s wrath ” are talking about the tribulation?
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6–11
Can I ask you to take a fresh look at these words and not assume they mean what you may have been taught? The whole context of this passage is between “they” and “you;” Of course, the you are Christians. Paul is telling Christians that we have nothing to fear when the Lord returns because we are saved. That is what the “helmet of salvation” means. Why should we assume that these words are limited to the tribulation and not to final judgment? When Jesus returns, there will be a day of judgment.
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
Matthew 24:29–31
He will at this time separate the sheep from the goats and say these words, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Since Paul is talking about the coming of the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 5, the context is His judging the saved and the lost. Paul reminds us that when this happens, we will not be the ones to whom the Lord says, “Depart from me for I never knew you.” Christians will not be the ones who go away into everlasting punishment.
The conclusion.
God can direct His wrath on certain people without it spilling over onto the faithful. It is also clear that He does this during the tribulation; therefore, it is a presupposition to assume that simply being present during the tribulation means a person is under God’s wrath. Secondly, when God judges the wicked, they will direct their wrath on those who represent God, but that is not being under God’s wrath.
Therefore, it seems that limiting the reading of 1 Thessalonians 5:9 to the tribulation is a presupposition, since the broader context is about Jesus’ return. We know from Jesus’ own words that when He returns, He will judge the wicked and spare the saints. Thus, the phrase “not appointed to wrath” appears to be a promise within that context.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Life is won or lost in the mind!
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