August 9th, 2025
by Lars Dahl
by Lars Dahl
The Mystery of Salvation During the Great Tribulation
In the tapestry of end-times prophecy, few topics spark as much curiosity and debate as the fate of those who come to faith during the Great Tribulation. This period, marked by unprecedented global turmoil, raises profound questions about God's love, human free will, and the nature of salvation itself.
At the heart of this discussion lies an unwavering truth: God loves His people. His desire is that no one should perish, but that all should come to repentance. This divine love extends even into the darkest hours of human history, offering hope amidst chaos and redemption in the face of judgment.
But how exactly will people be saved during this tumultuous time? The answer is both simple and profound, the same way they are saved today. The gospel message remains unchanged: salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. As John 14:6 reminds us, Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
While the means of salvation remain constant, the landscape of faith will dramatically shift. The church, comprising believers alive at the time, will be raptured, caught up to meet Christ in the air 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. This event marks the beginning of the Tribulation period.
In the absence of the church, how will the gospel message spread? Scripture reveals several extraordinary means:
1. 144,000 Jewish witnesses Revelation 7-8: Sealed and protected by God, these individuals will play a crucial role in sharing the truth.
2. Two prophetic witnesses in Jerusalem, Revelation 11: Empowered to perform miracles and preach, even rising from the dead after three days.
3. An angel proclaiming the eternal gospel, Revelation 14: Flying through the sky, urging repentance and faith in God.
These dramatic events serve as powerful testimonies to God's reality and His ongoing offer of salvation. For those left behind after the rapture, these signs should leave little doubt about the truth of the gospel message.
A common misconception is that the Holy Spirit will be entirely removed from the earth when the church is raptured. This is not the case. While the Spirit's unique restraining influence through the church will be lifted (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8), His presence and work in bringing people to salvation will continue. No one can come to faith apart from the Spirit's work John 3:5-8, 1 Corinthians 12:3.
The nature of the Spirit's indwelling may shift during this time, perhaps resembling Old Testament patterns where the Spirit came upon individuals for specific purposes. Regardless, the essential role of the Holy Spirit in conviction and regeneration remains.
It's crucial to understand that coming to faith during the Tribulation will likely carry a much higher cost than it does today. The Antichrist's regime will demand worship and enforce it with the threat of death Revelation 13:15-17. Many, if not all, of these "Tribulation saints" will face martyrdom for their faith Revelation 6:9-11, 7:9-14, 20:4.
This sobering reality underscores the urgency of the present moment. As 2 Corinthians 6:2 declares, "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." There is no guarantee of tomorrow, and the opportunity to respond to God's grace should not be taken for granted.
For those who profess faith in Christ, this message serves as a powerful call to authentic Christian living. True saving faith produces fruit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control Galatians 5:22-23. It compels us to serve our families, our churches, and our communities with the gifts God has given us.
The parable of the sheep and the goats, Matthew 25:31-46, illustrates the stark difference between genuine faith and mere religious pretense. Both groups claim to know Christ, but only one demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel through acts of compassion and service. On the day of judgment, many will be shocked to hear, "I never knew you; depart from me" Matthew 7:23.
The consequences of rejecting Christ are severe and eternal. Revelation 20:15 speaks of those whose names are not found in the Book of Life being cast into the lake of fire. This "second death" is described as a place of profound loneliness, darkness, and anguish, separated from God's presence for all eternity.
Yet, the message of salvation is not one of fearmongering, but of hope. The cross of Christ has made a way for reconciliation with God. It offers freedom from the coming judgment and the promise of eternal life in His presence.
As we contemplate these weighty truths, we're faced with a choice. For believers, it's a call to deeper commitment, authentic faith, and active service. For those yet to embrace Christ, it's an invitation to consider the claims of the gospel and the eternal significance of their decision.
The Great Tribulation will be a time of unprecedented hardship, but also of extraordinary grace. God's love for humanity will shine even in the earth's darkest hour, offering salvation to all who will receive it. May we not take this offer lightly, but respond with grateful hearts and lives transformed by the power of the gospel.
In a world filled with uncertainty, the message of salvation stands as an unchanging anchor. Whether in times of peace or tribulation, God's love remains constant, His grace sufficient, and His invitation open to all who would come. The question is not whether God will be faithful, but how we will respond to His amazing offer of redemption.
In the tapestry of end-times prophecy, few topics spark as much curiosity and debate as the fate of those who come to faith during the Great Tribulation. This period, marked by unprecedented global turmoil, raises profound questions about God's love, human free will, and the nature of salvation itself.
At the heart of this discussion lies an unwavering truth: God loves His people. His desire is that no one should perish, but that all should come to repentance. This divine love extends even into the darkest hours of human history, offering hope amidst chaos and redemption in the face of judgment.
But how exactly will people be saved during this tumultuous time? The answer is both simple and profound, the same way they are saved today. The gospel message remains unchanged: salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. As John 14:6 reminds us, Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
While the means of salvation remain constant, the landscape of faith will dramatically shift. The church, comprising believers alive at the time, will be raptured, caught up to meet Christ in the air 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. This event marks the beginning of the Tribulation period.
In the absence of the church, how will the gospel message spread? Scripture reveals several extraordinary means:
1. 144,000 Jewish witnesses Revelation 7-8: Sealed and protected by God, these individuals will play a crucial role in sharing the truth.
2. Two prophetic witnesses in Jerusalem, Revelation 11: Empowered to perform miracles and preach, even rising from the dead after three days.
3. An angel proclaiming the eternal gospel, Revelation 14: Flying through the sky, urging repentance and faith in God.
These dramatic events serve as powerful testimonies to God's reality and His ongoing offer of salvation. For those left behind after the rapture, these signs should leave little doubt about the truth of the gospel message.
A common misconception is that the Holy Spirit will be entirely removed from the earth when the church is raptured. This is not the case. While the Spirit's unique restraining influence through the church will be lifted (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8), His presence and work in bringing people to salvation will continue. No one can come to faith apart from the Spirit's work John 3:5-8, 1 Corinthians 12:3.
The nature of the Spirit's indwelling may shift during this time, perhaps resembling Old Testament patterns where the Spirit came upon individuals for specific purposes. Regardless, the essential role of the Holy Spirit in conviction and regeneration remains.
It's crucial to understand that coming to faith during the Tribulation will likely carry a much higher cost than it does today. The Antichrist's regime will demand worship and enforce it with the threat of death Revelation 13:15-17. Many, if not all, of these "Tribulation saints" will face martyrdom for their faith Revelation 6:9-11, 7:9-14, 20:4.
This sobering reality underscores the urgency of the present moment. As 2 Corinthians 6:2 declares, "Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." There is no guarantee of tomorrow, and the opportunity to respond to God's grace should not be taken for granted.
For those who profess faith in Christ, this message serves as a powerful call to authentic Christian living. True saving faith produces fruit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control Galatians 5:22-23. It compels us to serve our families, our churches, and our communities with the gifts God has given us.
The parable of the sheep and the goats, Matthew 25:31-46, illustrates the stark difference between genuine faith and mere religious pretense. Both groups claim to know Christ, but only one demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel through acts of compassion and service. On the day of judgment, many will be shocked to hear, "I never knew you; depart from me" Matthew 7:23.
The consequences of rejecting Christ are severe and eternal. Revelation 20:15 speaks of those whose names are not found in the Book of Life being cast into the lake of fire. This "second death" is described as a place of profound loneliness, darkness, and anguish, separated from God's presence for all eternity.
Yet, the message of salvation is not one of fearmongering, but of hope. The cross of Christ has made a way for reconciliation with God. It offers freedom from the coming judgment and the promise of eternal life in His presence.
As we contemplate these weighty truths, we're faced with a choice. For believers, it's a call to deeper commitment, authentic faith, and active service. For those yet to embrace Christ, it's an invitation to consider the claims of the gospel and the eternal significance of their decision.
The Great Tribulation will be a time of unprecedented hardship, but also of extraordinary grace. God's love for humanity will shine even in the earth's darkest hour, offering salvation to all who will receive it. May we not take this offer lightly, but respond with grateful hearts and lives transformed by the power of the gospel.
In a world filled with uncertainty, the message of salvation stands as an unchanging anchor. Whether in times of peace or tribulation, God's love remains constant, His grace sufficient, and His invitation open to all who would come. The question is not whether God will be faithful, but how we will respond to His amazing offer of redemption.
Lars Dahl
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