While some Christians do not like it when they are experiencing problems in their lives, whether it be personal problems, sickness, or persecution by non-believers, we must all realize that tribulation is sometimes a part of God's loving chastisements, in order to purge out the dross in our lives, and make us more loving, humble, fruitful and productive branches for Him. Consider these verses:

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."


And also:

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."


And one more:

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;"


But the Bible tells us that there was another period of great suffering and turmoil which came upon the Earth, and specifically to the land of Israel during the First Century. The Scriptures refer to this period as the Great Tribulation, or Jacob's "time of trouble". You can read about it in such series as The Great Tribulation and the Rapture. Please also click on the following topics for variations of this theme:

Pre-Tribulation
Mid-Tribulation
Post-Tribulation

As you can see, there are a variety of interpretations concerning this event.

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