Tribulation and our response to it

Tribulation is said to be an appointment for believers. The word speaks of affliction and trouble. It is used for affliction for both believers and non-believers. For believers, it can be persecution, while for non-believers, it can be the wrath of God. The word "tribulation" seems more a religious word, because we would probably use "affliction” in most cases, as some translations do, but with reference to the "great tribulation," "affliction" would sound odd, so translations still speak of the “great tribulation.”

Paul writes, "No one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know." 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4

The NKJV translates "thlipsis" with "afflictions" and thlibo with "tribulation," while the NASB translates both Greek words with "affliction."

2 Thessalonians chapter 1 speaks of tribulation on both classes of people, because of the tribulation one class causes the other, they will suffer tribulation from God. God permits tribulation on believers as the Thessalonians text indicates. There is a benefit from it, but those who afflict (or "trouble") the believer will suffer affliction.

Paul writes, "We ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels..." 2 Thessalonians 1:4-7

You see the tribulation of each class of people in this text. I want to point out that "tribulation" is the Greek thlipsis and "trouble" is the Greek thlibo, as translated in the NKJV, the NASB translates with "affliction" and "afflict," respectively, so you see a close connection between the two words, which in the Greek are related.

The common traditional word is “tribulation,” as both translations translated Jesus words in Matthew 24:21 as the "great tribulation" from thlipsis—"mega (”great”) thlipsis."

Jesus said, "21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." Matthew 24:21-22

Though tribulation is from the non-believer, it is God who grants it. But God will trouble them with tribulation at the coming of Christ.

John wrote, "They worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?'"

John: "5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." Revelation 13:4-10

Verse 10 is meant to be instructive towards those saints who will face this tribulation. One must entrust their lives to God during that time.

There is a similarity of the captivity and sword reference to Jeremiah.

"1 Then the LORD said to me, "Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people. Cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth. 2 And it shall be, if they say to you, 'Where should we go?' then you shall tell them, 'Thus says the LORD:
"Such as are for death, to death;
And such as are for the sword, to the sword;
And such as are for the famine, to the famine;
And such as are for the captivity, to the captivity."' Jeremiah 15:1-2

The NET Bible is more in line with Jeremiah using a Greek variant: 

"10 If anyone is meant for captivity,
"into captivity he will go.
If anyone is to be killed by the sword,
then by the sword he must be killed.
This requires steadfast endurance and faith from the saints." Revelation 13:10

There are variants about killing with the sword. However, Jesus did say, Matt 26:52: "everyone who takes up the sword will die by the sword."

The Jeremiah reference is about judgment, but the Revelation reference may be more about passive survival: don't take up the sword in tribulation, but trust the Lord even in captivity, and he will see you through. For if you take up the sword, then by the sword you will perish.

Those Jews who did as God said leading up to the Babylonian captivity would live, but lose everything, but as Jeremiah said by the word of the Lord: "their lives shall be as a prize for them."

"Now you shall say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. 9 He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes out and defects to the Chaldeans who besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be as a prize to him." Jeremiah 21:8-9

Habakkuk seeks an answer to how could the evil of Babylon continue against those more righteous...

"Why do You look on those who deal treacherously,
And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours
A person more righteous than he?
14 Why do You make men like fish of the sea,
Like creeping things that have no ruler over them?' 

Habakkuk 1:13-14

2 Then the LORD answered me and said:
"Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
4 "Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith. 

Habakkuk 2:2-4

The Apostle Paul wrote of the tribulation he/ they suffered, and how they responded to it.

"8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many." 2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Whatever the exact trouble (thlipsis) Paul was referring to, he had resigned to the constant death threat his ministry brought, and so he had to put his life completely in God's hands. He identifies God as the one who raises the dead, which speaks of God's power and authority, and so why not entrust your life and situation to him--and maybe if they died, God would raise them up so they could finish their ministry and course?

Of course, we don't have special revelation concerning our specific future. Nevertheless, anyone in dire straits should entrust themselves to God who raises the dead, just as the Apostle Paul had done.