Tribulation

JUNE 9, 2025

For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

Matthew 24:21, NIV

 Recommended Reading: John 16:25-33

The English word tribulation comes from the Latin term tribulum, which was a threshing sledge—boards with spikes pulled by an animal over sheaves of wheat to release the grain. It’s a vivid image of how we feel in times of trouble.

Jesus spoke of two different kinds of tribulation. In His sermon about the signs of the times, Jesus warned of “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). He was describing the coming Tribulation that will precede His Second Coming. But Jesus also spoke of the kind of tribulation everyone faces here and now. He said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Even in our darkest moments, God is still with us. His promises give us strength as we walk through overwhelming circumstances. What a blessing to know that His words hold firm even when we feel harrowed!

[Jesus] doesn’t deny that we have heavy issues to deal with. He simply offers to take all of our weighty matters onto His own shoulders and let us rest in Him.

Chris Tiegreen