I found this analysis of the events at Asbury University. I hope this helps.
https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2023/02/17/revival-breaking-out-asbury-university/?utm_source=kenhamdaily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=20230217&mc_cid=a0ef8ec6ab&mc_eid=1fd70e2b73
Be blessed and grace be with you,
Will the Church Go Through the Tribulation?
We have considered the timing of the Tribulation on several occasions and this is a corollary question. It was the focus of a question on a radio program that specialized in answering Bible questions. A lady called and asked it, and the host said that he thought that the Church would indeed be in the Tribulation.
He quoted Jesus for as the reason for his answer. The verse was John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Sounds convincing, doesn’t it? But remember our rules. Be sure to check the context. Make sure we are not “cherry picking” a verse to buttress or prove a single point. What does the entire context tell us? In this case, we are listening in as Jesus gave His final instructions and encouragement to His disciples in the upper room just before the crucifixion. It goes back to chapter 13 and continues through chapter 17. That is a lot of context. We will just pick a few highlights. (Not cherry picking, but following a thought through an extended address.)
The reason for the “tribulation” statement above is found in 13:16. This is a repeated theme in the discussion. Watch for it. “Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.” So if Jesus was persecuted, so will the church be. Don’t be surprised. In fact, Peter said the same thing in 1 Peter 4:12. Check out how many times “persecution” or some form of that appears in the New Testament. (I found ten that fit this context in the NASB. “Tribulation” occurs 11 times as persecution. The Tribulation, the great tribulation,” appears 9 times.)
Jesus continues in chapter 14 by reassuring them. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” So He is coming back, but in the meantime the disciples are here on their own. NOT!
Continuing, in v. 16, Jesus reassured them. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; (remember this later) 17 that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” And then it is smooth sailing, right?
Verse 27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” I will take peace any day. But then He added, “Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” Whoa there! What is there to “trouble us, or make us fearful?” Read on.
Chapter 15 continues with Jesus’ explanation of the relationship between Himself and His followers, using a vine and branches as illustration. Still good. But Jesus did not hide the truth. Verse 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” And v. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you....” The slave and master relationship is repeated.
And here we find the stark, dark reality. Hatred and persecution are coming. So Jesus is discussing the persecution that all believers face, from the disciples continuing on until today, and on. So when He said, “You will have tribulation,” (16:33) He was not discussing the specific time of the tribulation, but the continuing opposition from those who deny and disobey His Word. The ones who hate Him. This is a continuation of His final, pre-examination, if you please, instructions. He was the consummate teacher.
Chapter 16 continues this theme of the disciples’ interaction with the godless, world system. And Jesus reaffirms the promise that He would send the Holy Spirit (16:5-11) and His role in helping the disciples and every believer to overcome the world. Incidentally, v. 23, 24 are where the promise of answered prayer is inserted. This leads up to v. 33 and describes the continuing, universal persecution that all believers experience.
This time of persecution or tribulation is a continuing event, throughout history from the time of the disciples until the end. According to the answer on the radio, we are in the Tribulation now, although I do not think he meant that. I will address this issue at the end of our thought.
Let’s go on. Revelation 2:10 continues this theme. Jesus is talking to the church at Smyrna and tells them, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” That is a continuation of the persecution, only more intense. But it is for a limited time, unlike the “regular,” universal persecution that He discussed in John.
We know that, because Jesus did explain what we now call The Tribulation. He called it the time of Jacob’s trouble, great tribulation in Matthew 24. (This is a repeat of the thought in Jeremiah 30.) Matthew 24:9 “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.” This is in response to their question of “What is the sign of the end of the age?” So the end of the age began then or at least on the day of Pentecost.
Verse 9 and following seem to make it appear that all believers who are alive at the end will be included in the Tribulation. But keep reading to discern the context. Verse 15: “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet....” That points us back to Daniel 9:24-27 where we find that this is applied to “...your people and your holy city...and ultimately the Temple.” It is the final seven year period of the seventy weeks, or seventy sevens of years that will be the culmination of Jewish history. Sixty nine of those have passed, ending in Jesus’ time at the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, on Palm Sunday.
The final seven years are what Jesus said would be in progress (three and one half years in) when the abomination occurs, and that will culminate in v. 21. “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will again.” So the Church will not be there, as the final seven years focus on Israel.
That is a long explanation that still does not answer the question. I agree. So where is the Church during this time? Again, we need to know the “context” in order to answer the question. So let’s dig in. Does Revelation 7:14 help?
And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Here are some believers who were in “the great tribulation.” But where did they come from? We may be able to eliminate some sources. Were they the Church? Revelation 3:10 helps. “Because you have kept My word of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth.” This church is promised to be “kept from,” not “kept through” the hour of testing. Since the literal church at Philidelphia is no longer extant, this refers to the universal Church, which is not in the Tribulation.
The context, again, is the final seven years of Daniel’s prophecy. First, it is specifically directed at the nation of Israel. (“Your people, your holy city,” and later, “the Temple.”) That excludes the Church. We further confirm this with Daniel’s indicator of the “kick off” to this time.
The final seven year period will begin with the signing of a seven year treaty between the anti-Christ and the Jewish nation. Daniel 9:27 “And he will confirm a covenant with the many for one week....” “He” is the anti-Christ and the “many” are “your people.” Daniel’s people means the nation of Israel.
We can turn to Revelation 7 and find that here, in the Tribulation, a contingent of 144,000 Jews are chosen and sealed to take the message to the entire world. There are 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. And how successful are they? Verses 8 and 14 of the chapter tell us that an innumerable multitude are in heaven. And, v. 14 “And he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’” Jewish believers, the 144,000, will carry out the promise to Abraham, to be a blessing to the whole world. They bring the message of the Messiah to the world.
So when will this tribulation, the Great Tribulation, begin? At the inception of the seven year treaty of peace. And what about the Church?
Let’s make a quick summary. This last seven years is for the Jewish nation. The Church is promised (Revelation 2) that they will not go through this time. And in Revelation we find that the judgment is directed to “those who dwell on the earth.” (Revelation 3:10; 6:10; 11:10; 13:14 (twice); 14:6; and 17:8) The context differentiates between this group, the earth dwellers, and those who believe.
So to our question, “What about the Church?” They are not included in any of the previous designations. Second Thessalonians 2:3 tells us that the day of the Lord, “will not come unless...the man of lawlessness is revealed....” Verse 6 continues, “And you know what restrains him now, so that he will be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is removed.”
Who is the capitalized “He?” It must be a person. One Who is strong enough to restrain Satan and his followers, particularly this specific one, the man of lawlessness. It must be the Holy Spirit. And how does He do it? He indwells every believer. That happens at the moment that we “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and are saved.” (Acts 16:31) So, will the Church, believers, be here? Simply put, no. We can’t be.
The Holy Spirit is in us forever. This is the Helper from John 14:16. He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5 and rephrase of Nehemiah 9:31 I told you that we would see that again.) So when the Holy Spirit goes, so does the Church. He cannot, will not, leave us, so we will not be here without Him. So, until the Holy Spirit and the Church leave, the anti-Christ cannot be revealed, to initiate the treaty, and begin the Tribulation. Don’t you love short, clear answers?
End of story.
