The world is on fire! Starvation, wars, despot leaders and natural disasters. Is this the end? We are counting down the top ten reasons we know we are not!
If you watch or listen to the “news” you cannot help hearing about the turmoil the world is in. Many wonder and even propose that we must be in the judgement of God described in Daniel and Revelation – the period called the Tribulation.
We can be sure that we are not in the Tribulation – Lets take a look at the reasons we know this to be true.
10. Birth pains but not the Tribulation
Jesus labeled wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution, and deception as the beginning of birth pains, not the finish line. Present upheaval may resemble contractions; it is not the seven‑year period itself. “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” (Matthew 24:8)
9. No one‑world religion
Revelation describes a one world religion that will worship of the Beast led by the False Prophet. We see some movement in that direction with Interfaith statements but there is no single system of worship. A system demanding universal allegiance to one ruler. (Revelation 13:12)
8. No single world government or dominant world ruler
Prophecy describes a global authority structure that hands power to one leader who dominates every people group. Today’s geopolitics are fragmented; no such person has taken that throne. “Authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation.” (Revelation 13:7)
7. No Ezekiel 38–39 invasion of Israel
Ezekiel describes Gog of Magog leading a coalition of nations against a restored and secure Israel. God shatters the invaders on Israel’s mountains with earthquake, disease, hail, fire, and confusion (Ezekiel 38–39). Many interpretations place this war just before the Tribulation starts, or just after it begins; it is not the Armageddon campaign that gathers all the kings of the earth and climaxes at Christ’s return (Revelation 16; 19). Current conflicts do not match Ezekiel’s specifics: the roster of nations, the sudden northern thrust, seven months of burial, and seven years of burning weapons. This marker has not occurred. (Ezekiel 38:16)
6. The man of lawlessness has not been revealed
Paul says the Day will not arrive until the apostasy – a great turning away from God – and the unveiling of the man of lawlessness who will eventually take his seat in God’s temple. Speculation is not revelation; that public self‑exaltation has not occurred. “That day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
5. No confirmed seven‑year covenant with Israel
Daniel’s 70th week begins when a coming ruler confirms a covenant with many for one “week,” then breaks it mid‑course. Study of Daniel reveals that each week is a seven year period. There has not been an identifiable seven‑year peace covenant fits this prophetic trigger. “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week.” (Daniel 9:27)
4. No temple and no sacrifices
A functioning Temple where sacrifices to God are being made is required during the Tribulation. This will be where the Antichrist will stand and declare himself God at the midpoint in the Tribulation. This is the abomination of desolation. With no temple standing, those events cannot yet happen. “So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place.” (Matthew 24:15)
3. No global, enforceable mark controlling buying and selling
Revelation describes a universal worldwide market where all commerce is tightly controlled and the ability to buy and sell is tied to worship and loyalty to the Antichrist. A specific mark applied to those who are loyal is described in relation to this control. While Digital IDs and cashless payment systems may foreshadow this control; they are not the mark. “So that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark.” (Revelation 13:17)
2. The restrainer still restrains
Lawlessness is already at work; yet it is being held back until the restrainer is removed. The restrainer is the Holy Spirit which is present in the elect. When His church has been removed from the earth so will the power that restrains evil. “Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7)
1. No Rapture
Since the restrainer must be removed for lawlessness to have reign, and since we (the elect) have been promised that will be saved from that day of condemnation and judgement – we hold that Jesus church, which he established, will be bodily removed from the earth prior to the beginning of the Tribulation. Paul affirms this in 1 Thessalonians where he discusses the catching up of the church which precedes the Day of the Lord judgments. That event has not occurred; therefore the clock has not started. “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Conclusion
The temptation to read current headlines as prophetic fulfillment is understandable but dangerous. When we allow fear, speculation, or sensationalism to interpret Scripture instead of letting Scripture interpret current events, we lose our biblical anchor. The Tribulation isn’t a gradual slide into chaos; it’s a distinct seven-year period marked by specific, undeniable events that will be impossible to miss.
This doesn’t mean we should be complacent. Jesus called our current troubles “birth pains” for a reason. Labor pains increase in intensity and frequency as delivery approaches, and that’s exactly what we’re witnessing. The stage is being set, the players are moving into position, and the conditions for end-times events are aligning in remarkable ways. But the curtain hasn’t risen on the final act yet.
So, what should we do while we wait? Stay alert but not anxious. Study prophecy but don’t become obsessed with date-setting. Share the gospel with urgency because time is short. Most importantly, keep your Bible open. Let God’s Word, not world events, shape your understanding of the times.
