“Umm, the tribulation IS judgement, or did you never read that?”
Huh? Where do you get that from?
Acts 14:22 - “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”
Romans 5:3 - “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;”
Romans 12:12 - “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
Revelation 7:14 - “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
The word “tribulation” in all of these verses (and more) is Strong’s 2347, meaning:
“1) a pressing, pressing together, pressure
2) metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits”
It is translated the following ways in the KJV New Testament:
“tribulation 21, affliction 17, trouble 3, anguish 1, persecution 1, burdened 1, to be afflicted + 1519 1”
In the Old Testament, the synonyms would be Strong’s 6862:
“1) narrow, tight
2) straits, distress
3) adversary, foe, enemy, oppressor
4) hard pebble, flint”
And Strong’s 6869:
“1) straits, distress, trouble
2) vexer, rival wife”
So, let me ask you, where exactly can I read in the Bible that tribulation is judgement?
“If Paul wanted to train up the Church to live through the tribulation, why didn’t he tell them to MOVE to safer locations?”
Maybe because we are told to endure our trials and not run from them? If God wanted to spare us from hardship, He could just strike us dead as soon as we accepted Christ. Instead, He has appointed us to perform His work in this world, until He returns. So, if we were to flee from the tribulations of the world, who would we witness to? The other believers who are hiding with us in our bunkers?
The time of Jacob’s trouble is NOT judgement?
Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?