Disciples escape God’s wrath, but they endure tribulation. And according to Paul, the church has been appointed to tribulation. The terms “tribulation” and “wrath” are NOT synonymous in Paul’s letters or in the book of Revelation. “Tribulation” is what disciples endure for the sake of the gospel. “Wrath” is the horrific fate that awaits the wicked at the final judgment when the Lord arrives in glory.
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The period when the saints endure persecution is presented in three different but equivalent forms – “forty-two months,” “1,260 days,” and the “season, seasons, and half a season.” These variations do not point to three separate periods. Instead, they link several visions that describe specific aspects of the persecution that takes place during this period.
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The book of Revelation uses “war” and related terms to illustrate Satan’s attacks against the followers of the “Lamb.” The book shows no interest in conventional or nuclear warfare between nation-states. Instead, the “Dragon” strives mightily to annihilate the church before his allotted time expires, and to do so, he employs deception, compromise, and outright persecution.
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In chapter 7, the timeframe during which the “little horn” is authorized to wage war “against the saints” is described as a “time, times, and part of a time.” At the end of the period, this malevolent ruler will lose his domain. In chapter 8, the angel Gabriel describes it as “the END OF THE INDIGNATION, for at the appointed time will be an end.” However horrific the “desolation” might be, it will not last forever.
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Insights into Bible Prophecy 