In Part 5 of this study we mentioned three groups of individuals who would enter the great tribulation (specifically the final phase, Armageddon) two of whom would pass through it completely and one who would only go through its opening stages.

1) The Great Company

2) The nation of Israel

3) The world of mankind.

Now in our last several posts we hope we have proven from the scriptures that there will definitely be both good and bad people who will survive Armageddon, some of these from the nation of Israel and others from the rest of the world. We have already mentioned some of the good and the bad of the nation of Israel who will survive viz. the good: “the Holy remnant”, the bad: many of those who were taken into captivity at the beginning of Jacobs’s trouble. (Zech 14:1-3; Ezek 39:25-28)

Included in amongst bad would be those amongst the people who lacked faith, but who at the last moment in order to save themselves attempted to feign faith, to “sanctify themselves” before the Lord (Isa 66:17). These will most likely not survive. This last group would also include those in the Israeli government, military and etc., who chose to rely upon the power of the sword rather than upon the word of the Lord.

Now as far as the good and bad of the world are concerned we have only briefly touched upon some of the bad element, specifically those of Gog’s forces who following its destruction escape and return home to give a witness of Israel’s miraculous deliverance (Isa 66:19). Of course in order for them to give a witness there naturally has to be someone to give this witness to, some of these good some bad.

Now it may be asked why some of the bad should survive and some perish, why not all the bad?

With respects to the world it will not just be the bad that perish but likewise many of the good.

Nevertheless we believe a distinction here should be made between the bad and the wicked. Just because someone is bad does not necessarily imply that they are inherently evil, wicked.

Many do bad things out of necessity, not because they wish to, but because they are compelled or forced to do so. If may be (at the time) that if you’re in the military you may be ordered to participate in something you may not necessarily agree with such as firing on your own citizens or worst yet compelled to participate in the invasion of Israel. With the world engulf in anarchy many may have to choose to do things they never imagine they would ever do to survive, to protect themselves or their loved ones. It will not be an easy time for the good, the righteously incline those who generally prefer right over wrong. Marauding bands and mobs will be prevalent everywhere and if one does not comply with their demands and/ or join their ranks they most likely will suffer the consequences.

The word of the Lord assures us that the truly wicked will perish during this time (however NOT everlastingly, at least not yet).

“A noise [the time of trouble] will come to the ends of the earth— For the Lord has a controversy with the nations; He will plead His case [enter into judgement] with all flesh. He will give those who are wicked to the sword,’ says the Lord.” Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, disaster [calamity, trouble] shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind [intense complicated trouble and commotion] shall be raised up from the farthest parts of the earth. And at that day the slain of the Lord shall be from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, or gathered, or buried; they shall become refuse on the ground.” (Jer 25:31-33)

It should be understood that merely because someone meets their end during the great time of trouble does not necessarily imply that they were wicked that is in the fullest sense of the word. Despite what some may believe many good and noble people including the innocent, both infants, and children will likewise perish during this time, not necessarily all by the sword (by direct warfare, combat or etc.), but many will die through pestilence, and disease (possibly the results of a nuclear or biological exchange) this and or by other natural causes, such as storms, earthquakes, volcanoes and etc., all as a direct result of the “four winds” (Rev 7:1) having been released. Now how precisely they meet their end matters not, for until the world has been released from out beneath the original sentence, the curse of death still remains upon all.

But who exactly are the good (not just the innocent, children and etc.), but the rest of the good who will pass through the great time of trouble? Where did these come from and why must they endure the great tribulation?  

According to the professing church (the church nominal) these are the tribulation saints those who will come to faith in Jesus Christ during the tribulation period, however according to their view these are all martyred for their faith during this time, therefore they could not be the good to whom we speak who will survive through the great tribulation.

This whole idea that non-believers, those who never accepted Christ previous to this time are now to be mysteriously enlightened (brought to a knowledge of the truth) and to faith in Christ DURING Armageddon is quite a stretch indeed, anarchy is not a very good classroom for schooling one in the truth. Now it’s possible that many will follow in the steps of the unfaithful Jews who will attempted to “sanctify themselves,” to feign faith at the last moment in order to save themselves, but a faith which is based on fear is not a true faith, and without faith, true faith it is impossible to please God.

As for who the good truly are who will pass through the great tribulation, this will be made manifest shortly as we continue with this study in our next post.