TRIBULATION IS PRESSURE
Saturday – December 20, 2025
Video link: https://youtu.be/55xwleeimiM
Greetings to one and all. Welcome to this ongoing study of the Kingdom of God. This is such a lengthy study because it was the central thrust of Jesus’ Ministry in the earth and today, He by agency of the Holy Spirit continues through us. The Ministry of the ekklesia (Church, body of Christ) is greater in scope then that of Jesus in the earth. The reason being that Jesus had to destroy the works of the devil so we could be returned to the fullness of the Seven Eden Mandates. Listen to Jesus about doing what He did and the greater things.
John 14:12 (KJV)
12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
I have heard it said the “greater works” is numerically more for we are on the earth longer and there are more of us. It seems to me that it is a rather shallow understanding of Scripture. Before we move on, I will give one example of the greater things (works) we, the Church, are to accomplish.
Isaiah 61:4 (KJV)
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Don’t you think our culture needs a return to the moral standards of God and Judeo-Christian world view even in the Church? Yes, big time! This involves more than revival in the local Church but an awakening that permeates and transforms the culture and all seven mountains of influence. You and I should be such problem solvers and people of excellence in our spheres of influence that people want what we have.
Now let’s turn our attention to our topic and our anchor Scripture.
Matthew 6:33 (AMP)
33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
Remember this is a command from the Head of the Church and is to be job one for every one of us. We do all unto the Lord, for we live, and move and have our being in Him. Let’s go to the next mention of the Kingdom of God and learn.
Acts 14:21-23 (KJV)
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
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.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
Let’s each one of us think about what we have read. Two things I want to point out from this passage. First, they “preached the gospel”. What have we come to understand the gospel to be? It is the Kingdom of God (righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit), which is the Isaiah chapter sixty-one especially the first couple of verses. Next what about the word “tribulation” found in verse 22 of this passage. I think many of us are really not interested in tribulation. Let’s examine the definition of the word. This word, tribulation, is transliterated from the Greek as thlíbō which is a feminine noun meaning to crush, press, compress, or squeeze according to The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. Basically, it means that pressures of varying degrees will be brought to bear by the demonic forces and their influence on people.
The fact that this is feminine in gender is important for it means that this pressure can spread to others if we allow it. We allow it by thinking about it, talking about it, and bringing others in to be anxious with us. You’ve heard the saying “misery likes company”. All the means of combating tribulation vary widely based on the circumstances however at the core will be answering with the Word of God. We must practice thanksgiving and joyfulness on purpose, especially in the storm.
TAKE HOME:
- The gospel is the good news of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. This is what we are to be about showing the glory, the goodness of God.
- Tribulation is pressure, pressure to let go of our faith, to quit building the Kingdom of God.
- Are we doing our part in this Scripture? Isaiah 61:4 (KJV)
And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Lord willing, I will resume right here tomorrow. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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