I am sure the people in Ukraine suffering under horrific conditions, who know anything about the Bible, will think they must be in the Tribulation described in the Bible.  I am sure to them it seems like Armageddon is close; I believe it is too.  

There was another group of people almost 2000 years ago who must have believed that same way. The situation was dire and suffering was experienced by the young Christian church under the hand of corrupt, evil rulers and emperors of the Roman Empire.  For the first 300 years of the New Testament Church there was horrific suffering brought upon it.  The world at that time was very religious, both in the Roman Empire and in the Jewish world.  They had their loyalties to their gods and would not tolerate anyone claiming that their gods were insufficient for eternal life.  The message of the Christian gospel was the same then as now: people must repent and believe on Christ alone for salvation.  That message has never changed in 2000 years.  Thousands of people believed the gospel and converted to Christianity during the early years of the Roman empire. This resulted in a very concerted effort to purge Christianity from the Empire.  

To repent is to admit you are wrong and you change your mind about sin and salvation.  
Acts_2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  Acts 3:19:  Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

The meaning of repentance is probably best given in the book of 1 Thessalonians:
1 Thessalonians 1:9:  For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 
1 Thessalonians 1:10:  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

During the extreme suffering and persecution, some of the Christians in certain localities believed that the tribulation wrath of God had already come on the world and that they were not delivered from it like they were taught by some.  The Apostle Paul, upon hearing this, communicated back to them in both 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, giving clarity and detail to the Second Coming of Christ.  These two books are the best authority in the New Testament on the Second Coming of Christ.  The Christians suffering at the time never imagined that their suffering was going to be instrumental in the Bible actually containing two letters sent to them by the Apostle Paul which would become part of the Word of God for all eternity. 

The first letter taught the Christians that the tribulation wrath had not come yet. Even though it was very bad at the time, it was going to be much worse.  They were to patiently wait for Christ to return (1 Thessalonians 1:10.)  First Thessalonians gives details about the second coming of Christ, that he was coming to deliver them from the coming tribulation wrath.  It gave clarity that Christ is coming for the saved on earth, not the unsaved.  It taught clearly that when he comes there will be the first resurrection of all the saved people on earth from the beginning of creation until now.    Second Thessalonians gives detail and clarity that the second coming of Christ is in two phases: His first phase is at the beginning of the seven-year tribulation period and the second phase is at the end of the tribulation period when he will return to earth with those who are saved.  1^st Thessalonians is the first phase and 2^nd Thessalonians is the second phase at the end of the seven-year tribulation period.    
1 Thessalonians 4:16:  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 4:17:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

We know this is comparing scripture with scripture in both Old and New Testaments.  There is lots of confusion on this matter among Christian churches and hundreds of books are written on the subject.  The only way a person can gain confidence and conviction on the second coming is to study the Bible.  Books have their place but only to help you understand the Bible. You will only understand the Bible if you study it more than books.  

I am sure that the several thousand people in the Azovstal steel plant in Ukraine believe the end is near and they are hoping somehow a miracle will happen so that they can be delivered.  They have been there for weeks with no daylight, trapped with Russian forces surrounding the plant, not allowing anything or anyone in or out. There are mothers and children there, along with hundreds of soldiers. They need a miracle and I am praying they get their miracle and are able to be delivered.  I am sure the people of Mariupol believe the end is here as they see their city totally obliterated by the Russian bombs and missiles.  However, I want to let you all know, just like the Apostle Paul advised the Thessalonians, that Christ has not returned yet. But He is coming and patience is needed until all of his salvation purposes are first worked out on the earth.  I know people in the Ukraine who are sharing the good news of Christ among the suffering people there.  Many are believing on the one who died for us, who was buried and then raised from the dead so we can all believe and be saved before the end comes.  I hope you will believe and be saved.  Romans 10:12:  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  10:13:  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

When will you know the tribulation that ushers in Armagedon has started?  When the true believers in Christ have disappeared.  The next thing will be when a great leader known as the anti-Christ will come on the world scene and seem to have the answers for all the world problems including peace, but he will prove to be a good liar and deceiver.   

To call on Christ now and get assurance of salvation is the only way to know you are saved and ready for what is coming.  Then get connected to a good Bible-believing church where you can learn and grow.  

Please check out or web site at www.pabaptist.ca    If you have any questions please contact us.  If you want your own Bible to readand study, we have a large selections of Bibles.  We will give you your first one for free.  

The content of this article is solely the personal opinions of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Prince Albert Shopper.