Word Definitions

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As Christian brothers and Sisters begin to dig into their Christianity they will be bombarded with theological sounding words they may have never heard before. Well, here at The Tribulation Network, we want you to fully understand what we are saying. This list in by no means exhaustive. If we use a theological word, that we use in an article, please contact us and request that we add it to this list.


Abomination that causes desolation. An abomination is something hateful and disgusting. To desolate is to ruin, lay waste, or make void. This biblical event will happen when the Antichrist presents himself in the temple and declares himself to be God. It is prophesied to occur in the middle of Daniel’s 70^th Week, Daniel 9:27

Antichrist – The Beast, man of lawlessness. The world leader that rises to power, as prophesied in Daniel 7. He will confirm a covenant with Israel and then, after three-and-a-half years, he will cause the sacrifices to stop. During the Great Tribulation he will receive power from Satan as he deceives the world and attempts to destroy the people of God.

APOCRYPHA The name given to several books claimed to be missing from the Bible. The word often refers to the seven books which the Roman Catholic Church places on a level with the Bible: Tobias, Judith, I and II Maccabees, The Book of Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Baruch, and certain additions to Esther and Daniel.

Apostasy refers to desertion of faith or "falling away" from the faith.  The New Testament clearly describes the "last days" church as a church that has fallen away from the faith.  Today's church tells us we are going to see the greatest revival of all times... so we will see who is right - today's "fallen" leaders or the Bible!

Armageddon. The geographic location given in the book of Revelation (16:16) for the climactic battle between Christ and Antichrist, with Christ's victory ushering in his thousand-year reign on earth. Named after the hill near the town of Megiddo in Palestine, which due to its strategic location overlooking major military and trade routes was the site of many ancient battles.

Book of Life God’s record of all those who put their faith in Jesus Christ.

Daniel’s 70th Week – The Tribulation  This non-biblical term refers to the last seven years of Daniel’s 490-year  prophecy. To date 483 years of the 490 years have been completely fulfilled. One seven-year period is still outstanding and will be fulfilled during the end times. This seven-year period begins with a covenant confirmed with Israel by the Antichrist.

Day of the Lord – Day of Wrath, Day of Salvation, Day of Redemption.  The day when Jesus Christ returns to gather His elect, punish the unbelieving world and establish the Kingdom of God on earth. The Day of the Lord is a very significant event in God’s prophetic plan. It is referred to by name 24 times in Scripture and written about so often that the prophets abbreviated its name by referring to it as “the day” or “that day.” Several times in Scripture it is called “the great and dreadful day” because it will be both the day of deliverance and a day of judgment.

Deacon — Literally a servant. An office of servant ministry within the church. "But let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless" (1 Tim. 3:10).

Disciple — One who is taught or trained. "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27).

Discipling is another word that has two meanings.  The traditional meaning is when an older Christian helps bring a younger one to maturity.  More recently the term has been abused.  Discipling and "shepherding" may also refer to being under the absolute authority of a single person in a hierarchy and is tied to the pop-psychology concept of "accountability."  

Dispensation — A determined period of time. "...that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; in Him" (Eph. 1:10).

Elder — A mature believer charged with spiritual supervision and ministry within the church. Elder and bishop are generally used interchangeably in the New Testament. "Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine" (1 Tim. 5:17).

Edification — To build up and strengthen. "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church" (1 Cor. 14:4).

End Times  the last days.  The period of time leading up to and including Daniel’s 70^th Week.

Eschatology refers to the timing of "end times" prophetic events.  Some may think this is strictly academic, but one's view of the "end times" determines what we do or don't do in practical terms.  The major concerns deal with the timing of the Rapture and the return of Jesus Christ.  Part of the "falling away" of the "last days" has to do with views that tend to minimize the relevance of prophecy.

Eternal Security — A term which generally refers to the doctrine of Calvinism and predestination. Stated simply, it suggests that once a person is saved, they cannot lose that salvation — they are eternally secure.

The term "evangelical" arose because so many considered themselves to be "Christians" because they were born into the culture and the church and loosely believed in the teachings of Christ.  This term came about to describe 'Christians" who believed in the literal interpretation of the Bible, and the need to experience salvation in Christ - repentance and a change in heart and a personal, life changing relationship with God through Jesus Christ coming through his person and work.  This was not just an intellectual belief but a life changing experience.  You know if you have it.  The term may be misconstrued to mean rigid, legalistic right wing nuts.  That is not the traditional understanding.

Evangelist — A proclaimer or preacher of the good news. One of five office gifts described in Ephesians 4:11.

False Prophet, The  A member of the unholy trinity (Satan, Antichrist and False Prophet). This trinity dominates the earth during the Great Tribulation. The False Prophet is the second beast of Revelation who comes out of the earth and sets up the system that uses the Mark of the Beast.

Fellowship — The spiritual relationship between believers and the Lord, and the gathering together of Christians in the name of Jesus. "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:6-7).

Fornication — Any act of unsanctioned sexual behavior or perversion, especially used in association with sex outside the realm of marriage. "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;" (Eph. 5:3).

Gospel — Literally, "good news." The story of Christ's life, His death and resurrection, as described from different perspectives by eye-witness authors, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Their four individual records of Christ are each called a Gospel, entitled with each authors name — which comprise the first four books of the New Testament. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek" (Rom. 1:16).

Harvest, The – the resurrection of the righteous, First Resurrection, the resurrection of believers    The gathering of the saints at the end of the age.

Laity — The laymen or non-clergy members of the church.

Lake of fire — The place of everlasting punishment — hell, GEHENNA. "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15).

Martyrdom, and we should probably say Christian "martyrdom" refers not to fanatics blowing themselves on buses, but to simple people who are so in love with their God and Savior that they are willing to pay the ultimate price of their lives for their faith.  These are those who do not make themselves "at home" in this world but realize they belong to another kingdom and city whose builder and maker is God.  Only those who have forsaken things, possessions and relationships and who have a fresh and vital relationship with God, will be able to pay the ultimate price (Revelation 12:11) and receive the ultimate eternal reward.  (Revelation 20:4-5)

Neo-conservative A neo-conservative (abbreviated as neo-con or neocon) is part of a U.S. based political movement rooted in liberal Cold War anticommunism and a backlash to the social liberation movements of the 1960s and 1970s. These liberals drifted toward conservatism: thus they are new (neo) conservatives. They favor an aggressive unilateral U.S. foreign policy. They generally believe that elites protect democracy from mob rule. Sometimes the spelling is "neoconservative."

Orthodoxy — A belief in doctrines which are considered correct or sound.

Pastor — By modern tradition, a person who is a minister and spiritual overseer of a church congregation — an elder or bishop. A pastor literally means "a shepherd," a metaphoric description of one who cares for and leads a flock of God's sheep. One of five office gifts described in Ephesians 4:11.

Pentecostal — A believer who claims the same experience of the early disciples on the day of Pentecost — the infilling of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:1-4). The Pentecostal embraces the present-day operation of the gifts of the Spirit.

Polytheism — The belief in many Gods.

Postmillennialism The belief that Christ will return only after humans have established a millennial kingdom on earth through their own efforts. In extreme forms, postmillennial beliefs have given rise to violent theocracies, such as that of Thomas Muntzer in 16th century Germany. But a more typical example is the milder postmillennialism of most New England Puritans, who believed they were building just such a righteous society, a "city on a hill." This type of apocalyptic expectation has gone hand-in-hand with social reform movements, and has contributed to the notion of divinely ordained progress which has played an important role in American history.

Preacher — One who proclaims monologues, or brings forth sermons or messages in relationship to the Bible. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Rom. 10:14).

Premillennialism The belief that God's millennial kingdom will not come until Christ returns, and defeats the forces of Satan. In general, premillennialists tend to be highly pessimistic about the present state of the world, yet anxiously await a perfect world in the near future. By placing the fate of mankind squarely in God's hands, premillennialism has tended to discourage social action, concentrating instead on conversion and preparation for final judgment.

Prophecy — The act of speaking from the mind of God. Either to forthtell or foretell. "...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet. 1:21).

Prophet — One who speaks in God's behalf, either to proclaim His written Word or to speak from His supernatural revelation. One of five office gifts described in Eph. 4:11.

Pulpit — The podium from which a minister preaches. The term was used in the King James Version, where a pulpit was something stood on for elevation when speaking to a crowd. "And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood..." (Nehemiah 8:4 KJV).

Rapture A non-biblical term used to describe the catching up of living believers into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, at the return of Christ.

Saints — Persons who are separated unto God. A term which refers to all believers. "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Eph. 2:19).

Salvation — A term which describes the rescue of our soul from eternal death. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).

Second Coming – Second Advent, return of Christ  A non-biblical term for the Return of Jesus Christ from heaven to earth.

Spirit-filled — To be full of the Holy Spirit. "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18).

Spiritual gifts — Manifestations or gifts of the Holy Spirit which provide ministry to the body of Christ. "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:" (1 Cor. 12:1).

Tarry — A term which means to wait, sometimes used to describe waiting on the Lord through prayer. "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).

Teacher — One who seeks to instill knowledge in others by methods of instruction. One of five office gifts described in Ephesians 4:11.

Testimony — A solemn affirmation of some fact. In modern church tradition this frequently describes a public testimonial of thanksgiving to God for an answered prayer. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death" (Rev. 12:11).

TRIBULATION refers to a time of trial or distress.  It comes from the word "tribunal", which from the Biblical point of view is quite accurate.  The World and everyone in it is about to be judged, but first has to be "tried".  "Tried" in what sense, you may ask?  Tried in terms of whether they accept the "free gift" of God in Jesus Christ, and also in terms of how they treat "God's people" - Jews and Christians, representing "earth" and "heaven".  It also refers to a seven year period during which the antichrist comes to power and the "Great Tribulation" - the last three and a half years where he makes war against the Jews and the "saints" and overcomes them.  The fate of every single person, "saved" or not, rests on how they respond during these times.

Tribulation, The Great – Time of Jacob’s Trouble. The three-and-a-half year period of unparalleled persecution and suffering of God’s people brought on by Satan through the Antichrist and False Prophet. This is the most documented period of time recorded in Scripture being referred to as: 42 months, 1,260 days, and a time, times and half a time. This period begins with the abomination that causes desolation and ends with the return of Christ on the Day of the Lord.