Apocalyptic Orange Sky

Are we in the The Great Tribulations

The term Great Tribulations was first used by Jesus in Matthew 24:15 in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), in which He addressed His Jewish disciples Peter, James and John (Mark 13:3) who had asked Him "when will these things be (destruction of the Temple - Mt 24:2), and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" (Mt 24:3) There are two other uses of the exact phrase "great tribulation" in the Revelation...

Revelation 2:22+   ‘Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. 

Revelation 7:14+ I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

At the outset, it should be noted that while some writers use tribulation and Great Tribulation interchangeably, it is more accurate to distinguish these terms because the "Tribulation" as commonly used refers to the entire future seven year period of Daniel's Seventieth Week (see discussion of Daniel 9:27 below). On the other hand Great Tribulation refers to the last three and one-half years of Daniel's Seventieth Week. It should also be noted that while the seven year period of Daniel is frequently referred to as "The Tribulation" it is difficult to find a Scripture that supports this designation. Some writers refer to Jesus' use of the word "tribulation" in Mt 24:9 as a reference to the seven years of Daniel, but that interpretation is not conclusive. Nevertheless, because the term is so ingrained in the literature, we will use the term "Tribulation" as a synonym for Daniel's Seventieth Week. 

BACKGROUND TO HELP UNDERSTAND THE GREAT TRIBULATION

(1) THE INCREDIBLE PROPHECY OF DANIEL 9:24-27

In Daniel 9:24-27 (background regarding interpretation of Da 9:24-27 and why it is so important) the prophet Daniel receives an answer to prayer (Da 9:3,4-note) in which the messenger Gabriel (Da 9:21, 22, 23-note) reveals in summary form the future of the nation of Israel. This prophecy is very detailed and the interested reader is referred to the specific commentary notes on each "prophecy-packed" verse (Da 9:24-note; Da 9:25-note; Da 9:26-note; Da 9:27-note). Suffice it to say that Daniel 9:24-27 describes a period of seventy weeks ("seventy sevens" - Da 9:24NIV) which in context is interpreted as "seventy sevens" of years or 490 years which lay out the future of the nation of Israel, the coming (Da 9:25-note) and crucifixion of their Messiah (Da 9:26-note) and the subsequent coming of the Antichrist. As an aside these words of God have been instrumental in the conversion of a number of Jews (Leopold Cohn-founder of Chosen People's Ministry and Rabbi Marcus Bergman) Daniel 9:27 summarizes the last week of the 490 years, commonly designated the "Daniel's Seventieth Week": 

He (the Antichrist) will make a firm covenant with the many (the Jews, the nation of Israel as determined from Da 9:24-note which identifies the content of the message as referring to "your [Daniel's] people and your holy city") for one week (one seven year period), but in the middle of the week (after 3.5 years of the seven year covenant) he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering (the Antichrist will break his  7 year covenant with Israel); and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”

(2) THE CRITICAL PROPHECY OF JESUS IN MATTHEW 24:15-21

In Matthew 24 Jesus refers to Daniel 9:27 as the sign the Jews were to look for which would mark the breaking of the seven year covenant by the Antichrist and the beginning of the Great Tribulation. 

“Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet (referring to Daniel 9:27), standing in the holy place (the rebuilt Jewish Temple) (let the reader understand), 16 then (When? When you see the clear sign of the abomination! This indicates that there will be no confusion to the Jews which is important because modern commentaries differ greatly on the interpretation of this sign!) let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; 17 let him who is on the housetop not go down to get the things out that are in his house; 18 and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his cloak. 19 “But woe to those who are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days! 20 “But pray that your flight may not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath (So clearly Jesus is warning the Jews to escape when they see the sign of the abomination of desolation in the Holy Temple -- it will be an obvious sign that a horrible Jewish persecution is imminent); 21 for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall. (Mt 24:15-21)

Comment: A major objection to a literal (futuristic) interpretation of Jesus' warning is the absence of a Jewish Temple, but will it seems humanly impossible, it is not too difficult for God to sovereignly arrange for one to be built on Temple Mount!  

Notice Jesus' phrase "for then" in Matthew 24:21 which in context clearly links to the obvious sign in Matthew 24:15. In short, when the Jews see the abomination of desolation standing in the the Holy Place of their rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem, they are to understand that the Great Tribulation has begun.

(3) THE CORROBATING PROPHECY BY PAUL IN 2 THESSALONIANS 2:3-4

The apostle Paul writing to the saints at Thessalonia who were fearful that they had entered the Day of the Lord (a broader time period which includes the 3.5 year time of the Great Tribulation) explains that they had not missed the rapture (2 Thes 2:1) and were not in the describes the "abomination of desolation" in more detail writing

Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him (referring to the rapture he had taught them in his first letter - 1 Thes 4:13-18), 2 that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the Day of the Lord has come.  3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it (Day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness (the Antichrist) is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. (2 Thes 2:1-4-notes)

In a clear parallel with the warning of Jesus in Mt 24:15, Paul states that when the Antichrist "takes his seat in the Temple of God" will be the clear sign of the "abomination of desolation" also described in Daniel 9:27 (note). 

FUTURE JUDGMENT

1) During the Seventieth Week of Daniel (commonly referred to as "The Tribulation") the earth and earth dwellers (“those who dwell on the earth” is used in a very special sense in the book of Revelation—describing a moral category rather than a geographical position) will be impacted by a series of "judgments" that flow sequentially from the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments described in detail in Revelation 6-19. For an excellent, conservative (literal) verse by verse analysis of this time when God's wrath is poured out, I highly recommend Tony Garland's commentary on the Revelation entitled Tony Garland's commentary on the Revelation entitled "A Testimony of Jesus Christ".

2) The Judgment of the Nations (synonymous with "Gentiles") (Mt 25:31-46)

The Sheep (saved Gentiles) and the Goats (unsaved Gentiles) will be separated. The Gentiles who come out of the time of the Great Tribulation are saved by grace through faith, but in Matthew 25 Jesus teaches that they will be identified on the basis of whether they befriended the Jews during the Great Tribulation in which anti-Semitism will reach its historical zenith. The fact that these Gentiles befriend Jews does not earn their salvation but demonstrates that they are saved. The saved Gentiles will have the wonderful privilege of entering into the Millennial Reign of Christ in their natural bodies.

3) The Judgment of Israel (Zech 13:8, 9+. Ezekiel 20:33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38).

Paul taught in Romans "they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel" (Ro 9:6) and after the Great Tribulation there will be a time in which God specifically judges Israel to determine who is the "true Israel" and it is these born again Jews who will enter into the Millennial reign of Christ.

4) The Judgment of Satan and his fallen angelic cohorts

These judgments are described in (Jude 1:6, Re 20:1-note, Re 20:2-note, Re 20:3-note, Re 20:7-note, Re 20:8-note, Re 20:9-note, Re 20:10-note)

5) The Judgment of the Unbelieving Dead

This judgment is most commonly referred to as the "Great White Throne" Judgment (Re 20:11-note, Re 20:12-note, Re 20:13-note, Re 20:14-note, Re 20:15-note) and follows (1) the 1000 year binding of Satan, subsequent release and utter defeat and (2) the 1000 year reign of the saints with Christ on earth (Re 20:4-note, Re 20:5-note, Re 20:6-note). Compare 2Thes 1:6, 7, 8, 9 which describes the tragedy of hell, which is eternal separation from the Living God. May this immutable, awesome truth drive us to pray fervently and urgently for the lost in our sphere and influence and to witness to the liberating truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 24:15 Jesus Gives the Jews the Sign Which Marks the Beginning of the Great Tribulation - Jesus has just ended Mt 24:14-note with the words "the end" (the very last Greek word in Mt 24:14) and now responds to the disciples' initial request for a sign (Mt 24:3+) by giving them a very unique sign which will mark the beginning of the end of this age (Mt 24:3+). And so Jesus describes a specific sign which will literally be fulfilled in the future. Recall that a sign is something that one can see which points to something else. In Mt 24:15 Jesus says "when you see" indicating that this is a visible sign. He explains that the sign is the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place. He also explains that study of the book of Daniel will help the reader understand the sign. The Temple was destroyed in 70AD, but Jesus says the sign is of some one or some thing standing in the Temple (holy place). Of course the problem with Jesus' prophecy is that there is currently no Temple. It follows that the Jewish Temple must be rebuilt in Jerusalem (see note). If God can cause the nation of Israel to be reborn in May, 1948 against all odds, then a rebuilt Temple will not be too difficult for Him (Jer 32:17+, Jer 32:27+). Does this take faith to accept? Of course it does, but the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen (a rebuilt Temple, Heb 11:1+) are based not on an active imagination but on our faithful God (Lam 3:23) and His faith producing Word (Ro 10:17+, cf Rev 11:2+).

Daniel 9:27+ describes a prince who is to come (Da 9:26+) who will make a 7 year covenant ("one week" - see Daniel's Seventieth Week) with the "many," the "many" clearly being the Jews in context ("your [Daniel a Jewish man's] people" Da 9:24+). This "prince" is the Antichrist (name used only in 1Jn 2:18+) who Daniel identifies as the "Little Horn" and who rises to power out of a 10 nation confederacy (Daniel 7:8+, cp Da 2:44-45+ where "the days of those kings" = "10 toe stage" [Da 2:42+] = 10 horns = 10 kings - cp Da 7:24+). The first 3.5 years, his devilish character is not obvious (see note on Rev 6:2), but in the middle of the 7 year "peace" covenant, he breaks the covenant with Israel and puts a stop to sacrifices and offerings in the rebuilt Temple (Da 9:27+) fulfilling Jesus' prophecy in Mt 24:15 and marking the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

Daniel says the Antichrist (the "Little Horn") will also overpower 3 of the original 10 members of the confederacy (Da 7:8+, Da 7:20+). Paul adds that the Antichrist ("man of lawlessness...son of perdition") will go into the "holy place," the rebuilt Temple, and take "his seat in the Temple of God, displaying himself as being God." (" 2Th 2:3+, 2Th 2:4+, cp Da 11:36 2Th 2:3- 2Th 2:3- 2Th 2:3-+) In so doing he will commit the abomination that makes the Temple desolate. Note that this sign is not the Roman army surrounding Jerusalem in the past (70AD - see notes on Lk 21:20+), but a real person who will commit a real act of defilement (abomination) of the Jewish Temple in the future. Regarding the specific nature of the abomination, since it is unlikely the Antichrist will personally remain standing in the holy place, it is more likely that it is his image which the false prophet creates and commands the world to worship, which will remain standing in the holy place (cp Rev 13:14-15+, Rev 14:9, 11+, Rev 16:2+, Rev 19:20+, contrast Rev 20:4+)

At the beginning of the Great Tribulation, the midpoint of the 7 year covenant of Daniel 9:27, the Antichrist (The Beast) will be empowered by the dragon (the devil) for 42 months or the last 3.5 years of the 7 year period (Rev 13:4-5+). In other words the Antichrist is given authority to rule for the entire 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation. 

The Great Tribulation and the Time of Jacob's Trouble - During this last 3.5 years, the Antichrist will begin to pursue and persecute the Jews, which is the impetus for Jesus taking five verses to command and convince the Jews to flee when they see the sign of the abomination of desolation (Read Mt 24:16-20)! During his last 3.5 years of the Seventieth Week, the Antichrist "will speak out against the Most High (beginning in Mt 24:15, 2Th 2:4 2Th 2:4, blaspheming God - Rev 13:6+, cp his great, boasts - Da 7:8+, Da 7:11+, Da 7:20+) and wear down the saints (refers to Jews) of the Highest One, with the intent to make alterations in times and in law (cp Da 9:27+ "stop to sacrifice and grain offering"); and they (the Jews) will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time." (Da 7:25+ = Da 7:21+ = the Little Horn who "was waging war with the [Jewish] saints and overpowering them")

In other words, after the Antichrist breaks his covenant with the Jews at the midpoint of the 7 years, inaugurating the Great Tribulation, the Jews will be given into his hand for "time, times and half a time" (3.5 years, John says the Jews will be persecuted for 1260 days in Rev 12:6+, the same time period he repeats in Rev 12:14+ as "time, times, and half a time" = 42 months). John records "it was given to him (the Antichrist) to make war with the saints (the Jews first, but then to all who refuse to worship his image - Rev 13:15+) and to overcome them; and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him." (Rev 13:7+) For how long? For three and one-half years beginning with the unmistakably clear sign in Mt 24:15 which inaugurates the Great Tribulation (Mt 24:21+ = Mk 13:19 = the "time of Jacob's distress" = Jer 30:7+) a time "such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall." Daniel describes the Great Tribulation as "a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time" (Da 12:1+) but a time which "shall be cut short" (Mt 24:22) after "a time, times, and half a time" (Da 12:7+), during which "many (Jews) will be purged, purified and refined." (Da 12:10+, cf Zech 13:8, 9, Zech 12:10, Ro 11:26-27+)

God will allow the Antichrist 1260 days (42 months) to do his worst, but not one day longer, because the true Christ will return and bring that Lawless One "to an end by the appearance of His coming" (2Thes 2:7-8, 9-10). Then the true Christ will fulfill many OT prophecies (Amos 9:11,12, Jer 30:9+, Jer 31:28+, Jer 32:42, 43+, Jer 33:14, 15, 16+, Ezek 37:22, 23, 24, 25+, Zech 14:11, 16, 17), and set up His 1000 year Kingdom on earth (cp Acts 1:6, 15:13-14, 15-18, Lk 19:11 Rev 20:4-5+), demonstrating God's best after the 3.5 year Great Tribulation which was Satan's worst! 

There is nothing on earth that impacts our lives more than our thoughts, still, the enemy has enough power to influence them. That's why every thought that crosses our mind must be taken captive and made obedient to Christ.

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