INTRODUCTION

Matthew 24:15-22
God’s Word teaches that the Great Tribulation will occur after the Rapture; it will be a time of terrible suffering on earth. It is also referred to as the time of “Jacob’s trouble” (Matthew 24:21,22,29; Revelation 9:1-6; Mark 13:19; II Thessalonians 2:3-10; Revelation 13). During this time, the Antichrist will take possession of this world for a reign of terror. He will not be a system or organization but a person — a supernatural, diabolical being in the form of a man who will blaspheme and proclaim himself to be God (Daniel 8:23-25; II Thessalonians 2:7-12; Revelation 13:1-10). The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will take place above while the tribulation continues on earth (Revelation 19:1-10).

The great tribulation is described as the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jeremiah 30:7-9), “...great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21), “...the day of the Lord” (Joel 1:15), “a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness” (Joel 2:1,2), and “...wasteness and desolation” (Zephaniah 1:14-18); it is also “...a time of trouble” (Daniel 12:1). The purpose of the great tribulation is to make Israel suffer so that they can cry to the Messiah (the Lord Jesus Christ Whom they currently reject) to return to them. It is also to judge the unbelieving men and women of all ages (Zech. 12:10-11; 13:1-9; 14:12-13).

SUB TOPICS:

1. THE TIMING OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION

   The Bible shows that the great tribulation will begin after the Rapture of the Church and will last for seven years. It will end at the Second Advent of Jesus Christ when He descends on Mount Olives (Zech. 14:4; Matthew 25:31; II Thessalonians 1:7-10; Jude 14,15; Acts 1:11). At this time, He will establish His thousand-year reign called the Millennium (Revelation 20:4,6). Thus, the great tribulation occurs between the Rapture and the Millennium, specifically during the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:26,27; Matthew 24:15-31; II Thessalonians 2:3-8).

   God will remove His children from the earth before the tribulation begins, just as He saved Noah and Lot before destroying the world and Sodom/Gomorrah (Genesis 6:8-10; 7:1-13,16-24; 8:15-22; Genesis 19:10-29; II Peter 2:4-9). The peak of destructions, judgments, and terrors occurs in the middle of the seven-year period and concludes with Christ’s Second Advent when the Antichrist breaks his peace covenant with Israel (Matthew 24:15-22; Daniel 12:1; Jeremiah 30:6-9).

2. EVENTS AROUND THE GREAT TRIBULATION

   The great tribulation will involve famines, wars, plagues, terror, earthquakes, burning rocks falling from heaven, devastation of seas, cattle, and vegetation, and mass deaths. Men will flee in fear, yet riches cannot deliver them. Whole cities and nations will experience perplexity, roaring seas, hypertension, and divine judgments (Amos 5:18,19; Isaiah 2:19-21; 24:1-3,6,19; Mark 13:24; Joel 1:15; Luke 21:25-26; Matthew 24:11-26; Revelation 19:1-21).

   Key events include:

   • The rise of the Antichrist (II Thessalonians 1:7-8; Daniel 7:8,24-25; Revelation 17:8-14)
   • The False Prophet promoting the Antichrist and enforcing his mark (Revelation 13:1-18; 14:9-11)
   • God’s divine judgments and supernatural phenomena (Joel 1:15; 2:12; Amos 5:18; Rev 4:1 - 19:21)
   • The devil being cast to the earth, increasing wickedness (Revelation 12:7-17; 20:1-2; II Thessalonians 2:9)
   • Sealing and rapture of 144,000 Jews and tribulation saints worldwide (Revelation 7:1-17)
   • Martyrdom of tribulation saints (Revelation 6:9-11; 14:13; 20:4-6)
   • Appearance of the mighty angel with the open book declaring “time shall be no longer” (Revelation 10:1-11)
   • The fall of Jerusalem and defeat of Israel by the Antichrist (Matthew 24:15-22; Daniel 11:40-45)
   • Israel’s flight to refuge in Edom (Revelation 12:6,13-17; Isaiah 16:1-5)
   • Seven vials poured on earth causing further woes (Revelation 15:1-6; 16:21; 18:1-24)
   • God’s two witnesses appearing, being killed, and resurrected (Revelation 11:1-12)
   • The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:1-10) and preparation for Christ’s return (Jude 14-15; Revelation 19:11)

   The major powers at work include:

   • The Antichrist — also called Beast, king of the north, Syrian, Assyrian, king of Babylon, Extortioner, man of sin, little horn, prince that shall come, king of fierce countenance empowered by Satan (II Thessalonians 2:1-10; Daniel 7:8,24; 8:9,23; 9:26,27; 11:36-45; Revelation 13:1-18; 14:9-11; Isaiah 10:20-27; 30:18-33; Micah 5:3-15; 14:4; 16:4; Daniel 7:11)
   • The False Prophet (Revelation 13:1-19; 14:9-11; 19:20)
   • God’s judgments (Joel 1:15; 2:12; Amos 5:18; Rev 4:1 - 19:21)
   • The devil (Revelation 12:7-17; 20:1-2; II Thessalonians 2:9)
3. THE SAINTS AND THE GREAT TRIBULATION

   During the tribulation, the saints will:

   • Receive rewards (I Corinthians 3:11-15; Luke 14:14; I Corinthians 9:24-27)
   • Rejoice and feast (Revelation 19:6-9)
   • Worship God with the angels (Revelation 7:9-17; 14:1-5; 4:5,7)
   • Prepare for the Second Advent with Christ on white horses (Jude 14-15; Revelation 19:11-14; Matthew 25:31)

   After the Great Tribulation, Jesus will establish His millennial reign. Israel will repent and be saved (Zech. 14:1-8; Micah 1:3-4; Romans 11:25-27; Hebrews 8:8-12; Isaiah 66:7-8). The Antichrist and False Prophet will be destroyed and cast into the lake of fire, their armies defeated at Armageddon. The devil will be bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years (Ezekiel 38-39; Revelation 20:1-3; 19:11-21).

   The most important question is this: Are you ready for the judgment day? “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man” — Luke 21:36.