The Tribulation

1. The Tribulation

2. Tribulation Terminology • Tribulation – “a time of trouble or difficulty; a pressing together; a crushing.” (John 16:33; Matthew 24:9; Revelation 2:9) • The Tribulation – usually used to refer to the period of 7 years of great difficulty on the earth just prior to the return of Christ. (aka Daniel’s 70th week) • This time of tribulation is a result of God’s wrath being poured out on an unbelieving world. (Rev. 6 makes it clear that all the wrath comes from God as the Lamb opens the seals of the scroll and releases God’s judgment!) • Jesus Christ rescues His own (His church) before the seven years begin so that we do not go through any of this time of wrath! (1 Thess. 1:10; 4:17-18)

3. The Great Tribulation – refers to a time of unparalleled, global, distress and affliction (Mat. 24:21, 29; Rev. 7:14) • Refers to the last half of the 7 year tribulation period; identified in Revelation and Daniel by multiple references to 3.5 years (Dan. 9:27), 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5), 1260 days (Rev. 11:3; 12:6), or “time, times, and half a time” (Dan. 7:25 … “time”= 1 yr; “times”= 2yrs; “½ time”= ½ yr) • These are the “Days of Vengeance” spoken of in Luke 21:22 & Is. 61:2b; 63:1-6. • Day of the Lord – a technical phrase in the Bible used for special interventions of God in human history. • Past – centered around God’s judgments on Israel and the nations (e.g. Joel 1:15). • Future – a supernatural intervention in which God will purify Israel, judge the nations, establish His kingdom, and eventually create a new heavens and new earth (Jer 30:7-9; Joel 3:1-3; 9-21; 1 Thess. 5:2,3; 2 Pet 3:10).

4. Prophecy of the Seventy Sevens – Daniel 9:24 -27 24 "Seventy weeks” (Hebrew shabuim sevens - lit. “seventy sevens”) “have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place. 25 So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.” 69 sevens = 483 years (these are lunar years consisting of 360 days cf. Rev. 11:3; 12:6 where 3.5 yrs = 42 months or 1260 days, thus making this time ending A.D. 30-31) 7 sevens = 49 yrs 62 sevens = 434 yrs Jerusalem Rebuilt, Decreed in 445 B.C. Messiah the Prince Comes

5. 26 Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. 27 And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week (“seven”), but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; 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." 70th Seven 1 Seven = 7 years Messiah Cut-off Jerusalem Destroyed 3.5 yrs Abomination of Desolation 3.5 yrs

6. Timeline: from the Cross to Eternity Believers with Christ (John 14:1-3) Believers appear before the bema (reward) seat of Christ! 2 Corinthians 5:10 Rapture 1 Thess. 4:13-18 Christ’s 2nd Coming to the Earth Matt. 24:30; 25:31; Rev.19:11-16 Great White Throne Judgment Rev. 20:11ff Present Church Age Tribulation 7 years Millennium 1000 years God Creates New Heaven and Earth

7. The Structure of the Tribulation Rapture of the Church Return of Christ Daniel’s 70th Seven Year Period Abomination of Desolation 3.5 Years 3.5 Years Beginning of Birth Pangs The Great Tribulation

8. The Judgments of the Tribulation Rapture of the Church Return of Christ Abomination of Desolation 3.5 Years 3.5 Years Beginning of Birth Pangs The Great Tribulation

9. The First Six Seals (Rev. 6:1-12) Death to ¼ of the earth by sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts. Prayers for vengeance by the martyrs. Spirit of Antichrist Warfare Famine Great earthquake and cosmic disorders.

11. The Seventh Seal (Rev. 8:1)

12. The First Six Trumpets of the Seventh Seal (Rev. 8:1-9:13) Locusts sting & torment for 5 Months 1/3 of earth and trees burned; all green grass burned. 1/3 of sea turned to blood; 1/3 of sea life and 1/3 of ships destroyed. 1/3 of rivers and springs made bitter; many men died 1/3 of sun, moon, and stars darkened. 1/3 of people killed by three plagues

13. The Seven Bowls of the Seventh Trumpet (Rev. 16:2-17) All fresh water into blood Men scorched by sun Darkness Armies gathered for battle Babylon judged Malignant sores All seas into blood

14. Salvation During the Tribulation • 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev 7:1-10). • “A great multitude which no one can count” from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues (Rev 7:9, 13-14). • A protected remnant of Israel (Rev 12:6). • Others who survive the Great Tribulation and are Christ’s sheep at His return . These will inherit and enter into Christ’s millennial Kingdom (Matt 25:31-32).

15. The Slaves of God (Rev 7:1-17) • The last line of chapter 6 asks the question, “who is able to stand” the outpouring of God’s wrath, implying that no one can. • Chapter 7 provides two visions to correct this assertion and to show that those who belong to God will indeed be protected from His wrath. These visions are inserted before the breaking of the seventh seal.

16. A Multitude Coming Out of the Great Tribulation Rapture of the Church Return of Christ Abomination of Desolation 3.5 Years 3.5 Years Beginning of Birth Pangs The Great Tribulation