The Great Tribulation

(#871, Imperial, 1960)

Read Daniel 9:24-27.

An important and interesting theme in both the Old and New Testaments is that of the Great Tribulation.  From these passages we gather that the Great Tribulation...

    1.  Is a unique period, Jer. 30:5-7.

    2.  Concerns God's judgment on Godless Gentile nations (Jer. 25:32-33).

    3.  Vitally concerns Israel as well (Jer. 30:32-33).

    4.  Is accompanied by signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth (Luke 21:25).

    5.  Will culminate in the brightness of the coming of the Lord from Glory.

ƒ      The purpose of the tribulation.

w    It is largely a time of God's dealing with His ancient people prior to their entrance into the kingdom (Jer. 30:7; Ezek. 20:37; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 7:4-8).

w    It concerns God's judgment upon Christ-rejecting Gentile nations (Rev. 14:8; 18:8; 6:15-17).

ƒ      The extent of the tribulation.  Luke 17:26-32 indicates it is a worldwide event.

ƒ      The duration of the tribulation is 7 years, or one "week" of years (Daniel 9:24-27).  It will be in two halves (Rev. 12:14) and the days may be shortened because of the fury of the trial (Matthew 24:22).

ƒ      The intensity of the tribulation is great (Rev. 16:2-12), so terrible that the full extent of it is not fully revealed (Rev. 10:4).

ƒ      The source of the tribulation is the wrath of God (Rev. 6:16-17; 14:9-10,19; 15:1,7, etc.).

What about the Church?  The Bible indicates the church will be "saved from wrath" (Rom. 5:9; 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9).  Thus the church will be removed prior to this time.

 Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:3)