Why must there be a "tribulation period?"

The tribulation period is a time of great catastrophe on earth.  Many will lose their lives, both those who reject and those who stand for Christ.  Why must this be?  What good could possibly come out of this?  Daniel 9:24-27 answers this question, identifying six goals God will accomplish at the end of the 70 weeks (490 years).  These goals have to do with Daniel’s people and … holy city (i.e. Israel and Jerusalem).  In typical Hebrew poetry, the goals are in pairs.

·        To finish transgression.  To make an end of sins.  The grievous events of this period will usher in the righteous rule of Christ.  The curse of Genesis 3 will be lifted.  Christ will rule with a rod of iron, indicating there will be sin and sinners.  But it will be glorious, a different time than the world has ever known.  What happens in these seven years that makes an end of sin?  Jeremiah 30-31 give the answer.    (Jeremiah calls Daniel’s 70^th Week The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, Jer. 30:7.)  Here is a summary of how God concludes Israel’s sinfulness:

For I am with you, says the Lord, to save you;

Though I make an end of all nations where I have scattered you,

Yet I will not make a complete end of you.

But I will correct you in justice,

And will not let you go altogether unpunished.  (Jer. 30:11)

God will finish correcting Israel (Jer. 30:12-15).  Then, those who devoured Israel will be devoured (Jer. 30:16-17).  Then God will restore Israel so they are truly His people and He their God (Jer. 30:22).  The New Covenant will be the foundation of this restoration when God says I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more (Jer. 31:31-34).

·        To make reconciliation for iniquity.  To bring in everlasting righteousness.  God can only forgive Israel’s sin if reconciliation is made and if they can be declared righteous (justified).  This requires the Lamb of God, the Messiah who, as Daniel’s prophecy points out, is cut off, but not for Himself at the end of the 483^rd year (Dan. 9:26).  Everlasting righteousness characterizes the Kingdom which Messiah brings in.

·        To seal up vision and prophecy.  To anoint the Most Holy.  The Most Holy likely refers to the Holy of Holies in the Messianic temple in Jerusalem.  Every vision and prophecy ultimately points to Christ (Rev. 19:10; Lk. 24:25-27; Jn. 5:39).  In Jerusalem, the center of government and worship, Messiah will be a priest on His throne (Zech. 6:12-13; Psalm 110).  At that time, The Kingdoms of this world (will) have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever (Rev. 11:15)

I hope you are encouraged to study the Bible more on these subjects.  But the Bible demands action, response.  These “purposes of God” give insight about His purposes for us.  In the cross of Christ our guilt for sins was also satisfied.  We exalt Christ now by accepting Him and His gracious offer of reconciliation.