Youth Sermon: A Timeline of the Tribulation

Introduction

Imagine you're about to go on a crazy, intense, seven-year-long survival adventure. You're given a guidebook that tells you exactly what's going to happen and how to prepare. That's kind of like what the Bible does for us with the end times, specifically a seven-year period called the Tribulation. It's all in the book of Revelation, and today, we're going to break it down.

That's kind of like what the Bible does for us with the end times, specifically a seven-year period called the Tribulation.

The Tribulation

So, the Tribulation kicks off after a big war, Ezekiel's War, between Israel and a few other countries (Ezekiel 38-39). After that, a world leader, who we'll later know as the Antichrist, makes a treaty that lasts seven years. But halfway through, he breaks it and stops all sacrifices and offerings (Daniel 9:27).

Jesus gave us a heads up in Matthew 24:15, saying when we see the abomination of desolation in the holy place, it's time to hit the road. This happens smack in the middle of the Tribulation.

Revelation

Now, let's dive into Revelation. It starts with a vision of Jesus in heaven's throne room. He's the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:1). Revelation is like our survival guide for the end times.

It talks about a series of judgments that happen during the Tribulation. They're released through seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls (Revelation 6; 8-11; 15-16). But don't worry, if you're a believer, you're safe from God's wrath (Romans 5:9).

There are some key players in the Tribulation: the Dragon (Satan), the Woman (the Church), the Beast from the Sea (the Antichrist), the Beast from the Earth (the False Prophet), the 144,000 (faithful believers), angelic announcers, and the people of the harvest (Revelation 12-14).

The Battle of Armageddon is a big deal. It's both the sixth trumpet and the sixth bowl judgment (Revelation 9:13-21; 16:12-16). It's the final showdown where the nations fight against Jesus, who's the rider on the white horse. Spoiler alert: the Antichrist and the False Prophet lose and get thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:19-21).

The Tribulation ends with Jesus coming back. He's on a white horse, leading heaven's armies. He's the Faithful and True One, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:11-16). He defeats God's enemies and sets up His eternal kingdom.

Conclusion

So, what do we do with all this? Three things: stick close to Jesus, encourage each other, and share the good news of salvation. It's like packing for our survival adventure. We need Jesus as our guide, our friends for support, and we can't forget to invite others to join us.

Remember, even in the Tribulation, Jesus is with us. He's the Alpha and Omega, our ultimate survival guide. Let's trust Him and ask for His help.

Let's also be there for each other, reminding each other of the hope we have in Jesus. And let's not keep this good news to ourselves. Share it and pray for those who haven't accepted Christ yet.

So, even though the Tribulation sounds intense, we've got Jesus, our ultimate survival guide. Let's stick with Him, trust Him, and be ready when He comes back.

So, even though the Tribulation sounds intense, we've got Jesus, our ultimate survival guide. Let's stick with Him, trust Him, and be ready when He comes back.

Prayer

Let's pray.

Jesus, help us to stick close to You during tough times. Give us the courage to encourage others and share Your good news. We trust You to guide us. Amen.

And hey, if you haven't invited Jesus into your life yet, it's as simple as a prayer. You can say something like this:

"Jesus, I want to follow You. I know I've messed up and need a Savior. Come into my life and be my Lord. Thanks for loving me and forgiving me. Amen."

If you prayed that, welcome to the family! The angels are throwing a party for you right now. Don't keep it a secret - let others know about your decision to follow Jesus.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. How does understanding the Tribulation timeline affect your view of the future?

2. What role does the Antichrist play in the Tribulation?

3. How can we prepare ourselves spiritually for the end times?

4. What comfort and hope do we find in Jesus during the Tribulation?

5. How can we encourage others and share the message of salvation during difficult times?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Timeline Tangle
• Group Activity: Tribulation Trail
• Youth Challenge: Scripture Scavenger Hunt