THE GREAT TRIBULATION
( Mat. 24:21)
INTRO: We really don’t have to explain that phrase because it’s self- explanatory. This event in imminent and it is precise that all of us be prepared. Before this happens, we, the church, pure, clean and spotless will disappear to be receive in heaven.
Sad to say, we don’t know the serious of the consequences of the Great Tribulation, for some say that there will be another opportunity for us during that time. They neglect, ignore and put aside the definition of this phrase. Let us go into this topic and see what the Spirit has to say to us.
I. THE REALITY OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION
A. The Old Testament Prophets spoke of it in different terms:
1)Jeremiah: “Time of Trouble for Jacob”
(a)Jeremiah 30:4-7”These are the words the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah: 5 “This is what the LORD says: “‘Cries of fear are heard— terror, not peace. 6 Ask and see: Can a man bear children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale? 7 How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.
2)Ezequiel: “Passing Under My Rod”
(a)Ezekiel 20:34-38” I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered—with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath. 35 I will bring you into the desert of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon you. 36 As I judged your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares the Sovereign LORD. 37 I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. 38 I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
3)Ezequiel: “A Furnace to Melt”
(a)Ezekiel 22:19-22” Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Because you have all become dross, I will gather you into Jerusalem. 20 As men gather silver, copper, iron, lead and tin into a furnace to melt it with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you. 21 I will gather you and I will blow on you with my fiery wrath, and you will be melted inside her. 22 As silver is melted in a furnace, so you will be melted inside her, and you will know that I the LORD have poured out my wrath upon you.’”
4)Daniel: “Time of Distress”
(a)Daniel 12:1“At that time Michael, the great prince
who protects your people, will arise. There will be a
time of distress such as has not happened from the
beginning of nations until then. But at that time your
people—everyone whose name is found written in the
book—will be delivered.
II. THE THREE MAJOR JUDGEMENTS AND IT’S CONSEQUENCES
A. The 7 Seals
1)The Antichrist appears; 6:2
2)Takes away the peace of the earth; 6:3,4
3)Economical chaos; 6:5, 6
4)Death – ¼ of all the population dies; 6:7,8
5)Martyrs; – 6:9,10
6)Nuclear Warfare ; 6:12-14
B. The 7 Trumpets
1)Hail & Fire (Ecological chaos) 1/3 of land is destroyed; 8:7
2)1/3 sea and marine life is destroyed
4)1/3 of daylight (4 hours) and 1/3 of nightlight (4 hours) is destroyed; 8:12,13
3)1/3 of drinking water is poison and many die; 8:10,11
5)demons are loose to torment men for 5 months; 9:5
6)Death shall escape mankind; 9:6
7)1/3 of mankind dies; 9:15
8)1/3 of mankind dies by fire, smoke and sulfur (nuclear war); 9:18
C. Other judgments
1)Force to put a mark on your forehead or right hand; 13:16
2)Not buy nor sell without the mark; 13:17
3)Burn in hell because of the mark; 14:9,10
D. 7 Bowls
1)Sores on those that have the mark; 16:2
2)All the sea is poison and marine-life dies; 16:3
3)All water is poison; 16:4
4)The sun scorches mankind; 16:8,9
5)Mankind will bite his tongue because of pain; 16:10
6)The Great Earthquake; 16:18
7)Hail of 100 pounds; 16:18
8)The Armageddon Battle; 16:16
III. THE REALITY OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION
A. The 144,000 (12,000) of each tribe will be sealed
B. Many Jewish will be saved (for this time will be theirs)
C. Others will have to give their lives; 6:9
D. Who will be lost?
1)The Christian are of light and they should know!
a)1 Thes. 5:1,2,3,4,5,8
1 Thessalonians 5:1,2,3,4,5,8
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
2)Those that refuse to serve Jesus during the Time of Grace
a)2 Thes. 2:7-12” For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
3)The only time to serve Jesus Christ is now!
(a)2 Co. 6:2””For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
CONCLUSION:
