Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus,
We continue our study of the “End Times” by focusing on the Tribulation in this message. Specifically, the first half of the Tribulation. God has a threefold purpose for the Tribulation:
- To bring an end to wickedness and wicked people.
- To bring about the greatest revival the world has ever seen.
- To bring the Jews corporately to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The Tribulation will be 2,520 days long (One Week = Seven Days with each day representing a year x 360 days = 2,520 days). The first half of the Tribulation, or three-and-one-half-years, will be 1,260 days. Remember, the Tribulation does not begin upon the Rapture ending. It starts when the antichrist signs the seven-year peace treaty with Israel. At this point, the 2,520-day count down begins. Jesus will return in His Second Coming on the 2,521st day and not a moment earlier or later.
As a Believer, you may be asking the question, why do I need to know about the Tribulation if I’m not going to be here? This is a fair question. There are two very important reasons: 1.) When asked by the world, we, as Believers, need to be able to tell them what will happen. They need to know so they hopefully will choose to make Jesus Christ The Lord of their lives before The Rapture. But, if they don’t, when they see the things happening which we have shared with them, they will choose salvation during the Tribulation. 2.) The Holy Spirit has instructed me to warn “Believers” because there will be some who think they are Believers, but they’ve never truly made Jesus Christ The Lord of their lives. Jesus refers to this in Matthew 7:20-23. Jesus said in verse 23, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” I implore everyone to ensure you’ve truly made Jesus Christ The Lord of your life. If not, and the Rapture occurs, you know The Truth and can still be saved during the Tribulation.
The best Scriptures to teach us about the Tribulation is found in Matthew, Luke, and Revelation. We’ll look at Matthew 24:9-28 to start. Matthew 24:9-28 records the things that will happen during the seven-year Tribulation (70th Week of Daniel). This passage of Scripture in Matthew 24 is famously known as “The Olivet Discourse.” “Discourse” refers to written or spoken communication or debate. It can mean a formal discussion on a topic or simply a connected series of conversations. As a verb, it means to speak or write authoritatively about something or to engage in conversation. In this case, Jesus is speaking about the topic of “end times,” and is speaking authoritatively on this subject to His Disciples on the Mount of Olives.
The Olivet Discourse doesn’t go into much detail on what is going to happen during the Tribulation. It gives us the basics. The Book of Revelation gives greater detail on what will happen during the Tribulation, but it doesn’t tell when it will happen or the signs leading into it. The Olivet Discourse does tell us when the end of this age begins and how to know if we’re the generation that will experience the Rapture in our lifetime. The Olivet Discourse is big on signs. The reason for this is because the Apostles asked Jesus what are the signs and when will this happen?
Matthew 24:9-28 has two parts to it: verses 9-14 is the first half of the Tribulation and verses 15-28 is the second half of the Tribulation. Jesus mentions five things that will happen in the first half of the Tribulation (first 1,260 days) in Matthew 24:9-14:
- There will be tremendous persecution of the Saints. Matthew 24:9-10. The persecution comes because of the fifth seal being opened in Revelation 6:9-11. Believers will be martyred for their faith. The first four seals will be opened in the Tribulation BEFORE the Believers start being martyred. Why doesn’t persecution start at the beginning of the Tribulation? Because there are no Believers at the start; they’ve been raptured. You’ll see the Laodicean Church members (spoken about in Revelation) getting saved early in the Tribulation. They know of Jesus, but they didn’t “know” Jesus prior to the Rapture. Revelation 17:3-6 the “woman” is consumed or “drunk” with killing Believers. Woman who rides on the beast (same beast will turn on and kill her later) is drunk with her passion of killing Believers.
- False prophets (not messiahs) will arise. This started right after Jesus was cut off. Jesus was the first to reveal Himself as The Messiah. The false prophets will work in conjunction with the false prophet of Revelation. They will be prophets and not messiahs because the antichrist will make the claim to be God and The Messiah.
- Rise in sin and iniquity because sin and iniquity will no longer be contained by The Church (Matthew 28:12). Once The Church is raptured, sin and iniquity are unrestrained and unopposed. II Thessalonians 2:6-8 and I Thessalonians 4:13. The antichrist cannot be revealed until “his time.” He is alive and in the earth currently. He is a military and financial genius. The antichrist cannot be revealed until after the Rapture.
- The Gospel of The Kingdom of God will be preached worldwide – throughout the whole world (Matthew 28:12-13). “Endure” is to “remain steadfast.” People will become Believers, but it is going to be very hard because the persecution will be terrible.
Verses 12 and 13 are saying that sin and iniquity will abound and many people on the earth will get into and enjoy the lawlessness and depravity – it will appeal to their base, sensual pleasure. Those that confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior and remain steadfast will be saved. Those who give up and give in will be damned.
The 144,000 Jews, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes, will be converted during the first half of the Tribulation and will be witnesses of The Gospel to the world (finally fulfilling God’s original plan for the Jews when He gave them The Oracles of God and called them to be a nation of priests). Revelation 7:2-4 speaks to the 144,000. God supernaturally protects the 144,000 during the first half of the Tribulation.
The Two Witnesses ((I believe they are Enoch and Elijah, but it could also be Moses and Elijah. The only reason I believe it will be Enoch and Elijah is because neither has died a human death yet. Moses has. The Scriptures tell us in Hebrews 9:27 that man is appointed to die once and then the judgment (immediately go to Heaven or to hell). This is why I believe it is Enoch and Elijah)). The Two Witnesses will evangelize on the Temple Mount for 1,260 day (first half of the Tribulation) and they are described in Revelation 11:3-12. God supernaturally protects them until He allows the beast to kill them once the first half of the Tribulation is over. Their deaths kick off the Abomination of the Desolation because the antichrist will not be opposed by the supernaturally powerful Two Witnesses.
The first 1,260 days of the Tribulation, there will be angels flying around saying, “repent, repent, repent,” the 144,000 Jews evangelizing, and the Two Witnesses evangelizing. This will be a time of the greatest worldwide revival ever in the earth.
The “end” then starts the last 1,260 days of the Tribulation with the Abomination of Desolation. The Jews will see it and flee into the mountains (we’ll review more of this in the next message on the second half of the Tribulation). The Seven Bowls of Revelation (God’s wrath) will be poured out on the whole earth. Also known as “The Bowls of Wrath.”
Jesus has not yet come back because God is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish. God is not slack concerning His promises (II Peter 3:9) and not willing that any should perish.
God is still withholding His wrath and pouring out His mercy through The Gospel in the first 1,260 days. He wants all to get saved.
- Then the “end” will come. By saying “then shall the end come,” in Matthew 24:14, Jesus was referring to the last part in a series of “time.” What is the last part or “end?” The last half of the Tribulation, also known as “The Great Tribulation” and as “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble.” Matthew 24:14 is saying that once all the world has heard The Gospel of The Kingdom of God, then, and only then, will the wrath of God be poured out on the world in the second half of the Tribulation.
Now, Luke also has a version of The Olivet Discourse found in Luke 21:8-36. You will notice there are differences between Matthew and Luke’s versions. They even appear to be contradictory. This is not the case. Matthew addresses what Jesus says in chronological order. Luke addresses what Jesus says in the order He said it. For instance,
Matthew 24:7-9
V9: “then” = “after.” “After the world war and after the Tribulation begins.”
Luke 21:10-12
V12: “before.” Luke seems to say “before” these things happen, not “after.” Luke is recording something that Matthew doesn’t. In Luke’s version of The Olivet Discourse, Jesus backtracks and tells the Apostles what is going to happen in their lifetime – specifically to them.
Matthew’s version is in chronological order until verse 36, but Jesus/Matthew clearly indicates He is breaking the chronological order.
Matthew’s account is easier to understand and logical, whereas Luke writes it in the way Jesus delivered it. If we could read Greek, Luke would flow better. So, we use Matthew as the “basis” for The Discourse and refer to Luke for additional information that Luke recorded, whereas Matthew didn’t. To get a complete picture, you put both accounts together to supplement each other. In the Greek, it is easy to harmonize both accounts.
The Tribulation marks the last seven years of this “Present” age before Jesus’ Second Coming and Millennial Reign, also known as “The Messianic Age.”
The Book of Revelation gives us great detail as to “what” will happen during the Tribulation. But it doesn’t give us “when” the Tribulation will begin or if there is a sign to let us know when it is about to happen.
The Law of First Mention in Scripture is applied to Genesis 15:13-16 where it defines a prophetic generation as 100 years. This Biblical interpretation is then applied throughout Scripture. God established the timing of the prophetic generation.
Genesis 15:13-16
13 And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
Jesus in Matthew 24:32-34 reveals the timing of the Rapture.
Matthew 24:32-34
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
In a previous message, “The Rapture – The Second Coming – The Rapture Part I,” the fig tree is defined as symbolic of the Nation of Israel and the Scriptures supporting this were outlined. Jesus is commanding Believers to “learn a parable of the fig tree.” What are we to learn? When Israel “putteth forth leaves.” The imagery of a fig tree sprouting new leaves is seen as a sign of renewal and approaching fulfillment of prophecy, which is the rebirth of Israel as a nation May 14th, 1948. Jesus goes on in verse 33 to tell us when this occurs, know that it, speaking of the Rapture, is near. Jesus further says in verse 34 that the generation born after this event takes place will see the fulfillment of “it.” The Rapture. A prophetic generation is 100 years. Therefore, the Rapture’s timing, based on when The Father tells The Groom to go get His Bride, is 100 years or less from May 14, 1948. Jesus is instructing us we will not know the day or hour of His coming for us in the Rapture, but we can know the season or see the signs of the season.
Now, to further prove and back up the sign and date of May 14, 1948, as the prophetic start of the countdown of the final generation before the Rapture, we go to the Ezekiel 4:4-6.
Ezekiel 4:4-6
4 Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity.
5 For I have laid upon thee the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.
6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.
God is instructing Ezekiel that Israel owed Him 430 years of servitude for their sins (390 years for Israel’s sins and 40 years for Judah’s sins = 430 years). However, it didn’t stop there. In Leviticus 26:14-18, God said He would punish Israel for their continued idolatry and sin by defeat and captivity. God went further to say that if Israel didn’t obey Him in captivity, He would punish them seven (7) times more. Israel had already served 70 years in the Babylonian Captivity. This left 360 years that Israel owed God servitude. But, because all three of the Kings would not listen to Jeremiah and repent and serve the King of Babylon in captivity as commanded by God, their servitude was multiplied by seven (7) (360 years x 7 = 2,520 years – actually works out to 2,483 years, 9 months, and 21 days, prophetically). Israel was released from the 70-years of Babylonian captivity July 23, 537 BC. If we add 2,483 years, 9 months, 21 days, and 360 more days for the year 0 (zero; in going from BC to AD), the date is exactly May 14, 1948. The year the “fig tree…putteth forth leaves.” Isn’t God amazing!!
Sisters and Brothers, I hope you see why I get excited. If I live a full life, I will not physically die. I will be a part of the event known as the Rapture. I can’t wait!! However, I have family, friends, acquaintances, and others God will bring across my path that need to hear The Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to be busy about my Father’s business these last years. I praise God for the privilege and honor to be a part of this generation. This is why I have NO WORRY when I see things going crazy all around this nation and the world. It’s supposed to go crazy. But I always remember God’s promise to me – to us as Believers.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
7 Blessed is the man that trusteth in The LORD, and whose hope The LORD is.
8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
You see, I know how things will go for me in these last years – no matter how crazy things are around me. God promises I shall not see (pay attention to) when heat (craziness, famine, economic downturn, etc.) comes because I will not personally experience it – unless I allow myself to because of my thinking, my heart, and my mouth. I shall not be careful (frugal) in the time of scarceness because I will not experience it. Instead, I will experience continued increase (yielding fruit) Spiritually, physically (green leaf), mentally, financially, and materially. Just as God did this for Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, so too will God do it for us through Jesus Christ.
In closing, let’s remember we can’t battle thoughts with thoughts. We must battle thoughts with God’s Word – decreed. God makes this clear to us in Zechariah 4:7.
Zechariah 4:7
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
Notice that whatever “mountain,” no matter how great, is challenging your thinking, your heart, and trying to instill fear in you must be dealt with verbally by decreeing The Word of God against it. Zechariah 4:7 doesn’t say “shall bring forth the headstone thereof with thinking, with fear.” It says, “with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” Grace is the “unmerited, unearned, undeserved, and unlimited favor of God” given us through the finished redemptive works of Jesus Christ. We shout Jesus, The Word of Almighty God, against whatever satan or the world brings to our minds or to our hearts to try and create fear and doubt. Doing anything less will allow satan to gain a foothold in our thinking or our heart.
Blessings in Christ Jesus,
Larry