An In-Depth Analysis of The Great Tribulation

An In-Depth Analysis of The Great Tribulation

1. Introduction

In studying the tribulation, it must be remembered that it has to do with so-called Christian nations — the Church, the Book of Mormon people, and others who are under covenant to be the Lord’s. When we think of the horrible things which must precede the coming of the Son of God; the rivers of blood, the depthless grief, the utter anguish; we think in terms of dying in defense of the faith. Worst of all, when we study the tribulation we wonder how — if it were not curtailed — how any souls would be saved except it be the elect for God’s holy decree must needs be fulfilled, else would his word fail. Of course, the Lord’s earthly kingdom was not ushered in during the seven predicted years. The prophecies of Daniel and John have to do with the Jews and Israel, and they were not fulfilled. Yes, the "great tribulation" did not occur, and what did occur had only mounting significance as it pertains to the future. A remnant of the ancient American people were caught up to heaven, to return to witness the Lord’s second coming.

There are basically two schools of thought concerning the great tribulation and the second coming of Jesus. To the first group, the great tribulation is a future event that will overtake the human race in the womb of time and that it will be a period of incomparable suffering, catastrophe, and death unparalleled in human history, a period which will wind up with the personal return of Jesus Christ to the earth, to reign for a thousand years. According to the second school of thought, the great tribulation is a historical fact by which all these great – and terrible – events have occurred during the centuries after the death of Christ. We intend to give an in-depth analysis of the great tribulation from the point of view of the second group, more especially from the Restoration point of view.

1.1. Definition and Origins

First, let us define what the Bible means by the phrase "The Great Tribulation". In the Gospel according to Matthew in the twenty-fourth chapter, starting with verse number twenty-one, we read a prophecy about a future time of great trouble coming on earth that will be so severe that nothing even remotely like it has ever happened before. Jesus is speaking about this future event, and this is what He said: "For then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be, and except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened (vs 21-22)."

What is the "Great Tribulation"? Where did it come from? Did God himself initiate this great period of world trouble and distress upon the human family? Does the Bible give us a clear explanation explaining the reasons or cause of this forthcoming catastrophic period in the affairs of man on planet earth? Before we go any further in our study of the fulfillment of prophecy, we need to get these questions cleared up. We need to go to the Bible for those answers, and that is exactly what we will do right now.

2. Biblical References

The book of Matthew, written by the apostle Matthew, is one of four books that has its setting primarily in the Old Testament portion of Scripture. It is often called a bridging book because it moves from the Old Testament period to the New Testament period, showing Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah. Parallels to this "tribulation" are also referred to in Mark 13:24 and Luke 21:25. The Old Testament references are Jeremiah 30:7 and Daniel 12:1. These Old Testament references are cross-referenced to Matthew 24:15 as well as to Mark 13:14. The other reference in the New Testament that speaks of a "great tribulation" is in Revelation 7:14. In this last passage, John is in heaven and gets his information from an elder who shows him the white-robed saints who have come out of the great tribulation.

Though the doctrine of the Great Tribulation is set forth in the book of Revelation, it is first referred to by that name in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus, in discussing the future with His disciples, says, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken" (Matthew 24:29). In this great prophetic discourse, Jesus speaks of the "tribulation of those days" and of how bad the tribulation shall be (Matthew 19:21). It is in Matthew that we first read of a period of great tribulation that shall befall the believers.

2.1. Old Testament Prophecies

As the Bible teaches, if we come to Christ, we will meet Him as part of His bride, possibly with one of the crowns that He will put on our heads for our redemption. As the Bible teaches, we will be in this eternal kingdom first as priest-kings serving with Him through these thousand years. The Jews should especially take advantage of all the prophecies that have been provided concerning the fantastic outcome for a few people during this period.

There are several Old Testament prophecies that refer to future events that are usually connected with the end of this period called the Great Tribulation. The imagery is presented in various forms: drama, history, poetry, prophecy. As with many Old Testament prophecies, the prophecies often have a far view, a near view, and even a focusing view. When we deal with such prophecies, we should focus more on their major spiritual importance than try to find satisfaction in precise chronological fulfillment. We should be thankful that God was so gracious as to provide us with this information, and even if He provides precise chronological fulfillment, it has something to do with us.

2.2. New Testament Accounts

In answer to a timely and regularly repeated question from His closest apostles, "Tell us, when will these things be?" and "What will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?", Jesus presents the chronology of the end. This, the first account, is recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, then later believers spread the detailed account every bit as intentionally as the rest of Jesus' message in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. First, His Thread, His brief answer, is the first and broadest itinerary. It is then expanded in both directions in a prequel, "No one knows the day or hour", chapter 24 regarding the events which Jesus' disciples would personally witness from then until His Parousia. Then in an equal-sized sequel, the Kingdom of the heavens will become like ten virgins, chapter 25. In these well-known sermons, Jesus says that the end would come like a woman giving birth: firstly, the seals would break, then they would be broken in quick succession, lastly breaking onto the trumpet blast.

"The Great Tribulation" is a term that suggests much, for it was used by prophecy students who, at the time, had unparalleled understanding of Bible prophecy. They were the apostles. They had walked with the Son of Prophecy and questioned Him about things, including the then-future Day of Atonement and the events that would bring it in. They had experienced a foretaste of the Tribulation, which would afflict future disciples of Jesus in the 3.5 years preceding the end of the 70-year period, which is defined by the presence or absence of God (either keeping a weekly Sabbath, the least commitment to God's worship that's expected of His visible people, or none at all) at His pre-ordained earthly home, the temple. In this era, we have at our disposal their written records, which can either be used according to their creator's intention or abused. We should also work out for ourselves what was indicated to them at the time of writing, as progress in understanding the Creator's prophecy would suggest.

3. Interpretations and Theological Perspectives

As seen in previous sections, the diversity of theological positions adopted by the different Christian branches has generated different interpretations of this Great Tribulation referred to in the history of the Church. A preliminary and basic distinction is observed between two large families: On the one hand, those interpretations that propose historical references, or according to progress in history, to be able to find what seeks a response sent to the immediate context of the Evangelist on behalf of Jesus. And on the other hand, there are those that propose that the latter must be understood with a direct response to the intentions of Jesus in his historical presence, and therefore it is acceptable to find a response in the future in the act of being resolved. In this way, the solutions to be given for the time being about this would be contradictory. And therefore, we cannot find a theological-pastoral method valid for different attitudes about this.

3.1. Preterist Viewpoint

These scholars are also inclined to believe that the prophecies of the New Testament are things which must shortly come to pass. They view the Revelation to be a message of that which must shortly come to pass upon the enemies of Christ who played a part when the persecutions against Christians arose, ministered, and persecuted the church. During the times of their adversities, Rome is seen to be bathed in the bride, the Lamb. Despite attempts for salvation, the persecutors went down into the depths of everlasting destruction. These prophecies also establish that the resurrection took place at the announcement of the end of the persecutions at the fall of the pagan world, approximately revealed in John's time. The fire, which was cast upon the persecutors, raged, the burning wound that the persecuted received was healed, and the Christian church looked forward to the new heaven, earth, and Jerusalem situation. Despite suffering from the false healing, the Christian church looked for a new song, refuge, and joy anticipating a home with Christ. Even though the wrath of God still previously subsisted, John no longer suffered from either the oppression or the death. The revelation of Jesus Christ confirmed that the prophecies were at hand accompanied with assurance, comfort, and hope.

Many theologians hold the view that the Book of Revelation is primarily a study of the political struggle between Rome and the Christian church. These scholars hold onto four mainstand views concerning the New Testament prophecies: First of all, Preterist scholars view the prophecies in the New Testament as a revelation of the struggle between the early Christians and the pagan forces of Rome. These prophecies paint a vivid backdrop for the majority of the New Testament writings and associate with the world in which the early church faces persecution. Secondly, they declare that the tribulations under which the Christians suffered in the days of the apostles is that prophesied by Christ and sent to be recorded for us by John, the aged apostle on the isle of Patmos. Preterist scholars hold the revelation of Jesus Christ to be the predestined, divine foreknowledge given at a specific time prior to the fulfillment of the prediction.

3.2. Futurist Viewpoint

A Progression is where the first four seals lead directly to the others. They summarize the entire Tribulation period. Each seal judgment leads directly to the next because the former causes pain or destruction that prompts the others to occur. This viewpoint began with the 24 elders who hold a harp and a bowl in heaven and argue that if the church has already been taken up, accomplished the candidate for the seven trumpet and vial judgments. Seven Silence in Heaven from 8:1 and 14:15 and 17 are said to encourage a pre-tribulation rapture viewpoint found in these studied the new Earth during Tribulation.

- Partial, Gradual, Progressive series of three descriptions of a single future tribulation. - Full Recapitulation, where the entire Tribulation is shown in each of the seven seals, six trumpets, and seven bowl judgments. This view is popular with many futurists. Structures encourage the view and preterits to be far-fetched on a cursory reading. Since the judgments depicted grow in intensity and yet only one occurs at a time; so the same period is referred to a structured progressive series.

There are several divisions and groupings of prophecy episodes of the Great Tribulation propounded by futurists. The following are the concepts of interpretations of the Great Tribulation events:

4. Historical Cases of Tribulation

A time such as this has never happened before and is not going to occur after God. It is a very unique event in time. Without God's intervention, there would be no Christians and no physically living Jews left on planet Earth. Man would self-destruct in the eight years of nuclear devastation. However, God intervenes and secretly raptures the Church, then completes the final five prophetic wedding feasts. After these feasts occur, God unleashes a torrent of plagues upon those who deserve God's wrath. After the tribulation, God judges all the people on Earth to see what will occur throughout eternity for His glory.

It is helpful to look at a few historic incidents to note the kind of results tribulation has on a people. It is normal for the average person to conclude that during a great time of distress, a person will listen to anyone who promises to bring it to an end. This is exactly what happens, as the examples that follow verify. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to get around having to pay and then rebuild. This Great Tribulation is a time of great distress where God personally intervenes to save man. It is an event where man resolves to enforce the complete autonomy of man over man and God.

4.1. Persecutions in Early Christianity

An account of the persecutions in Lyon and Vienne about 177 is preserved in the last letter of comfort to the Churches of Gaul written by the venerable Bishop Irenaeus. These two Christian communities were composed of all social classes; most members were of the slave class, and some were respected medical practitioners; some held public honor and responsibility. Pothinus, an elderly man and an official auctor, was the committed chief ekklesia leader. In their persecution, the bonds of Christian and pagan identification could be severed for those living within the territory of the two cities. Persevering in faith and expectation, those who were freed were led to an expedition of miraculous power.

Persecutions of Christians were sporadic in the Church's early centuries, largely because of the method of discarding Christians. Augustus and the governors of Syria and Judea, against whom Tertullian wrote, did not even know the Christians legally existed as 'sectaries' who should be put in jail. As persecutions became common throughout the Roman Empire, the Church developed its hiding places and the collections of written wisdom. Emperor Julian sought to destroy the appeal of Christianity in the minds of the people; this attempt was partially undermined by and bequeathed to the Western Churches substantial sections of the Library of Alexandria, through the secret help offered the pagan philosophers by the Christian Hierakes. Before the time of Diocletian, the persecutions were regional and avoidable with a good understanding of what was happening and a small submission to the authorities.

5. Signs and Events of The Great Tribulation

The Great Tribulation begins with the signing of a seven-year peace covenant or treaties by a world ruler or a world federation of nations - The Antichrist. This peace covenant or treaties brings into place the last effort by man under Satan and a false prophet to establish a worldwide, one-world government, with an economy and a world religious system for the worship of Satan. And it will end when the Lord Jesus returns with the Church in Glory. It is divided into two portions - the first 3-1/2 years, and the last 3-1/2 years. These two 3-1/2 years are referred to in many places in the original language as the first half and the second half respectively. It is called the Great Tribulation because it is the time of Jacob's trouble, for it will concern almost exclusively the Jewish people, for Jacob's name was changed to Israel by God, according to his promise with Abraham. The church has been translated out from the world by the rapture, so the Great Tribulation will concern Israel's redemption.

- There are over 100 scriptures of the Old and New Testaments about the Great Tribulation. The term "The Tribulation" or "The Great Tribulation" is mentioned three times in the book of Revelation, and others are in the Gospels and some of the epistles. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 24 and 25, the Lord Jesus devoted 85 verses to speak of the Great Tribulation. One-third of the Bible is prophecy, and most of the prophecies are yet to be fulfilled. Many of them may be fulfilled within a few years after the Church is translated.

My Name is César and I’m A Voice In The Desert

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