Revelation Part 8
As we look into the book of Revelation we must understand the terms that are being used. There are common terms such as the tribulation period which some believe is 7 years long. However, that is simply not biblical. The true terminology is Daniel’s 70th week. Daniel’s 70th prophetic week is a 7 year period divided into 3 divisions , the first 3 ½ years are referred to as “Jacobs Trouble” or ” The beginning of Sorrows.” The second 3/12 years is referred to as the “Great Tribulation” and the “Day of the Lord.” Please see diagram below.
The term “tribulation” Has two meanings depending on the context. The first is comfort during trouble and testings, trials, and difficulties. Consider what Jesus and the Apostles said.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” NKJV
Rom 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. NKJV
2 Cor 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. NKJV
The second meaning is the prophetic meaning . It is used prophetically in both the OT and in the NT.
Deut 4:30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; 31 (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. KJV
In the NT Jesus taught concerning Daniel’s 70th week in answer to the disciples questions.
Matt 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying,”Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. NKJV
Jesus continues to use this prophetic term to warn us.
Matt 24:21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. NKJV
Note: The term “tribulation” is used in reference to evil men afflicting other men, as in wars and rumors of wars. This term is also used of Satan in his persecution of the “women” , which is “National Israel” in Revelation chapter 12. Tribulation is always a term used of one man abusing another, but not of the “Wrath of God” against men. The “Wrath of God” ,is reserved for those who have rejected God’s plan of salvation through faith in Jesus.
The catching away of the church will happen just before the seventh seal is opened. Thus in doing so, God fulfills his Word to His people concerning being spared from the wrath of God.
1 Thess 5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Rom 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.NKJV
1 Thess 5:4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. NLT
The time of the Great Tribulation can be clearly established. It coincides with the desecration of the temple by the Antichrist in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week.
Dan 9:27 This king will make a seven year treaty with the people, but after half that time, he will break his pledge and stop the Jews from all their sacrifices and their offerings; then, as a climax to all his terrible deeds, the Enemy shall utterly defile the sanctuary of God. But in God’s time and plan, his judgment will be poured out upon this Evil One.” TLB
Matt 24:15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. NKJV
The following facts must be kept in mind.
1. The first 3/12 years are Jacob’s Trouble, or The Beginning of Sorrows. { beginning birth pangs}
2. The Great Tribulation begins in the middle of Daniel’s 70th week. But does not last the entire 3/12 years because for the elect’s sake it is cut short.
3.Immediately after the Great Tribulation , there will be cosmic disturbances; these phenomena will signal the coming of the Son of Man from heaven.
4.Rev 6:12 Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances
12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. 14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. 15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” NKJV
5. Just before the opening of the 7th seal , the church will be caught up to heaven .
Matt 24: 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. NKJV
