This paper is the second part of an overview of the coming Tribulation. It is a more formal presentation than what is usually seen in my Blog. It is taken from a formal paper written by the author. Due to its length, it is presented in two parts. My hope is that it gives a better understanding of the Tribulation period that is still to come.
By Evangelist Alfreda Lockett Evans
The Antichrist himself will be the ultimate fulfillment of the prophecies in Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11, and Matthew 24:15. This is why Jesus referred to the desecration of the Temple as a still future event. That prophecy states that the Antichrist will stand in the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, will cause all sacrifices to cease, declare himself to be God and require all men to serve him as God. That this ultimate abomination will be committed is further validated in Dan. 12:11, 2 Thess. 2:3-4, and Rev. 13:8.
The final three and one-half years of the Tribulation will be a time of distress never known before by man. Were the days not shortened, no one would be able to survive. But God has a remedy, even in these worst of times.
Although the word “abomination” used by Christ in Matthew 24: 15 may be the same word used as an allusion to Antiochus IV Epiphanes in Daniel 11: 31, in Daniel 12: 11, it refers to the future stopping of the daily sacrifices, forty-two months before Christ’s second advent. That which Antiochus IV Epiphanes did in a small way will become a worldwide persecution of Israel and will include another stopping of their sacrifices in the future Great Tribulation. According to Revelation 13, the future world ruler, at the time of the Great Tribulation will not only take absolute political power to himself, but will demand the worship of the entire world, blaspheme the true God, and persecute the Saints (Rev. 13: 4-7). (Walvoord; Dyer 2013, pp. 289-290.)
When it takes place, the Abomination of Desolation is a key sign to all Jews to take specific actions. These actions are outlined in Matt. 24:15-21. The Jewish people are instructed to flee into the mountains speedily, taking nothing with them. They are to pray that this event does not occur on the Sabbath since Orthodox Jews consider it unlawful to travel more than a mile on the Sabbath (Acts 1:12) or during the winter because it will be difficult to flee without preparation. It will be especially hard on expectant and breastfeeding mothers. This period will be the worst that has ever occurred on planet earth. (Dake’s, 2014).
Matt. 24, verses 23-24 identify six signs that will occur during the Great Tribulation that are not to be believed: Men will falsely identify Christ as being here or there; false Christs and false prophets will arise and even show great signs and wonders; these events will be so convincing that if it were allowed, they might even deceive the very Jewish elect; some will state that Christ is in the desert; others will declare him to be in secret chambers. But because Christ has already warned the Jews, they do not have to be deceived by these false signs. (Matt. 24:25).
Matt. 24:27-28 identifies Christ’s Second Coming. The Second Coming will be:
- Immediately after the tribulation (Matt. 24:29; 25:31; Rev. 11:1-19:21).
- It will occur at the beginning of the Millennium (Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-10).
- It will take place after the Antichrist has reigned for 3 1/2 years (Rev. 13:5; 19:11-21; 2Thess. 2: 7-8.)
- It will occur at the end of this age (Matt. 13:38-43, 47-50; 24:3, 29-31; 25:31-46).
- Christ’s second coming will occur when ten kingdoms are formed inside the old Roman Empire (Dan 2:44-45; 7:23-24; Rev. 13:1-18; 19:11-21).
- There will be days of terrible moral conditions as in the days of Lot and Noah (Matt. 24:37-51; Luke 17: 22-27; 2 Tim. 3:1-13; 4:1-4; 2Peter 2; Jude).
- He will return after the Church Age (2 Th. 2:7-8; Acts 15:13-18; Jude 14; Zech. 14:5).
- Upon His return, Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies and half the city taken (Zech. 14: 1-5, 14-21; Joel 3).
- Christ’s return will occur after the resurrection of the righteous dead and 1,000 years before the resurrection of the wicked dead (Rev. 20:1-15; Zech. 14:5; Jude 14).
- When Christ returns, all of Revelation 4-19 will have been fulfilled (Rev. 19: 11-21; 20:1-10).
- His return will occur at the time Satan is bound before the Millennium (Rev. 20:1-7).
- When He returns Israel will be restored and converted, and Christ will take the throne of David to begin His reign over Israel forever (Is. 9:6-7; Hos. 3:4-5; Lk. 1: 32-33; Ez. 36:23-28; 37: 16-28). (Dake’s 2014, p. 405).
Christ’s Second Coming will be visible to everyone, as it will be apparent from the east to the west. The Second Coming will be a grand event (unlike the Rapture which will be instantaneous), and will extend over many hours. (Zech. 14:4). He will arrive with hosts of heaven and will descend to the earth in the area of the Mount of Olives. (Walvoord, p. 190).
Jesus is coming back again. May we all be a part of that great host that will return with Him when he returns to earth in majesty and glory to establish His kingdom.
References
Dake, F. (2014). Dake’s annotated reference Bible. Lawrenceville, GA: Dake Publishing, Inc.
Ironside, H. (2005). Matthew: An Ironside expository commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel.
Mish, F. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (11th ed.). United States of America: Merriam-Webster.
Walvoord, J. (1974). Matthew, thy kingdom come. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
Walvoord, J., Dyer, C. (2013). The John Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries. Moody Publishers: Kindle Edition.