THE GREAT TRIBULATION
by Dr. Lloyd T. Anderson
ing toward this seven-year interval, He promises, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew’s Gospel includes three important discourses by our Lord. The Sermon on the Mount is in chapters 5 through 7. The second occupies all of chapter 13 and is a series of parables. The third covers chapters 24 and 25 and has a special prophetic significance and impor tance. Each of the sermons actually refers in some way to the earthly kingdom of Christ. This section we’re looking at could be described as the constitution of the kingdom for we find in it the principles of its gov ernment. In this sermon we are impressed with the intensity and rapidity of movement. The time prophesied will be a period of unparalleled anguish and sorrow. It’s really the last three and a half years that are properly called the Great Tribulation. In their descriptions of the Day of the Lord, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joel, as well as other Old Testament prophets, give details so exactly like those given in Matthew 24 and 25 that there can be no question but that they refer to the same time. For comparison, study Isaiah 13:6-18 a long with Matthew 24:21. I am not saying that there haven’t been partial fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies already. But the Olivet discourse has to do with a final fulfillment which is still to come. The Church must first of all be raptured before the other events take place. Daniel is the only prophet referred to by name in this section of Mat thew. Keep in mind that there’s a vast difference between “the time of the end” and “the end of time.” The
P art I I T IS WONDERFUL to consider those beautiful p o r t i o n s of Scripture which deal with the coming of the Lord, the translation of the Church, and the transformation of t h e s e bodies likened unto His glorified body. As we consider the New Testa ment Church, which began on the day of Pentecost, we see that this age will close when Christ comes in the air to receive every born-again be liever to be with Himself. Following this there are some prophetic events which take place upon the earth be fore the Lord comes visibly and places His pierced feet upon earth’s soil. This interval involves seven years and is referred to as the Great Tribulation. This is the subject to which we would direct your attention. One of the key passages to consider is Matthew 24. As this section unfolds, our Sav iour points out the beautiful temple, and then explains to His disciples that some day it will all be destroyed. The men who followed Him wanted to know when all of this would take place. As Christ sat upon the Mount of Olives, He told them about some certain signs, “Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” He then described international wars, fam ines, earthquakes, and other tremen dous problems. These He explains are “the beginning of sorrows.” Again, Christ underscores the rise of false prophets who seek to deceive. He points out the sin and indiffer ence that mark the day. Then, look- 20
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