A Great Tribulation Such As Never Was

1. What Scripture Calls It

The Lord Jesus spoke of a period called great tribulation. 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” Matthew 24 verse 21. Mark records the same warning, “such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be” Mark 13 verse 19. Daniel foresaw it as “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time” Daniel 12 verse 1. Jeremiah called it “the time of Jacob’s trouble” and added “he shall be saved out of it” Jeremiah 30 verse 7. These are prophetic passages about Israel and the nations on the earth, not about the Body of Christ in heavenly places.

2. When It Occurs In Prophecy

The Lord places the great tribulation after the sign of the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet Matthew 24 verses 15 through 21. Daniel identifies a final week determined upon Israel and upon the holy city, with a prince that shall confirm the covenant and in the midst of the week cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease Daniel 9 verse 27. The last half of that week is the period of greatest trouble. Revelation describes matching spans of time as one thousand two hundred and threescore days, time and times and half a time, and forty and two months Revelation 11 verse 2, Revelation 12 verses 6 and 14, Revelation 13 verse 5. The Lord also says those days shall be shortened for the elect’s sake Matthew 24 verse 22. All of this sits inside Israel’s prophetic calendar, on the earth, focused on Judaea, Jerusalem, and a standing temple Matthew 24 verses 15 through 20.

3. Who It Concerns

The language and the location show the audience. The Lord warns those in Judaea to flee into the mountains. He speaks about the Sabbath day and about a holy place Matthew 24 verses 15 through 20. This is Jewish program language, not Body of Christ language. Jeremiah calls it Jacob’s trouble. Daniel names Israel and the city. Revelation seals twelve tribes of Israel, one hundred forty and four thousand, for service in that time Revelation 7 verses 4 through 8. The two witnesses prophesy at Jerusalem for one thousand two hundred and threescore days Revelation 11 verses 1 through 7. The Beast blasphemes God, persecutes the saints of that program, and rules the earth for forty and two months Revelation 13 verses 5 through 10. Multitudes from all nations will be saved in that time by aligning with the testimony that God gives through Israel’s program, and John is told, “These are they which came out of great tribulation” Revelation 7 verse 14. None of this places the Body of Christ into that scene.

4. What Makes It Unlike Anything Before

It is unique in scope, intensity, and purpose. The judgments that fall are direct, layered, and global. Revelation opens the seals, sounds the trumpets, and pours out the vials Revelation chapters 6 through 16. The sun is darkened, the moon gives not her light, the stars fall, and the powers of the heavens are shaken Matthew 24 verse 29, Revelation 6 verses 12 through 14. There is a world ruler energized by the dragon, with a false prophet working miracles and enforcing a mark for buying and selling Revelation 13 verses 1 through 18. There is concentrated persecution against the saints of that program and against Jerusalem. It surpasses every previous judgment, yet it is limited by God and directed toward promised ends.

5. Why God Appoints It

Daniel lists six purposes that complete the prophetic program upon Israel and the holy city. To finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy Daniel 9 verse 24. Jeremiah says Israel will be saved out of Jacob’s trouble Jeremiah 30 verse 7. Zechariah shows a refined remnant that calls upon the Lord’s name and is acknowledged as His people Zechariah 13 verses 8 through 9. Revelation shows the Lamb taking the throne and the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ Revelation 11 verse 15. The great tribulation is not random suffering. It is the final turning of Israel to her Messiah, the judgment of the rebellious, and the preparation for the kingdom promised by the prophets.

6. What Israel Is Told To Do In That Time

The Lord gives specific instructions. Flee when the abomination appears. Pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day. Endure unto the end to be saved in that program. Do not be deceived by false Christs and false prophets Matthew 24 verses 13 through 26. The gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come Matthew 24 verse 14. These are kingdom instructions for Israel’s last days, not instructions for the Body of Christ under the revelation of the mystery.

7. Who Will Not Go Through It

The Body of Christ is not appointed to that wrath. Paul writes, “Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” First Thessalonians 1 verse 10. He adds, “God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” First Thessalonians 5 verse 9. Our hope is to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord First Thessalonians 4 verses 16 through 17. The mystery of our change is revealed as a secret not made known in the prophets. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye First Corinthians 15 verses 51 through 52. The present dispensation will end with the Body gathered to Christ, then God resumes the prophetic dealings with Israel and the nations. Right division keeps the Body of Christ out of Jacob’s trouble and honors the distinct promises to Israel.

8. How To Read Matthew 24 Without Confusion

Note the markers the Lord gave. He mentions Judaea, the holy place, the Sabbath, the winter flight, and the abomination standing where it ought not. He places signs in the sun, moon, and stars. He speaks of the Son of man coming immediately after the tribulation of those days, sending angels with a great sound of a trumpet to gather His elect from the four winds Matthew 24 verses 15 through 31. These are prophetic signs for Israel. Paul never gives the Body signs in the heavens to watch for, nor a command to flee Judaea, nor a Sabbath travel concern. He points us to a blessed hope and a heavenly seat Ephesians 2 verse 6, Titus 2 verse 13.

9. The End Of The Great Tribulation

Those days conclude with the visible appearing of the Son of man in power and great glory. Every eye shall see Him. He destroys the Beast and the false prophet. He delivers Jerusalem. He judges the nations. He establishes the promised kingdom Revelation 19 verses 11 through 21, Zechariah 14 verses 1 through 9, Matthew 25 verses 31 through 34. After the millennial reign and the final judgment, God creates a new heaven and a new earth, and the holy city, new Jerusalem, descends as the Lamb’s wife Revelation 20 verse 11 through Revelation 21 verse 3. That is the prophetic destination for redeemed Israel and the nations blessed through her. The Body of Christ serves the fulness of Christ in heavenly places Ephesians 1 verses 20 through 23.

10. A Word For Today

Prophecy lays out a coming time of trouble without equal. Yet that is not the message God is preaching today. Today God offers salvation by grace through faith in the finished cross work of Christ. “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” First Corinthians 15 verses 3 through 4. We are justified by faith in the blood of Christ, without works, and placed into the Body of Christ with a heavenly hope Romans 3 verses 24 through 26, Ephesians 2 verses 8 through 9. Believe the gospel of Christ’s blood and resurrection, be saved now, and look for the blessed hope rather than the day of Jacob’s trouble.

Key Passages To Revisit

Matthew 24 verses 1 through 31, Mark 13 verses 14 through 27, Daniel 9 verse 24 through 27, Daniel 12 verse 1, Jeremiah 30 verses 4 through 9, Revelation chapters 6 through 16, Revelation 7 verses 1 through 17, Revelation 11 verses 1 through 13, Revelation 13 verses 1 through 18, Revelation 19 verses 11 through 21, First Thessalonians 1 verse 10, First Thessalonians 4 verses 13 through 18, First Thessalonians 5 verses 1 through 11, First Corinthians 15 verses 51 through 52, Romans 3 verses 24 through 26.