The Great Tribulation!: A Biblical Study of the 70Th Week of Daniel

By Richard L. Guthrie

The end times contain many exciting events we are all familiar with and think we fully understand. The appearance and domination of the Antichrist throughout the world. The rise and global domination of the Revised Roman Empire, resulting in a One World Government. The Mark of the Beast that makes trade impossible anywhere on the Earth. The universal devastation wrecked by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The appearance of the spiritual harlot of Mystery Babylon, and the end time false religion. However, consider the following:

What if the Antichrist will not become the universal or worldwide leader?

What if the Mark of the Beast is regional, rather than global?

What if there is no Revised Roman Empire?

What if the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse have already been loosed?

What if Mystery Babylon could never be the Roman Catholic Church?

Who did Jesus identify as the Mystery Babylon of Revelation?

What if the Twelfth Imam, the Islamic Messiah, is slain in the rebuilt Jewish Temple?

Why is it impossible to know the identity of the Antichrist until certain events unfold?

Why are the dates of the Rapture and that of the Second Coming both unknowable?

Who is left to enter into the Millennial Kingdom if theres a Post-Tribulational Rapture?

Why are the identities of the two end-time prophets unknowable?

What country is poised to play a major role within these end-time events?

In a detailed and thorough analysis of Scripture, The Great Tribulation! explores these and many more questions related to the end-time events in a step-by-step approach. Using a literal interpretation of Scripture, this eschatological study is unsurpassed in detail for the knowledgeable Bible student and yet remains basic and straightforward for the novice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490857886

Richard L. Guthrie

N/A

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Copyright © 2014 Richard Guthrie.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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All scripture quotations are from the King James

Version of the Holy Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-5787-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-5788-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014920140

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/11/2014

Contents

Chapter 1   Introduction

Chapter 2   The Tribulation

Chapter 3   The Kingdom

Chapter 4   The Day of the Lord

Chapter 5   The Second Coming

Chapter 6   The Millennium

Chapter 7   The Placement of the Rapture

Chapter 8   The Revelation Judgments

Chapter 9   Jesus’ End Time Comments

Chapter 10 Paul’s End Time Comments

Chapter 11 Know the Enemy

Chapter 12 Forty Two Months

Chapter 13 Twenty One Judgments

Chapter 14 The Antichrist and the False Prophet

Chapter 15 Daniel

Chapter 16 The Ten Toes

Chapter 17 Babylon the Great

Chapter 18 The Two Prophets

Chapter 19 The Unknown Day

Chapter 20 The 1²th Imam

Chapter 21 Armageddon

Chapter 22 Revisiting Matthew 24

Chapter 23 Satan Wins!?!

Chapter 24 Bible Prophecy in Action

Chapter 25 Putting It All Together

Appendix 1 Summary of the Placement of the Rapture

Appendix 2 Hell is Real

Appendix 3 Myths of the Pre-Tribulational Rapture

Appendix 4 Myths of the Nature of the Tribulation

About the Author

Dedication

To my Mom and Dad without whose example

and support I would never have had the

courage to seek out the truth and to

earnestly contend for the faith.

Chapter 1

Introduction

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The purpose of this book is to provide an honest look at what the Scriptures present regarding the Tribulation or the 70th Week of Daniel: without prejudice and without pre-conceived ideas. It will build its own foundation however the Scriptures lead.

It is the result of my earnest desire to establish a definitive and Scriptural base for establishing events surrounding the timeline of the Tribulation. My similar study (The Rapture: From the Ground Up which is a book referenced within this study) provided a definitive and Scriptural basis for the timing of the Rapture. That study led to uncovering many inconsistencies regarding the traditional concepts surrounding the accepted concept of the Tribulation (or 70th Week of Daniel).

As in my previous study, I was quickly mired in some well entrenched theories, ‘doctrines’ and sacredly held beliefs regarding the Millennium and the traditional concept of the Tribulation. I will address many of these as we find out what the Scriptures are actually teaching us with regard to the Tribulation, the Great Tribulation and the 70th Week of Daniel.

I refused to blindly accept what popular Bible scholars were teaching unless they provided a sound Scriptural basis. A popular method for establishing a theory was to undermine differing theories to where their theory was the only one left ‘standing.’ Another approach was to build conjecture upon conjuncture which gave the appearance of being Bible based. But the ‘foundational’ Scriptures used were being taken out of context or distorted from their true meanings. Jesus warned us what would happen from building a house on ‘sand’ (Matthew 7:26).

Jesus had also warned the Pharisees that they were teaching for doctrines the commandments of men (Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7). Without a sound Bible foundation, fundamental and evangelical Christianity has the same potential for developing a similar set of ‘doctrines.’

A summary of my personal ‘doctrinal statement’ is provided. Though it is not the emphasis of this study, it is important to take note of my own inherent biases:

1. I believe that the King James Version (KJV) is the best English translation available and is used exclusively throughout this study.

2. I believe in the inerrancy of the Scripture.

3. I believe that Jesus died, was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:4).

4. I believe that Israel and the Church are distinct entities in God’s overall plan.

5. I believe that the promises God made to Israel will be fulfilled to Israel.

6. I believe that the Church has not replaced Israel for the fulfillment of these promises.

7. I believe that Jesus will establish a kingdom on Earth (the Millennial Kingdom) and, afterward, an eternal kingdom (Kingdom of God).

8. I believe that the traditional Tribulation period (or the 70th Week of Daniel) is a time of God’s judgment on an unbelieving world.

9. I believe that the traditional Tribulation period (or the 70th Week of Daniel) will precede the Millennium, separated by the Second Coming.

10. I believe that the Millennial Kingdom will precede the Eternal Kingdom of God, separated by the Great White Throne Judgment.

11. I believe in the literal translation of God’s Word unless the context indicates otherwise.

12. I believe in the Rapture, where Jesus will come for His own and give them glorified bodies.

13. I believe in the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ when He will come to Earth in power and glory.

14. I believe that the Rapture, the traditional Tribulation period (or the 70th Week of Daniel), the Millennium, and the Kingdom of God are all future events.

15. I believe that the personal belief and faith that Jesus (being 100% God and 100% man) dying for our sins is the cornerstone for being a true believer and being a member of the true Church (John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

16. I now believe that the Rapture will occur immediately before the Second Coming. The two events may appear to occur simultaneously. (See Appendix 1 which is a Summary on the Placement of the Rapture.) [Technically, I believe in a Post-Great Tribulational Rapture or a Post-70th Week of Daniel Rapture since the term ‘Tribulation’ is commonly misused by theologians. However, I’m ‘Post-Tribulational Rapture’ because it is widely used and accepted as a general concept.]

Evaluating or defending each of my personal beliefs would be a book of Bible studies each unto its own. However, this study is focused on determining the events and timing of the traditional Tribulation or specifically, the Great Tribulation. It is not going to ‘prove’ the assumptions and beliefs that I’ve stated above. Of course, many of these will be established through indirect evidence as this evaluation of the Tribulation unfolds. Along the way, other items, which have become key items or the cornerstones for some beliefs, must be evaluated to establish their validity.

To provide consistency within my discussion and study, I will adhere to the terms found in the following table. The following terms are also based on the premise that the traditional concept of the Tribulation is a seven year interval and is also called the ‘Time of Jacob’s Trouble’ or the ‘70th Week of Daniel.’ This study may or may not be consistent with that premise, but for starters, it is provided as a ‘baseline.’

Quotes to Live By

Dr. John R. Rice has stated, The best way to interpret the Bible is not to interpret it at all.

Charles Spurgeon said it succinctly: The Bible is like a lion. Who ever heard of defending a lion? Just turn it loose, it will defend itself.

The Apostle John said: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)

The early church was shown to earnestly ‘search the scriptures daily’ (Acts 17:11) to verify what the Apostles presented to them. They were daily challenging the teachings presented to them by the very people who were taught at the feet of Jesus. Today’s believers should do no less than expend that kind of effort in their daily Bible study – especially since we do not have the luxury of being taught by men directly educated by the Lord Jesus Christ.

… or you can ignore what the Bible says and presents. You can easily and quickly become part of the apostate Church that Jesus, Paul and John said would dominate Christianity in the end times.

The Apostle Paul said to young Timothy: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

How does one ‘rightly divide’ the Word of God?

There are many ways people interpret this task of ‘rightly dividing’ the Word of God. The following methodology was used in this study:

1. By cross-referencing the Bible.

2. By comparing one Bible truth to another.

3. Never taking any Scripture outside of the context of the verse.

4. Evaluating Scripture in light of all the other related Scriptures in the Bible.

5. Avoid premature conclusions when studying the Bible.

6. Avoid, or minimize, the interjection of emotion and personal beliefs.

7. Study and evaluate what others say regarding the Scripture (heeding what is Bible based and discarding conjecture, hand-waving, and personal opinions).

2 Peter 1:20 "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."

8. Allow God’s Holy Spirit to guide and direct you. (Remembering that the leading of the Holy Spirit will never contradict Scripture.)

John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

9. God’s Word is the ultimate authority.

10. God’s Word is taken literally unless otherwise indicated.

11. A simple or straightforward interpretation is preferred over a complex or convoluted interpretation given that both interpretations are consistent with the rest of this methodology and Scripture.

12. Remembering that God’s Word doesn’t contradict itself and is consistent.

Scriptures Used

Scriptures used in this study are entirely from the King James Version (KJV) which is sometimes referred to as the Authorized Version (AV). As already shown in this introduction, I’ve added italics, bold lettering, bold italics, and underlining to place particular emphasis to certain portions of the Scripture. In the KJV, italics is normally used to show that the translators added the italicized words based on the context of the original Greek or Hebrew even though there wasn’t a corresponding Greek or Hebrew word associated with it. My use of the stated method for emphasis loses this differentiation within the KJV. Fortunately, there are few italicized words in the references I’ve cited, so the impact should prove minimal.

Millennial Theories

There are three predominate millennial theories being taught in churches today: premillennialism, postmillennialism and amillennialism. A study regarding the traditional concept of the Tribulation needs to establish whether the Tribulation actually is to occur and, if so, when it will occur in relationship to the Millennium. We will first take a brief look at premillennialism and amillennialism.

Amillennialism

Amillennialism is the belief that the 1,000 year reign or millennial reign of Christ and the Church (His Saints) is seen as a metaphor (spiritualized) where the Church stands in proxy for Christ. Some forms of Amillennialism have a literal 1,000 year reign with the Church as the governing agent. Most views express an ‘era’ of time in which the Church, representing Christ on Earth, reigns in His stead (sometimes seen as from literal Jerusalem or sometimes from a ‘spiritualized’ Jerusalem) but where no literal return of Christ in physical form occurs. The Amillennial view holds that the thousand years mentioned in Revelation chapter 20 is a symbolic number, not a literal description.

Amillennialism teaches that the Kingdom of God will not be physically established on earth throughout the ‘millennium’ but that:

1. Jesus is presently reigning from heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father,

2. Jesus is and will remain with the Church until the end of the world, as he promised at the ascension,

3. At Pentecost, the Millennium began, as is shown by Peter referring to the prophecy of Joel to explain what was happening,

Acts 2:16-21 ¹⁶But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; ¹⁷And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: ¹⁸And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: ¹⁹And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: ²⁰The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: ²¹And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

4. The Church, by spreading the Gospel or ‘good news,’ is Christ’s ‘millennial’ kingdom.

Many amillennialists cite scripture references to the kingdom to establish that it is not a physical realm:

1. Matthew 12:28, where Jesus cites his driving out of demons as evidence that the kingdom of God had come upon them;

2. Luke 17:20-21, where Jesus warns that the coming of the kingdom of God cannot be observed, and that it is among them; and

3. Romans 14:17, where Paul speaks of the Kingdom of God in relative terms of the Christians’ actions.

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Scriptural View of Amillennialism

We need to review each of these ‘core’ beliefs to see if there is any truth in them.

Jesus is seated at the right hand of God. But Jesus is not shown to be reigning from that position. Contrary to that, Jesus is waiting until His enemies are defeated.

Matthew 22:44 "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?"

In Revelation chapter 20, Jesus has resurrected dead believers to rule and reign with Him. To date, there has been no resurrection of dead believers, so this event has not taken place yet.

Revelation 20:4 "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

Jesus stated that He will always be with the believer.

Matthew 28:20 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

But Jesus fulfills this promise by indwelling the living Christian with the Holy Spirit.

John 14:16 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"

John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

John 16:7 "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you."

Jesus fulfills this promise of being with the Christian, even in death.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

To date, there has been no reference to the believer ‘ruling and reigning’ over the nations according to these biblical references. Historically, Christians have never ruled over the entire world.

At Pentecost, Peter cited Joel’s prophecy, but there still remains unfulfilled Bible prophecy regarding the last days. The rest of Joel’s prophecy, partially fulfilled at Pentecost, must occur:

Joel 2:28-31 "²⁸And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: ²⁹And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. ³⁰And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. ³¹The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come."

The last portion of this prophecy has not been fulfilled. The signs of the sun and the moon are specific to the traditional Tribulation (Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:24, Luke 21:25, Revelation 6:12, Revelation 8:12). Regardless, the ‘great and terrible day of the LORD’ has yet to occur. There is no indication from Peter that Pentecost ‘ushered in’ or marked the beginning of the millennial reign of Christ.

The Gospel is part of the Great Commission given to the Church.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Paul never referred to the Church as being part of the Millennial Kingdom. It was actually referred to separately from the promised earthly kingdom that was made to the Israelites.

Romans 11:25 "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."

The promise for the Church to rule and reign with Christ was cited to be a future event and not an event that was ongoing.

Revelation 5:10 "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

Concerning the concept that the ‘Millennial Kingdom’ is not of this physical realm, the following verses were cited:

Matthew 12:28 "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."

Luke 17:20-21 "²⁰And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, ²¹The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

Romans 14:17 "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

Each of these references is about the Kingdom of God which is not the Millennial Kingdom. This is the Eternal Kingdom that Jesus establishes after the Millennial Kingdom. Attributes of the Eternal Kingdom (the Kingdom of God) should not be given to the earthly kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom). The differences between these two kingdoms are developed later in this study. (See Chapter 3 on The Kingdom.)

There is no scriptural basis to establish the Amillennial position. Also, there are not enough historical facts or Scriptural references to justify ‘spiritualizing’ the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Postmillennialism

Postmillennialism is an unusual position with regard to the Millennial Kingdom. Postmillennialists interpret that the 1,000 year reign (with the 1,000 years being interpreted as an ‘indeterminate’ span of time) of Christ has already occurred (preterists firmly believe this). It is referred to as Postmillennialism because Christ is supposed to return after this ‘1,000 year reign’ of the Church is completed. It is similar to Amillennialism in that it sees the Church, acting in proxy for Christ, in fulfilling scriptural references to the Millennial Kingdom. It differs significantly in the belief that the 1,000 year reign of Christ, promised peace and prosperity with Christ ruling with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15), has already occurred, following the early church period, with Christ reigning figuratively through the Church.

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Scriptural View of Postmillennialism

The difficulty many have with this position is that the descriptions of the millennial reign do not fit any historical descriptions. There has been no place in history where, for a thousand years, world peace was established that had no sorrow, no pain or trouble, or where ‘the wolf lies down with the lamb’ (Isaiah 11:6, 65:25), or with children playing on asps nests (Isaiah 11:8) or having swords being beaten into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4, Micah 4:3). Even if one takes these passages broadly and metaphorically, the thousand years following Christ’s death cannot be the fulfillment of these promises for the Millennium because those years were drenched with the blood of Christian martyrs, false church systems and were extremely brutal. The Roman Church merged with the idolatry of the Roman Empire and became the ‘official’ state religion (which became the Roman Catholic Church). The corruption that has since ensued has been massive and extensive that it could hardly be described as the Church reigning metaphorically ‘as’ or ‘for’ Christ.

The events described in the Bible include the fact that Satan will be bound during the Millennium.

Revelation 20:2-3 ²And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, ³And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Satan is not just to be restrained but is totally removed from power during the Millennium. There is no indication that this has ever occurred.

Just like Amillennialism, there is no scriptural basis to establish the Postmillennial position. Like Amillennialism, there are not enough historical facts or Scriptural references to justify ‘spiritualizing’ the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

Premillennialism

Premillennialism is the most widely held position by evangelical or fundamental Christians. Premillennialism is the belief that Jesus Christ will literally return and establish an earthly kingdom (the Millennial Kingdom). He covenanted with Israel for His return (Acts 2:30-36). As He left visibly and in the clouds (Acts 1:9-11), so is Jesus promised to return to rule and reign (Acts 1:6-7).

Traditionally, the premillennialist’s position relies on a literal interpretation of the Scriptures. The Church is taught to watch and pray for the return of the Messiah. It is this position that is presented in this study, which will be reinforced through proper study of the Scripture.

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‘Begging the Question’

Establishing the timing of the Rapture is instrumental for any study regarding the traditional Tribulation (or the 70th Week of Daniel). One big obstacle regarding the placement of the Rapture or a study on the Tribulation involves ‘begging the question.’ This is when the question is phrased in such a manner to guarantee or determine a foregone conclusion, result or outcome.

This problem shows up many times regarding the Rapture regardless of the Rapture position presented. The opening argument establishes predetermined Scripture references that are Second Coming related only, Rapture related only, Tribulation related only, etc. Invariably, there is no concrete justification given regarding why the baseline Scriptures are ascribed with the predetermined attributes. Once armed with such a foundation, the argument can easily establish placing the Rapture into a predetermined timeframe. Most of the time, the author is unaware that he has ‘begged the question’ (that is a supposition on my part).

I’ve place the Rapture subsequent to the traditional Tribulation based on my previous study on the Rapture (The Rapture: From the Ground Up.). In other words, this study presents the Post-Tribulational Rapture position. (See Appendix 1 on Summary on the Placement of the Rapture.) However, there are many biblical truths developed in this study that is totally independent of the Rapture position one may hold. I am relying on a literal interpretation of Scripture regarding these end time events.

This study will try to minimize ‘begging the question’ in the evaluation of the Tribulation and the Millennium. It is recognized that many of my personal beliefs and prejudices (the Trinity, the deity of Jesus, inerrancy of the Scripture, literal interpretation of Scripture, how one is ‘born again,’ etc.) will influence the nature of this study.

Challenge

The challenge to the reader is to set aside previous teachings and emotions associated with the Millennium or the Tribulation. This subject tends to be a highly charged, polarizing and sensitive topic. Allow the Holy Spirit and the Scripture to guide you through the following studies and evaluations. There is a lot of ‘dead wood’ associated with many of the arguments associated with established theories. The Bible needs to be the first, primary and final authority in such a study as this.

I will note that this study will tag some speculation regarding the future events to those events prophesied in the Bible. I have noted where these speculations and conjectures are inserted in this study. These speculations, while it is conjecture, have been based on sound biblical analysis. There are numerous manners in which the speculation and assertions presented in this study may vary. This is because the events cited are future events that have been based on the most recent political events available. Changes in national alignments and national agendas could significantly alter these predictions. I will state that these conjectures, when noted as such, are based on a reasonable assessment of the current political landscape. All prophesied events will occur within the perfection of God’s timing.

Let me make it clear that I do not claim to be a prophet. But I can understand what the Bible does and does not present concerning end time events. Within those parameters, I feel that I can safely navigate given the set of rules for ‘rightly dividing’ God’s Holy Word.

Remember that the Church needs to be alert, sober, watching, and waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Hopefully, this book will help believers to strive toward that end.

As believers, we are admonished to search the Scriptures daily to see if the things we are being taught are so:

Acts 17:11 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

I feel that this book is the result of that admonition.

Chapter 2

The Tribulation

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Understanding the traditional evangelical view of the Tribulation is necessary to properly evaluate the Tribulation and its associated events. There are a lot of suppositions and assertions regarding the traditional view of the Tribulation that must be evaluated thoroughly. Though we are initially evaluating the Tribulation from the traditional perspective, we will remain true to what the Scriptures present and not endorse any view point just because it is a popular belief.

The traditional evangelical view of the Tribulation is typically considered to be a seven (7) year period and series of events that occurs just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (when He establishes the Millennial Kingdom). This book is focused on many of the particulars and events associated with the traditional view of the Tribulation. There are some inconsistencies with this traditional evangelical perspective that require closer scrutiny. That is one of the major reasons for this book.

The Old Testament sometimes called this Tribulation period the ‘Time of Jacob’s Trouble.’ The second half (last 3 ½ years) of the Tribulation reveals some very intense judgments on the world and was called the Great Tribulation by Jesus (Matthew 24:21).

This chapter will provide an overview on the timing of the ‘traditional’ Tribulation and why the belief that it lasts seven years. The purposes of the Tribulation must also be explored to understand why the events have to occur.

Sabattical Years

Israel was to keep the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, as a holy day of rest (Exodus 20:10). They also were to keep the sabbatical years (Leviticus 25:1-7) where the land was to be given a year of rest every seventh year of farming. Israel failed to keep the sabbatical year.

2 Chronicles 36:15-21 "¹⁵And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: ¹⁶But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. ¹⁷Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. ¹⁸And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. ¹⁹And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. ²⁰And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: ²¹To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years."

Israel failed to keep 70 sabbatical years (490 calendar years). God sent Israel into captivity as punishment. This interesting fact becomes integral within Daniel’s prophecies.

Tribulation in the Old Testament

The prophet Jeremiah, in the Old Testament, refers to the Tribulation period as the ‘Time of Jacob’s Trouble.’

Jeremiah 30:7-11 "⁷Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. ⁸For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him: ⁹But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them. ¹⁰Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. ¹¹For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished."

Sometimes the Tribulation is referred to as the 70th Week of Daniel. The angel Gabriel gave Daniel a prophesy concerning Israel that 70 weeks of 7 years (490 years total) would occur ‘from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince.’ Then the Messiah would be cut-off. Later, the ‘people of the prince that shall come’ will make a covenant for the last week (7 years). The ‘prince that shall come’ will then cause the sacrifices of the Temple to cease in the middle of that week (after 3 ½ years).

Daniel 9:24-27 "²⁴Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. ²⁵Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. ²⁶And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. ²⁷And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

There were 69 weeks of years [7 weeks + 60 weeks (threescore weeks) + 2 weeks] from the commandment to rebuild the Temple until Jesus was presented as the Messiah the King on Palm Sunday (Zechariah 9:9, Luke 19:40). There remains one more week of years left in order to complete the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy. That last week (a period of 7 years) is commonly referred to as the 70th Week of Daniel. It is normally equated to the traditional Tribulation period.

The events particular to the last week have not been fulfilled (appearance of the ‘people of the prince, the seven year covenant, the breaking of that covenant after 3 ½ years, and the appearance of Messiah the Prince). [A preterist would have us believe that all this has already been fulfilled. The short answer is that Christ has not been physically reigning on the Earth, so it is impossible that these verses (or related verses) could have already been fulfilled by historical events.] Therefore, there is one week (of seven years) left for the fulfillment of this prophecy. It appears to be the same series of events as the traditional Tribulation period found in the New Testament.

Moses foresaw the Tribulation of the Israelites in the ‘latter days.’

Deuteronomy 4:29-30 "²⁹But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. ³⁰When 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;"

Daniel also referred to the Tribulation as a ‘time of trouble’ for the Israelites.

Daniel 12:1-2 "¹And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. ²And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."

The Old Testament revelations regarding the traditional Tribulation (whether it is called the 70th Week of Daniel, the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, or just a time of trouble) is centered on the nation of Israel. The Church, at the time of these Old Testament revelations, was still a mystery (Ephesians 5:32).

Tribulation Timeline

It was about 538 B.C when Daniel very specifically detailed when the 70 weeks was to begin.

Daniel 9:24-27 "²⁴Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. ²⁵Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. ²⁶And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. ²⁷And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."

The edict of the seventy weeks applies to both the Israelites (thy people) and to Jerusalem (thy holy city). In the Hebrew month of Nissan, 445 B.C., Artaxerxes Longimanus, the Persia ruler, gave the decree allowing the Israelites to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple.

Nehemiah 2:1-8 "¹And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. ²Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, ³And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? ⁴Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. ⁵And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it. ⁶And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. ⁷Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah; ⁸And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me."

The Jewish year is a 360 day year. As such, 69 years would result in 173,880 days. By advancing forward these 69 years from Nissan 2, 445 B.C. (when the decree was issued) results in 33 A.D. on Palm Sunday (Nissan 10). This is the day Jesus presented Himself to Jerusalem as King (and Messiah) but was summarily rejected by the Israelites.

Luke 19:35-44 "³⁵And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. ³⁶And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. ³⁷And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; ³⁸Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. ³⁹And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. ⁴⁰And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. ⁴¹And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, ⁴²Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. ⁴³For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, ⁴⁴And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation."

When Jerusalem did not accept Jesus as King on Palm Sunday, He (as the Messiah the Prince of Daniel 9:25) was cut off. The last portion of Daniel 9:24 has not transpired ("to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy). It doesn’t take a genius to realize that the world today is not filled with everlasting righteousness." There is an obvious ‘hold’ on the last week of Daniel’s seventy week prophecy. As stated, this is commonly referred to as the 70th Week of Daniel or the traditional Tribulation period. This last week has yet to run its course. The next event identifying this last week of unfulfilled prophecy is the arrival of the ‘people of the prince’ who makes a 7 year treaty with ‘many.’

Tribulation in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus gives us more of an insight into what Daniel said regarding the Tribulation.

Matthew 24:15, 21, 29-31 "¹⁵When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) … ²¹For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. … ²⁹Immediately 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: ³⁰And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

[The Abomination of Desolation that Jesus references is found in Daniel 9:27.]

Paul talks about the ‘man of sin’ or ‘son of perdition’ (who is later identified in Chapter 14 of this book as the Antichrist) in his second letter to the Church at Thessalonica:

2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 "³Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; ⁴Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. ⁵Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? ⁶And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. ⁷For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. ⁸And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:"

John, in a vision, provides more detail regarding events of the traditional Tribulation in Revelation Chapters 5 through 18. The beginning of the traditional Tribulation is normally associated with Jesus breaking the seals of a scroll and the judgments begin with the ‘Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.’

Revelation 6:1-8 ¹And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. ²And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. ³And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. ⁴And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. ⁵And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. ⁶And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. ⁷And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. ⁸And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

The traditional Tribulation ends when Jesus comes to establish His Millennial Kingdom. (See Chapter 3 on The Kingdom.)

Revelation 19:11-16 ¹¹And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. ¹²His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. ¹³And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Within the traditional Tribulation, the Book of Revelation shows that there are 21 judgments that are sent against an evil generation (please note that none of the judgments are sent against believers and is discussed in detail later in this chapter):

7 Seal Judgments:

Revelation 5:1 "And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals."

7 Trumpet Judgments:

Revelation 8:2 "And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets."

7 Vial Judgments:

Revelation 17:1 "And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:"

Anyone reading Revelation Chapters 5 through 18 will see that all of these judgments are judgments of God. Jesus is the one breaking the seals and the holy angels (God’s messengers) sound the trumpets and deliver the vials. These judgments are directed by God at a sin-filled, pride driven, rebellious, unrepentant, and ungodly world.

Unbelievers worldwide will eventually know that this is a judgment of God (through Jesus):

Revelation 6:16-17 "¹⁶And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: ¹⁷For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"

As these judgments are administered, they seem to harden the hearts of unbelievers toward God just as the Pharaoh hardened his heart as a result of the ten plagues sent by God through Moses (Exodus 7:13-14,22, 8:15,19,32, etc.). Many, and probably most, unbelievers (even though there are many people who do repent during the Tribulation) worldwide will not repent:

Revelation 9:20-21 "²⁰And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: ²¹Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts."

Revelation 16:11 "And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds."

Revelation 16:21 "And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great."

There is no indication that believers are affected by any of these judgments. God may or may not be providing protection for believers during the Tribulation. However, believers are directly affected by the actions of Satan and the Antichrist. We will revisit this thought in Chapter 14 on The Antichrist and the False Prophet.

Tribulation Related Verses

There are numerous verses that have been designated (by various scholars) as referring only to the Tribulation. It is important to closely evaluate whether these verses are referring to the traditional Tribulation or some other event.