What does the Bible say about the Great Tribulation?
When we left off last time in this introductory overview of the book of Revelation, the church was in heaven and Christ had received the seven sealed scroll, followed by an eruption of heavenly praise that ensued as chapter 5 closes out. Now, as we enter into chapter 6, Christ begins to open the seals, one seal at a time. With the opening of each seal, an initial series of judgments will begin to be unleashed upon the earth which will continue over the following 7 years. This period is known as the 7-year tribulation period.
As part of his vision on the Isle of Patmos, the Apostle John was given a prophetic front row seat for these yet futuristic events in which he goes on to describe in panoramic detail. John also goes on to inform us that this 7-year period will be climaxed by an accelerated chamber of horrors commonly known as the “great tribulation”, which will make the previous horrors pale by comparison. So, as we embark upon the next 14 action packed chapters, we will get a glimpse into the future destiny of planet earth and the ultimate culmination of God’s redemptive work in the earth throughout history.
According to the prophetic scriptures, the tribulation period will be a time of trouble and difficulty that has never before seen on the earth. A period that will ultimately lead up to the return of Christ, the defeat of the anti-christ forces at the Battle of Armageddon, the casting of Satan into the bottomless pit for one thousand years, and the establishment of His Kingdom and a one thousand year millennial reign. This seven year period of time, will bring an unprecedented time of trouble for the whole world. (Note particularly: Mathew 24:21; Daniel 12:1-2; and Joel 2:2).
There never has been, nor will there ever again, be a time like it.
So, in this lesson, instead of a verse-by-verse exposition, I would like to share just a brief overview or summary of this period, with the hopes that it will inspire and motivate you to begin your own personal study, as well as, possibly encourage more pastors to begin to unpack Revelation to the congregations. Because considering all that is happening in the country and in the world currently, their may have never been a period where understanding the signs of the times might be a more relevant topic than right now.
Just to put this period into a little more perspective, Dr Paul Benware succinctly summarizes this period in the following observations: “God’s wrath will be poured out in a most powerful way during those seven years. In giving us the basics of the judgments of God’s wrath, the Apostle John records, in Revelation, that there will be 19 specific judgments.
These judgments are said to be “birth pains” indicating that after they begin, they will grow worse and worse and closer together as the seven years proceed along. This lets us know several basic points: (1) that the majority of judgments take place in the latter part of the Tribulation, and that (2) the last judgments will be worse than the initial ones. These 19 judgments will devastate the world. Body counts are given for 2 of the 19 judgments (the 4th Seal and the 6th Trumpet).
In these two judgments, 50% of the population of the earth dies. But when we look closely at the rest of the judgments, it is quite clear that the death toll far exceeds 50%. We are probably not too far off by saying that 80-85% will perish. So if the Tribulation begins with the population of the earth being 7 billion, then those that die under the wrath of God will be around 6 billion. All that in 7 years.
But death will also come at the hand of Satan. Satan will use the Great Harlot (Revelation 17), and and the Antichrist (Revelation 13) to shed the blood of millions of God’s people. This incredible loss of human life coupled with unprecedented earthquakes (two of them that move the entire crust of the earth), burning of earth, destruction of the oceans and fresh water sources will make this the worst period in all of human history. It is no wonder that Jesus observed that unless God had limited this time to just 7 years no human being would be left standing (Matthew 24:22)“ (paulbenware.com).
A summary of the events of the end times commonly known as the “Great Tribulation.”
From the account of events in Revelation chapters 6-19 we can see that the Great Tribulation has three stages:
The first stage is marked by the breaking of seven seals in heaven.
The second stage is marked by the blowing of seven trumpets in heaven. This is a period where the beast will be in contention with the “second fruits;” or those who were not caught up in the rapture but now realizes their mistake and have chosen now to serve God. This stage ends in the reaping of the “second fruits” up to heaven and Satan being thrown out of heaven and down to earth.
The third stage is God’s outpouring of wrath over Satan, the beast, and the Antichrist and their followers. It is marked by the emptying of seven bowls of wrath over the earth. After this, Jesus Christ returns to earth with His followers, marking the end of the Great Tribulation and ushering in the Millennium, a thousand years of peace.
The seven seals
In Revelation 5, we read about a scroll bound with seven seals. When Christ opens these seals, the Great Tribulation starts. Each seal corresponds to a specific judgement during this first stage of the Great Tribulation. In Revelation 6:1-8 we read that the first four seals broken unleash four riders on the earth to conquer and spread war, famine, and death. This corresponds closely to what Jesus says in Matthew 24:6-8. After these spirit powers are unleashed, the fifth seal is broken and many Christians (who were left behind at the Rapture, or who excepted Christ afterwards) will be killed and martyred for their faith (Revelation 6:9-11; Matthew 24:9).
It is clear that the conditions on the world will have fallen to an all-time low. People will be ruled by hatred and pride. Christians will be persecuted and killed for their faith, lawlessness will abound, and false Christs (Messiahs) and false prophets will rise up (Matthew 24:10-28). The sixth seal broken will herald the arrival of earthquakes and cosmic disturbances. The sun and stars will go dark and the moon will become like blood (Revelation 6:12-17 and Matthew 24:29). After this takes place, Matthew 24:30 tells us that the Son of Man will appear in heaven and all the tribes of the earth will mourn.
Understanding the Parenthetical Periods of the Tribulation Narrative
To fully understand the tribulation narrative, it is important to be aware of seven “parentheses” or parenthetical pauses in the narrative that occur between chapters 7 and 20. Chapter seven is the first of these parenthetical pauses, coming between the sixth and the seventh seals and reveals other things that are happening during this period of time. Briefly, these parenthetical interludes in the narrative are:
(1) The “small scroll” (Revelation 10:1-11) (2) The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:1-14)
The third parenthesis, coming between the seventh trumpet and the vial judgments, reveals seven personages:
(1) The Sun Clothed Woman (Revelation 12:1-2)
(2) The Dragon (Revelation 12:3-4)
(3) The Man Child (Revelation 12:5-6)
(4) The Archangel (Revelation 12:7-12)
(5) The Jewish Remnant (Revelation 12:13-17)
(6) The Beast out of the Sea (Revelation 13:1-10)
(7) The Beast out of the earth (Rev. 13:11-19-18)
The fourth parenthesis, also, coming between the seventh trumpet and the seven vial judgments, reveals certain events, that take place during this period of time that, are not included in the telling of the “trumpet-judgments.”
(1) The Lamb on Mt. Zion (Revelation 14:1-5)
(2) The Three Angels (Revelation 14:6-12)
(3) The Blessed Dead (Revelation 14:13
(4) The Harvest and Vintage (Revelation 14:14-20)
The fifth parenthesis, coming between the sixth and seventh vial judgments, reveals what else is happening during the period of time that these judgments are being poured out.
Three unclean spirits (Revelation 16:13-16)
The sixth parenthesis, coming between the 2nd and the 3rd doom.
The seventh parenthesis, coming between the 4th and the 5th doom reveals:
(1) Satan bound (Revelation 20:1-7)
(2) The First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4-5)
(3) The Millennium (Revelation 20:6)
(4) Satan loosed for a little while (Revelation 20:7)
These parenthetical passages or interludes in the narrative, simply, contain additional illustrative information about things that will transpire, but were not contained in the revealing of the seal, trumpet or vial judgments. However, understanding the reason for these parenthetical-interruptions is necessary in order to bring the bible student current on what else is taking place during the same time of the revealing of these judgments in the Revelation.
The seven trumpets
The seven angels mentioned in the breaking of the seventh seal in Revelation 8:6 were given seven trumpets. Each trumpet blown brings a new wave of disaster to the earth. This next stage of the end times is God’s judgment on the earth, but God’s wrath is still mixed with grace, so those who were not along in the rapture can still turn to God and get grace. These will not be counted in the first fruits, the bride of Christ, but will have the opportunity to repent and become martyrs for their faith. These are the “second fruits” of God’s harvest. Since the Bride has been raptured there is no longer anything holding back the beast and the Antichrist from taking full power. The Antichrist spirit that has been present since the days of the apostles (1 John 4:3), will finally take a physical form and the man Antichrist, the lawless one, will rule over the whole earth and persecute those who were left behind but still serve God (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12). He will try to force everyone to take the mark of the beast (Revelation 13:16-17), which shows that the bearer has rejected God and worships the beast. Without this mark nobody will be able to buy or sell.
This is also why it is very important as believers, that we DISCERN the signs of the times when it comes to any disruption in world economies such as is currently taking place with the WORLDWIDE corona virus shut down. Virtually overnight, economies of countries around the world, including the United States, came to a standstill because of the pandemic. So, it shouldn’t take much imagination to envision what could happen the world economic systems after millions of Christians suddenly disappear of the face of the earth without a trace, and followed up the the seven seal judgments.
The seventh trumpet is then sounded and loud voices in heaven cry out “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”(Revelation 11:15). It is clear now that everyone who has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be in heaven. This includes the bride of Christ, the martyrs, and the heroes of the Old Covenant. All of God’s different servants will now be gone from the earth and gathered in heaven. The next chapter in Revelation describes a war in heaven. The angel Michael and his angels cast Satan and his angels out of heaven and down to the earth, once and for all (Revelation 12:7-9).
These passages indicate that in Revelation 12 most likely describes a future event during which Satan and his followers will be completely expelled from heaven (Revelation 12:6). This seems to suggest that this will take place at approximately the midpoint of the tribulation period. Satan and his fallen angels will have only three and a half years to attack God’s people. Verse 12 notes, “But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”
Chapter 12 relates several highly symbolic visions, which introduce figures critical to the end times:
First is a woman, representative of Israel.
Second is a red dragon, identified with Satan.
Third is a male child, who is Jesus Christ. The red dragon seeks to devour the woman’s male child, but God caught the child to His throne, referring to the ascension of Jesus after His resurrection. The passage then continues to describe a war in heaven between Michael and Satan, here Satan becomes the fourth key figure, which results in Satan’s complete and total eviction from heaven. Satan attempts to destroy Israel, most likely through an armed invasion, which is supernaturally defeated by God through an earthquake. The fifth main figure is the collective ”offspring” of the woman. These events are given further details in passages such as Ezekiel chapter 38.
Satan in this passage is referred to as “the dragon,” which is further clarified in verse 9. Satan appears in Scripture as the perpetrator of evil and everything that is opposed to God. Ephesians 2:2 refers to him as “the prince of the power of the air.” We can readily understand why conflict between Michael and Satan breaks out in heaven. The conflict between good and evil rages today, as Satan attacks believers (1 Peter 5:8). Using trials, deception and temptations, he tries to render believers spiritually ineffective. Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 12:7 a thorn in his flesh, some kind of severe personal trial, which he calls “a messenger of Satan.” Ephesians 6:10–12 reminds us that we are engaged in a vicious warfare with the Devil and his demonic followers.
The seven bowls of wrath
Now that God has gathered all His servants from the earth and placed them in heaven, there is no place in heaven for Satan and his evil hosts anymore. They are banished to the earth with all those sinners who refused to repent time and time again. Now God is in a position to empty out His wrath and judgment over the earth, against the beast and all those who have worshiped the beast.
Then the measure is full and it is time for the seventh and last bowl to be emptied, which signals the conclusion of the Great Tribulation. A loud voice cries out from heaven, “It is done” (Revelation 16:17). There is an earthquake that is mightier than any earthquake that has happened before, cities fall, and islands and mountains disappear. Great hail falls on mankind and men blaspheme God (Revelation 16:17-21). Now God’s wrath has been poured over the earth. This is the moment for Christ to come down from heaven, seated on a white horse with the armies of heaven behind Him.
The armies of the beast and the Antichrist cannot stand before Him. They are defeated once and for all and He delivers the Jews who were in great distress. Then their eyes will be opened and they will realize that the promised Messiah is Jesus Christ whom they crucified, and repent (Revelation 19:11-21; Zechariah 12:8-11). The Antichrist and the beast are cast alive into the lake of fire for eternity and Satan is bound for a thousand years (Revelation 20:1-3). Thus begins the Millennium, a thousand years of peace.
God’s mercy
We can see that at each stage of the end times God gives new opportunities for people to repent and come to Him. But the glory and the reward given will vary significantly. How foolish and proud it would be to ignore God’s grace when it is given and then to have to suffer through the Great Tribulation and try to squeeze into heaven at the last second before the end.
“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2). God has given us this time of grace now so that we can be along in the bride of Christ, the first fruits, and those who will receive the greatest reward in heaven! Think about it: not only is the bride spared from the horrible events when God’s bowls of wrath are poured out, but she is also given the greatest reward in heaven! An eternity at the side of Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior! Are you responding to God’s call in your heart? Are you preparing yourself to be Jesus’ bride? Are you making use of the time, or is God’s grace in vain? Now is the time of grace. Now is the time when God can and will help you!
Finally, as you launch into your own personal exploration of this amazing book, always remember to be a Berean:
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