Tribulation

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=150 BGCOLOR="#9999FF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04a76ba3.gif"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Introduction"><U>Introduction</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Rapture"><U>The Rapture</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Rapture/Who When"><U>Rapture/Who & When</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Blessed Hope"><U>Our Blessed Hope</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id64.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Jews"><U>The Jews</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Isreal The Church"><U>Isreal & The Church</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Daniels Time Table"><U>Daniel's Time Table</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Time Of The Gentiles"><U>Time Of The 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Christians.</div> <div>      1.     We have been focusing on the pretrib rapture -- the idea that Jesus is going to </div> <div>           take the Church off the earth just prior to the seven year tribulation.</div> <div>      2.     In this lesson, we want to continue our brief look at what will happen once the </div> <div>           Church is gone --during the tribulation.</div> <div>      3.     We want to give you a basic understanding of the major events and players of </div> <div>           the tribulation, and take the fear and mystery out of it.</div> <div>      4.     We find the most detailed description of the tribulation in Revelation.</div> <div>           a.     We aren't going to look at Revelation in detail.  We're going to give some </div> <div>                guidelines to help you read it and see how it fits with the rest of the Bible.</div> <div>           b.     Revelation is not some freaky book stuck on the end of the Bible.  It </div> <div>                describes the consummation of what God began in Genesis and has been </div> <div>                working to accomplish throughout the centuries.</div> <bR> <div> B.     Let's begin with some general facts about the Book of Revelation.</div> <div>      1.     This book was given to the Apostle John in 95 or 96 A.D. while he was exiled </div> <div>           on the Isle of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. Rev 1:9,10</div> <div>           a.     Jesus appeared, spoke to him, and showed him some things. Rev 1:11-18</div> <div>           b.     Jesus told John to write down what he was seeing and hearing.</div> <div>      2.     Rev 1:1--This book is the revelation of Jesus Christ -- not of John, not of the </div> <div>           Antichrist, etc.  Jesus is the theme of the book.</div> <div>           a.     The Bible, including Revelation, was given to reveal Jesus. Rev 19:10b</div> <div>           b.     The purpose of all prophecy and of all I have shown you is to tell about </div> <div>                Jesus. (lit--the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.) (Living)</div> <div>      3.     Revelation deals with the return of Jesus Christ to earth as a conquering king.</div> <div>           a.     Jesus showed John the events which will lead up to His enthronement as </div> <div>                King over the kingdom promised to Abraham and David.</div> <div>           b.     It is an eyewitness account -- as shown to John -- of the seven year period </div> <div>                which will occur just before Jesus returns to earth.</div> <div>      4.     Revelation is not a mystery book that nobody can figure out.  Revelation </div> <div>           means unveiling.</div> <div>           a.     Rev 1:1--It is written to God's servants.  Would God give us a message we </div> <div>                cannot possibly understand?</div> <div>           b.     Rev 1:3--A blessing is promised to those who read, hear, and keep the </div> <div>                words of the book.  That's impossible to do if it can't be understood.</div> <div>      5.     There are some challenges in Revelation, but they are not insurmountable.</div> <div>           a.     Much of Revelation is written in symbols.  There are at least 300 symbols.</div> <div>                1.     But 9/10s of them are defined either by the context in Revelation or </div> <div>                     somewhere in the OT.</div> <div>                2.     Rev 13:2--dragon=satan--Rev 12:9; Rev 12:1--the woman=Israel--Gen </div> <div>                     37:9,10--sun, moon, stars are symbols of Jacob, Rachel, and Jacob's </div> <div>                     twelve sons.</div> <div>           b.     John is describing 21st century life and technology in 1st century terms.</div> <div>           c.     Reading parts of Revelation is like reading Isaiah 53 when it was written, </div> <div>                700 years before Christ was crucified.  After the fact, it's clear what Isa 53 </div> <div>                means.  Before hand, it wasn't.  It's the same with Revelation.  </div> <bR> <div> C.     Rev 1:19 is a key to understanding Revelation.  It tells us that John has recorded </div> <div>      things he has seen (past), things that are (present, A.D. 95 or 96), and things which </div> <div>      are still to come (future events).</div> <div>      1.     The things which you have seen: Rev 1:1-20--Jesus Christ in all His glory.</div> <div>      2.     The things which are: Rev 2:1-3:22--John is given messages for seven churches </div> <div>           in existence at the time John had the vision.</div> <div>      3.     The things which will take place: Rev 4:1</div> <div>           a.     Rev 4:1-5:14--John sees the activities in heaven just prior to the tribulation.</div> <div>           b.     Rev 6:1-19:6--John sees the tribulation.</div> <div>           c.     Rev 19:7-19:21--John sees the Second Coming of Jesus.</div> <div>           d.     Rev 20:1-15--John sees the Millennium.</div> <div>           e.     Rev 21:1-22:21--John sees the eternal state, the new heaven and new earth.</div> <bR> <div> D.     The tribulation is largely a time of judgment and wrath. Rev 6:16,17; 11:18; </div> <div>      14:7,10,19; 15:1,4,7; 16:1      </div> <div>      1.     The tribulation begins as Jesus opens seals on a scroll in heaven. Rev 5:1-5; 6:1</div> <div>           a.     It is fitting that Jesus initiates the judgments.  The opening of the scroll </div> <div>                releases the wrath of the Lamb. Rev 6:16,17</div> <div>           b.     Jesus has authority to judge those who have rejected Him and His sacrifice </div> <div>                for their sins. John 5:22;27</div> <div>      2.     Rev 6:2--The breaking of the first seal releases the Antichrist.  As Jesus opens </div> <div>           the remaining seals, each one triggers an event on earth.     </div> <div>      3.     Rev 8:1,2; 6,7--When Jesus opens the seventh seal it triggers a second set of </div> <div>           judgments, the trumpet judgments.      Seven angels, one at a time, blow seven </div> <div>           trumpets.  Each trumpet blast triggers something on earth.</div> <div>      4.     Rev 16:1,2--When the seventh trumpet is blown, it introduces the third set of </div> <div>           judgments, the vials (bowls) judgments.  Seven angels go forth and pour out </div> <div>           seven bowls of wrath.  Each bowl triggers an event on the earth.  (See chart)</div> <div>      5.     In much of Revelation, the scene switches back and forth between what is </div> <div>           going on in heaven and what is happening on earth.</div> <div>           a.     And, as the action and events of the tribulation are being described, </div> <div>                informational chapters are inserted at various points.</div> <div>           b.     These chapters are not necessarily in chronological order.  For example, </div> <div>                the Antichrist comes on the scene in Rev 6:2, but he is not described in </div> <div>                detail until chapter 13.</div> <div>           c.     These chapters are informational, but not necessarily chronological -- 7, </div> <div>                10-11:13; 12, 13, 14, 17, 18-19:6</div> <div>      6.     There are a number of unanswered questions about these judgments.</div> <div>           a.     We have a first century man describing warfare and technology of the </div> <div>                21st century, so exactly what the judgments will consist of is unclear -- </div> <div>                nuclear warfare, chemical and biological warfare, etc.?!</div> <div>           b.     It is not clear at what point in the tribulation each judgment     occurs.</div> <div>           c.     One thing we know for certain.  These events will happen when and as </div> <div>                they are supposed to happen.</div> <div>      7.     The seven year tribulation will be a time of unprecedented suffering. Joel 2:1,2</div> <div>           a.     The last three and one half years will be the worst part of it. Matt 24:15-21</div> <div>           b.     By the time of the 6th trumpet half the population of the world will be </div> <div>                dead. Isa 24:6; Isa 13:12,13</div> <div>           c.     Matt 24:22--If Jesus did not intervene, every human would die.</div> <bR> <div> E.     If we are honest about it, this information raises some disturbing questions.  Why </div> <div>      will the tribulation be so horrible?  How could a good God allow all of this?</div> <div>      1.     The bottom line of those questions is the belief that nobody deserves to go </div> <div>           through something like the tribulation, and the fear that if God could do that </div> <div>           to those people, what might He do to me?</div> <div>      2.     But, we feel that way because we lack some basic knowledge from God's word.</div> <div>           a.     All human beings deserve hell.  We have sinned against a holy God.</div> <div>           b.     All human beings deserve judgment and God's wrath.</div> <div>      3.     However, God, because of His great love for us and His desire for a family, has </div> <div>           chosen to deal with us, not as we deserve (through wrath and judgment), but </div> <div>           through His grace (undeserved favor).</div> <div>           a.     God poured out His wrath against our sins on Jesus.  He punished every </div> <div>                sin we have ever committed or ever will commit.</div> <div>           b.     God judged us by judging our substitute, Jesus.  Jesus went to the Cross </div> <div>                for us as us.</div> <div>      4.     The only way any human will face the wrath of God is if they reject Jesus as </div> <div>           their savior. John 3:36--God's displeasure remains on him; His indignation </div> <div>           hangs over him continually. (Amp)</div> <div>           a.     God, in His goodness, restrains that wrath.  His mercy holds it back, </div> <div>                keeps people from suffering the consequences of His wrath in this life.</div> <div>           b.     He is kind to all, saved and unsaved,  He gives them a witness of His </div> <div>                goodness. Matt 5:45; Luke 6:35, Acts 14:17</div> <div>           c.     God gives people a lifetime to repent.  Time is space to repent.</div> <div>      5.     When God judges people, He does not send down lightning bolts.  He </div> <div>           withdraws the restraint, removes His hand of protection, and allows people to </div> <div>           reap the consequences of their actions. Rom 1:18-32; Num 14:28,29; Ps 81:8-12;  </div> <div>           Isa 3:9,10 (they have doomed themselves--Living Bible); Jer 2:17,19; 4:18</div> <bR> <div> F.     That is what will happen in the tribulation.  The restraints will be removed.</div> <div>      1.     When Jesus breaks the first seal it will allow the Antichrist to come forth.</div> <div>           a.     Because people have rejected Jesus, He will allow them to believe the lie </div> <div>                that the Antichrist is God, and reap all the consequences. II Thess 2:8-12</div> <div>           b.     Notice, these people do not love the truth, but love unrighteousness.  God </div> <div>                says:  you want it, you've got it.</div> <div>      2.     Always remember, God is a reluctant Judge.  It does not please Him to allow </div> <div>           people to reap the fruit of their rebellion.  But, as a righteous God, He must be </div> <div>           true to His nature. Rev 16:7</div> <div>           a.     Isaiah 28:21--The prophet Isaiah is warning Israel there will be severe </div> <div>                consequences if they don't turn back to God.  Assyria will overrun them.</div> <div>                1.     God will allow it; it will be judgment for their rebellion.  But, in v21, </div> <div>                     Isaiah calls it God's strange work = alien; foreign.</div> <div>                2.     God did not create man for judgment.  He didn't set Israel apart to </div> <div>                     punish them, so to have to do it is a foreign work.</div> <div>           b.     Lam 3:33--Spoken after the ultimate destruction.  Jerusalem was overrun </div> <div>                by Babylon, the temple destroyed, and the people carried away captive. </div> <div>      3.     As we look at the series of judgments in Revelation we see that they are </div> <div>           progressive (mild to severe) and there is a space in between each series to give </div> <div>           men an opportunity to repent.  God is a reluctant judge.</div> <bR> <div> G.     The tribulation will be a time of such horror and suffering because all restraints will </div> <div>      be removed.  The Restrainer will leave before the tribulation begins. II Thess 2:6,7</div> <div>      1.     God will withdraw His hand of protection and allow men to reap the </div> <div>           consequences of their sin as never before.</div> <div>      2.     satan's wickedness and the wickedness in human hearts will be demonstrated as </div> <div>           never before -- war, lust, greed, murder, treachery, etc.</div> <div>           a.     Rev 12:12--satan's fury will be unrestrained; he is a destroyer. John 10:10      </div> <div>           b.     In the face of God, people will acknowledge satan and worship the </div> <div>                Antichrist as God and refuse to repent. Rev 6:15,16; 9:20,21; 16:9,11</div> <div>           c.     They will blaspheme God and kill His saints. Rev 11:7; 12:17; 13:4-7; </div> <div>                16:9,11,21; 17:3</div> <div>           d.     When Jesus actually returns to earth, they will fight Him. Rev 17:14, 19:19</div> <div>      3.     Despite all the rampant evil in the tribulation, God's grace will be </div> <div>           demonstrated in a mighty way.</div> <div>           a.     Before there is any serious destruction of the earth, God will set apart </div> <div>                144,000 Jewish men who will preach the gospel and multitudes will be </div> <div>                saved through their ministry. Rev 7:2-9; Matt 24:14</div> <div>           b.     God will give supernatural power to two witnesses who will resist the </div> <div>                Antichrist and draw men to the Lord. Rev 11:3-13; Mal 4:5,6</div> <div>           c.     An angel will preach the gospel to the whole earth. Rev 14:6,7; John 1:29; </div> <div>                Matt 3:2</div> <bR> <div> H.     Conclusion:  There will come a time in the not too distant future when time will end </div> <div>      and all things will transition into eternity.  The end times is about the end of time.  </div> <div>      1.     God will wrap up His dealings with man in time.</div> <div>           a.     He will fulfill all of His promises (prophecies) to the Jews.</div> <div>           b.     He will allow sin and satan to show their true character in a horrific way.</div> <div>           c.     The final people living on earth just before the return of Jesus will have to </div> <div>                choose between God and satan.  God will give witness and opportunity </div> <div>                even in the midst of the worst suffering the world has ever     seen.</div> <div>      2.     The Book of Revelation is not some freaky book stuck on the end of the Bible.  </div> <div>           Just like all the other books, it reveals God's character and His master plan.</div> <div>      3.     Why has it been so long since Jesus was last here?  To give as many people as </div> <div>           possible time to be saved and spend eternity with the Lord. II Pet 3:7-9</div> <div>      4.     Always remember, even as God allows sin and satan to show themselves like </div> <div>           never before in the tribulation, God will show His mercy and grace in an even </div> <div>           mightier way.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> ·ð‚THE JUDGMENTS OF THE SEALS, TRUMPETS, AND VIALS</div> <bR> <div> ·</div> <div> ·THE SEALS:</div> <div>      </div> <div>      1st Seal--Releases the Antichrist. Rev 6:2</div> <div>      2nd Seal--War breaks out. Rev 6:3,4</div> <div>      3rd Seal--Famine and scarcity. Rev 6:5,6</div> <div>      4th Seal--One fourth of the population is killed. Rev 6:7,8</div> <div>      5th Seal--Those saved since the tribulation began are martyred. Rev 6:9-11</div> <div>      6th Seal--Disasters in the heavens and the earth. Rev 6:12-14</div> <div>      7th Seal--Introduces the trumpet judgments. Rev 8:1-6</div> <bR> <div> ·</div> <div> ·THE TRUMPETS:</div> <div>      </div> <div>      1st Trumpet--One third of all trees and grass are destroyed by hail, fire, and blood. </div> <div>                       Rev 8:7</div> <div>      2nd Trumpet--One third of the sea and all creatures in it and one third of all ships </div> <div>                       are destroyed. Rev 8:8,9</div> <div>      3rd Trumpet--A great meteor falls and causes a third of the drinking water to </div> <div>                       become bitter (poison) and many die. Rev 8:10,11</div> <div>      4th Trumpet--One third less sun, moonlight, and stars, making the darkness of </div> <div>                       night longer. Rev 8:12</div> <div>      5th Trumpet--Creatures like locusts and scorpions come out of a bottomless pit.  </div> <div>                       They sting, but don't kill.  Men beg for death. Rev 9:1-12</div> <div>      6th Trumpet--Two hundred million horsemen kill another one third of people on </div> <div>                       earth. Rev 9:13-19</div> <div>      7th Trumpet--Transfer of this world's kingdoms to Christ. Rev 11:14,15</div> <bR> <div> ·</div> <div> ·THE VIALS:</div> <div>      </div> <div>      1st Vial--Giant sores on those who took the mark of the beast. Rev 16:2</div> <div>      2nd Vial--Every living creature in the sea dies. Rev 16:3</div> <div>      3rd Vial--All water sources are turned to blood. Rev 16:4-6</div> <div>      4th Vial--Sun's heat is intensified, scorching men. Rev 16:8,9</div> <div>      5th Vial--Darkness covers the Antichrist's kingdom. Rev 16:10,11</div> <div>      6th Vial--Releases lying demon spirits which go out and draw the whole world to </div> <div>                   the Battle of Armageddon. Rev 16:12-16</div> <div>      7th Vial--The entire world system is destroyed.  Earthquake belts split </div> <div>                   simultaneously.  Topographical changes occur.  Great hail weighing </div> <div>                   100-125 lbs. falls to earth. Rev 16:17-21</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> B<A HREF="id58_m.htm" TITLE="Tribulation"><U>ack to Top</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#6633CC" FACE="Arial" > <script language="javascript" src="http://www.dataplain.com/cgi/js_counter.cgi?kannady"></script>  </FONT></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>