MEMORY VERSE:“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 24:21.
BIBLE PASSAGE:Mark 13:19-26
INTRODUCTION
The word, tribulation, means trouble or suffering. There are different kinds of tribulation mentioned in the Bible. These include:the tribulation of the disciples in the world John 16:33; tribulation because of acceptance or obedience to the word of God Matthew 13:21; the tribulation on the way to the kingdom of God Acts 14:22; Matthew 7:14; earthly tribulation that is common to all Job 5:6-7; tribulation on evil doers Romans 2:9 and the great tribulation Matthew 24:21.
The focus of the lesson is the Great Tribulation. The Bible says it is “the mother” of all tribulations. The hardship, turmoil, distress, and perplexity that would be experienced in the days of the great tribulation are unprecedented. What is the great tribulation all about? When will it be? What are the events in the days of tribulation?
OUTLINE
1.UNDERSTANDING THE GREAT TRIBULATION
2. EVENTS IN DAYS OF GREAT TRIBULATION
1.UNDERSTANDING THE GREAT TRIBULATION
The Great Tribulation is also called the time of Jacob’s (the nation-Israel) trouble Jeremiah 30:7. The unbelieving Jews (and unsaved or backslidden Gentiles) will be the candidates of the great tribulation. It will begin after the rapture of the Church and the revelation of the antichrist, the “man of sin” 2 Thessalonians 2:3-7.
The time of the great tribulation is the “seventieth week”, that is, the last one week of the seventy weeks of Daniel. The seventy weeks has three sections: the first seven weeks, the next sixty-two weeks and the last one week. There are seven days in a week. A day in the week represents one year. So, the duration is seven years Daniel 9:20-27.
The first half of the last one week (the first three and a half years) will be for the full physical manifestation of the antichrist, during which he shall make a covenant with Israel Daniel 9:27. The second half of the last one week (the last three and half years) will be time of unprecedented trouble. “In the midst of the week” the antichrist shall break the covenant with Israel and practices “abomination of desolation” in the temple Daniel 9:27, 11:36; Matthew 24:15,16. The last three and half years of the great tribulation will culminate in the second coming of Christ to reign on earth Mark 13:24-26, 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
2. EVENTS IN DAYS OF GREAT TRIBULATION
The Great tribulation will witness series of significant but terrifying events. These include:
1.Unprecedented religious persecution of those who missed rapture at the second coming of Christ Matthew 24:21,22.
2.Unparalleled global religious deception Matthew 24:24-28.
3.Untold global economic problem, in which only those who receive the mark of the Beast can buy or sell Revelation 13:17,18.
4.Series of unrighteous and abominable religious practices 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4,10.
5.Intense temptation all over the world Revelation 3:10.
CONCLUSION
Those who have received Christ as their Lord and personal Saviour and keep themselves holy till He comes at rapture shall be delivered (through rapture) from the days of the Great tribulation. However, the sinners and the backsliders are faced with the danger of the Great tribulation. Beloved, are you truly saved from sins? Examine yourself today and be sure!
FURTHER READINGS:
SUN: Matthew 24:33
MON: John 16:33
TUE: Revelation 2:10
WED: James 1:4
THUR: Revelation 3:10-
FRI: 1 John 3:2-3
SAT: Matthew 24:42.