May 19, 2021
The Great Tribulation
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21)
Much of the Book of Revelation (chapters 8-19) is taken up with the events of the last half of the seven-year Tribulation, referred to as the Great Tribulation. Even though the first half of this time has its share of calamities and death, it is mild compared to the second half. We will take a sweeping overview of second half of the Tribulation today.
At some point at the outset of the Tribulation, the Antichrist confirms a seven-year covenant with Israel. At the mid-point of the Tribulation, the Antichrist breaks this covenant. God shows his displeasure by a multitude of judgments. The earth will experience “the wrath of the Lamb.” The Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, suffered for the sins of the world, but for those who reject Him there can only be justice. “Who shall be able to stand?”
Following the opening of the seven seals, seven trumpets are sounded. John does his best to describe what he sees occurring in modern times with his first-century eyes.
The first four trumpets reveal the destruction of the natural world. It is an ecological nightmare. One-third of the vegetation is destroyed, as is one-third of marine life. Then the same thing happens to the fresh water supply. The sun is smitten so that much less sunlight is available. All of these things impact food production, food supply, the ability to work, and man’s psychological condition.
With the blowing of trumpets five and six God deals directly with Man. Between demonic creatures and a vast army from the east, another one-third of the world population is destroyed, so that only one-half of the original population is still alive.
And what is the response?—still no repentance. And 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: neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. (Revelation 9:20, 21)
When the 7th trumpet sounds, there is anticipation of the time of final judgment! (11:15-19) Many voices in heaven give great praise and thanksgiving to God Almighty. His judgments are proclaimed to be acts of justice upon this God-rejecting world.
The temple of God is then opened and there are seen and heard “lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.” This leads to the pouring out of judgments from seven bowls. These finish what the trumpets started. These severe actions include boils, further contamination of both salt and fresh water, and further heat from the sun with painful darkness. There will be another earthquake accompanied by great hail. This is the final act of God before Christ returns.
These events are real. They will occur. But they can be escaped if, and only if, you will come to the Father through the Son before it is too late!
If you wish to learn more about these coming events, please feel free to come to the adult Bible study time at Immanuel Baptist Church, Sunday mornings at 10:45. Or feel free to email or phone me with any questions you may have. This is Pastor Rob Adams, asking you to pause, and consider these things.