The First Half of Tribulation Period

Matthew 24:9-14

Matthew 24:9–14 NKJV

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Remember we are looking at Jesus’ answers to three questions asked by the disciples.

Tell us when will these things be?

What will be the sign of your coming?

What will be the sign of the end of the age?

Last week in Vs 1-8 we learned to let no one deceive us, that we are to look to the Savior not the signs. Some try to look at the signs and set dates. We are to always be ready for the Lord to rapture us out, and if we are it matters not when He comes.

Vs 9 begins with then. Then denotes a time after the beginning of sorrows which is verses 1 through 8. Verses 9-14 mark the first 3 and 1/2 years of the 7 year tribulation period. The rapture of the Church will have already occurred bringing a close to the Church age.

The Tribulation is when God pours out His wrath upon the unbelieving Nation of Israel. It seems the purpose of the Tribulation period is :

1. To prepare the Nation of Israel for His Kingdom.

2. To punish unbelieving Gentile nations for their sin.

3. To prove God’s power.

4. To portray Satan’s true character

5. To provide salvation.

(Mark Hitchcock The End, pg 238-240 Tyndale House Publishers 2012)

Note: Revelation 6 follows perfectly with this text. Very helpful to cross reference as we study.

Tribulation and Martyrdom (Vs9)

As the Tribulation period begins affliction and persecution will intensify upon Israel and others. Those who come to faith after the Rapture and Jews who are turned to the Lord will suffer persecution for His names sake. Many will even be martyred.

Revelation 6:9-11

Revelation 6:9–11 NKJV

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Remember there will be people saved throughout the Tribulation period. It is easy to understand that the Rapture may cause some to believe and receive Christ.

Hatred and Betrayal (Vs 10)

Hatred and betrayal will increase. Friends will turn on each other. Everyone will be only for his own interests and will do unscrupulous things to get by.

The Rise of False Prophets (Vs11)

There have always been false prophets, however during this time there will be an increase of false prophets using different methods and tools to deceive and control.

Dr David Jeremiah writes in his study bible on pg 1324, “One of the characteristics of false religion of the end of times will be what John describes as sorceries (Rev 9:21) . The Greek word pharmakeia refers to ingestion of drugs and alludes t the use of mind-altering substances in the practice of false spirituality.”

We can see how this will be used by looking at the number of drug abuse cases which are on the rise world wide. Its interesting how these false prophets will use this evil plan to promote false religion.

Increase of Lawlessness (Vs 12)

Laws and civility will mean nothing. Lawlessness can be defined as a state of disorder due to a disregard to the law. It is not a coincidence that there is a movement to abolish the Police in some cities. Just last week a federal judge ordered it is permissible to vote on abolishing the police force. We can see everything moving to this end.

He who endures to the end will be saved. (Vs13)

Saved here is not referring to spiritual eternal salvation, but to surviving the tribulation period. Vs 22 tells us that unless the Lord shortened that time even the elect would not survive physically. Some interpret this as eternal salvation and say see you must endure or you will lose your salvation. That is bad interpretation. Remember this has to do with the tribulation period and surviving physically.

The Gospel preached to all the World.(Vs14)

Jesus declares that the Gospel must be preached to all nations. Think about this, with the internet it seems to me that the Gospel is available to all nations now. But notice it says as a witness.

Revelation 7 tells us there will be 144,00 Jewish witnesses that proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom, not in a general sense but in a specific sense. Jesus says after these witnesses do their work the end is near. Everyone is without excuse the Gospel has been preached.

Romans 10:18

Romans 10:18 NKJV

But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”

As bad as it is in the first 3 1/2 years it will not even be close to the last 3 1/2 years.

There are many things we can see trending or heading to the way of the tribulation period. We must be ready because there are no signs for the Rapture of the Church. It could happen at any time.

So how do we get ready?

First of all if you are not saved, you must be born again. To avoid this awful tribulation period you must be saved.

If you are saved, you must be ready by faithfully looking for the return of our Lord. What that means is we are living accordance to God’s word helping others find salvation.

As bad as things are today, they will be much worse in the Tribulation period. Church lets get right with Him, stay right with Him and get busy helping others find salvation.