Untitled Sermon

Essay #1

THE TRIBULATION

The reading of this essay is worth 10 points. It is to be read twice. First, without looking up the references and then a second time including all Bible references except those which are underlined.

Purpose

The tribulation is a seven-year period which will immediately precede the coming of Christ in glory to set up his earthly kingdom. It will be a time of unprecedented trouble, during which God will pour out his wrath upon the whole earth in a series of judgments in order to accomplish three objectives. First and foremost, to bring about the conversion of the nation of Israel. The tribulation is the 70th week of Daniel - a prophecy specifically related to Israel's future (Dan.9:24-27). As God disciplines the Jews through the persecution they will face under antiChrist, they will be prepared to recognize and accept their Messiah when he returns (Jer.30:4-11; Ezek.20:33-38; Zech.12:9-14; 13:1-2,8-9). Second, to reclaim the tenant possession of the earth which was forfeited to Satan by Adam's disobedience (Gen.1:26-28; Luke 4:5-6; John 12:31; 14:30; 2 Cor.4:4). As Christ opens the seals of the scroll representing the deed of purchase for man's tenant possession of the earth (Rev.5), key areas of Satan's domain will be devastated by the ensuing judgments (Rev.6,8,9,16) as Christ asserts his rightful ownership of the earth, wrests control of it from Satan's hand, and evicts him from the planet (Rev.19:19 - 20:6). Third, to pour out wrath on man's rebellion and wickedness (Rev.6:16-17).

General description

Following the rapture of the Church, the antiChrist will rise to power (2 Thess.2:3-8) and will establish a seven-year peace treatywith Israel (Dan.9:27) which will likely include the right to rebuild the temple. This treaty will mark the official beginning of Daniel's 70th week. Just when world peace seems assured, sudden destruction will break out (1 Thess.5:1-3) as God begins to pour out his wrath in the judgments of the seven seals (Rev.6). Mid-way through the seven-year term of the covenant, the antiChrist will break his agreement with Israel, desecrate the temple and proclaim himself God (Dan.9:27; Matt.24:15). This is referred to as the abomination of desolation and will initiate the Great Tribulation (Matt.24:21) also called the time of Jacob's trouble (Jer.30:7). During this time, Israel will be severely persecuted (Matt.24:16-22; Rev.12:13-14) but God will preserve a surviving remnant of Abraham's descendants to the very end (Zech.13:9).

As the end of the seven years approaches, God will sovereignly prompt the gathering together of the armies of the nations of the world for the final conflict: the war of Armageddon (Zech.14:1-2; Joel 3:1-2). This campaign will rage throughout the land from the plain of Jezreel (valley of Armageddon) in the north where the armies will initially assemble (Rev.16:16), to the mountains of Edom in the south (Isa.63:1-6), and finally to the (Kidron?) valley outside Jerusalem where they will lay siege to the holy city (Joel 3:9-14; Zech.12:9). Just when it appears that all hope is lost, the heavens will open and Christ will return in glorywith the armies of heaven: his bride, the Church (Rev.19:11-16). He will descend on the Mount of Olives, destroy the gathered armies, and throw the antiChrist and his false prophet into the lake of fire (Rev.19:17-21; Zech.14:3-15). So will end the Gentile domination of Jerusalem which began with the Babylonian captivity (Dan.2:31-45; Luke 21:24). As Christ returns, the surviving remnant of Israel will recognize him as the one whom they pierced and will turn to him in repentance and be saved (Zech.12:10-11; Rom.11:25-29).

Judgments

Revelation 6-19 reveal the unfolding series of seal, trumpet and bowl judgments which will devastate the earth with accelerating intensity during the tribulation. The first six seal judgments (Rev.6:1-17) will include the appearance of the antiChrist bent on conquest, worldwide wars, famine, the death of 25% of the world's population, and natural disasters on an unprecedented scale.

The opening of the seventh seal will be followed by half an hour of tortured silence before the judgments of the seven trumpets are unleashed (Rev.8:1-9:21). These trumpets will sound judgment on the earth, the oceans, the rivers and streams, the heavens, and all mankind. As a result, a third of the earth and its vegetation will be burned up; a third of all sea creatures and ships will be destroyed; a third of the rivers and streams will be poisoned; a third of the heavenly luminaries will be darkened; wicked men will be tortured by demonic creatures; and a third of the surviving world population will be killed by a massive demonic army.

Following an interlude, the seventh trumpet will sound and the seven bowl judgments will be poured out (Rev.16:1-21). The followers of antiChrist will be afflicted with painful sores; all sea creatures will be destroyed as the oceans, rivers and springs turn to blood; men will be scorched with fierce heat; darkness will envelop the kingdom of the antiChrist; and the Euphrates will be dried up to allow the armies of the east to march to Armageddon. The final bowl judgment will bring about widespread destruction as the greatest earthquake of all time tears the earth apart and 100-pound hailstones fall upon wicked men who will continue to blaspheme God.

Saints

In spite of a frenzy of Satanically inspired persecution, a multitude of people will be saved during the tribulation (Rev.7:9-17) as the gospel of the kingdom is preached in all the world (Matt.24:14). This will probably be accomplished by the 144,000 Jews who will be set apart as servants of God during this time (Rev.7:1-8) and by the two unidentified witnesses whose ministry will span the first 3½ years (Rev.11:3-12). Many of these saints will be martyred (Rev.6:9-11).