6. Tribulation & Wrath
Yahweh’s Presence: Heaven Rev 11:15-19
Definitions:
Great Tribulation:
Contrary to common understanding, the great Tribulation is not 7 years. It happens in the second half of the Daniel’s 7 years and it ends when the Messiah returns. It is 3½ years of the most intense persecution of the Saints by the anti-Christ (the Beast / Little Horn) and his followers. God uses tribulation to bring His people to repentance.
Wrath:
Wrath is God’s judgement and punishment on His enemies. It may include believers who became unfaithful and idolatrous. It is used to show that He is the only true God so that they and others might know Him, repent and be saved before the final judgement.
Tribulation & Wrath – Overview
First half of Daniel’s week of 7 years
The anti-Christ comes to power and lures Israel into a false sense of security. This lasts for 3½ years before his true intention to destroy God’s people is revealed.
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1. Anti-Christ (the Beast) makes a covenant for 7 years
2. After 3½ years he brings an end to sacrifices
3. He places the abomination of desolation in the holy place
4. Believers who understand, will instruct on what is happening.
Second half of Daniel’s week of 7 years
Great tribulation begins in earnest with signs and wonders which are empowered by the dragon (Satan the false accuser, adversary). It is time when many lose their faith.
God keeps a remnant of Israel safe and sends His wrath on the anti-Christ and his followers. The great tribulation ends when Israel reaches out to Yahweh God for His saviour.
Sequence of Events
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1. Great Tribulation starts
2. Those in Judea flee immediately
3. God sends 3 plagues on the world – 6th Trumpet
4. The Gospel is preached to the world before God’s Wrath
5. God’s 7 bowls of Wrath fall on the Beast and his followers
– 7th Trumpet releases 7 Bowls of Wrath/Plagues
6. The kingdoms of the world become Yahweh’s and His Messiah’s – 7th Trumpet
7. Israel repents and calls for their Messiah
What happens after Daniel’s week of 7 years?
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1. The Messiah raptures (catches up) those in Him
2. The Beast and his armies are defeated at Armageddon
3. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb begins
Tribulation & Wrath – Details
The first half of Daniel’s week of 7 years:
- The anti-Christ (the Beast) makes a 7 year covenant: Sacrifice and Offerings in the holy place are brought to an end half way through.
Dan 9:27 - The middle of Daniel’s week of 7 Years: The abomination of desolation is placed in the Holy Place in Jerusalem.
Mat 24:15 - This blasphemy is against God: It is immediately followed by 3½ years of the greatest Tribulation (persecution) against the Saints.
Mat 24:9-14 - Believers who understand, will instruct many about what is happening.
Dan 11:33-36 - Jesus warns believers: Many will be deceived and lose their faith. It is essential they hold on to their hope before them – Eternal Life in the House of God with God.
2Th 2:3-4 Psa 27:12-14 Dan 11:30-32 – This is the pattern shown in prophecy.
The second half of Daniel’s week of 7 years:
- 3½ years of the greatest Tribulation: Jewish and Gentile believers are persecuted and everyone who refuses to worship the Beast is killed. Jesus warns that there is a great falling away among believers during this most terrible Tribulation.
Mat 24:10-12 Rev 13:15-17 - Those in Judea are to flee: When the abomination of desolation appears in Jerusalem, those in Judea are to flee immediately. This remnant of Jews will be kept safe from the Beast until the Messiah returns 3½ years later to bring an end to Tribulation.
Mat 24:15-22 Rev 12:13-17 - At the 6th Trumpet, towards the end of Tribulation, God sends 3 plagues on the world. It kills one third of mankind but the rest of the wicked still do not repent. (Similar to when Pharaoh refused to let Yahweh’s people go. Yahweh sent three plagues on Egypt, on both Egyptians and the children of Israel).
Rev 9:13-21 - Before God’s wrath falls, the eternal Gospel is preached to the world by an angel. His Wrath is going to fall on those who still worship the Beast and have his mark, despite being warned.
Rev 14:6-7 Mat 24:14 Rev 14:9-11 - The 7th Trumpet, at the end of 3½ years: God sends 7 Bowls of Wrath on the wicked who have been persecuting His people and blaspheming His Name.
Rev 15:1 Rev 16:1-21 1Th 5:9 Nah 1:2-3
(This is similar to when Pharaoh would not let Yahweh’s people go! The first three plagues affected everyone in Egypt but the last 7 plagues fell on the Egyptians only. God protects His people from this Wrath and everyone would see this. Similarly Noah was protected from the flood which fell on the wicked. God’s people will be protected from His 7 bowls of wrath).
- Messiah intercedes for the elect. Since the cross, the Messiah has been interceding at His Father’s right hand, for the salvation of the elect.
Heb 7:24-25 - The fullness of the Gentiles has come in and Jews have repented: The Messiah will be sent to meet His Bride.
Rom 11:25-27 Mat 23:38-39 Psa 118:18-17 - After the Wrath of the 7th Trumpet: The Kingdoms of the world are declared the kingdoms of Yahweh and His Messiah. The Messiah is given dominion and glory over the Kingdom on earth.
Dan 7:13-14 Rev 11:15-19
Characteristics of the anti-Christ (the Beast):
- Devious – Dan 8:23-25
- False Prophet – Mat 24:11
- Fake Leader – Act 20:28-31
- Does not follow God’s ways – 2Ti 3:13
- Hates God’s people – Rev 12:17
- Declares himself to be God – 2Th 2:4
- Deception – Mat 24:24
- Perverts God’s Word – Isa 5:20 Pro 17:15
- Wicked – Jer 17:9
- Signs and Wonders – 2Th 2:9-10
- Controls people – Rev 13:15-17
- Exalts himself – Dan 11:36
- Love of money – Rev 13:17 1Ti 6:9-10
After Tribulation, what happens next…
The Messiah and His Saints establish the Kingdom of God on earth, starting in Israel and then spreading to the Nations.
After 1,000 years the Messiah delivers the perfected earth, filled with the elect to God the Father.
Finally, Yahweh God Almighty descends from Heaven and dwells on earth with His People on a new Heaven and Earth forever.
Further studies
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End Times Chronology
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Dominion of the Ages Chart
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Background to great Tribulation
- From the time of Jesus, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God has been preached to Jews and then to the nations. This is in addition to the Gospel of the Cross which is in the past. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God is about the good news to come.
Mat 6:33 Luk 9:1-2 Act 19:8Despite this, mankind (including believers) continue to sin and false-prophets continue to deceive. Jesus declared that at the end of this age, many believers will be deceived and their love will grow cold! Wars and natural disasters result in sorrows that lead up to the end.
Mat 24:4-8 Mat 24:10-12 Mat 24:14Satan uses tribulation
to destroy God’s people.
Yahweh uses tribulation
to discipline His people and to bring them to repentance.
Yahweh’s wrath is judgement
on the wicked and not for the Saints whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. However, some saints become unfaithful and idolatrous; their names may not be in the Book of Life.
1Th 5:9 Rev 3:5Israel’s slavery in Egypt is an example of God using tribulation on His people. For their refusal to stop their idolatry, Yahweh’s wrath began to fall on them through three plagues. Ezk 20:6-8. The children of Israel were punished but not destroyed, unlike the Pharaoh and his army.
The 10 plagues on Egypt are examples of God’s wrath, culminating in the total destruction of Pharaoh and his army because they refused to let His people go.
The End Times follow a similar pattern of Tribulation for God’s people and Wrath for His enemies who refuse to repent. As in Egypt, God’s people can be protected from Wrath by the blood of the Passover Lamb; their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
- From the time of Jesus, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God has been preached to Jews and then to the nations. This is in addition to the Gospel of the Cross which is in the past. The Gospel of the Kingdom of God is about the good news to come.
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The anti-Christ
- At the beginning of the end times (before the coming of the Messiah), the anti-Christ (the Beast) rises to power and makes a 7 year covenant with Israel.
True to his nature, the anti-christ has no intention of keeping the covenant; it gives him time to rally his forces against Israel. This fake peace tactic has been used for centuries; eg the enemy within: the Greek horse gifted to Troy, which brings desolation from within the walls.
Dan 9:27
- At the beginning of the end times (before the coming of the Messiah), the anti-Christ (the Beast) rises to power and makes a 7 year covenant with Israel.
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3½ Years of Great Tribulation
- 3½ years after the covenant is made, the anti-Christ desecrates the holy place with the abomination of desolation. He initiates the worst Tribulation ever seen against Israel and also against Gentile believers. There is great deception, lawlessness, persecution and killing of God’s people.
Dan 7:19 & 25 Rev 12:17Denying Christ and worshipping the Beast is the only way to avoid being persecuted. This great Tribulation results in many believers falling away and very many being killed.
2Th 2:3-4 Rev 13:15-17 Mat 24:21-22
- 3½ years after the covenant is made, the anti-Christ desecrates the holy place with the abomination of desolation. He initiates the worst Tribulation ever seen against Israel and also against Gentile believers. There is great deception, lawlessness, persecution and killing of God’s people.
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The Gospel is preached
- The everlasting Gospel is preached by an Angel warning all those who dwell on the earth – to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. They are without excuse when the Messiah returns to judge His enemies.
Rev 14:6-11
- The everlasting Gospel is preached by an Angel warning all those who dwell on the earth – to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. They are without excuse when the Messiah returns to judge His enemies.
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God’s 7 Bowls of Wrath
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People are warned
Seven bowls of wrath (also called the seven plagues) fall on God’s enemies as punishment. This happens towards the end of Tribulation.
People are warned of their fate and given the opportunity to repent, which many fail to do. (Very similar to the 10 plagues which fell primarily on the Egyptians.)
Rev 14:9-11 Rev 15:1The wrath of God is poured out
The 7 bowls of Wrath fall on God’s enemies.
Rev 16:1-21After the 7th Bowl, the remaining followers of the Beast have been gathered at Armageddon and are still blaspheming God. Then the Messiah returns with His armies of Angels and resurrected Saints. They then complete God’s Judgement at Armageddon.
Rev 14:18-20
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Israel’s Repentance
- After 3½ years of tribulation, Israel’s repentance finally triggers the return of their Messiah, just as Christ had prophesied. The pattern of Israel’s Sin followed by Persecution, followed by Repentance, followed by Deliverance is consistent with Yahweh’s relationship with Israel since the Exodus from Egypt.
As shown in these scriptures:
1) God forgives their Sin,
2) heals their Land
3) and sends a Deliverer
who judges Israel and goes to war against their enemies.
Mat 23:37-39 2Ch 7:14 Jdg 3:7-11 Rev 19:11-16
- After 3½ years of tribulation, Israel’s repentance finally triggers the return of their Messiah, just as Christ had prophesied. The pattern of Israel’s Sin followed by Persecution, followed by Repentance, followed by Deliverance is consistent with Yahweh’s relationship with Israel since the Exodus from Egypt.
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What Happens After Tribulation?
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The Messiah establishes His Kingdom on Earth
Then the Kingdom of God is established on earth by the Messiah, the King, and reigns with His incorruptible immortal Saints on earth for 1,000 years. It fulfils the original command in the Garden of Eden for Man to be fruitful and multiply and to fill the earth and subdue it. It is all fulfilled in Christ.
Gen 1:27-28 Mat 28:18-20 Rom 8:19-21Yahweh God Almighty dwells on Earth
At the end, the Messiah delivers His Kingdom to God the Father who then descends from heaven and reigns on earth with righteous mankind forever and ever.
1Co 15:23-26 Rev 21:2-3
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How to recognise the anti-Christ
- There are numerous Bible references to anti-Christ characters which give us distinctive patterns of behaviour that we can recognise. (The anti-Christ might claim to be a follower of Christ or even to be the Messiah, Himself. The anti-Christ could also work through institutions which secretly support the agenda of the anti-Christ).
There will be moments when believers recognise anti-Christ patterns in churches/organisations and will have a decision to make – leave, stay and object or stay and support?
Rev 18:3-4 Mrk 13:14In the end times, there is one final anti-Christ, the Beast, who initially will be popular and come into power, through deception. There will be various organisations and institutions that support him eg financial control. Rev 13:17 and continue to support him, even after he brings the worst tribulation against Israel that they have ever known!
- Anti-Christ supporters in churches first might appear as believers and then draw others to themselves; eventually, their fruit will become apparent to those who understand.
1Jn 2:18-19 Mat 7:15-16 Act 20:28-31 Dan 12:10
- The anti-Christ goes by other names:
the Beast Dan 7:19 & 25
the Lawless One 2Th 2:9-10
Man of Sin & Son of Perdition 2Th 2:3
the Little Horn Dan 8:9
the Prince who is to come Dan 9:26
Abomination of Desolation Mat 24:15
- The anti-Christ is called the Little Horn in Dan 7:7-8
The “little horn” in Dan 8:9-12 is commonly understood to be a prophecy fulfilled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid Greek king who persecuted Jews and desecrated the temple (c. 175-164 BC). These details are remarkably similar to other descriptions of the Beast. Antiochus is recognised as a type of anti-Christ. Historical records of this event give specific meaning to words used in Daniel, for example, He sacrificed a pig in the temple, defiling it – an ‘abomination’.
Dan 11:31
- The consistent pattern of any anti-Christ, is ‘Deception’.
Mat 24:4-6 Mat 24:11 Mat 24:24 2Co 11:3-4 2Ti 3:13
2Th 2:9-11 Rev 13:13-14
- Anti-Christ supporters in churches first might appear as believers and then draw others to themselves; eventually, their fruit will become apparent to those who understand.
- There are numerous Bible references to anti-Christ characters which give us distinctive patterns of behaviour that we can recognise. (The anti-Christ might claim to be a follower of Christ or even to be the Messiah, Himself. The anti-Christ could also work through institutions which secretly support the agenda of the anti-Christ).
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God lifts Restraint to reveal the anti-Christ
- When God lifts what is restraining, the lawless one (anti-Christ / Beast) is revealed.
2Th 2:6-12Without the one who restrains, the balance of power is changed. Satan gives the Beast power. The world is deceived and worships the Beast (anti-Christ) and the Dragon (Satan).
Rev 13:1-5 Rev 17:12-13,17The Beast (anti-Christ) comes to power and makes a seven year covenant with Israel, but this only lasts for 42 months (1,260 days, 3½ years) when he turns on Israel. The abomination of desolation is put in the Holy place (Jerusalem? Temple Mount? A Temple, yet to be build?)
The Tribulation that follows, lasts until the power of the holy people has been shattered, 3½ years later.
Dan 9:27 Dan 12:7
- When God lifts what is restraining, the lawless one (anti-Christ / Beast) is revealed.
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Abomination of Desolation
- Great Tribulation starts when the Beast breaks his 7 year covenant with Israel, 3½ years after He made it. The Beast’s (anti-Christ) true motives are revealed when he:
a) sets up an ‘abomination of desolation’ in the holy place,
b) speaks pompous words against the Most High
c) and wants to change God’s times and law.
Mat 24:15-22 Dan 7:23-25Satan’s objective is to destroy Israel, but Yahweh keeps a remnant safe through the 3½ years of tribulation that follows, and this frustrates the Beast’s (anti-Christ) plan.
Rev 12:1-6 Rev 12:13-17 Mat 24:9-14
- Great Tribulation starts when the Beast breaks his 7 year covenant with Israel, 3½ years after He made it. The Beast’s (anti-Christ) true motives are revealed when he:
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Great Tribulation
- God will use this great Tribulation to discipline Israel in the same way that Yahweh sent troubles on Israel throughout their past.
Deu 31:17 Dan 12:1 Rev 3:19
Mat 24:21-22 Rev 12:17Some of the Elect (particularly Israel) do earnestly seek Him.
Mat 23:38-39 Eze 36:23-24 Isa 25:8-9 Zec 13:8-9 Zec 14:2-3Despite God’s warnings about the Beast’s (anti-Christ) deception, lawlessness and persecution, many Saints will fall away during this time and worship the Beast.
Rev 13:15-17 2Th 2:3-4God uses this tribulation to purify and refine the saints when they are given into the Beast’s hand for a time and times and half a time.
(3½ years, 42 months, 1,260 days)
Dan 12:10-13 Zec 13:8-9 1Pe 1:3-9
- God will use this great Tribulation to discipline Israel in the same way that Yahweh sent troubles on Israel throughout their past.
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The Elect Repent; Tribulation is shortened
- Israel in particular, because of the intense persecution against them, do repent and worship Yahweh. This heralds in the return of their Messiah as King of Israel as prophesied.
Mat 23:37-39 Hos 5:14-15Unless the days of Tribulation were shortened, no one would survive.
Mat 24:21-22
- Israel in particular, because of the intense persecution against them, do repent and worship Yahweh. This heralds in the return of their Messiah as King of Israel as prophesied.