The Great Tribulation

At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.  But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.  Dan 12:1-4

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.  Matt 24:29-31

Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth -- to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people --  saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."  Rev 14:6-7

One of the most misunderstood aspects of Christianity is probably the teaching of Jesus and the prophets concerning the time called “The Great Tribulation.”  One the one hand, the bible makes it pretty clear that this world-wide event will come to pass.  On the other hand, many Christians have a hard time grasping the severity of death, disaster, and suffering that is described in the book of Revelation.  As a result, some people explain away the event, saying that it is only ‘figurative’ and it will never come to pass literally.  Others dismiss it as colorful fiction that the biblical writers made up.  Some simply put it out of their minds and go about living their lives.

But I look at the teaching from a different perspective.  If a hurricane were coming towards our beach town, I would want to know about it.  I would be able to take action if I knew in advance.  If a category 5 storm were approaching, I would gather my family, but them in the car, and move them inland to safety.  But what would we think if the weather service knew a category 5 was approaching, and didn’t tell us?  How could we prepare? Wouldn’t we be caught unprepared?

Well a category 100 event is approaching this world.  Think Katrina, the Haiti earthquake, Mt St Helens, and Oklahoma tornado’s all rolled into one!  What would we think about God if He didn’t tell us that this event was coming?  Who wouldn’t want to know?  Unlike our hurricanes, there is no place on earth to hide from God’s judgment during the Great Tribulation.  But there is a safe place away from earth; Heaven! We can’t run away from the Great Tribulation, but we can tell everyone we know that God has an escape route – Salvation through Jesus Christ! In other words, knowing that something is coming allows us to prepare.  We can’t stop it, but we can be ready!

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.  Matt 24:44

Join us Sunday for our study “The Last Days – Part 3: The Great Tribulation”

Till the whole world hears...

Pastor Clay