|
| |
| |
| ITS DESCRIPTION OF SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD,
REVELATION CHAPTERS 6 - 19 The tribulation actually begins when the man of sin, the leader of the western federation of nations, signs a treaty with the Jewish people (Dan 9:27). The rapture of the church will have occurred just before this, though there may be a short interval of time between the rapture and the signing. It is the signing that actually begins the countdown of the seven years. There are three series of judgments recorded in Revelation 6, 89, 16. Probably they are successive, following one another in chronological sequence (rather than some of them recapitulating what has already been revealed). If so, then the seal judgments of chapter 6 will come during the first years of the tribulation. They involve war, famine, death, martyrdom and disturbances in the physical universe. At the same early part of the period the great ecumenical apostate church will rise to power (Rev 17:3), exerting tremendous political influence among the nations of the world. In addition there will be many converted by the witness of the group that will be sealed (Rev 7) for this purpose. Some will apparently be martyred almost immediately for their faith (Rev 6:9-11). All of this was indicated by the Lord in the Olivet discourse (Mt 24:4-14the judgment, vv. 6-7; the martyrs, v. 9; the witnessing, v. 14). As the middle of the tribulation approaches, certain important events will occur. Egypt will be defeated by the armies of the man of sin (Dan 11:40-43). The nations of the Far East will be forming into a coalition and will at the end of the tribulation move into Palestine. The power bloc to the north of Palestine known as Gog and Magog will invade Palestine but will be wiped out by God’s supernatural intervention (Eze 3839). Exactly at the middle point the man of sin will break his treaty, cease to be Israel’s protector, demand to be worshiped himself (2 Th 2:4), and seek to conquer the world. In the meantime, as the latter part of the tribulation progresses, God will be pouring out additional judgments on the world. These are described in the trumpets of Revelation 89 and the bowls of chapter 16. They include more disturbances in the physical universe, including the water supply of people, mass deaths, demonic persecution, pain and sores, and widespread havoc and destruction. As the man of sin continues his march to world power, he will face his enemies from the east at Armageddon in northern Palestine. In the midst of the war the Lord will return and defeat all His enemies. The man of sin and his false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented forever. Why must there be such a time as this? There are at least two reasons: First, the wickedness of man must be punished. Even though God may seem to be doing nothing about evil now, someday He will act openly against it. Second, man must, by one means or another, be prostrated before the King of kings and Lord of lords. He may do so voluntarily now by coming to Christ in faith and receiving salvation, or he will have to bow later but then only to receive condemnation, not salvation. |
|
|