Section 1 The Great Tribulation.

The Gentiles view of the Great Tribulation is a period of time “where everyone will experience worldwide” hardships, disasters, famine, war, pain, and suffering, which will wipe out more than 75% of all life on the earth before the Second Coming of Christ takes place.  

From the earliest days of our Christian walk, we have heard messages preached on it, read books about it, and even seen movies predicting it in our near future on the history channal. Well it did not happen that way.  Many people have heard of the biblical Great Tribulation but much of what one hears is misinformation and wrong ideas built on what Gentiles believe the tribulation should be like.  If Paul saw what the Gentiles have done with Jesus teaching about the Great Tribulation he would again say.   I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 1 Corinthians 3:2 (NKJV)

It's important to learn exactly what the Bible teaches and history unfolds.  Next we will spend some time looking into how the events surrounding and including the great tribulation were fulfilled.

We are first introduced to the time of the Tribulation in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah, and the prophet calls it the time of 'Jacob's trouble' because it will primarily center on the Jews in Israel. This is our first clue as to who will go through the Tribulation and who it will affect.  Jeremiah 30:6-7 Ask and see: Can a man bear children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor, every face turned deathly pale?  How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.

In the previous verses of Jeremiah 30:3-4 we find that the Lord is speaking to Jeremiah the prophet about Judah and Israel.  Both the Time of Jacob’s Trouble (Jer. 30:6-7) and the Great Tribulation (Matt. 24:21) are described as the unparalleled time of trouble. Since there can only be one such time, both will cover the same time period. The Great Tribulation.  Since there cannot be more than one unparalleled time of trouble, their time periods must overlap.

The great tribulation (Greek: θλίψις μεγάλη, thlipsis megalē) is a period mentioned by Jesus.   Matthew 24:21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.  The great tribulation was the entire 3 ½ years of suffering, and hunger, and famine, and murder, and desecration, and death which all taking place in the last several years in the city of Jerusalem.

This would be the time when God’s wrath was finally poured out on the nation of Israel as was said by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:16 “for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”   That day would be just around the corner after the Christians got out of the city of Jerusalem and left Judaea for the mountains of Pella beyond Jordan for safety elsewhere.

In this part of our study we will spend some time looking at the events Jesus said would occur before the biblical tribulation.

Jesus said time, manyis period of time many would proclaim to be the Messiah. (Matthew 24:5) This is the first sign, preceding the tribulation and the destruction of the city and the temple of Jerusalem; as there was a general expectation among the Jews of a Messiah that shall deliver them from the Roman yoke, which was the common idea.  Why would anyone still look for the coming of the Messiah?    Because they did not believe Jesus was the promised Messiah.   

There were many in Jesus’ day that claimed to be Israel’s Messiah.   In fact, during this period there were false Christ’s like no other time in the history of Israel.  There were many who tried to fill the role of Messiah in that day. The fact is many such impostors did arise about that time, promising deliverance from God. The disciples were not to listen to such deceivers.   The Jews were willing to listen to any such deceivers if there was any prospect of being saved from the Roman.  

The book of Acts lists a number of these impostors.  Of this sort was Theudas (Acts 5:36)  he was during the time of Claudius Caesar, when Cuspius Fadus was governor of Judea; who persuaded a great number to follow him to the river Jordan, which he promised to divide, by a word of command, to give them a passage over; and thereby, "he deceived many" which is the very thing that Jesus predicted those he deceived withdraw while Fadus, head was cut off.

There was another called the Egyptian, mentioned in (Acts 21:38 ) who made an uproar, and led four thousand into the wilderness where their “throats were cut” and this same man persuaded thirty thousand men to follow him to Mount Olivet, promising a free passage into the city; but he being vanquished by Felix, then governor of Judea; fled, and many of his followers were killed and taken. There were many more impostors that pretended to promise signs and wonders, and promised the people deliverance.

Among these, you may reckon Simon Magus, (Acts 8:9-11) who said he was some great yes expressly, that he was the word oGod, whichd the Son of God which were known names of the Messiah; and Dositheus the Samaritan, asserted himself to be Christ and also Menander affirmed, that no man could be saved, unless he was baptized in his name these are instances before the destruction of Jerusalem, and confirm the prophecy of Jesus was fulfilled.

Jerome quotes Simon Magus as saying "I am the Word of God, I am the Comforter, I am Almighty, I am all there is of God." (Kik, An Eschatology of Victory, 92).   

Menahem Ben Judah was one of several Jewish Messiah claimants around the time of the Jewish War and is mentioned by Josephus. Athronges proclaimed himself a messiah, Athronges led the rebellion against Archelaus and the Roman.  How prone are men to deception?

Jesus goes in to say in Matthew 24:6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.   The Jews rebelled against Rome so often there were always rumors of wars. 

Perhaps you have heard the expression “Pax Romana.” This speaks of a time of peace and prosperity that Rome, supposedly brought to the world from 27 B.C. to A.D. 180. Still, there was one period of time during this reign that was anything but peaceable. In fact, wars and rumors of wars is a real honest description of this period especially for Israel. This, of course, is the years preceding the destruction of Jerusalem.

In A.D. 60 skirmishes between the Romans and the Jews began to break out. Wars and rumors of wars increased dramatically. When the Jews stopped the daily sacrifice for Caesar and the Roman people, the conflict intensified. It is basically considered an act of war.

These may be seen in Josephus, Ant. b. xviii. c. 9; War, b. ii. c. 10; especially as to the rumors of wars, when Caligula ordered his statue to be set up in the temple of God, which the Jews having refused, had every reason to expect a war with the Romans, and were in such consternation on the occasion that they even neglected to till their land.

Matthew 24:7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. This portended to the slaughter of the Jews, and those of other nations, who dwelt in the same cities together; as particularly at Caesarea, where the Jews and Syrians contended about the right of the city, which ended there in the total expulsion of the Jews, about 20,000 of whom were slain.  The whole nation of the Jews was against the Romans and Agrippa, and other allies of the Roman empire which began when Gessius Florus was procurator.    

All this happen during Jesus contemporary generation.

Section 2 The Great Tribulation.

Matthew 24:7 and there shall be famines, and pestilences…. It should be noted that some of the best manuscripts omit the word “pestilences” in this passage. Nevertheless, where there is famine, there is always pestilence.  

Both the Bible and the historians of the day show that indeed famine and pestilence did occur before the time of the end. The Bible speaks of famine in Acts 11:27-29. The famine was so great that the church as far away as Corinth participated in relief efforts (1 Corinthians 16:1-5, Romans 15:25-28).

The historians of the day wrote extensively about famines in that day. Secular historians such as Tacitus wrote that famine fell upon the entire Roman Empire. It was established that at one point there was no more than fifteen day’s supply of food in the city of Rome.

Concerning these days of famine and pestilence Jesus said to the daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For indeed the days are coming, in which they will say, Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts what never nursed!’ (Luke 23:28-29)    We first read about how this was coming upon Israel when they disobeyed God in (Ezekiel 5:5-17).

Matthew 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. The word here signifies the sorrows and pains of a woman in grievous travail. The years of calamities that intervened before the destruction of Jerusalem were full of sorrows - Ωδινων, and pains coming upon the nation of Israel.  They were only a foretaste far from being the worst to be endured. These sorrows were but light, in comparison of what was going to befall on the nation of Jews, in their dreadful destruction by the Romans Empire.

Matthew 24: 9 “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.   Tacitus speaking of the persecutions of the Christians under Nero, adds “several were seized, who confessed, and a great multitude of others Christians were convicted and barbarously executed."

During this period of tribulation many Christians were killed and hated by all nations. Both Jew and Gentile united in persecuting them. The persecution of Christians in the New Testament is an important part of the Early Christian narrative which depicts the early Church as being persecuted for their beliefs.  The Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire was the religious persecution of Christians as a consequence of professing their faith in Christ.  This persecution impacted all aspects of Christian life.

The book of Acts depicts instances of early Christian persecution by the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious court at the time. Acts 9:1-2  Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.   Christianity was referred to as "the Way."

It is significant that Saul went to the Jewish synagogues rather than to churches in order to find the Christians. Acts 22:19  'Lord,' I replied, 'these men know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you.'   Acts 26:11  Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.

The death of Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. Chapter 8 opens with the severe persecution of the Church in Jerusalem and the subsequent dispersion throughout Judea and Samaria, which led those scattered to preach the Word.

There are two significant characteristics of these persecutions that should be mentioned were Jews and Gentile were included in the persecutions of the early church. Saul of Tarsus – whom most of us know by his Roman name, Paul – later came to deeply regret this persecution of the church. He later wrote, For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God (1 Corinthians 15:9).

Chapter 9 depicts the Conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus, when Jesus identified himself with the Church.  Paul is later on trial in Chapters 22-26 for his belief in the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead, but also because he considers this as the fulfillment of the "hope in the promise made by God to our fathers."
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Jews and Gentiles attempt unsuccessfully to stone Paul and Barnabas. (Acts 14:5-6) Jews stone Paul nearly to death. (Acts 14:19-20)  Jews plot to kill Paul Acts 9:20-25 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests? ”But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.  Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.  But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.  Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.  See also 20:19, 23:12-14.

King Herod (believed to be Agrippa) executes James and imprisons Peter. (Acts 12:1-5) Paul and Barnabas are being driven out of Antioch of Pisidia. (Acts 13:44-51)  Paul and Silas are flogged and imprisoned by Gentiles in Thessalonica (Acts 16:16-24).  Paul and others are chased out of successive towns by Jews. (Acts 17:1-15) Arrest of Peter and other apostles, as discussed in the preceding lesson. (Acts 4 and 5.) Philip, in order to avoid arrest, left Jerusalem hurriedly and journeyed to Samaria, staying for a while in the city bearing that name, and also visiting several other places in the province.

Paul is made to appear before the Roman proconsul Gallop in Achaia, who dismisses the case as an internal dispute. Paul is then beaten by the Jews (Acts 18:12-17).  Worshippers of Artemis in Ephesus riot against Paul and his companions, but they are not harmed. (Acts 19:23-41)

Acts 19:27-28:30 In his final journey to Rome, Paul is taken by Jews in Jerusalem to be killed, but is rescued by Roman soldiers who imprison him. He testifies before the Sanhedrin (22:30-23:11), and the governor Felix at Caesarea (24:1-27) before using his power as a Roman citizen (22:29) to have his case heard by the emperor.

When Paul reached Rome, there was a “sect” of Christians who were spoken against“ everywhere (Acts  28:22)   If Luke’s book of Acts is not an accurate catalog of Christian persecution during the first century what is?  

Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure (2 Thessalonians 1:4)

Peter was crucified by Roman executioners because he could not deny his master again. According to Eusebius he thought himself unworthy to be crucified as his Master, and, therefore, he asked to be crucified "head downward."Philip: Martyrdom.  Simon: Martyrdom by crucifixion.or being sawn in half. Thomas: Martyrdom by being stabbed with a spear. Paul, was crucified in the Neronian persecution, A.D. 67,68. 

In his epistle to the Galatians, Paul indicates several times that the Jews have persecuted Christians, beginning with his admission of his own persecution of the Christians prior to his conversion (Galatians 4:29) and ending with his suggestion that he is presently being persecuted because he no longer preaches circumcision (Gal 5:11)

In Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians, he asserts that he had been persecuted by the Jews on numerous occasions. 2 Corinthians 11:23-26 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren. 

The tribulation and persecutions of the early Church arose out of, or were closely related to, the events during the first century. Therefore, if we are to understand these events, we must first become aware of what was taking place at that time.

 All this happen during Jesus contemporary generation.

Section 3 The Great Tribulation.

Matthew 24:10 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.  The entirety of 2 Peter 2 is about false prophets and false teachers during that during a particular period of time.  "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction." (2Peter 2:1) 

Paul also gave numerous warnings against the prophets and their false doctrine. Paul warned the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28-30 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

In Romans 16:17-18, Paul said, "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting."

In 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15, Paul was greatly concerned that the church in Corinth might be led away and deceived by those who were "false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ." He said in Ephesians 4:14 that some are "children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming." He sadly declares in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate to themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths."

Josephus also mentions one false prophet who urged the people to get up on the Temple and await signs of deliverance. He said, ‘A false prophet made a public proclamation in the city that very day, that God commanded them to get up on the temple, and there they should receive miraculous signs of their deliverance. Now, there was then a great number of false prophets suborned by the tyrants to impose upon the people, who denounced this to them that they should wait for deliverance from God... “(Josephus, p. 453)

Matthew 24:12 “And because lawlessness will abound the love of many will grow cold.  In the New Testament the term "lawless" is used to describe those who knowingly, and deliberately and willfully rebel against God and his laws. They refuse to be under God’s rule and God’s laws. They refuse to surrender to God’s Word and God’s will. They want to follow their own ways. The lawless person cries out in his heart, "not God’s will, but my will be done!"

The Greek word for lawless is ἀνομίαν and thus means (without law or lawless practice lawlessness, work iniquity). In the New Testament (King James Version) this word is translated in different ways ("lawless," "unlawful," "wicked," "transgressor") but it always conveys the basic meaning of lawless. The Greek word (ἀνομίαν) is also translated in various ways ("unrighteousness," "iniquity," "transgression of the law") but each time it carries the basic meaning of lawlessness.

  

By reason of these false prophets within, the Church, the love of many for Christ and his doctrine, grow cold and openly deserting the faith 2 Timothy 1:15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.   

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all world as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come.  Matthew 24:14 (NKJV) The years is 33 A.D

Paul’s missionary journeys are completed as he writes from his imprisonment in Rome to the saints in Colsse the year is 64 A.D.…if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians. 1:23).

Paul in his Epistle to the Hebrews writes, For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. Hebrews 4:2 (NKJV)

Jesus told the disciples to preach the gospel throughout the world.  Paul freely admitted he had preached “to every creature under heaven.”  Paul writer in the Epistle to the Romans First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

(Romans1:8)

Indeed, the Gospel had been preached to what THEY considered to be the whole world. And “the end” that THEY were anticipating was the end of the Old Covenant world that was centered around the Temple that was destroyed in A.D. 70. At the time of ancient Israel they did not think in terms of the globe as we do today.  So they wrote in terms with which they were familiar. 

When we use the word world, we use it in a globe sense the whole planet, but to Jesus, Paul and others in the first century people it meant something much less.  To those living in first-century it was not the globe but the Roman Empire.

For example a decree from Caesar Augustus, went out that all the world should be taxed. Luke 2:1, KJV And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.   Augustus didn’t rule the globe, he ruled the Roman Empire.  At that time Augustus, made a decreed that throughout the Roman Empire they should be taxed.

Another good example is when Paul and Silas were accused of turned the world upside down when they preached in Thessalonica.  Act 17:6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.   They did not turn the globe upside down it was the Roman Empire.

Acts 17:6-7 And not finding them, they drew Jason and certain brothers before the city judges, crying, These who have turned the world upside down have come here too, (7) whom Jason has received. And these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.

Paul was accused again before Felix: “…we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world” (Acts 24:5).  Of course this was not the globe.  There did not have cell phones or social-networking like facebook all they had was horses at best.

I there more evidence. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great (dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar). (Acts 11:28, KJV)  This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.  

Matthew 24:15-16 “Therefore when you see the “'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place ..., then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains."

This is one of most detailed prophecy of the end time.

The Biblical words usually translated as "abomination" often signifies that which is forbidden or unclean.  In Daniel's prophecies in  Daniel 11:31  (cf. 12:11), it is generally interpreted as referring to the fearful calamities that were to fall on the Jews during the time of tribulation.   The word "desolation" means to be in a condition that is uninhabitable and devastated. In all biblical uses, the term can be understood as the "abomination causing the desolation."  

"Luke’s parallel statement to show that the abomination spoken of by Daniel would take place when Jerusalem is surrounded by armies. “ “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. Luke 21:20 (NKJV)  What brings desolation to a city? The army of an enemy. Luke 21:24  And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.   Notice Luke said they will fall by the edge of the sword.   Such weapons of warfare would not be appropriate for today’s warfare.

So, what then was the abomination that would bring desolation to Jerusalem?" When the temple area was taken by the Romans, and the sanctuary itself was still burning, the soldiers brought their legionary standards into the sacred precincts, set them up opposite the eastern gate, and offered sacrifice to them there, acclaiming Titus as imperator (victorious commander).

The Roman army is called an abomination, for its ensigns and images, which were so to the Jews. Josephus says, (War, b. vi. chap. 6,) the Romans brought their ensigns into the temple, and placed them over against the eastern gate, and sacrificed to them there.  The Roman army also made desolate, and lay waste Jerusalem.  So the abomination of desolation is not the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem today. It was the destruction of Herod's Temple in the Jewish War of A.D.70

All this happened during Jesus contemporary generation.