Eschatology and Eschatology and EcclesiologyEcclesiology

The TribulationThe Tribulation

Tribulation TerminologyTribulation Terminology TribulationTribulation – a time of trouble or difficulty. – a time of trouble or difficulty. The TribulationThe Tribulation – usually used to refer to the period – usually used to refer to the period

of 7 years (aka Daniel’s 70of 7 years (aka Daniel’s 70thth week or the Day of the week or the Day of the Lord) of great difficulty on the earth just prior to the Lord) of great difficulty on the earth just prior to the return of Christ. return of Christ.

The Great TribulationThe Great Tribulation – usually refers to the last half – usually refers to the last half of the 7 year period; note multiple references to 3.5 of the 7 year period; note multiple references to 3.5 years, 42 months, 1260 days, or “time, times, and years, 42 months, 1260 days, or “time, times, and half a time.”half a time.”

Day of the LordDay of the Lord – a technical phrase in the Bible used – a technical phrase in the Bible used for special interventions of God in human history.for special interventions of God in human history. Past – center around God’s judgments on Israel and the Past – center around God’s judgments on Israel and the

nations (e.g. Joel 1:15).nations (e.g. Joel 1:15). Future – a supernatural intervention in which God will judge Future – a supernatural intervention in which God will judge

both Israel and the nations, establish His kingdom, and both Israel and the nations, establish His kingdom, and eventually create a new heavens and new earth (Jer 30:7-9; eventually create a new heavens and new earth (Jer 30:7-9; 1 Thess 5:2,3; 2 Pet 3:10).1 Thess 5:2,3; 2 Pet 3:10).

This time of tribulation is a result of God’s wrath This time of tribulation is a result of God’s wrath being poured out on an unbelieving world.being poured out on an unbelieving world.

7 weeks = 49 years

Artaxerxes decree to re-build Jerusalem, 445 or 444 B.C. (Neh 2:1-8)

62 weeks = 434 years

Completion of rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, A.D. 32 or 33 (Luke 19:28-38).

After the 69 weeks (Dan 9:26):

(1) Messiah is cut-off.

(2) Jerusalem is destroyed in A.D. 70.

1 week = 7 years

The prince of the people to come (i.e. Antichrist) makes a firm covenant with the many for one week, but puts a stop to sacrifice and offering halfway through the week (Dan 9:27).

69 weeks = 483 years 70th week

Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks – Dan 9:24-27

"Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place. So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on

the one who makes desolate."

Key Personalities in the Key Personalities in the TribulationTribulation

The AntichristThe Antichrist – Opposes the true God and – Opposes the true God and proclaims himself to be Christ; rules the world for proclaims himself to be Christ; rules the world for the 3.5 years just prior to Christ’s return (Dan the 3.5 years just prior to Christ’s return (Dan 9:26-27; 2 Thess 2:3-4; Rev 13).9:26-27; 2 Thess 2:3-4; Rev 13).

The False ProphetThe False Prophet – the second beast (Rev 13:11- – the second beast (Rev 13:11-18) who counterfeits the Holy Spirit, causes 18) who counterfeits the Holy Spirit, causes people to worship the Antichrist.people to worship the Antichrist.

SatanSatan – along with the two beasts, makes up a – along with the two beasts, makes up a counterfeit trinity. Works through both the false counterfeit trinity. Works through both the false christ and the false prophet.christ and the false prophet.

144,000144,000 – a group of Jews who will be redeemed – a group of Jews who will be redeemed and protected from God’s wrath during the Great and protected from God’s wrath during the Great Tribulation; they remain faithful to Christ during Tribulation; they remain faithful to Christ during this time (Rev 7:1-8; 14:1-5).this time (Rev 7:1-8; 14:1-5).

The Two WitnessesThe Two Witnesses – Two prophets who will have – Two prophets who will have special ministries (very much like Moses and special ministries (very much like Moses and Elijah) in Jerusalem during the Great Tribulation Elijah) in Jerusalem during the Great Tribulation (Rev 11:3-13).(Rev 11:3-13).

The Judgments of the The Judgments of the TribulationTribulation

3.5 Years 3.5 YearsBeginning of Birth Pangs

The Great Tribulation

Abomination of Desolation

Rapture of the Church

Return of ChristAntichrist as leader

of revived Roman EmpireAntichrist as dictatorof the world

The Seventh SealThe Seventh Seal

The First Six SealsThe First Six Seals

Spirit of

Antichrist

Warfare Famine Death to ¼ of the earth by sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts.

Prayers for vengeance by the martyrs.

Great earthquake and cosmic disorders.

The First Six Trumpets of the The First Six Trumpets of the Seventh SealSeventh Seal

1/3 of earth and trees burned; all green grass burned.

1/3 of sea turned to blood; 1/3 of sea life and 1/3 of ships destroyed.

1/3 of seas and springs made bitter

1/3 of sun, moon, and stars darkened.

Locusts sting 5 Months

1/3 of people killed

The Seven Bowls of the The Seven Bowls of the Seventh TrumpetSeventh Trumpet

Malignantsores

Sea intoblood

Fresh water into blood

Men scorched

Darkness Armies gathered for battle

Babylon

judged

Salvation During the Salvation During the TribulationTribulation

144,000 from the twelve tribes of 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev 7:1-10).Israel (Rev 7:1-10).

Peoples from every nation and tribe Peoples from every nation and tribe and people and tongue (Rev 7:9).and people and tongue (Rev 7:9).

A protected remnant of Israel (Rev A protected remnant of Israel (Rev 12:6).12:6).

Others who survive the Great Others who survive the Great Tribulation and are Christ’s sheep at Tribulation and are Christ’s sheep at His return (Matt 25:31-32).His return (Matt 25:31-32).

Next Time: Rapture Next Time: Rapture Systems – Part ISystems – Part I

Syllabus pp. 220-234Syllabus pp. 220-234

Benware pp. 207-237Benware pp. 207-237