While on vacation a couple of weeks ago, we traveled to the Mt. St. Helens National volcanic monument. It was an awesome thing to see. After nearly 25 years, the devastation was still very evident. What was just as amazing was to read about how it affected the area. I discovered that it wasn't sudden. An earthquake occurred in March of 1980 resulting in the call to evacuate the area, and that was two full months before the eruption! The residents had plenty of time to evacuate prior to the major eruption, but some chose to ignore the warnings. I read of a man by the name of Harry Truman, who ran a lodge near the base of the volcano. He refused to evacuate. He was determined to stay and doubted that the eruption would take place and seemed to think that even if it did, somehow he would be able to survive. But he didn't…he and 56 others perished in the devastation. St. Helens released an amount of energy equivalent to 27,000 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs and ejected more than a cubic mile of material. 57 people were killed along with an estimated 1500 elk, 5000 deer, and 11 million fish. In addition, 200 homes, 47 bridges, and 185 miles of highway were destroyed. This is what the area looks like now. You say, "Neat pictures pastor, but what does this have to do with the message and what does it have to do with faith for the future?" I am glad you asked. : )
The Bible tells us about a storm that is coming to the whole world. It will bring about the darkest days of human history. Though this period is called by many names in Scripture, the most common title is "the great tribulation." Let's review just a bit before we get into the message tonight. Remember we have considered seven distinct periods of time in the history of the world. The next prophetic event on the schedule is the Rapture of the believers. Then comes the Judgment Seat of Christ in heaven. But here on earth, there will be great tribulation. As the text says, "such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." The Tribulation is an important and often misunderstood subject in Scripture. Keep in mind that this will take place on earth after the Rapture. That means that we, as believers in Christ, will not be on earth to suffer during this terrible time of judgment. Let's look at the Word and hopefully answer some basic questions concerning the Great Tribulation.
I. What is the Tribulation?
A. The meaning of the word.
1. Our word "tribulation" is from the Latin word 'tribulum', which originally referred to an agricultural tool that divided the husk from the corn.
2. The Greek word behind "tribulation" in the NT literally means "pressure, affliction, anguish or trouble."
3. The "tribulation" will be a period in which God's hand of judgment will fall and bring great pressure and distress on the whole world.
B. In various passages the Bible teaches that this period will last about 7 years.
1. The period as a whole is called "the tribulation".
2. With the last 3 and a half years being referred to as "the great tribulation," a time of even greater intensity.
C. Three primary passages from the Old Testament describe this period of time.
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Da 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Joel 2:1-2 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
D. We have all seen pictures of the Holocaust.
1. They sicken us.
2. We can barely imagine such suffering.
3. Yet Jesus says "there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be."
4. Nothing, not the flood, not the slavery in Egypt, not the Babylonian or Syrian invasions, not even the Holocaust of recent history can compare with this period.
5. During this short time more of the earth's population will be destroyed than in all the previous disasters combined.
II. Why must there be a Tribulation?
A. God has two primary purposes for the Tribulation
1. It will be a time when He pours out His wrath on an unbelieving world, which has rejected Him.
Isa 26:21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
Jude 1:14-15 "… Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
2. The Tribulation will also be a time that will bring about God's redemption of the remnant of Israel.
a. Israel is God's chosen nation. Long ago God made a covenant or promise to Abraham.
b. Though national Israel rejected the Messiah, through the tribulation a remnant of Jews will believe on Him and receive the fulfillment of the covenant.. God will complete His promise.
Zec 13:8-9 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Ro 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
III. Will believers go through the Tribulation?
A. The Saved of this Age will be Raptured.
1. When Jesus returns in the air, He will receive all genuine believers to Himself.
2. We have already addressed this period of time so I will not take the time to go over it again only to note that the believers will be with Christ during the Tribulation.
3. At the end of the Tribulation, the saved will return to the earth with Christ to rule and reign during the Millennial Kingdom.
B. The Unsaved of this Age will be Left Behind.
1. If God's redeemed people are removed, then only unbelievers will remain to receive the full measure of God's wrath for their unbelief and rejection of the Savior.
2. It would be nice to think that all of those who have rejected Christ would suddenly realize that they were wrong and that the Christians were right.
3. To think that they would repent of their sins and accept Jesus Christ as Savior.
4. To think that there would be no need for judgment to fall upon mankind.
5. It might be nice, but that isn't what God's Word says will happen!
6. Notice: 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12
a. God's Word is not difficult to understand.
b. God will send a "strong delusion".
c. "That they should believe a lie".
d. "That they all might be damned"
e. Who is Paul talking about here?
f. Those "who believed not the truth."
"...He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." cf Jn. 3:36b
7. After the rapture, there is no hope for those who have heard the truth but rejected it.
IV. God's Judgments Upon This World.
A. "In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye."
1. These are words that God used to describe how quickly the rapture will take place.
2. There will be no time for farewell notes to be left behind for loved ones to read.
3. At Christ's appearing in the air every believer will disappear from the face of the earth.
B. Chaos will describe that moment here on earth.
1. Driver-less cars, buses, trucks, and trains.
2. Airplanes crashing due to missing crew- members.
3. Mass confusion of the radio and TV news media.
4. Numerous and uncontrollable fires and looting.
5. Rampaging lawlessness, crime, and mobs that the remaining police forces will not be able to control.
6. Families terrified and in shock over missing family members and babies.
7. Church buildings will still be standing, but believers will no longer assemble there.
8. Business and industry will come to a standstill.
9. Governments and schools will have to be reorganized or closed down.
10. This chaotic atmosphere that will be present on that day will set the stage for the man of the hour ... the anti-Christ!
C. The Judgments of the Tribulation.
1. Seal judgments of Revelation 6
a. For the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation there will be a false peace that will be established by the anti-Christ.
b. That will end and there will be global war and tremendous casualties.
c. Cataclysmic events in the heavens, earthquakes, famine and hunger will be rampant here on earth.
2. Trumpet judgments of Revelation 8
a. As the judgment continues to fall it intensifies.
b. More death and destruction from disasters.
c. Water supply poisoned death in the seas.
d. Demonic creatures torturing and tormenting people.
3. Bowl or Vial judgments of Revelation 16
a. Waters turned to blood and everything in the seas will die.
b. Scorching heat from the sun.
c. Huge storms of hailstones more earthquakes.
d. Mountains and islands will disappear and cities will crumble.
e. Men will gnaw their tongues due to pain and sores.
The seven-year tribulation will be a horrible experience. These things, and more, will come upon this earth and upon unbelieving men and women. There will be no second opportunity for people to be saved if they have rejected the gospel. We must reach folks today!