BIBLE PROPHECY

TRIBULATION—GENERAL INFORMATION

1-THE TRIBULATION: WHAT IS IT?
2-THE TRIBULATION: WHY IS IT COMING?
3-THE TRIBULATION: THE NAMES FROM THE BIBLE
4-THE TRIBULATION: A TIME OF GOD'S WRATH
5-SOME ADDITIONAL REFERENCES ARE
6-THE TRIBULATION LENGTH
7-THE LORD SHORTENED THOSE DAYS: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

   RAPTURE is a term used to describe the removal from the earth of all living people that have been born-again as evidenced by their fruits. Just prior to the Tribulation coming about, the Rapture will take place. The number that will be raptured will be far fewer than most people might think. The Bible unmistakably portrays the raptured saints in heaven before the throne of God, prior to the Antichrist coming forth and the Tribulation beginning. The Scripture tells us, in the twinkling of an eye, we shall be changed and be with Jesus in the air. 1 Cor 15:51,52-WE SHALL NOT ALL SLEEP, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, IN A MOMENT IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE, AT THE LAST TRUMP: FOR THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND; 1 Thes 4:16,17-AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST, THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS. We may be asleep, immediately we will be with Jesus. All the unbelievers, the lukewarm Christians, and those that did not obey the Gospel will be left to face the Tribulation. (FOR AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF THE RAPTURE—CLICK HERE.)

    THE TRIBULATION is the worst time in history since man has been on the earth. Immediately following the Rapture, the man of sin (called the Antichrist) comes forth and assumes control of the EEC. He can be expected to be very charismatic and brilliant. He confirms a treaty with Israel and others, which begins the Tribulation.

    It is a 7 year period, but the Lord has cut it short-ref Mk 13:20; Ro 9:28. We are not setting a date; however, we are now living in that generation in which this will happen. Hate, murder, thefts, rape, and every imaginable form of evil will abound. During this horrible period of God’s wrath, Russia, Iran, and other nations will come against Israel. The USA becomes involved. One-fourth of the world’s population will die. Many of the dead will be from the USA, as well as Russia. One-third of trees are burned up. All green grass is burned up. One-third of the sea will become blood. One-third of the creatures in the sea will die. One-third of the ships are destroyed. One-third of the waters become wormwood (or poisoned, or radioactive). Massive famines, increased earthquakes, and more diseases will happen as birth pangs of a woman. Those left alive will have opportunities to receive Jesus through the preaching of 144,000 male, virgin Jews; however, death by decapitation lies ahead for most that put their trust in Jesus, unless they renounce their faith. There will also be many false Christs and false prophets. A one-world, false religion that God calls MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH will increase. This religion has existed for hundreds of years and exists today. The nations of the world have become intoxicated with her false teachings. The temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt.
   About 3½ years from the end of the Tribulation, the Antichrist (also called the beast) is killed with a wound in the head by a weapon, but his deadly wound will be healed. He will come back to life. He then declares himself to be God and moves into the temple in Jerusalem. A false prophet appears that will do great wonders. The sacrifices at the temple will be stopped. The abomination of desolation occurs. An image of the Antichrist will be set on a wing of the temple. Those that refuse to worship it will be beheaded. The elect born-again Jews now flee for their lives to a place where God will hide them and take care of them during the last three and a half years. Power is given to the Antichrist over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. All that dwell on the earth shall worship the Antichrist, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb. During these last three and a half years (called the Great Tribulation), world conditions will continue to worsen. A one-world system will be set up. The Antichrist shall make war against the saints and will overcome them. People will be required to take the mark of the Antichrist or the number of his name (666) in or on their forehead or right hand. If they refuse, they cannot buy or sell. Two prophets of God will appear. One of them is Elijah. Their ministry lasts 1260 days. They warn people not to take the mark or worship the image. There is no forgiveness from God afterward for those that take the mark and worship the image. They will go to the eternal lake of fire. These two witnesses have the power to shut up heaven that it rain not during their days on the earth. They have the power to bring all kinds of plagues on the earth. Multitudes will be slain for the Word of God. Locusts will sting men with a sting like a scorpion. It will be so bad that men will seek death and shall not find it. There will be terrible sores upon men. The rivers and fountains will become blood. Men will be scorched with great heat. Earthquakes continue to get worse and worse. Diseases will continue to get worse and worse. Two hundred million troops will march to Israel from the east and cross the dried up Euphrates River. One-third more of the earth’s population will be killed. After the 1260 days, the two prophets of God will be killed. People will rejoice, but then after three and a half days, they will arise and ascend up to heaven as people watch. Great fear falls on those that see this. Men will be so terrified that their hearts will fail, as they consider what is about to happen. Multitudes will hide in the rocks and say, "FALL ON US AND HIDE US FROM...HIM (Jesus)…FOR THE GREAT DAY OF HIS WRATH IS COME; AND WHO SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND?"-Rev 6:16,17.

   IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days, the Battle of Armageddon explodes. It lasts one day. The kings and armies of the earth are gathered to make war against Jesus. Jesus Christ returns as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords with all His saints. If He had not returned exactly when He did, there should be no life left on earth. The Antichrist and false prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire. Satan is chained for one thousand years, so he can deceive the nations no longer till the thousand years be fulfilled. Every force of nature is likely to be unleashed at once, including killer tornadoes, hurricanes, tidal waves, lightning encircling the earth, and the biggest earthquake in mankind’s history. The cities and the mountains of the world will crumble. The Bible tells that every island fled away. The mountains were not found. There is great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of 70 to l00 pounds. The earth will move out of its place. At the end of that one day, there are so few people left alive that a child could write the number.

5-SOME ADDITIONAL REFERENCES ARE:

6-THE TRIBULATION LENGTH

    The seventieth week of Daniel (which is also called the Tribulation) is clearly outlined as being seven years long. This can be further broken down, through other verses, into 84 months or 2520 days. It is further portrayed as being split into parts. The dividing point is when the sacrifices at the temple are stopped. This is defined by Daniel 9:27, as the "midst" of the Tribulation.
   Since seven years consist of 84 months, it can be assumed that each part of the Tribulation will be 3 ½ years, or 42 months, or 1260 days. Nevertheless, let us not forget, that God’s calendar should be used.

    In Mk 13:6-19, events of the Tribulation are described. Then in verse 20, Jesus spoke these words, AND EXCEPT THAT THE LORD HAD SHORTENED (or limited the duration of, or cut short) THOSE DAYS (of the trouble), NO FLESH SHOULD BE SAVED (no one would survive): BUT FOR THE ELECT’S SAKE, WHOM HE HATH CHOSEN, HE HATH SHORTENED (or limited) THE DAYS. 
   Jesus describes the Tribulation and then makes the statement, "shortened those days." What does this mean? Did He shorten it from more than seven years down to seven years? Will the 7 x 360 day periods be shortened to less than this? Will it be shortened only a few hours? It may be noted that Jesus said, "shortened those days." Days is plural, which may denote more than one. Could the days represent years? Could He have shortened the years or number of years?
   It may be noted with interest that every time the Scriptures refer to how many days, months, or years are in either part of the Tribulation, it always seems to be the second part. The second part is 1260 days. The second part is 42 months. The second part is 3 1/2 years. Many times in the Scriptures we are told the length of the second part. We never seem to be told the exact length of the first part. (Note, some Bible scholars may not agree with the alignment of events; thus, they might disagree with this statement.)
   In Daniel, the Bible indicates seven years or seven time periods. Then the words "IN THE MIDST" are used, indicating the middle. From this point on, we are told over and over that it will be 42 months, or 1260 days, or 3 1/2 years. Why do the Scriptures never come out and say the length of the first part? Since we know the second part is 1260 days and we know the Scriptures tell us, in Dan 9:27, "IN THE MIDST OF THE WEEK," we automatically take it for granted that the first part of the Tribulation will be the exact length as the second part: 1260 days, which equals a total of 2520 days, or 7 x 360 day periods or years. Yet we are still faced with the situation that the Bible does not seem to actually say 1260 days for the first part. Then we are faced with the words "HAD SHORTENED THOSE DAYS" and "HE HATH SHORTENED THE DAYS"-Mk 13:20.
   There seems to be no doubt that, in some way, "THE LORD HAD SHORTENED (or limited the duration of, or cut short) THOSE DAYS." "Those days" being referred to here are the Tribulation. But how does He do this, and by how much?
   We might conclude that the shortening could actually come from the first part of the Tribulation, rather than the second part. This might be further substantiated in the fact that the Scriptures tell us, BUT WHEN YE SHALL SEE THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION...FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS-Mk 13:14. Why didn’t Jesus just say to count 1260 days from the beginning of the Tribulation, which was the confirming of the covenant?-ref Dan 9:27. It certainly would seem much simpler to do it this way. When 1260 days approach, then flee. Yet Jesus did not do this. He said, WHEN YE SHALL SEE THE ABOMINATION...FLEE. This indicates that the abomination will not come at the time we might expect, that is, 1260 days into the Tribulation. If this is true, could it be because the first part of the Tribulation has been shortened? In such a case, the "elect" would have to look for this event. They could not calculate, in number of days, exactly when the abomination would happen. This event may occur after a much shorter time than 1260 days from the beginning of the Tribulation (if the first part of the Tribulation is shortened).
   This book is not saying this is the way it will be, but simply asking the question, is this possible, even probable?
   Again, we see, in the Gospel according to Matthew, the words, WHEN YE THEREFORE SHALL SEE THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, SPOKEN OF BY DANIEL THE PROPHET...FLEE-Mt 24:15,16. Once more, no mention is made of 1260 days, or 42 months, or 3 1/2 years. Thus, we ask, is it possible according to the Scriptures, that the seventieth week of Daniel will be shortened? and the part that will actually be shortened will be the first part? (which we presume to be 1260 days, yet is never actually stated as being thus).

    The following verses show clearly that the length of the second part of the Tribulation is 1260 days, or 42 months, or 3 1/2 years.

   Dan 7:25 AND THEY SHALL BE GIVEN INTO HIS HAND UNTIL A TIME AND TIMES AND THE DIVIDING OF TIME. This is the second part of the Tribulation, 3 1/2 years. The Antichrist shall make war with the saints, and they shall be given into his hand.

   Dan 12:7 THAT IT SHALL BE FOR A TIME, TIMES, AND AN HALF, AND WHEN HE SHALL HAVE ACCOMPLISHED TO SCATTER THE POWER OF THE HOLY PEOPLE, ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE FINISHED. Again this is talking about the second part of the Tribulation, 3 ½ years. The Antichrist shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people.

   Rev 12:14 WHERE SHE IS NOURISHED FOR A TIME, AND TIMES, AND HALF A TIME, FROM THE FACE OF THE SERPENT. Again, we see the length of the second part of the Tribulation is 3 1/2 years. Israel is told to flee, when they see the abomination of desolation, to a place where God will take care of them.

   Rev 11:2 BUT THE COURT THAT IS WITHOUT THE TEMPLE LEAVE OUT, AND MEASURE IT NOT; FOR IT IS GIVEN UNTO THE GENTILES: AND THE HOLY CITY SHALL THEY TREAD UNDER FOOT FORTY AND TWO MONTHS. Again, we see the length of the second part of the Tribulation. It is 42 months. This is the same as the 3 1/2 years already mentioned. The court without the temple is given to the Gentiles.

   Rev 13:5 AND POWER WAS GIVEN UNTO HIM (unto the Antichrist) TO CONTINUE FORTY AND TWO MONTHS. Once again, we note that the second part of the Tribulation is 42 months.

   Rev 11:3 AND THEY SHALL PROPHESY A THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND THREESCORE DAYS. This 1260 days relates to the length of time that the two prophets of God shall prophesy. Again we note, what appears to be the length of the second part of the Tribulation.

   Rev 12:6 AND THE WOMAN (Israel) FLED INTO THE WILDERNESS, WHERE SHE HATH A PLACE PREPARED OF GOD, THAT THEY SHOULD FEED HER THERE A THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND THREESCORE DAYS. This verse goes with Rev 12:14. This is Israel fleeing when they see the abomination of desolation. Once more, we see the length of the second part of the Tribulation is 1260 days.

    Over and over the Scriptures give us the length of the second part of the Tribulation. Is it possible that the exact length of the first part may not be given, as it will be shortened? Is it possible this is why the Jews must look for the abomination of desolation to happen, rather than being able to simply count 1260 days from the beginning of the Tribulation?
   Does God give us another verse to back up the verse, "He hath shortened the days"? It is written, ESAIAS ALSO CRIETH CONCERNING ISRAEL, THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL BE AS THE SAND OF THE SEA, A REMNANT SHALL BE SAVED: FOR HE WILL FINISH THE WORK (the Tribulation), AND CUT IT SHORT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS: BECAUSE A SHORT WORK (the Tribulation) WILL THE LORD MAKE UPON THE EARTH. Note the words, "CUT IT SHORT"-Ro 9:27,28.
   AND AS ESAIAS SAID BEFORE, EXCEPT THE LORD OF SABAOTH (or Lord Almighty) HAD LEFT US A SEED, WE HAD BEEN AS SODOMA, AND BEEN MADE LIKE UNTO GOMORRHA-Ro 9:29. EXCEPT THE LORD OF HOSTS HAD LEFT UNTO US A VERY SMALL REMNANT (or some survivors), WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AS SODOM, AND WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE UNTO GOMORRAH-Isa 1:9.
   This is very much in harmony with Mk 13:20, which has told us that the days had been shortened for the ELECT’S SAKE. If those days had not been shortened, NO FLESH SHOULD BE SAVED. In Ro 9:27, we read, A REMNANT SHALL BE SAVED.
   Does God give us a third verse to back this all up? It is written, Mt 24:22-AND EXCEPT THOSE DAYS SHOULD BE SHORTENED (or if the length of this time had not been limited-JNT,⁸ or cut short), THERE SHOULD NO FLESH BE SAVED (no one would survive): BUT FOR THE ELECT’S SAKE (those who have been chosen-JNT⁹) THOSE DAYS SHALL BE SHORTENED (its length will be limited-JNT¹⁰).
   In view of all these Scriptures, it might be asked, "How much has the Tribulation been shortened?" The Scriptures appear to give us no way to know.

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