SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 27-01-2019

RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY From our last study, entitled “Follow-up and discipleship”, we learnt that the mission of evangelising our communities and church growth can only be realised through consistent follow-up and discipleship. It takes time, attention and love to follow-up and mature new converts. Every believer should make it a priority to guide converts through the word of God and prayer. If we are faithful in doing so, we will have a bountiful harvest of souls.

TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 728:THE GREAT TRIBULATION AND THE ANTICHRIST MEMORY VERSE: …… “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). TEXT: Matthew 24:14-30; Daniel 9:24-27; Revelation 6:1-17; 13:1- 18.

INTRODUCTION The Great Tribulation will happen after the Rapture of the church. The Antichrist will be in power during this period. The knowledge of what will happen during this time should move believers to reach out to the lost. Careless believers that miss the rapture will partake of the suffering that the Antichrist will unleash on those that are left behind. QUESTION 1: What do you understand by the Great Tribulation? – Jeremiah 30:6-7; Joel 2:11,31

DESCRIPTION OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION Matthew 24:14-30, Zephaniah 1:14, Jeremiah 30:6-7 The Great Tribulation will be a time of most intense suffering, dreadful woe and frightening destruction in the history of man. It will be a time of Jacob’s trouble as Jerusalem and Palestine will be at the centre of this unprecedented suffering. God’s wrath and judgement will fall upon the earth. It will be impossible to buy or sell without taking the mark of the beast.

PERSONALITY OF THE ANTICHRIST Daniel 8:23-25, II Thess. 2:8-9, Rev The Antichrist is referred to as “that wicked one”, “the man of sin”, “a king of fierce countenance”, etc. He will be the great personality behind the Great Tribulation. His deeds and actions will be controlled by Satan. He will perform signs and lying wonders, making all the world to wonder at him. However, the Lord shall consume the Antichrist with the Spirit of His mouth!

DANIEL’S PROPHECY OF SEVENTY WEEKS Daniel’s prophecy covers a span of 70 weeks of 7 years (each). The 490 years are divided into three periods: QUESTION 2: Who is the Antichrist? – 2 Thess. 2:8; Dan. 8:23 PERIOD #WEEKS #YEARS EVENT 1 7 49 Command to restore and [re]build Jerusalem 2 62 434 From building till the death of the Anointed One 3 1st half Great Tribulation: Treaty with Israel 2nd half Great Tribulation: Treaty broken

DANIEL’S PROPHECY OF SEVENTY WEEKS Daniel 9:24-27 The first two parts of Daniel’s prophecy have been fulfilled. Between the second and the third parts stands the Church age, which was not directly predicted in the Old Testament. Immediately after the Rapture, the seventh week (the Great Tribulation) begins. Then the Antichrist will make a covenant with Israel, which he will break after three and half years (Daniel 12:7, 11). During this period, there will be the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in heaven.

DANIEL’S PROPHECY OF SEVENTY WEEKS Daniel 9:24-27 QUESTION 3: Explain the three periods of Daniel’s prophecy of seventy week – Daniel 9:24-27 QUESTION 4: Describe the events preceding Daniel’s seventieth week – Ephesians 3:5-6, Col. 1:25-26 QUESTION 5: Why should we strive to make the Rapture at all costs? – Mat. 24:21-22; Rev. 13:15-17

THE ANTICHRIST AND THE APOSTATE CHURCH Daniel 11:36; 2 Thess THE ANTICHRIST AND THE APOSTATE CHURCH Daniel 11:36; 2 Thess. 2:4-12; Rev. 13:11-14 The Antichrist will magnify himself as God and demand that he be worshipped. The apostate (backslidden) church will submit to the Beast’s regime. He will compel the world to get his mark either on their right hands or foreheads. Those that refuse the gospel will fall into his deception and accept the mark. QUESTION 6: What will be his activities during the Great Tribulation? – Dan. 11:36; Rev. 13:14,16-17

THE PRIORITY OF THE CHURCH Matthew 28:18-20; Rev. 14:15 The second coming of Christ is at hand and the Rapture shall happen suddenly. The priority of the church should be on reaching out to sinners and the backsliders before it is too late. Saints are to be prepared and made ready for the coming of the Lord. QUESTION 7: What responsibility has the knowledge of the Great Tribulation imposed upon the believer in Christ? – 1 Thess. 5:9; 2 Pet. 2:10-12

CONCLUSION The Great Tribulation will be the darkest hour in human history. The Antichrist will be in power, forcing those that believe not the gospel to worship him and receive his mark. Believers should be prepared and be ready for the coming of the Lord. The church is to increase her evangelistic outreach to sinners and backsliders, so that they can escape the suffering of the Antichrist and the judgement of God.