Tribulation – “a time of trouble or difficulty; a pressing together; a crushing.” (John 16:33; Matthew 24:9; Revelation 2:9) The Tribulation – usually used to refer to the period of 7 years of great difficulty on the earth just prior to the return of Christ. (aka Daniel’s 70 th week) This time of tribulation is a result of God’s wrath being poured out on an unbelieving world. (Rev. 6 makes it clear that all the wrath comes from God as the Lamb opens the seals of the scroll and releases God’s judgment!) Jesus Christ rescues His own (His church) before the seven years begin so that we do not go through any of this time of wrath! (1 Thess. 1:10; 4:17-18)

The Great Tribulation – refers to a time of unparalleled, global, distress and affliction (Mat. 24:21, 29; Rev. 7:14) Refers to the last half of the 7 year tribulation period; identified in Revelation and Daniel by multiple references to 3.5 years (Dan. 9:27), 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5 ), 1260 days (Rev. 11:3; 12:6), or “time, times, and half a time” (Dan. 7:25 … “time”= 1 yr; “times”= 2yrs; “½ time”= ½ yr) These are the “Days of Vengeance” spoken of in Luke 21:22 & Is. 61:2b; 63:1-6. Day of the Lord – a technical phrase in the Bible used for special interventions of God in human history. Past – centered around God’s judgments on Israel and the nations (e.g. Joel 1:15). Future – a supernatural intervention in which God will purify Israel, judge the nations, establish His kingdom, and eventually create a new heavens and new earth (Jer 30:7-9; Joel 3:1-3; 9-21; 1 Thess. 5:2,3; 2 Pet 3:10).

Prophecy of the Seventy Sevens – Daniel 9: "Seventy weeks” (Hebrew shabuim sevens - lit. “seventy sevens”) “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. 25 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.” 69 sevens = 483 years (these are lunar years consisting of 360 days cf. Rev. 11:3; 12:6 where 3.5 yrs = 42 months or 1260 days, thus making this time ending A.D ) 7 sevens = 49 yrs62 sevens = 434 yrs Jerusalem Rebuilt, Decreed in 445 B.C. Messiah the Prince Comes

26 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. 27 And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week (“seven”), 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." 70 th Seven 1 Seven = 7 years Messiah Cut-off Jerusalem Destroyed 3.5 yrs Abomination of Desolation

Christ’s 2 nd Coming to the Earth Matt. 24:30; 25:31; Rev.19:11-16 Present Church Age God Creates New Heaven and Earth Great White Throne Judgment Rev. 20:11ff Tribulation 7 years Millennium 1000 years Rapture 1 Thess. 4:13-18 Believers with Christ (John 14:1-3) Believers appear before the bema (reward) seat of Christ! 2 Corinthians 5:10

3.5 Years Beginning of Birth Pangs The Great Tribulation Abomination of Desolation Rapture of the Church Return of Christ Daniel’s 70 th Seven Year Period

3.5 Years Beginning of Birth Pangs The Great Tribulation Abomination of Desolation Rapture of the Church Return of Christ

Spirit of Antichrist WarfareFamine Death to ¼ of the earth by sword, famine, pestilence, and wild beasts. Prayers for vengeance by the martyrs. Great earthquake and cosmic disorders.

Parallels Between the Olivet Discourse and the Seal Judgments of Revelation EventRevelation 6Matthew 24Mark 13Luke 21 Spirit of Anti-christ (false messiahs, false prophets) Rev. 6:2Mat. 24:5, 11Mark 13:6Luke 21:8 WarsRev. 6:2-4Mat. 24:6-7Mark 13:7Luke 21:9 International discordRev. 6:3-4Mat. 24:7Mark 13:8Luke 21:10 FaminesRev. 6:5-8Mat. 24:7Mark 13:8Luke 21:11 PestilencesRev. 6:8Luke 21:11 Persecution, martyrdomRev. 6:9-11Mat. 24:9Mark 13:9-13Luke 21:12-17 EarthquakesRev. 6:12Mat. 24:7Mark 13:8Luke 21:11 Cosmic phenomenaRev. 6:12-14(Mat. 24:21)Mark 13:24-25Luke 21:11

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 rivers and springs made bitter; many men died 1/3 of sun, moon, and stars darkened. Locusts sting & torment for 5 Months 1/3 of people killed by three plagues

Malignant sores All seas into blood All fresh water into blood Men scorched by sun DarknessArmies gathered for battle Babylon judged

144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev 7:1-10). “A great multitude which no one can count” from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues (Rev 7:9, 13-14). A protected remnant of Israel (Rev 12:6). Others who survive the Great Tribulation and are Christ’s sheep at His return. These will inherit and enter into Christ’s millennial Kingdom (Matt 25:31-32).

The last line of chapter 6 asks the question, “who is able to stand” the outpouring of God’s wrath, implying that no one can. Chapter 7 provides two visions to correct this assertion and to show that those who belong to God will indeed be protected from His wrath. These visions are inserted before the breaking of the seventh seal.

3.5 Years Beginning of Birth Pangs The Great Tribulation Abomination of Desolation Rapture of the Church Return of Christ