1. Handling Great Tribulation
Matthew 24:15-22

2. Review Quiz… What do you remember about the context of Matthew 24-25?
Initial reception, then rejection, pronouncement of woes, lament over Jerusalem & its destruction
This chapter is an answer to questions about the timing of the destruction of the temple and the coming of Christ and the end of the age
…When will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age? (24:3)

3. What are some key points to remember?
Jesus is talking to them as Jews regarding Jewish prophecy, specifically the kingdom
The Olivet Discourse is the last thing Jesus said to the Jews about Israel
The Olivet Discourse is NOT about Church Age believers nor has any direct application to them
All Church Age believers will be raptured and taken to heaven before the beginning of the tribulation period

4. How does Matthew focus the answer to the disciples’ questions?
He deals with Christ’s response regarding His coming and the end of the age
There is a specific timeframe in mind –prophecy
The first 3 ½ years of the tribulation –Mt 24:4-8
The second 3 ½ years of the trib –Mt 24:9-14
Matthew’s focus is on the King and the Kingdom
-The trib is the next event for Israel to face…
-It is to refine them & bring them to their knees…

5. I. Understand the Significance of the Defining Event
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:15–16, NKJV)

6. A. Review of the prophesied timeframe (Daniels words)
1. Seventy “weeks” (of years) are determined [sevens]
Weeks of years best fits the context and timeframe
“in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.” (Daniel 9:2, NKJV)

7. The concern and purpose is to bring to conclusion…
Dan 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy.” (NKJV)
The first 3 are fulfilled in principle in Christ’s sacrifice, but all are fulfilled and applied fully when Israel receives her Messiah at the end of the trib…

8. 2. The starting point is indicated…
Dan 9:25 “Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.” (NKJV)
This is associated with a command to restore/rebuild Jerusalem
This is from a command until Messiah the Prince

9. -This is best identified with a command of Artaxerxes
Nehemiah 2:1 “And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before.” (NKJV)
Nehemiah 2:5 “And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”” (NKJV)

10. 3. A break in the timeline is anticipated…
The 70 weeks of Daniel are divided/ distinguished
The first 69 weeks are from command to Messiah
7 wks + 62 wks = 69 wks of years (483 years)
The first 7 weeks are associated with OT canon…
It calculates from 3/5/444 BC to 3/30/AD 33
After the 62 wks (69th wk) Messiah will be cut off

11. Daniel 9:26
“And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.” (Daniel 9:26, NKJV)
This culmination is a distinct break –rejection of X
This is a period of mystery & times of Gentiles
At the end of this period the final ‘week’ will play…

12. B. Details of the “seventieth week”
1. The “seventieth week” is divided into two parts
Dan 9:27 “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”” (NKJV)

13. Daniel 11:31
“And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.” (NKJV)
An event of this nature took place in Jerusalem in 167 BC (recorded in 1 Maccabees 1:44-54)
Under Antiochus IV Epiphanes… (of Syria)
This event was only a preview or type of what was to happen under the “antichrist” in the future

14. Daniel’s descriptions indicate something bigger and future…
Dan 11:36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done.” (NKJV)
Mt 24:15 ““Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place….” (NKJV)

15. 2. The seventieth week is occupied by the Antichrist (beast)
The “prince who is to come” is the little horn…
Dan 7:7-8 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. …and it had ten horns. I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.” (NKJV)

16. Daniel 7:21-22
“I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.” (NKJV) [See Dan 7:23-27]
1 Jn 2:18 “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” (NKJV)

17. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away [departure] comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (NKJV)

18. Revelation 13:4-5
“So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.” (NKJV) [=3 ½ years of great tribulation]

19. Revelation 13:14-15
“And he deceives those who dwell on the earth—by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” (NKJV)

20. The “abomination of desolation” is a distinct prophetic event…
It describes the desecration of the Jewish temple
The ruler stops all regular sacrifices in the temple
The idol of the ruler is placed in the holy of holies
The image is brought to life –profane worship
This is an event yet future –necessitates a temple
This will be a time of unparalleled deception and destruction –How can anyone survive?

21. II. Appreciate the Urgency of the Anticipated Situation
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Matthew 24:15–16, NKJV)

22. A. Flight will be the necessary option for survival
1. This is part of God’s plan for His people’s survival
-This is a warning to be mentally prepared
-This anticipates some special provision by God
Rev 12:6 “Then the woman (Israel) fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.” (NKJV) [=3 ½ years]

23. Some have suggested a specific place may be in mind…
Mic 2:12 “I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together like sheep of the fold, Like a flock in the midst of their pasture; They shall make a loud noise because of so many people.” (NKJV)
There is a place in Edom (Jordan) called Bozrah
The word “bozrah” means sheepfold = Petra
It at least gives a graphic picture of the idea

24. 2. This requires attentiveness to the signs and prophecies
The urgency is for those in Judea
The expectation is for alertness and sensitivity to God’s Word and providence –trust & obedience
Mt 24:17-18 “Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.” (NKJV)

25. B. Flight will be a higher priority than provisions
The urgency to flee is the highest concern
Live life normally but be ready to flee
Don’t be overly concerned for material resources
God will provide when He calls you to go
Mt 24:19–20 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.” (NKJV)

26. C. Flight will be hampered by physical liabilities and responsibilities
Some will face emotional and physical encumbrances
Some will face physical hardships or moral quandary
The exhortation to pray is an encouragement that God is still in control

27. III. Recognize the Intensity and Application of Those Days
Mt 24:21 “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (NKJV)

28. A. Don’t underestimate the severity of this time
This tribulation is designated as “great” tribulation
This tribulation is beyond anything in previous history
The spiritual aspect will be as significant as the physical
Mt 24:22 “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” (NKJV)

29. B. Don’t underestimate the extent of God’s grace
This indicates that God is in control of the timeframe
Dan 2:21-22 “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him.” (NKJV)
God’s grace mediates His punishment with …care