Daily devotion – The Tribulation and the Rapture
The Tribulation, more properly the 70th week of Daniel, is based on a prophecy about a future seven-year period in Daniel 9. Speaking in the context of the seventy-year captivity in Babylon – Daniel 9:2.
Gabriel declares that the ‘seventy sevens’ (of years) will be determined on Israel – v 24.
In the New Testament, Jesus referred to this passage in the Mount of Olivet Discourse, giving a basic outline of its events – Matthew 24:4…, but only Revelation spells it out in detail.
I want to give you a brief summary of the tribulation as follows – it begins when a globally know political leader (Antichrist) makes a seven- year treaty with the nation Israel, allowing them amazingly to be able to offer again sacrifices in a rebuilt Jerusalem Temple. – Daniel 9:27.
Secondly – during the first part of this period there are wars, famines, mass death by wars and natural disasters of great magnitude, and believers will be martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour – Matthew 24:5-11, Revelation 6:1-11. This period is referred to as the ‘beginning of sorrows’.
Third – in the middle of the tribulation, Antichrist will order the sacrifices and offerings to cease – Daniel 9:27. He then will command an image of himself be placed in the Temple – Revelation 13:14, and he will demand the world to worship him, sitting in the Temple and claiming he is God.
The last half of this period is actually called, “the Great Tribulation” 7:14, culminating in the judgment called “the day of the Lord” – 2 Thess 2:2
Fourth – all those who do not take the mark of the beast as commanded by the Antichrist will be forbidden to buy or sell – Revelation 13:16-18. Great numbers of believers will resist this edict and die for their faith.
Fifth – a faithful remnant will flee for safety into the wilderness, where they will be protected by God for the last half of the tribulation 12:6. These will be alive at the end of the tribulation and will enter the millennium.
Sixth – just before the end of the tribulation, two hundred million soldiers from the east will come across the Euphrates (along with other nations of the earth) to invade Israel – Rev 9:13-21; 16:12-14. This massive invading army will at this time surround and capture Jerusalem – Zechariah 12:1-3; 14: 1-2. The faithful remnant having escaped and been protected by God for forty-two months – Rev 12:6.
Seventh – God will miraculously intervene in this conflict, save Israel from utter destruction – Zechariah 12:4-8, and He will restore “the house of David” – v8. Jesus Christ will return to the Mount of Olives to the place where He ascended into Heaven in Acts 1, and deliver His people Israel.
Eighth – finally, national Israel will recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah when they look on Him whom they have pierced – 12:10. Israel will be re-ingrafted into the redemptive line, the “times of the Gentiles” having been completed – Luke 21:24.
The new covenant with Israel will be fulfilled – Jeremiah 31:31, as will the Abrahamic covenant, which gave assurance that they eternally would have a king on David’s throne.
Now for you and I living today, we need to understand that the rapture of the Church occurs BEFORE the tribulation, during which the Church, Christ’s bride, will be in Heaven, standing before His judgment seat – 2 Corinthians 5:10 and preparing for His return to earth.
It was this very message that captured my heart for Christ as I knew I was a sinner lost in my sin. I knew I needed God’s forgiveness and by His grace, both my wife Helen and I received this together one Tuesday evening in 1977. I encourage you who see the world coming together as God said it would to today, make your heart right with God.
Our world will be judged, and Christ is coming to do that. But He offers you His grace now to repent of your sins and bow your heart before Him and be saved.
The future of our world is laid out in detail, and it is staggering at what is coming.
Today, the Bible says is the day of salvation. Turn to Him now and be saved!