The Names
Also known as the "Time of Jacob's Trouble", "The Seventieth Week (a seven) of Daniel", "The Wrath to Come", "The Great Tribulation", "The Tribulation." While there are more titles for this period this will suffice for now.
Start
The Tribulation will start with the signing of a seven year peace treaty between Israel and the Anti-Christ. The Anti-Christ may or may not be recognised as such at this time.End
The Tribulation will end with the return of Christ, most likely at Bozrah, where he will rescue the remnant of Israel and destroy the Anti-Christ and his armies.The Purposes of the Tribulation
- To Make an End of Wickedness and Wicked Ones Isaiah 13:9 - To destroy wicked ones. Isaiah 24:19-20 - To make an end of wickedness.
- To Bring About a Worldwide Revival Revelation 7:1-17. Revelation 7:1-8 states the means that will be used. Revelation 7:9-17 shows the results of the revival.
- The Means The means will be the selection by God of 144,000 Jews who will evangelise the entire world.
- The Results The result of the evangelism of the 144,000 Jews will be world wide revival.
- To Break the Power of the Holy People Ezekiel 20:33-38. Dr Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum says this:
At this time the Church Invisible, Church Universal, or if you like, every true believer in Christ with the deposit of the Holy Spirit will have been taken up into Heaven.
Given the fact that Jews inhabit every country in the world, and they are trained from birth in the Old Testament Scriptures, they are the best placed and most effective force to be enlisted with the task of world wide evangelism in the absence of the Christian Church on earth. In a short period of time every Jew enlisted can master the contents of the Gospel.
The Jews will also be free of any Christian Heresy or Apostasy which will be endemic in the church at the time of the Church Saints being taken up to Heaven. Indeed Heresy and Apostasy has, over the last half century, advanced rapidly (exponentially) within all denominations of the Christian faith.
This fulfils Matthew 24:14.
What is important to note here is that after God gathers the Jews from around the world, he enters into a period of judgement with them. The rebels among the Jewish people will be purged out by this judgement. Only then will the whole new nation, a regenerate nation, be allowed to enter the Promised Land under King Messiah.
- The Footsteps of the Messiah pp 179 (Dr A.G.Fruchtenbaum)
Used with permission of Ariel Ministries
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
When the leadership of Israel cries "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord", Jesus shall return to rescue Israel.
Mat 23:37-39
Salvation and Judgement
The Great White Throne Judgement
Ultimately the Tribulation ends with Christ/Messiah defeating the Anti-Christ and his forces, then judging the world at the "Great White Throne" judgement. The Sheep to his right, the Goats to his left. The judgement of those who lived during the Tribulation will be based on their faith. His statements concerning their conduct will be this:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:35
The actions are in response to the faith that was held, the sheep had faith, and rescued the brethren of Christ (the Jews). The Goats were of the apostate, and did not aid Christ's brethren (the Jews). Thus we see that as always, "Salvation is by Faith."
Excerpts noted here are from The Footsteps of the Messiah.
Buy the book here: The Footsteps of the Messiah
