"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel - let the reader understand - then let those who are Judea flee to the mountains . . . For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now - and never equaled again. Matthew 24:15-21
What are we, as Christians, afraid of? I read an article on a pre-tribulation myth site in which the writer referred to people who believe in the last day resurrection Jesus spoke about as, "wanna-be martyrs." As a last day resurrection (LDR) believer I would say that I keep pretty good company if you count the likes of Jesus Christ. I, needless to say, marveled at such a statement. Not because I took it personally, but because the statement spelled out the ignorance of the writer in regards to what the tribulation is and what we believe as LDR believers.
Although this will be far from an exhaustive study, the LORD has impressed upon me the need to teach about what is coming very soon. The LORD is preparing us. Let him who has ears, hear what the LORD says to his betrothed.
What is the tribulation?
Webster's Dictionary says that tribulation is: distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution; also: a trying experience.
What does the Bible say about tribulation? Not much. If you remove the references to general tribulations that come into the lives of all true believers then the references boil down to one verse that directly translates as 'great tribulation (Revelation 7:14).' This doesn't mean that the concept isn't in the Bible, but the often used term tribulation is not used frequently. The word tribulation, in Christian circles, conjures up dreadful thoughts of God's wrath upon the earth, but this is far from the truth of the Bible and is one of the myths that lead people into pre-tribulation mythology.
What does Jesus say about the matter? Shouldn't we go to Him first, even before our pastors, priests, elders, deacons and friends? Didn't the Bereans check out everything Paul said to see if it agreed with scripture (Acts 17:11)? Jesus never directly spoke the words 'great tribulation' in reference of the times at the end of this age. What He did refer to was what God told the prophets of old, that Israel would endure a 'desolation' that would leave her utterly ruined by the time the last day arrived.
Israel is the epicenter of all spiritual activity on planet earth. It is in the center of Israel we find Mount Zion, the throne of God on earth. Satan is vying for this throne and will briefly sit his son, the antichrist, upon it in the new temple. Jesus Christ is coming to claim what is rightfully His, the kingdom of God on earth and those who are His, the children of God. To the victor belong the spoils. It is therefore not an assumption to say that the majority of prophecies in the Bible are focused on Israel or somehow refer to her destiny. Jesus did not change the view the Old Testament prophets gave us. Instead, He continued in it and gave us new detail and further prophesied about the fate of Israel as well as the gentile world. What happens to Israel will happen to the world. If Israel is blessed then the world will be blessed by her, but if she becomes desolate through rebellion against the covenant then ultimately those who caused her desolation will suffer much much more, even to the point of complete destruction (Gensis 12:2-3).
The desolation of Israel has been decreed by the LORD God Most High and foretold, in tears, by the Son of God along with many prophets. The desolation, like an earthquake, will be most destructive at its epicenter, Israel. The saints and the faithful of Israel will indeed be persecuted without mercy. The Christians and Jews who are a little further out will also feel the brunt of the beast's fury. As you move further away the fury begins to subside, but to be sure, it will be worldwide with pockets of extreme persecution everywhere.
The desolation is the wrath of God upon Israel and is her punishment for her sins (Luke 21:22-24). There will be judgments poured out on the earth during the desolation but God's wrath will be primarily focused on Israel and reserved for the last day. It is a time of trial for all who live on the earth to refine those who are the LORD's and separate them from those who are not (Luke 21:35). God's wrath against Israel will come through her enemies who are numerous. Many of them are listed in the Bible. The reader at this point must make the mental effort to understand that these enemies of Israel are destined to destruction themselves on the last day whereas Israel will be saved.
When will the desolation take place and for how long?
The desolation will last 3 1/2 years (Daniel 7:25-27). It will start when the antichrist is seated on the throne on Mount Zion (Matthew 24:15) and war breaks out in heaven (Revelation 12:7-17). Satan will be thrown to earth and will wage complete warfare against Israel and the body of Christ. He will not stop until he is stopped by the coming of Jesus Christ on the last day. On that day the faithful will be saved from the Devil's rage and God's wrath (Matthew 24:22, 1 Thessalonians 1:10).
Many attribute a seven year time span to the desolation (tribulation), but this is incorrect. There is only one place where a seven year time span is given (Daniel 9:27) and this verse illustrates Israel's desolation starting in the middle of the seven years. First Israel must break the covenant with God by adulterating herself. She will do this by making a covenant with death. Israel will break the covenant of God by giving the Palestinians some of the covenant lands to establish their own state. This will begin her covenant with death (Isaiah 28:14-22) and begin her rebellion.
In the 38th chapter of Ezekiel we see a brief picture of Israel at peace and secure. Suddenly she is invaded and plundered, this is the desolation. Her peace will last only 3 1/2 years.
Jesus warns us to run from Judea when we see the abomination setup in the temple. This is the antichrist enthroned as Messiah and marks the moment in time before Israel is overrun and desolation begins.
What happens to us, as believers, during the desolation?
I want to make clear that I have no desire to become a martyr. I have even less desire to see my family or friends martyred. Anyone who claims that my beliefs say otherwise will answer to God for their wickedness. Having said that, God promises not to pour out judgments upon the faithful Jews who are marked by the angels on the hand and forehead (Revelation 7:1-8) or the gentile believers who are marked by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). These judgments, such as the scorpion demons (Revelation 9:1-11) are meant for the unrepentant. The believer's trials come at the hands of men. Scripture say we will be either captured, killed or on the run. I know that this doesn't sound like any kind of picnic you ever heard of, but then again, hanging on a cross for us was no picnic for Jesus either. And that is the point of this message. Jesus did not call us to live lives of physical prosperity or promise that every single person would be healed of every physical ailment if he submitted to Jesus Christ. He didn't say everything in life would be peaches and cream. We are to know his suffering if we are to have hope in the resurrection (Philippians 3:10-15). He promised peace and joy if we abide in him, but peace and joy does not remove the trial, but instead enables us to thank him for the trial and strain towards what is ahead.
There is not a single promise from God, if put in its proper context, that says God will take us up to heaven for seven years while the desolation takes place below. The scriptures do say that when persecution does come in the desolation many will fall away from the faith (Matthew 24:9-12). Their shallow belief sprang up and they enjoyed the joy of the LORD, but when the heat of the day came they withered because they had no root.
Some of you reading this right now will not accept these truths, these foundation stones of hope and faith. Your pride will not let you and you will, like many before you, become apostates when real persecution comes.
If you fear what is coming, then humble yourself before God and fear Him who made you and He will see you through to everlasting life!
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:12-13