The Tribulation will be a terrible time on earth. (Revelation 7:9) “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;” Multitudes will be killed for their faith in Christ. The possibility of [a post-trib] rapture for the few that survive is not “the blessed hope” which is held before Christians in the New Testament. Our hope is not the horrors of the tribulation, but the blessed expectation of Christ’s coming for His own (cf. 1 Th 4:13-18). Walvoord

DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN RAPTURE AND REVELATION

Herald of Hope (edited)

  1. At the RAPTURE Christ comes to the air – 1Thess.4:17. At the REVELATION He comes to the earth – Zech.14:4.
  2. At the RAPTURE all Christians ascend – 1Thess.4:17. At the REVELATION Christ descends – Matt.24:30.
  3. At the RAPTURE only saved are removed from earth – 1Thess.4:13-18. At the REVELATION only saved remain on earth to inherit the kingdom – Matt.25:34.
  4. The RAPTURE is for salvation – 1Thess.5:9. The REVELATION is for Judgment – Re 19:11
  5. The RAPTURE will be invisible – 1Co 15:51-52. The REVELATION will be seen by all – Rev.1:7
  6. The RAPTURE will happen at any moment – 1Th 5:2; Php 4:5. The REVELATION after the events of Israel’s seventieth “week” – Matt.24:29; Dan.9:27; 12:6-13
  7. At the RAPTURE Christ will come for the saints – 1Th 4:16-17. At the REVELATION He will come with the saint – Rev.19:14.
  8. At the RAPTURE the living saints are changed – 1Cor.15:52. At the REVELATION the living saints remain mortal – Mt 25:34.
  9. At the RAPTURE the living unsaved remain on earth – Luke 17:34-37. At the REVELATION the living unsaved are cast into “everlasting fire” – Matt.25:41.
  10. At the RAPTURE Antichrist appears as a man of peace – Rev.6:2. At the REVELATION Antichrist makes war with the Lamb – Rev.19:19

Transition

Right after the Rapture the Tribulation will begin. That is the theme of our text today. For our learning, Jesus described the abomination during the Tribulation, an admonition during the Tribulation, the description of the Tribulation and a deception about the start of the Tribulation.

The Abomination (v.14)

  1. The first half of the Tribulation
    1. If Mark 13:5-13 describes pre-tribulation events as we identified last week, then Re 6:1-2 describe the first seal when the Antichrist makes peace for 3 ½ years.
    2. If Mark 13:5-13 describes the first 3 ½ years of the tribulation corresponding with Re 6:1-8, then there will not be much peace during that period. There will be killing, famine and death to ¼ of the world’s population.
  2. Mid-point in the Tribulation
    1. Speaking of the antichrist Daniel 9:27 says, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
    2. The abomination of desolation is mentioned in Daniel’s prophecy in (Daniel 11:31) “… and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.”
    3. In 168 B.C. Antiochus Epiphanies attempting to stop the temple sacrifices, offered a pig on the altar, to render the Jewish temple abominable to the Jews.
    4. Jesus’ prediction is that a future prince will do just what Antiochus did. That prince will be the man of sin, the antichrist. (2 Thessalonians 2:4) “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” He will set up his image in the temple. (Revelation 13:14-15)
    5. This will mark the chronological mid-point of the seven-year tribulation. (Ice) The last half of the Tribulation is called the Great Tribulation lasting 42 months, 3 ½ years.

The Admonition (v.14-18)

  1. The people addressed
    1. It is written to the Jews in Judaea (v.14)
    2. Jews as a whole have rejected Christ. They will miss the Rapture and enter the Tribulation. Christians will be in heaven during the Tribulation.
    3. However, many Jews and Gentiles who never understood the Gospel will trust Christ during the Tribulation.
  2. The warning detailed
    1. Flee to the mountains (v.14)
    2. Do not waste any time (v.15-16)
    3. Pity on the mothers (v.17)
    4. Pray that it won’t happen during winter (v.18)
  3. The reason explained
    1. They must flee immediately because the antichrist (beast) will suddenly change from protector to persecutor, from friend to foe.
    2. Thomas Ice states, “Another reason why they will be able to flee instantly is because they will be miraculously provided for and protected as they make their way to Petra for three and a half years of safekeeping.”
    3. (Revelation 12:6) “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.”
    4. Satan’s wrath is directed toward the Jewish Remnant at the middle of the tribulation. This requires Divine protection. (Ice)

The Description (v.19-20)

  1. It will be the worst judgment since creation (v.19)
    1. The Great Tribulation is described in Re 6-16 as God pours out three major judgments (Seals, Trumpets, and Vials) upon the world.
    2. It will be far worse than the global flood, destruction of Sodom, and the plagues of Egypt.
    3. Between half and two-thirds of the world’s population will die during the Tribulation (Re 6:8; 9:18).
  2. God is in control of the entire event
    1. He will shorten the days. The wickedness of man deserves more judgment, but God will limit it to just 7 years, particularly the last 42 months (3 ½ years).
    2. He limits it for the elect’s sake. Who are the elect? They are those who will place their faith in God’s plan of salvation through Christ Jesus.
      ☆ If you have not yet repented of your sins and trusted Christ to save your soul, NOW is the time. If you reject Christ now that you have heard the Gospel, you will never be able to believe during the Tribulation. (2Th 2:11)

The Deception (v.21-23)

  1. The warning
    1. Do not believe those who claim to be Christ!
    2. False Christs and false prophets will arise before the Tribulation.
      1. They will show signs and wonders
      2. They will seduce many.
  2. The reason
    1. It may even be possible to deceive the elect (true Christians). Are there any true Christians in churches that promote signs and wonders? I believe there are.
    2. Jesus said, Take Heed! Examine and consider carefully. Don’t be gullible.
    3. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

Conclusion

The Tribulation will be terrifying for those who experience it, but there is no need for any of us to be present. If you will admit your guilt, repent of your sin, and trust Christ to save you, He will. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. Not after the Rapture. Christ may come today. Are you living a life that pleases Him? Are you obeying Him in every respect? If not, please prepare today. Don’t delay!

Song: God’s Final Call – 250
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The Tribulation
18 March 2018 AM – Mark 13:14-23 – Mr17 – Scott Childs