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                                                            The Tribulation Period

Daniel’s Dream and Vision.

Daniel prophesied about the times of world domination by Gentile nations (Nebuchadnezzar’s Image—Dn. 2:31–44; Daniel’s dream of four beasts—Dn. 7:1–14). The four parts of the image and the four beasts represented four successive Gentile empires, the last of which was to be the Roman Empire. According to the dream of the image, the Roman Empire would be revived in the form of ten kingdoms, represented by the ten toes of the image. According to the vision of the four beasts, the fourth would have ten horns from which a “little horn,” symbolizing the Antichrist, would come forth. In both the dream and the vision, the Son of Man will come in the time of the fourth empire to punish the nations and to set up His everlasting kingdom (Dn. 2:31–35; 7:8–14; 12:1–3). In Matthew chapter twenty-four, and in Luke chapter twenty-one, Jesus makes clear that the Great Tribulation will include Daniel’s seventieth week of God’s dealing with Israel and His final wrath against Satan and the wicked Gentile nations that serve him. (See also Zec. 14:1–4; Rv. 14:20, 16:14–16, 19:19.)

Before the tribulation period is the rapture of the church. The salt of the earth will have been taken out of the world resulting in a unified false church during the tribulation Period (This will be organized religion with a form of godliness Rev 17). The times of the gentiles will be finished at the end of the tribulation period and God will fulfill all the promises of Abraham to Israel. The Nation of Israel will be an Excellency through out all the earth during the millennial reign of Christ ruling from Jerusalem with all His church, N.T. and O.T. Which will be after Daniel's 70th week is fulfilled. The times of the gentiles is the nations of the world ruling with a succession of world empires, starting with Babylon's supremacy, but Jesus is coming to break the yoke of bondage from off the neck of Israel ( see Jer 27:8-13 and 30:5-9). Israel will no longer be the tail but the head. Israel's deliverance as a nation will come at Armageddon. The rapture of the church could take take place at any time. No prophecy has to be fulfilled before this event.

Though this period of 7 years is the time of Jacobs trouble meaning Israel's chastisement and judgment for there disobedience, Daniels 70th week. It is also world wide judgment ushering in the 1000 year millennial reign of Christ which will ultimately usher in the eternal kingdom of God after all things have been put under Christ's feet (1 Cor 15:21-25 and Rev 20:1-6).

(1Pe 4:17) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

The major passages describing the seven years of tribulation in the book of Revelation are chapters 6-18. Some say we are in the 2cd or 3rd seal or trumpet judgment. I do not believe that because the scriptures teaches that Christ's coming which is also called the day of the Lord will come with increasing intensity and severity as a woman is in travail to give birth (1 Thess 5:3). Just as Jesus spoke of the begging's of sorrows in Matt 24:7-8 wars and rumors of wars earthquakes and pestilence during the tribulation they will also be a leading up to the tribulation in shadows and types, increasing with intensity and severity. The judgments given in Revelation chapters 6-18 are so severe and terrible, words can not describe them. There is coming a world wide tribulation such as never been on this earth since creation (Dan 12: and Matt 24:21). It will make Noah's flood look like a rainy day. Those who think we are in the second or third seal or trumpet judgments underestimate the severity of Gods wrath to come.

The book of Revelation is not a book of doom and gloom. Its a book of victory and grace with a new heavens and a new earth which can only come through judgment because God is holy. I like what Myer Pearlman says about the Book of Revelations in comparison the the Book of Genesis.

Jesus came 1st as the suffering lamb of God, but He is coming back as the victorious King to judge, rule and rein with a rod of iron. He is no longer a babe in the manger, but our victorious King of Kings. We His church will be in heaven with our King for seven years, and are coming back with Him to rule and rein on this earth and after a thousand years continue to serve Him and rein with Him on a new earth and in a new creation including all the heavens. As Peter says we look for a new heaven and earth wherein drewleth righteousness according to His promise (2 Pet 3:17 and Rev 21:1).

(Rev 19:11-16) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

The new heavens and earth can only come through divine judgment which will be during the tribulation period and at the end of the millennial rein of Christ. The Lord bless you as you seek Him.