3: Purpose, What is, How Long is the GT | Biblestudy4Starters Chapters

End Times: Great Tribulation

Chapter 3: Purpose, What is, How Long is the Great Tribulation

Purpose of the Great Tribulation

Abstract

Purpose of the Great Tribulation

One of the reasons why God allows the Great Tribulation is to test us in order to refine, to purge and to make us pure.
One minute of illicit happiness can destroy your ministry, your testimony and your reputation which you built during many years.
In this process of purification and sanctification we must stay far from the works of the flesh and keep our eyes, our mind, what we dwell on, and our expressions holy. Jesus while on earth asks us to follow Him and deny ourselves, and take up our cross daily.
In all this, we truly need the indwelling and overflowing of Ruach HaKodesh, yes, Holy Spirit’s character and His strength to persevere to the end. Only in fellowship with Holy Spirit can we be an overcomer.

Daniel 11:35, AMP

“Some of those who are [spiritually] wise and have insight will fall [as martyrs], [thus, then, the insincere among the people will lose courage and become deserters. It will be a test, AMPC] in order to refine, to purge and to make those among God’s people pure, until the end time; because it is yet to come at the time appointed [by God].”

Daniel warns that some of the Saints, God's children, will be martyred during the Great Tribulation.
Furthermore, God allows this period of time to test us in order to refine, to purge and to make us pure.

Luke 9:22-24

“Saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”

May we deny ourselves, and take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus!

Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Luke 9:25-26

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”

The one way of Christ Jesus is hard and with difficulties during our pilgrimage on earth, but we know that the end result will be glorious. Bless Jesus!

Galatians 5:19-21

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery (comment: even in your heart while looking on the opposite sex to lust), fornication (sexual immorality, any sex outside of marriage), uncleanness, lewdness (pornography, prostitution, indecent exposure, abuse), idolatry (honoring, worshiping any other besides God), sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders (in the heart), drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Galatians 5:19-21, AMP

“Now the practices of the sinful (flesh) nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality (whoredom, fornication, idolatry, surrendering of sexual purity, premarital sexual relations, also pornography), impurity (any activity, thought, word, or action against God’s will of a holy life), sensuality (lack of self-control, total irresponsibility), idolatry (any person or thing that you adore or worship, includes prostitution, often as part of pagan ritual), sorcery (includes occult practices, witchcraft, worship of evil powers, drug-induced trances), hostility (anger, emotionally charged aggressive behavior), strife (conflict or quarrel, angry disagreement), jealousy (fear of losing someone/something, out of insecurity, not wanting that the other prospers), fits of anger (uncontrolled rage, outbursts), disputes (arguing irritably), dissensions (quarreling), factions [that promote heresies: false doctrine, self-seeking], envy (embittered emotion when lacking another’s (perceived) superior achievement, quality or possession and wishing that the other did not have it), drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these.

I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

James 4:4-6

"Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

This is very serious ... to align ourselves with the ungodly system of human life in (thoughts, beliefs, actions) separates us from God, but humility and submission to God will win us grace.
By now understanding the letter to the Galatians, we understand that without God's grace we would end up in hell; let us stay far from the works of the flesh and walk in repentance and faith, in holiness and obedience to God, but again this can only be done with Jesus' grace and mercy.
One minute of illicit happiness can destroy your ministry, your testimony and your reputation which you built during many years.
Pornography can also cause addiction and destroy healthy relationships. Confess and stop this habit. Break away from this. If you cannot, seek spiritual help from your pastor and/or elders.
To overcome outbursts of anger and other sins of the flesh we really need the help and intervention of the Holy Spirit and His character, as discussed in End Times: Great Tribulation, Chapter 1: "Preparing Our Heart". We need to realize that our own self has been crucified in Christ and buried in our water baptism, and that we have been risen to a new life. Only in fellowship with Holy Spirit can we be an overcomer.

Matthew 5:21-22

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ (empty head) shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.”

Matthew 5:27-30

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off … more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.”

Jesus goes a step further than the Old Testament in that you can sin even in your heart with your thoughts, your imaginations when dwelling on a sinful act in your mind. In other words, we not only sin in our actions, but even in our mind if we excessively dwell on these thoughts and/or fantasies. More details can be found in Bible Study for Starters, Chapter 3: "How to Overcome Temptations".
Finally, Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns, "he that thinks he stands, be careful not to fall".

What is the Great Tribulation?

Abstract

What is the Great Tribulation?

The Great Tribulation is primarily Satan’s Wrath in a period of immense affliction, distress, oppression, as well as persecution of the Saints.
In that time period, a Remnant will be spared in the ‘wilderness’, nonetheless many Saints will be martyred.

Daniel 12:1-2

“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book.
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Daniel 12:3-4,11

“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
‘But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.’ ”
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.”

Matthew 24:15-18

“Therefore, when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.”

Matthew 24:21-22, AMPC

“For then there will be great tribulation (affliction, distress, and oppression) such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now - no, and never will be [again].
And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would endure and survive [be saved], but for the sake of the elect (God’s chosen ones) those days will be shortened.”

Revelation 12:7-9

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.
So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

What we have seen in previous Bible verses is that the Great Tribulation is a time of trouble never seen before.
The Great Tribulation in essence is Satan’s Wrath, because he is cast out together with his fallen angels.
He ends up deceiving many.

Revelation 12:13-14

“Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent."

Satan hates the people of Israel and God's faithful children, and therefore persecutes them and tries to destroy them.
However, in God’s Secret “wilderness” Place a Remnant will be spared.

Revelation 3:10

“Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you [to attend to carefully, take care of, to guard, metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is. to observe, to reserve: to undergo something, Strong's G5083] from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

God will take care of His Remnant that is those that persevere.

Revelation 12:16-17

“But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.
And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Again the dragon, Satan, is furious against Israel and then attacks the Remnant Saints, the rest of God's children.

Revelation 13:7; 20:4

“It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.”

“… Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

Many Saints will be Martyred.

How long is the Great Tribulation?

Abstract

How long is the Great Tribulation?

The Great Tribulation starts when the daily sacrifices are stopped and the “Abomination of Desolation” is set up in the Temple; this period will last for about 3 ½ years.

Daniel 7:21-25

“I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

Thus, he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom.’

And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous [HCSB: arrogantly] words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.”

A time stands for 1 year, and times for 2 years, and half a time is for ½ year, which would total 3 ½ years.

Daniel 7:26-27

“But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him."

God is in control and the Ancient of Days has the last word ... His Kingdom is everlasting; hallelujah.

Daniel 12:6-7

“And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?” Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished."

We notice the same time period mentioned, that is a time (1 year), times (2 years), and half a time (½ year), in other words 3½ years.

Daniel 12:11-13

“And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.
How blessed and beloved is he who waits expectantly [who endures without wavering beyond the period of tribulation] and comes to the 1,335 days! [AMP/AMPC]
But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days."

The 1,290 days are approximately 3½ years mentioned before.
The Book of Daniel speaks about those that will expect and endure an additional 45 days with unwavering faith beyond the tribulation.

Revelation 11:1-3

“Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles.
And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

The 42 months is exactly 3½ years, while the 1,260 days are also exactly the 3½ years mentioned before.

Revelation 13:5-6

“And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven."

Once again the 42 months is referred to being the 3½ years.
It must be clear that God allows Satan to do his thing during these 3½ years.
As we have seen the Great Tribulation starts when the daily sacrifices are stopped and the “Abomination of Desolation” is set up in the Temple; this period will last for 3 ½ years, although in Daniel 12 there is mention of an additional 30 and 45 days.

by Dennis V. Dare

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