Chapter 12 - Tribulation

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After the the predominantly Gentile New Testament church has fulfilled its purpose on the degenerated earth, God will initiate a period known as the “day of the Lord.” It will lead to the fulfillment of His eternal purpose and plan for the spatiotemporal earth.

The “day of the Lord” is a biblical phrase that refers to the intervention of God in the affairs of mankind on earth. (Isaiah 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1; 11; 31; 3:14; Amos 5:18, 20; Obadiah 15; Zephaniah 1:7, 14; Zechariah 14:1; Malachi. 4:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Peter 3:10) Often used in association with the phrase “that day”, it refers to both past and future interventions of God on earth.

The “day of the Lord” can refer to the past intervention of God on earth. For example, it is used in reference to the past judgments of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (cf. Amos 5:18, 20) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (cf. Lamentations 1:12; 2:1, 21-22; Ezekiel 7:19; 13:5; Zephaniah 2:2-3). It has also been used regarding the historical judgment of Gentile nations. (cf. Isaiah 13:6, 9; Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 30:3; 39:8)

Most often, the usage of the phrase the “day of the Lord” occurs in the writings of the Old Testament prophets and refers to a monumental event in the future. It can be inclusive of both judgment and blessing. (cf. Isaiah 2:11; 2:17, 20; 3:7, 18, 4:1-6; 10:20, 27; 11:10; 12:1, 4; 24:21; 25:9; 26:1; Jeremiah 30:7-8; Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11; 3:14-18; Amos 5:18, 20; 9:11; Zephaniah 1:7, 14; Zechariah 2:11; 3:10; 9:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:8; 2 Peter 3:10; et al.)

The judgment and blessing associated with the future; monumental “day of the Lord” encompasses several momentous events. It is inclusive of the period of judgment popularly referred to as the “Tribulation,” the Second Coming of Christ, the regeneration of the earth, and subsequent millennial reign of Christ.

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Divine Judgment

Shortly after the Gentile Age and the rapture of the church, the “day of the Lord” will begin with a brief but intense period of divine judgment on the degenerated earth. It is often referred to as the “Tribulation.” Originating from God, the fundamental purpose of the "Tribulation" is threefold. First, it allows for the judgment of the fallen earth and its sinful inhabitants. (Isaiah 13:9; 24:19-20) Second, it leads to the repentance and restoration of the nation of Israel. (Daniel 12:5-7; Ezekiel 20:33-38) Third, the “Tribulation” facilitates worldwide evangelism. (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 7)

The “Tribulation” period that initiates the future “day of the Lord” is variously described in the Old Testament as “the indignation” (Isaiah 26:20; Daniel 11:36); “the overwhelming scourge” (Isaiah 28:15, 18); “a day of vengeance, a year of recompense” (Isaiah 34:8); “the time of Jacob’s distress” (Jeremiah 30:7); “a day of clouds, a time of doom” (Ezekiel 30:3); “a time of distress” (Daniel 12:1); “the day of…misfortune”, “the day of… destruction”, “the day of…distress”, “the day of…disaster” (Obadiah 12-14); “a day of wrath…, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and battle cry (Zephaniah 1:15-16). It is further described in the New Testament as “a great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14); “the tribulation” (Matthew 24:29); “the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10); “the hour of testing” (Revelation 3:10); “the great day of…wrath” (Revelation 6:17); “Your wrath” (Revelation 11:18); “the hour of His judgment” (Revelation 14:7); and “the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:10; 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1).

The Bible reveals that the “Tribulation” period will last seven years. (Daniel 9:24-27) It is divided into two distinct halves (the length of the second half is specified in Daniel 7:25; 12:14; Revelation 11:2-3; 12:6, 14; 13:5). The latter half of the “Tribulation” is characterized as a time of “great tribulation.” (Matthew 24:21) While the first half is filled with unimaginable hardship and difficulty, the second half will be a time of distress unprecedented on earth. (Matthew 24:21; Mark 13:19)

In His “Olivet Discourse” (Matthew 24:1-25:46), Jesus provided a clear outline of the seven-year period popularly known as the “Tribulation.” (Matthew 24:9-28) Preceding His “discourse,” the disciples of Jesus had expressed their amazement at the grandiosity of the temple buildings in Jerusalem. Jesus informed them, however, that “not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” (Matthew 24:2) Surprised, they asked Him three questions: 1) “When would the temple buildings be destroyed?” 2) “What would be the sign of His return?” and 3) “What would be the sign of the end of the age before His return?” (Matthew 24:3) The answer to the disciple’s first question is found exclusively in Luke 21:20-24. The answer to their second question is revealed in Matthew 24:29-31. It is Jesus’ answer to His disciple’s third question that provided an outline for the events associated with the future “Tribulation” period that will initiate the “day of the Lord.” (Matthew 24:4-28)

As indicated, the purpose of the "Tribulation" is threefold. It allows for the judgment of the fallen earth and its sinful inhabitants, the repentance and restoration of the nation of Israel, and worldwide evangelism. (Isaiah 13:9; 24:19-20; Ezekiel 20:33-38; Daniel 12:5-7; Matthew 24:14; Revelation 7)

According to the Gospel of Matthew, there will be certain signs leading up to the “Tribulation” period. They include the more general signs of false teachers coming in the name of the Christ and wars and rumors of wars. However, it is “not yet the end.” (Matthew 24:4-6) In addition, the period before the Tribulation is characterized by some more specific signs. They included worldwide conflict, famines, and earthquakes. (Matthew 24:7-8) While many if not all of these signs have existed throughout the history of the world, it is especially important to note that Jesus indicated that the signs preceding the Tribulation would occur differently than in the past. They would occur simultaneously and in escalating fashion. Nevertheless, they would only constitute the “beginning of birth pangs.” (Matthew 24:8)

After the “beginning of birth pangs,” the first half of the Tribulation (3.5 years) will begin. It will be recognized by several characteristics. (Matthew 24:9-14) They include the hatred and persecution of the Jewish people, the departure of many Jews from the faith, and the spread of betrayal and hatred by those who have departed from the faith. More generally, the first half of the Tribulation will be characterized by the deceptive teaching of false prophets and lawlessness. As a result, love will grow cold. Nevertheless, the gospel of the kingdom will spread throughout the world. Increasing birth pangs are implied. (Matthew 24:9-14)

The second half of the Tribulation (3.5) years will be initiated with the abomination of desolation. It is characterized by great distress, unequaled from the beginning of time and an increase of false Christs and prophets. Extreme birth pangs are implied. (Matthew 24:15-28)

At the end of the second half of the Tribulation, before the earth is completely destroyed, “… the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heaven will be shaken.” Then will Jesus Christ return. “… the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31)

Tribulation Chronology from Matthew:

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Event	Reference
General signs characteristic of this present age ("not yet the end).	Matthew 24:4-6
Specific signs indicative of the end of this present age ("the beginning of birth pangs").	Matthew 24:7-8
The first 3.5 years of the “Tribulation” (implication: increasing birth pangs).	Matthew 24:9-14
The second 3.5 years of the “Tribulation” or the “great tribulation” (implication: extreme birth pangs).	Matthew 24:15-28
The return of Christ after the “Tribulation” (implication: birth).	Matthew 24:29-31

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The Tribulation period is outlined with more detail in Revelation 6-19. The first half (3.5 years) of the Tribulation is described in Revelation 6-9; important information relevant to the transition between the first and second half (3.5 years) of the Tribulation is discussed in Revelation 10-14; and the second half of the Tribulation is described in Revelation 15-18.

Revelation also provides describes the return of Christ. It reveals the heavenly events preceding the return of Christ in Revelation 19:1-10 and details His return in Revelation 19:11-16.

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Event	Reference
The first 3.5 years of the “Tribulation.”	Revelation 6-9
Information relevant to the transition between the first and second half of the “Tribulation.”	Revelation 10-14
The last 3.5 years of the “Tribulation” or the “great tribulation.”	Revelation 15-18
Heavenly events preceding the return of Christ.	Revelation 19:1-10
The return of Christ.	Revelation 19:11-16

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God will restore many fallen human beings to citizenship in His kingdom through the intense trial and tribulation associated with the “Tribulation” period. They will include both Jew and Gentile.

Summary

The kingdom of God is “the sovereign authority of God manifested within the realm of both eternity and space-time for benefit of His creation.” The primary purpose of the kingdom of God manifested earth during the Tribulation period is the continued revelation of the attributes of God, inclusive of His authority, and therefore, the vindication of His nature from angelic accusation, and the repopulation of His kingdom.

According to plan, the Tribulation period allows for the judgment of the spatiotemporal, degenerated earth and its sinful inhabitants. Further, it allows for the repentance and restoration of the nation of Israel, and the worldwide harvest of the fallen elect from the Gentile nations.

During the Tribulation, the kingdom of God will continue to be manifested on the degenerated earth within redeemed human beings. They include redeemed Israelites and Gentiles.

Like the citizens of the kingdom before them, those who are redeemed during the Tribulation will be justified and regenerated by grace through faith alone and consequently, restored to a state suitable with the nature of God. Made glorious, holy, eternal, and alive to God, they will be legally representative and organically representational of God on earth and provide for His authority to again be recognizable. The Tribulation period lasts for seven years following the removal of the New Testament church from the earth.

Concordant with the indwelling life of God, the elect saints of the Tribulation period will again be theocratically governed by the intimate rule of divine life. Cooperating by grace through faith alone, they too will be willingly submitted to the authority of God. As a result, the elect saints of the Tribulation will also be both representative and representational of God on earth.

The Tribulation period will lead to the judgment of the degenerated earth and its inhabitants, the restoration of national Israel, and the redemption of the elect from the Gentile nations. Concordant with their faithful obedience to unconditional covenant promise, the nature of God will continue to be vindicated and His kingdom repopulated. Nevertheless, the nature of God will not be fully vindicated or His kingdom fully repopulated. After the seven-year Tribulation period, the degenerated earth will be judged and destroyed by fire.

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Category	Description
Primary Purpose:	The revelation of the authority of God for the benefit of created beings. The vindication of divine authority.
Plan:	Rather than the earth existing in the kingdom of God, the kingdom manifested on the degenerated earth within redeemed human beings legally representative and organically representational of God. The degenerated earth judged by God and consequently subjected to an overwhelming state of tribulation. The restoration of national Israel. The worldwide harvest of the fallen elect from the Gentile nations. Kingdom repopulation by human beings.
Citizenship:	Spatiotemporal human beings.
Realm:	The spatiotemporal degenerated earth.
Character for Citizenship:	Glorious, holy, and eternal (concordant with the nature of the divine king).
Era:	For seven years following the removal of the New Testament church from the earth.
Qualification for Citizenship:	Holiness, spirituality, and immortality achieved by divine justification and regeneration. Human cooperation by willing submission to the beneficent revelation of divine authority. By grace through faith alone.
Governance:	Theocratic; In cooperation with human mediation. Through union of life between God and the elect saints of the “Tribulation” period. In accordance with the unconditional benefit of the Eternal Covenant.
Outcome:	The judgment of the degenerated earth and its inhabitants. The restoration of national Israel. The redemption of the elect from the Gentile nations. The kingdom of God not completely repopulated. The nature of God not fully vindicated.

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