Weekly Bible Study (04/11/21 – 11/11/21)
Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement
Topic: THE SIGNS OF HIS COMING AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD: THE GREAT TRIBULATION (Part 6) Text: Matt.24:15-28INTRODUCTION: As it stands now, we are virtually at the peak of the moral and theological apostasy (departures/falling away) that will precede the coming of the Lord. This 2nd advent shall also be preceded by the revelation of the man of sin (the anti-Christ) and his heinous works, which period is referred to as THE GREAT TRIBULATION (cp. 2Thess. 2:3-12). In dealing with this subject: The Great Tribulation, we shall address these two points: (1) Clarifications About The Great Tribulation and (2) Characteristics Of The Great Tribulation.
1. Clarifications About The Great Tribulation
The Great Tribulation is a period when God unleashes His wrath/indignation upon this world. But before this happens, the Lord will have taken His waiting Bride in the glorious experience of the rapture, for the purpose of the marriage supper and the judgement of reward (cp. 1Thess. 1:10; 5:9; 2Thess. 2:7; Rev. 19:7-9; 22:12). In the past, He did so. Before His judgement was released upon the world of Noah, He caused Noah to enter the ark by which he and his house were saved (cp. Gen. 7:1, 21-23). He took Lot and his family out before He visited Sodom and Gomorrah with His wrath (cp. Gen. 19:17, 22-25).
It is very evident that the mystery of iniquity is brutally at work (2Thess. 2:7). While every other thing is almost fully geared up for the operation of the anti-Christ and his one-world government, he nonetheless cannot manifest until that which withholdeth or he who letteth is taken out of the way (2Thess. 2:7). It is at the rapture, which is the next thing in God’s agenda for this age, that the Church (and the Holy Spirit=s influence), which is withholding the manifestation of the anti-Christ, is taken out of the way (cp. 1Cor. 15:51-53; 1Thess. 4:15-17; 2Thess. 2:7). And following this shall be a 7-year period of the outpouring of the wrath of God upon this earth (cp. Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15-28).
2. Characteristics Of The Great Tribulation
The great tribulation shall be a period of untold suffering and unprecedented misery and woe, particularly for those believers who failed to make it at the rapture, and who are likely to attempt to refuse the worship, mark or number of the beast. They will be persecuted and tortured to the point that many will suffer martyrdom (cp. Matt. 24:21; Dan. 12:1; Rev. 6:11; 7:9-17; 13:7, 15-17). The great tribulation has been variously described as the hour of temptation, time of wrath, time of Jacob=s trouble, etc (cp. Matt. 24:21; Rev. 3:10; 1Thess. 1:10; Jer. 30:7).
The 2nd half of the great tribulation will be harrowing and very devastating for Israel, in particular. For at this time, the anti-Christ will unmask himself (as it were), break his covenant with Israel, blaspheme God, and stop all sacrifices/worship to God, he positions himself in the temple of Jerusalem to be worshipped as God (cp. Dan. 7:8,25; 9:27;11:31,36). He will thus severely persecute all those who attempt to remain loyal to God and Christ (cp. Dan. 7:24, 25; Rev. 13:7, 15-18).
The anti-Christ will have the power to perform great miracles, signs and lying wonders (cp. 2Thess. 2:9). And many false prophets and teachers will also have the power to perform the same at that time, and even shortly before it (cp. Matt. 24:24; 2Cor. 11:13-15). The Lord Jesus warned against these professed Christian prophets, preacher/teachers, who are false, yet performing miracles, healings, signs/wonders; who appear to have success in their ministries but at the same time show evidence of moral and/or theological apostasy (cp. Matt. 7:22; Gal. 1:9). Believers are, therefore, admonished to test every spirit (cp. 1Jn. 4:1). Note also, how the enemy has taken advantage of this to hold many down in their errors, just because that is what they originally received.
To escape all these, the believer must be resolved to be faithful to Christ and His Word, while being constantly watchful and prayerful (cp. Lk. 21:34-36; Mk. 13:35-37).
Let us pray. Fellowship Song (HSCF 282)