Bible Study Week 12
Part 1
The Tribulation
The end time is portrayed in an awesome way in the Scripture. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Hebrews 10:31). The judgment of God is revealed in the closing lesson of our home Bible study.
Daniel, the great prophet during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, recorded a period of seven years at the end time. This period of time will bring terrible calamity on the earth. He described seventy "weeks", or periods of seven, that would relate to Jewish history. Each "week" represents seven years, for a total of 490 years. Daniel did not prophesy about the church age; his prophecy concerns the state of the Jews in God's plan.
Daniels Seventieth Week
To understand the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy, it is necessary to have an understanding of how the Scripture describes the seventy weeks.
Daniel was told in Daniel 9:24, "Seventy weeks determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city". Sixty-nine of these weeks were to take place between the decree to restore Jerusalem and the crucifixion of "Messiah the Prince" (Jesus Christ) (Daniel 9:25-26). Seven weeks (or 49 years) were used to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. There were sixty-two weeks (or 434 years) from the rebuilding of the walls until the crucifixion of the Messiah. Using the scriptural definition of a year (360 days each), there were 69 weeks or 483 years between 445 BC and AD 32. This leaves one week remaining of the seventy. Daniel 9:27 says that in this week of years the Antichrist system ("the prince shall come" in verse 26) will break a covenant with the Jewish nation and bring much havoc on the earth. There is an interval of time between the sixty-ninth week and the seventieth week during which time the church age exists. The church age will continue until the time of the Rapture. The Seventieth week that follows is the period called the Tribulation.
The Tribulation Judgments
During the seven years of tribulation, evil people will bring various calamities upon the earth, and God will pour out severe judgment on the earth.
During this time the people of the earth will go through a time of suffering and death such as the world has never known.
These devastating events are introduced by the seals, the trumpets, and the vials (Revalation6; 8; 9; 15; 16).
a. The Seals (Revelation6; 8:1)
The seals describe the following events:
1. An evil leader who is usually called the Antichrist will win the world to himself.
2. Terrible war will come, followed by famine and death.
3. One-fourth of the world's population will die.
4. There will be much persecution of people who turn to God during this time.
5. Catastrophic earthquakes will disturb the earth.
6. The moon will become as blood, and people will hide in the mountains for fear.
b. The Trumpets (Revelation 8-9)
1. During these judgments hail will fall, and fire will burn over a third of the earth.
2. A falling meteor will fall on one-third of the rivers.
3. The fish of the sea will die.
4. One-third of the sea will become blood.
5. Poisons will contaminate one-third of the water supply and many will die.
6. Great darkness will come over the earth.
7. For five months scorpions will sting people on earth.
8. An army of two hundred million will kill one-third of the population.
c. The Vials (Revelation 16)
1. The vials represent God's final judgments for the Tribulation.
2. Awful sores will afflict those with the mark of the Beast (those who follow the Antichrist).
3. Everything in the ocean will die.
4. The water will become blood.
5. The sun will burn hotter than usual and will scorch people.
6. The earth will be thrown into darkness, and great pain will come upon people.
7. The river Euphrates will dry up so the armies of the East can come to Armageddon.
8. Hail will fall, destroying whole cities.
d. The Terrible Death
In the fourth seal, one-fourth of the earth's population will die. With nearly eight billion people living today, that would be almost two billion people dying in a short time. In the sixth trumpet, one-third of the remaining population, another two billion, will die in a short period. Death brings misery and heartache. All the world will feel this heartache over and over again.
>>> Though some of the details are overwhelming, why should we study the end times?
We should be aware of what is to come. As we prepare ourselves to be ready for God's plan for the end of time, we can also help others understand what is to come.