Some Thoughts on the Great
Tribulation -
by Lewis Zenovay Hrytzak
Although the word “tribulation” is frequently found in
Scripture, and is used to depict suffering, the term “great tribulation” appears only in the gospel a
For instance, in Matthew’s a
On the other hand, the great tribulation
referred to in Revelation 7:14 is about those who are before the throne – not on the throne (with Christ Jesus). Those who
are “before the throne” would obviously include mankind from the time of man’s
fall into sin, even as indicated by Paul in Romans chapter eight. From this
perspective, the tribulation would be great, not in intensity, but in time, or scope.
Some Christians apply Jesus’ words at Mark 13:17 (“But woe
to those who are with child and to those who nurse babies in those days”) to
the period between 66 and 70 AD. Others use these words in support of the
theory that the great tribulation will o
While it is true that such words do, undoubtedly apply (at
least in part) to that window of opportunity before Jerusalem’s fall, it is a
mistake to confine such words to that period alone, for it is obvious (from the
clues given) that Jesus was speaking of much greater things to come. It is also
a mistake to view the great tribulation as a very short period of time (just 3
½ years) and to place it at the time of Christ’s return. Neither position is tenable, as is shown by
the clues given. However, what can help us to understand the great tribulation is
a careful consideration of how it fits into the large scheme of things, that
is, God’s plan of salvation for the human race. In the first place, it would
not seem reasonable to assume that the great tribulation consists of a very
brief period of time, for all the clues given about it suggest otherwise. It is
a time of great trouble that is ‘cut short’ well before the Lord’s
return. It is cut short (as Jesus said) so that the chosen ones (the elect)
might be saved.
Prophecy
Is History - Written In Advance
We must bear in mind that prophecy is really history – history
written in advance. For this reason, it
is only when prophecy is fulfilled that we are in a better position to see, or
understand what had been prophesied. As regards Daniel’s prophecy (which Jesus
cites) we are given many unique and important clues as to its meaning, so let
us look at these clues. Jesus said: “When you catch sight of the “disgusting
thing that causes desolation” (as spoken by Daniel the prophet), standing in
the holy place,” he added: “for then there will be great tribulation such as has not o
Clues
Given in Scripture
1.) “The disgusting thing standing in the holy place” What is the disgusting thing, and what is the
holy place where it is standing?
2.) The disgusting thing causes desolation.
How does it do that?
Daniel 11:31 states: “And forces
from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the
regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.” (NASB)
3.) Forces will desecrate the sanctuary fortress.
How?
4.) What is “the regular sacrifice (or constant feature) that they do away with?”
5.) How, and when,
is the abomination that causes desolation set up?
Daniel 11:32, states: “And those
who are acting wickedly against the covenant, he will lead into apostasy by
means of smooth words. But as regards people knowing their God, they will
prevail and act effectively. (NWT)
6.) How do the wicked act against the covenant, and what is the covenant? How are they led into apostasy?
7.) How do those knowing their God prevail?
8.) (Dan. 11:34) “Those having insight - will be made to stumble “By sword, by flame,
by plundering for (some) days.” How and when is that?
9.) Daniel states
that “they will be helped with a little
help.” How are they “helped with a little help,” and
when?
After saying what he did about the great tribulation in
Matthew 24:21, Jesus then says the following, in verse 22: “In fact, unless those days were cut short,
no flesh would be saved; but on a
10.) How are the days of tribulation cut short, and when?
11.) Who are the “chosen ones” and why is the
great tribulation cut short for their sake?
12.) What does the
term “or no flesh will be saved” mean, and how is one saved?
Referring to those days of great trouble, Jesus said at
Matthew 24:19, 20: “But woe to those who
are with child and to those who nurse babes in those days! But pray that your
flight may not o
From 66 AD, when the Roman armies first arrived at
Yet another clue is found at Daniel 12:11. The prophet states: “And from the time that
the regular sacrifice has been abolished and the abomination of desolation is
set up, there will be 1,290 days.
13.) How long a period is 1,290 days?
Jesus
gave still further clues.
A
14.) What is “the sun that becomes darkened,” and how is it darkened?
15.) What is the moon that will not give its light – and why not?
16.) What are the stars that fall out of heaven, what is that heaven, and how do
they fall out of it?
I submit to you that there is strong historical evidence
that all of these clues have already taken place; that they have all been
fulfilled. Therefore, let us examine history,
and see what happened. As Jesus said, “for then there will be great tribulation such as has not o
One might conclude (as many do) that Jesus only makes
reference to the destruction of
In the very next verse (22), Jesus states: “In fact,
unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on a
If we are to understand this portion of prophecy correctly,
we must bear in mind that God provided his Son, Christ Jesus as a ransom to
save mankind. Indeed, as Paul shows at Galatians 3:16, Jesus is the seed of
promise. However, Paul also shows (in verse 29) that all true followers of
Christ Jesus are part of that seed of promise as well, for they are the
children of Abraham by their faith in Christ Jesus. Moreover, it is by means of these that the
nations, tribes, peoples and tongues must bless themselves during Jesus’ reign.
In this gospel age, these “living rocks” are being built into a temple
for God to inhabit by spirit, even as Peter writes at: 1 Peter 2:5-9. The
construction of this temple is still in progress today, and Christ will return
only when it is complete, for this is “the tent of God” (or tabernacle) that
God has promised for mankind. (See Rev. 21:1-3)
This gospel period coincides with a parable Jesus gave
about a man of noble birth who traveled to a distant country to secure kingly
power for himself. (Luke 19:12) Of course, Jesus is speaking of himself,
for he will return in glory, with kingdom power. However, he will do so only when all the
members of his body have been selected, (or chosen), tried, tested and saved.
Throughout their life, they must be faithful right to the end, as Jesus said at
Matthew 24:13. Those who have done this,
now await a resurrection to life. In any
event, the Church will be fully selected, fully tested and saved before the
Lord’s return.
Therefore, when Jesus said: “… unless those days were cut
short, no flesh would be saved, but on a
Saved or Preserved Alive?
Unfortunately, Jesus’ words, that the great tribulation will be stopped, or cut short (“for the sake of the
chosen ones (the elect), or no flesh will be saved”) is frequently interpreted
to mean preserved alive, but
that is not what Jesus said. Rather, he stated that unless the great
tribulation was stopped, or cut short, no flesh would be saved. Hence, the question, how is one
saved? Is it not by expressing faith in Christ Jesus? Is that not how
anyone can be saved? Why of course! However,
that could not happen in the sort of tribulation Jesus was speaking of, a great tribulation, “such as has not o
Jesus’ words make two things evident: First, there would be unprecedented persecution,
and secondly, if they were to be saved, his followers would have to endure right
to the end. The end of what? Obviously, “to the end” meant to the end of their
life. To some this may seem like somewhat of a paradox, for only if his
followers were faithful until death, would they be saved. And yet, the very
context of Jesus’ words in his Olivet Sermon establishes quite clearly what
Jesus meant by the word ‘saved.’ Clearly, he did not mean “preserved alive.” Of
course death is no great challenge for the true believer. Jesus said: “For whoever wants to save his
soul [life] will lose it, but whoever loses his soul for the sake of me, and the
good news, will save it.” - Mark 8:35 Jesus also said: “Do not fear those who kill
the body but cannot kill the soul.” (Matt 10:28) Yes, they are saved, and will
be resurrected.
In addition to what Jesus said, his disciples further reiterated
that one is saved by means of faith in Christ Jesus. In Acts 16:30, a jailer asked Paul and Silas,
“Sirs, what must I do to get saved?” Their answer: “Believe on the Lord Jesus
and you will get saved, you and your household.” (See Acts 4:12; Rom. 5:10; 10:9;) The fact is that from the time Jesus was on
earth until today, people who have heard of Jesus, expressed faith in him and
faithfully followed in his footsteps are those who are saved – not preserved
alive, but saved! In this way, untold
numbers have been saved, yet they have died in faith and await a resurrection.
When
does the Great Tribulation take place?
During his earthly ministry, Jesus made this remarkable
observation, (at John 9:4) saying: “We must work the works of him that sent me
while it is yet day, the night is coming when no man can work.” The great
tribulation would be a period of utter, spiritual darkness. Jesus clearly states that it would not just
hinder the work he was doing, (a work he commissioned his disciples to do), but
it would be a time when “no man can work.” Well, then, has there ever been such a period
in history? Yes, indeed! Historians
frequently refer to the ‘middle ages’ as ‘the dark ages.’ [See footnote 1] And how dark it was! It was
a terrible “night when no man could work.” A discussion of the Scriptures
(as we have today) was impossible during that period. How so? Well, discussion
of the Scriptures was prohibited by the
If you were to check secular history, covering the period
“from the “world’s beginning until now” (words of Jesus), you will find that
never before was the faith of God’s people put to the test in such a brutal
way. For this reason, the great tribulation had to be cut short.
God had to intervene. Otherwise, no flesh
would be saved because the Roman Church prevented the true message of Christ
from going out to the people. While true
Christians continue to be persecuted (even today), the great tribulation Jesus
spoke of was stopped so that flesh could be saved, i.e., especially “the chosen
ones.”
In Revelation, chapters two and three, there are messages
to the “seven congregations” which I understand to be representative of the
Christian Church during the gospel age. The message to Thyatira (I believe) takes
place within the period of darkness that Jesus referred to as the “night when
no man can work.” Those in Thyatira were told to repent or they would be thrown
into “great tribulation.” At the end of those seven messages, we are
told that those who conquer will be granted to sit down with Jesus on his
throne, even as he conquered and sat down with his Father on his throne. (Rev.
3:21)
Now let us go back and look at some of the clues mentioned
earlier. In Matthew 24:15, 16, Jesus
said: “Therefore, when you catch sight
of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the
prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) then let
those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains.”
Luke’s account states: “”Furthermore, when you see
While this is an obvious reference to the Roman Army laying
siege to
The
Abomination Desolates the Constant Feature
Consider this: Even in the Apostle
John’s day, there were those who denied Jesus as having come in the flesh, for
they believed him to have a ‘spiritual body.’ However, John dealt with this very
strictly. In his second epistle, verse
7, John wrote: “For many deceivers have gone forth into the world, persons not
confessing Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the
anti-Christ.” John’s counsel about such ones was, (verse 10) “never receive him
into your homes or say a greeting to him.”
Why was this matter so serious? It was serious because such persons were
denying that Jesus was the redeemer of the human race, for he could only do
that if he came in the flesh. After all,
he was the second Adam.
John speaks of “many deceivers that have gone forth into
the world” and he calls them the anti-Christ. The apostle Paul also spoke of
such ones and so did Peter. In fact, Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (1
Thess. 2:1-12) clearly shows that a great apostasy would take place before the
Lord’s return. Indeed, it is this
apostasy that triggered the great tribulation that Jesus speaks of in Matthew
24:21. [See
‘The Great Apostasy’ by
William
M. Wachtel.] After
the death of the apostles, the deceivers became even more numerous, and by the
early part of the fourth Century, the majority of Christian Bishops
(elders) [See footnote 2] no longer believed that Jesus came in the flesh. They held
to a docetic view, thinking he was ‘eternally begotten,’ rather than just ”Son
of God” and “son of man.” Only some
Bishops disagreed. Among these was a
prominent priest named Arius. These believed that Jesus came in the flesh and
was the Son of God – not God. [See footnote 3]
For more information, see Rubenstein’s book, When Jesus Became God].
In his book, The Decline And Fall of The Roman Church, author Malachi Martin states
that in 312 A D, Emperor Constantine made an offer to Miltiades, (the Bishop of
Rome) to share in the rule of the Roman Empire by being the Church Head, and
that he,
When this meeting was convened, the bishops named
Now bear in mind that the apostle Paul had written the
Corinthian Christians not to resort to worldly courts to settle their
differences. Yet here was a man, a pagan, leading a Christian meeting to resolve
a dispute as to whether Jesus was God or God’s Son. How disgusting! In so
doing, he was an abomination (standing in a holy place) for he had no business
being there. He actually stood in the “
The majority of Bishops believed Jesus to be God, rather
than the Son of God, so like any other politician, Constantine sided in with
them against the priest Arius and bishops who held that Jesus was God’s
Son. Jesus was, thereby, made God, and
in their way of reckoning, he had no beginning, for he was ‘eternally begotten.’
His position as redeemer was, therefore, marginalized, and his subjection to
his Father ignored. Furthermore, the new
covenant into which his faithful disciples entered (and which required God’s
law to be written on their hearts) became meaningless in this new arrangement
of things, for that, too, was marginalized. It was just as Daniel prophesied: (11:31)
“And those who are acting wickedly against [the] covenant, he will lead into
apostasy by means of smooth words.” That is exactly what happened, because the
issue of redemption, and having God’s law written on one’s heart was pushed
into the background. The new
“Helped
With A Little Help”
However, as Daniel states in (Vs 33) “And as regards those having insight among the
people, they will impart understanding to the many. And they will certainly be
made to stumble by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plundering, for some
days. But when they are made to stumble
they will be helped with a little help.”
Daniel also states that this is “for a refining work, for a cleansing
and a whitening.”
It is interesting to note that in the early centuries of
the
Nevertheless, in the late 7th Century the Pope
of Rome built up a huge Army, and marched on the three Germanic kingdoms that harbored
the Arians and overthrew them. Immediately
after this event, an unprecedented time of persecution began, plunging the Christian
world into utter darkness. It is
interesting to note that even historians refer to that general period as “the
dark ages.” [Refer
to Footnote 1] It was
just as Jesus said: “The night is coming
when no man can work.” This was a time
when those who wanted to learn more about God found themselves arrested and
their goods plundered. They were often imprisoned, beaten, tortured, and many
died by sword or fire. It was truly a
time of horror. Never before, (“since there was a nation”) were people so
cruelly persecuted for their faith in God.
No world power or religious entity had ever been so utterly cruel to its
inhabitants – “not since the beginning of creation,” even as Jesus had
foretold. Under such conditions of
absolute darkness, it was impossible for people to learn about God and Christ
in order to get saved. Therefore, something had to change. That great tribulation had to be
stopped. Otherwise, no flesh would be
saved.
Jesus said those days would be cut short for the sake of
the chosen ones. Why the chosen ones? It
is because such ones are part of the promised seed that is to serve as a
blessing for the families of the earth when Jesus returns in kingdom
power. Moreover, such ones must be
chosen, tested and saved, before Jesus’ return. Even as Paul states in Romans 10:13, 14, “For
everyone that calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” However, how will
they call on him in whom they have not put faith?” How, in turn, will they put
faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone
to preach?” The great tribulation of those
days had to be stopped, cut short, but how?
That great
tribulation was cut
short, I believe, when the power of the Roman Catholic Church was broken by the
Reformation, (an event, I think, that is still in progress today). Many
things have happened to move this along, for instance, the printing press. Later,
free speech, etc. In recent times, we have the facsimile. Today there is e-mail
and the internet. The point is that this media has allowed the message of
Christ to be preached. People are being saved by hearing this message and by
responding to it in faith. In this way, more “stones” are being added the
spiritual temple which continues to be built.
There is yet another clue that I have not mentioned, however,
it is somewhat more difficult to discern. Daniel speaks of it in chapter 12:11.
He writes: “And from the time that the constant feature (or regular sacrifice)
has been removed, and there has been a placing of the disgusting things that
causes desolation, there will be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.” The question is: How long a period is that?
Interestingly, the ninth chapter of Daniel speaks of 70
weeks. It foretells the appearance of
Messiah in the 69th week and “that he must keep the covenant in
force for one week; and at the half of the week he will cause sacrifice and
gift offering to cease.” Historically,
Jesus’ ministry was in force for 3 ½ years, then he was put to death. However, as Daniel prophesied, “he must keep
the covenant in force with the many [natural
Daniel 12:11 informs us that the starting point from which
the 1,290 days begin to count is when the regular sacrifice (constant feature)
is removed. As already considered (in detail) that happened in 325 AD. If we were to count 1,290 years from that
point onward, guess where we would arrive? Answer: Somewhere in the midst of
the Reformation. Is that mere coincidence?
Perhaps it is, but perhaps it is not.
After all, it was then that the absolute power of the Church was broken,
and the great tribulation they inflicted upon those disagreeing with them came
to a halt, [though opposition still followed]. That time of great trouble was
cut short even as Jesus said it would be. In turn, this has allowed for Christ
to be preached openly.
The
Sun, Moon and Stars
Finally, we have Jesus’ words about the sun, the moon and
the stars? Here is what Jesus said, as
recorded by Mark: “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be
darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from
heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.“ (Mark 13:24) How are we to understand this? Undoubtedly, the words: “in those days” has
reference to the tribulation (i.e., after its beginning), for it brings on that
which follows. At any rate, consider how the Hebrews Scriptures already use
those terms.
Sun = A symbol of God’s holy spirit; Micah 3:6
“Therefore, you men will have night, so that there will be no vision; and
darkness you will have, so as to practice divination. And the sun will
certainly set upon the prophets, [no spirit from God] and the day must get dark
upon them. (vs 7) “On the other hand, I myself have become full of power, with
the spirit of Jehovah and of justice and mightiness…” Isaiah 60:20 makes this
same point. He writes: “No more will your sun set, nor will your moon go on the
wane; for Jehovah himself will become for you an indefinitely lasting light…”
Moon = A symbol of the Word (Logos) or Scripture that gives reflected light. To be understood,
it must be illuminated by the ‘sun’ (i.e., God’s holy spirit). The prophets,
Joel, Amos (and others) prophesied that the sun, moon and stars will not give
light. The moon gives reflected light, and in Rev. 21:23 it states: “And
the city (i.e., New Jerusalem, Bride; Tent of God) has no need of the sun nor
of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God lighted it up, and its lamp
was the Lamb.” The Lamb is also spoken of as the word of God. And in Psalm 110:105 it states: “Your
word is a lamp to my foot.” Jesus always conveyed the thoughts of his
Heavenly Father, Jehovah God. He spoke God’s thoughts, never his own.
Like the moon, he reflected God’s wisdom.
This is what the Scriptures do consistently.
Stars = These are God’s servants. Daniel 12:3
states: “And the ones having insight will shine like the brightness of
the expanse, and those who are bringing the many to righteousness, like the
stars to time indefinite, even forever.” Note, however, that one can fall
from God’s favor of enlightenment if one disobeys God, ignoring his wise counsel,
and be a star that has fallen from ‘heaven.”
When seen from this perspective, Jesus words at Mark 13:24
take on special meaning and make a lot of sense. When the “abomination
that makes desolate” was set up 325 AD, the process of desolating the covenant
and constant feature (or sacrifice) began immediately. Consequently, God’s holy spirit did not rest
upon that new arrangement. The spiritual heavens of that time had been shaken.
The ‘stars’ (bishops, or leaders) fell from a position of providing
enlightenment, to a position of darkness. The ‘sun’ of God’s holy spirit had set
upon them and there was no word from Jehovah. It was in this way that “the sun
was darkened” and “the moon (Scriptures, lamp) did not give its light,” for there
was no oil or spirit from God. They came
to be in darkness (like the prophets of old) for they had left God and turned
to the wisdom of man.
Because God was disobeyed, the lamp, his written word,
ceased to give reflected light. Without
God’s illuminating spirit, his word was not understood. Jesus had also
said: “and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens
will be shaken.” That is exactly what happened! The light bearers, the ‘stars,’
that had o
The
Great Tribulation of Revelation 7:14
The great tribulation
of Revelation 7:14 (from which mankind emerges) is a long period of hardship,
trouble, suffering, strife and futility - to which the creation was subjected,
just as Paul writes to the Romans. Those who are said to come out of this
tribulation find themselves, not upon the throne (with Jesus) but, rather,
“before the throne.” This great tribulation embraces mankind from the very beginning,
even as Paul shows in Roman 8:18-23.
Therefore, this great tribulation is triggered by man’s fall into
sin. What is more, those who come out
from this tribulation are referred to by Paul as “those subjected to futility …
on the basis of hope.” They are “the
creation [that] is waiting for the revealing of the Sons of God.” They are “the creation [that] itself also
will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom
of the children of God,” i.e., the “chosen ones.” (See Romans 8:19-21) For this reason, too, these make up “all [the]
nations of the earth [who] will certainly bless themselves” by means of the
Seed, Christ Jesus, and his bride (who are also part of that seed), for this is
in keeping with the grand promise made to Abraham at Genesis 22:18.
Footnote 1: Under ‘Middle
Ages,’ The Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary states the following: “The period
extending from the classical Renaissance, or from the 6th to the 16th
century.” And for ‘Dark Ages” it
states: “The era in European history,
extending from about A.D. 476 to the end of the tenth century, or in more
general terms, to the Renaissance; [also] the Middle ages.
Footnote 2: The English word ‘bishop’
is, in fact, a transliteration of its Greek equivalent. However it actually means
‘elder,’ and such bishops or elders took care of duties in a local
congregation. It was very much later, that the term bishop (elder) came to be
used for an overseer over several congregations. As stated, however, that is not its
Scriptural meaning.
Footnote 3: See Rubenstein’s book, When Jesus
Became God. The Author points out that after the death of
Constantine, one of his sons favored the Eastern Church against the
Footnote 4: The three Germanic
tribes were not, themselves, Arian.