Part Two: The Great Tribulation (Verses 15-35)
Key Verse: "Key Verse: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Verse 21)
Jesus spoke of the abomination of desolation, that we need to heed this. Here, wisdom was to begiven to the reader. This event is not recorded in the scriptures but in the Apocryphal books. It tells of an event in which Antiochus IV conquered Israel and defiled the temple by sacrificing a pig. Now that this event is already finished, Jesus tells us of a future event in which the temple in Jerusalem will be defiled again. Some may argue that there is no Jewish Temple existing, but as we know this future event will mean that what the apostle Paul told us, as he writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4:
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
He will want to be worshipped as God. And then Jesus gave a warning about what will happen, as he tells us to flee into the mountains, a warning to those about to give birth and with child, and that the flight may not be in winter or sabbath. (Verses 15-20)
Jesus then tells us about a Great Tribulation, that it will cause a great suffering upon the people. The suffering will be so great that unless the days be shortened, no flesh will survive. This means that a great population of the world will be wiped out. The nuclear capability of countries right now has increased rapidly. North Korea was successful in their sixth nuclear testing. So do countries like the US,Russia, China and others. This simply means that nuclear wars will be norm. Entire populations and cities will be annihilated, and those that survive will be killed by famines and pestilences. If we think that the Second World War was bloody, then let us wait for the Third One. (Verse 21-22)
He then tells about the rise of false teachers and prophets, who will show different signs. These false teachers will prophesy the coming of the Messiah, and will draw many prople to be deceived. As we approach that day, we know that many so called Pastors and Ministers teach a corrupted gospel. These people pervert the word of God, and only teaches either work based salvation, or carnal things. Most people have given to these teachers. Gone will be the gospel of salvation, replaced with a gospel that God will make us rich here on earth. Some of them will even tell when Jesus Christ will come. Again let us not be decieved. (Verses 23-28)
The last part here describes the coming of the Son of Man. It gives us a picture of how he will come. He will be beheld by every eye in all his glory. He will then tell his angels to gather the elect to him. Jesus tells us the parable of the fig tree, as when the leaves are there, know that summer is here. So, he tells us that when these things happen, his coming is also near. We must therefore be vigilant, and always ready. Let us always be with Jesus Christ. As he has told us,
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."(Verse 35)
This is his promise to us. Let us always stay in his faith. And let us share this gospel of salavtion and hope to those that need it.
Last part next time: May Our Lord Jesus Christ bless you!!!!
BRIAN LUCIANO
SEPTEMBER 7, 2017
