As alluded to yesterday, according to Jesus and for your consideration without any editorial comments from me, these are the ten things that will continue to multiply and progress as the first three and a half years of The Great Tribulation unfold.
- Deception: “Many will come in My name saying, “I am the Christ, and will deceive many.” (Matt 24:5)
- Dissension: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars … Nation will arise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” (24:6-7)
- Devastation: “There will be famines.” (24:7)
- Disease: “Pestilences.” (24:7)
- Disasters: “Earthquakes in various places.” (24:7)
- Death: “They will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” (24:9)
- Disloyalty: “Many will be offended, will betray one another, and hate one another.” (24:10)
- Delusion: “Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” (24:11) It should also be noted that part of the delusion will be an increase in drug use. One of the characteristics of the end times’ false religion will be what the book of Revelation calls “sorceries” (Rev 9:21) The word John used is pharmakia, from which we get the word pharmacy. It is an ancient reference to the ingestion of drugs. The use of mind-altering substances such as narcotics and hallucinogens will be associated with false religions, doubtless with the approval of the government.
- Defection: “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (24:12) People will turn away from God from one another.
- Declaration: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations” (24: 14) In the midst of the darkness the light of the good news of Jesus Christ will shine brighter than ever. People everywhere will run to Jesus Christ for forgiveness, peace, and life.
Jesus spoke clearly about the Tribulation, but He is not alone. Several passages throughout the Bible describe the events that will occur during the Tribulation period. These descriptions occur in the writings of various OT prophets and in brief references here and there in other books of the Bible. But it is the book of Revelation that describes the Tribulation events in the greatest detail.
Time for a break from this future Tribulation Talk! Tomorrow we’ll focus on Christians being “Called to Fight.” Can we be any more timely?