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Matthew 24:21, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been seen since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

Last week we wrote about THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS returning with His armies of saints and angels to defeat the armies assembled to make war with Him.  We need to examine what led to this.

We have discussed Matthew 24 about events Jesus told His disciples had to happen before His return.  Only two things need to occur before Jesus returns – the rapture of the Church and the rise of the Antichrist.  Look around at what is happening around the world; there is chaos and confusion about what is going on.  Who do we believe?  Think about the confusion and chaos that will occur when suddenly millions of people simply disappear (the rapture of the Church).  Who will be charismatic enough to gain the confidence of the people of the world that remain?  Someone will need to step forward with the answers those “left behind” need to hear; someone that they will willingly pledge to follow. 

Tribulation will last seven years.  The Antichrist will make peace with Israel which will last for three and one-half years. At that time the Antichrist will break the peace treaty and will do everything in his power (the devil’s power) to destroy Israel and any who have not pledged their allegiance to him.  

Permit me to be very general in sharing what will occur during the time of tribulation.  Everything the Antichrist does during this time is to get people to worship him and to destroy Israel and those who give their life to the Lord during this seven year period.  He demands any who follow him to take a mark on their hand or forehead in order to buy and sell.  All others are martyred.

In heaven, the raptured saints, the martyred saints, angels, and the twenty-four elders worship around the throne of God.  Seals, trumpets and bowls of God’s wrath are sent on the people on earth to soften men’s hearts that they would accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Even during this terrible time God is attempting to bring lost souls to Him.  There will be those who do, but most will only harden their hearts.  The arrogance of the Antichrist will finally cause him to gather the armies of the world at the Valley of Megiddo for one last battle.

This is not to be a fearful time for Believers today!  Our blessed hope is to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven worshipping and waiting for the time to be part of the Lord’s army. 

My last Bible class asked me why we were studying this.  Why aren’t we studying how to live like Christ?  My answer was to understand this time should give us the reason to live like Christ - every day.  There is so much more involved during this time of tribulation; it is a very terrible time.  Each of us has the choice to make regarding who we believe Jesus is, what He did on a cross, and what we believe about His resurrection.  It is about the life we lead right now on earth and the attitude about where we will spend eternity.  Christ paid our debt for us so we can live in peace now, looking forward to eternity in heaven.  I look forward to being a part of the army that follows the King into battle.  I pray you do as well.

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