Lesson 3 Overview of the Great Tribulation

"Let no one in any way deceive you..." II Thessalonians 2:2

Remember
This week’s lesson brings a shift. We move from early birth pangs that can easily be missed to hard labor. Jesus tells us this will be a time of unprecedented tribulation. In Matthew 24:21 Jesus says, “...such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall.” This period of time is called the Great Tribulation ---- also called the time of Jacob’s distress and Jacob’s trouble.

Jesus gives an overview of the Great Tribulation in Matthew 24:9-14.

“Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 At that time many will [a]fall away and will [b]betray one another and hate one another. 11 Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. 12 Because lawlessness is increased, [c]most people’s love will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. 14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole [d]world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

In Matthew 24:15-28 Jesus gives us many more specifics about the Great Tribulation. He tells us the important event to watch for that will begin the Great Tribulation. He points to Daniel 9:27 where Daniel speaks of the Antichrist breaking a covenant and putting an end to sacrifices and setting up an abomination that leads to desolation. This will begin the Great Tribulation under the reign of the Antichrist and unleash a time of great persecution and martyrdom for both the Jews and believers in Jesus. These events will be so terrible that when Daniel saw his vision it literally made him sick.

When will all these things happen? We all want to know! Paul answers the question in II Thessalonians 2:1-8.

“Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the [acoming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your [b]composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a [c]message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the [d]apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above [e]every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His [f]coming;” This passage teaches us that four things must happen before the return of the Lord and our gathering together to Him. They describe the period of time just prior to His return, the reign of the Antichrist during the Great Tribulation.

- Verse 3 the apostasy — a great falling away, an abandonment of traditional beliefs.

- Verse 4 the man of lawlessness must be revealed. The Antichrist will take His seat in the temple and display himself as God.

- The temple must be functioning.

- Verses 6-7 He who restrains the Antichrist will be taken out of the way.

To reiterate, the above four bullet points must take place before the return of
the Lord or our gathering together to Him. These are the events that will usher in the reign of the Antichrist who will be completely defeated when the Lord returns.

Reflect
Jesus talks about an unprecedented time coming called the Great Tribulation. This will be a time of severe persecution and martyrdom for Jews and believers in Jesus.

How can you prepare spiritually for this time?

What have you learned must happen before the Lord’s return and our gathering together with Him?

This week, how can you practice:
o Hiding God’s Word in your heart?
o Being faithful in the little hidden places of your life?
o Not letting your heart grow cold in love toward others?

Respond
Write out a prayer asking the Lord to give you His strategies so that you can live a life that fully pleases Him. Ask Him to show you how to cultivate spiritual habits that will strengthen you for the journey.

Read these selected Scriptures:
Daniel 9:26, 11:32
II Thessalonians 2:3-4
Revelation 11:7, 13:1, 5-8
Isaiah 31:8
I John 2:22