Matthew 24:15-31

“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” (Matthew 24:21–22, NKJV)

We tend to go through life thinking that all things will continue as they always have. Each day the sun rises and sets, we wake up and we return to bed. We deal with life’s problems, and for the most part, they are manageable. But God has warned us about a time that is coming that will be totally unlike anything we have experienced. It is known as the Great Tribulation, and it stands alone in all history. God will pour out judgment on the world, and billions of people will die.

The last seven years will begin with Israel signing a covenant with the Antichrist (or Beast as he is called in Revelation). We believe this covenant will enable Israel to rebuild their temple because after three and a half years, the Antichrist will set up his image in the temple and demand to be worshiped as God. This is known as “the abomination of desolation,” and it was spoken of by Daniel. This marks the beginning of the Great Tribulation—three and a half years of unimaginable disasters, plagues, and suffering. We do not know everything that will happen then, but we do know that we don’t want to be here! Fortunately, we don’t have to be.

“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9–11, NKJV)

Those of us who believe in Jesus Christ can be comforted knowing that we are not appointed to wrath. Jesus satisfied the wrath of God against our sins when He died on the cross. Now we are appointed to receive salvation when Christ comes for His Bride. Jesus told the church of Philadelphia that because they kept His command to persevere, He would also keep them from the hour of trial that will come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth (Revelation 3:10). We may comfort and encourage one another as this time approaches because we know that our redemption is drawing near (Luke 21:28). But we should also warn those who do not know Jesus, because the time on this earth will be so terrible that no flesh would survive if God did not cut those days short.