Great Tribulation, Part 2

Matthew 24:15-28

Last time, we began looking at this section of the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 where Jesus tells about great tribulation. He says in Matthew 24:21, “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.” This time describes what will take place on earth prior to the return of Christ. It’s that unprecedented period of trouble that is mentioned in several places in the Old Testament. Isaiah 26:20 calls it “the indignation“. Jeremiah 30:7 calls it “the time of Jacob’s trouble“. Joel 2:1 refers to it by the broad name “the day of the LORD“. Daniel 12:1 calls it “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time“.

Remember that in Matthew 24-25 Jesus is teaching His disciples about His “coming … and the end of the age” in answer to their question in Matthew 24:3. We already saw in Matthew 24:4-14, some general signs, or birth-pains, that will characterize the times that precede Christ’s coming. And last time we looked in detail at Matthew 24:15 where Jesus describes More →