The Great Tribulation

Kim Alexander

Understanding the End Times • Sermon • Submitted 2 years ago

Revelation 6–16

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In this sermon we deal with the three stages of the Tribulation - the seal, trumpets, and bowl judgments.

Notes

Transcript

Introduction: It is important that we teach about the Tribulation but remember this period is not designed for God's people but for Jews to come to faith in Christ as Savior. As Christians we must be faithful in presenting facts of the Tribulation in a clear manner. As the church we can expect purification, but not the wrath of the Tribulation as described in the book of Revelation. However, those who reject Jesus Christ as savior will have to face the horrors of the Tribulation if they are still living when Christ takes the Church through the Rapture.

Those living during this period will be forced to decide. Will they worship the antichrist, and receive the Mark of the Beast, or will they choose God? There will be no neutrality. Those who choose God will face martyrdom (Revelation 6:9-11, 20:4-6). Those who choose the antichrist will be stubborn, wicked men who will deserve every bit of judgment that comes their way.

Tribulation deﬁned: “It is a Latin word, tribulum, which was an agricultural tool used for separating husks from corn. As found in the Bible, the theological implications would include such concepts as pressing together, an afﬂiction, a burdening with anguish and trouble, a binding with oppression.”

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians who believed that they had missed the Rapture, and that the Day of the Lord had begun. We read in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 the following,

"Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes ﬁrst, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that IS called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when l was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 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. And then the lawless one will be revealed, destroy with whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason, God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

The Tribulations during the Tribulation

Revelation 6:1-16:21

Have you ever studied the GREAT TRIBULATION that will occur upon the world as described in the book of Revelation? There will be some very hideous scenes that will come upon the world. It will make anything you and I have lived through here on earth look like a flat tire on a busy highway.

The judgments of the Tribulation Period will be broken into three very distinct segments known as:

· The Seven Seal Judgments – Revelation 6:1-8:6

· The Seven Trumpet Judgments – Revelation 8:7-11:19

· The Seven Bowl Judgments – Revelation 16:1-21

Now, let’s get into Scripture and see what’s coming. The first thing we have are…

I. The Seven Seal Judgments – Revelation 6:1-8:6

We will begin with the Seven Seal Judgments, and the first four Seal Judgments involve the four horsemen of the apocalypse.

Dr. Billy Graham wrote an excellent book with the title: Approaching Hoofbeats – The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. We read about these coming four horses and their riders in Revelation 6:1-8. Open your Bible to this passage and let’s look at these horses and their riders.

· First Seal - White horse (Antichrist) – Revelation 6:1-2

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Dr. Tony Evans calls the rider on the white horse. “a geopolitical leader.”

Every Bible commentator that I have read believes that this rider will be a counterfeit Christ. He will be the Antichrist. Notice that he has a bow in his hand, but no arrows. His end game is “conquering and to conquer.”

I want you to also notice that he wears a crown on his head. We don’t see this in our English Bible, but in the Greek this crown here is a “stephanos” crown, which was the crow given to those who are victorious in athletic games. It is the crown of conquering. In contract the crown that we see Jesus wearing in Revelation 19:12, is the “diadem” crown, which is the king’s crown.

· Second Seal - Red horse (War) – Revelation 6:3-4

When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.” Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

The rider on this horse was granted to take peace away from the earth, and that people should kill one another. He was given a great sword.

Here we have chaos, violence, and murder in the streets. I might mention that the “sword” here in this verse is not used for chopping fruit and salad. It is a weapon of death.

· Third Seal - Black horse (Famine) – Revelation 6:5-6

When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

The rider on this black horse will carry a pair of scales in his hands. He rides around declaring that a quart of wheat cost a denarius (a day’s wage), and a quart of barley a denarius (a day’s wage). This horse speaks of famine and scarcity. He was told not to harm the oil and the wine. Some Bible teachers speculate that this speaks of the top 1% richest people in the world.

· Fourth Seal - Pale horse (Death) – Revelation 6:7-8

When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.

The rider on the pale horse is named death, and hades followed him (hades is the grave). Power will be given to him over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth. This tells us that there are four ways to die.

There will be widespread death. During the Tribulation one out of four people will die! With today’s population this would be something close to two billion people.

· Fifth Seal – Martyrs for the sake of the Word of God – Revelation 6:9-11

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Many people will die martyrs’ death during the tribulation for the sake of the word of God. These will want to be avenged. But God will tell them to wait until the number of martyrs has been fulfilled. White robe of redemption will be given to these martyrs.

· Sixth Seal – Earthquake, and cosmic signs in the heavens – Revelation 6:12-17

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”

The Sun will become black like sackcloth, and the moon will become blood red. As you read about the sixth seal it appears as if some type of nuclear disaster will occur, and people of every economic status will seek to hide in the caves of the earth. Many will wish that the mountains would fall in on them.

Revelation 6:17 – For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?

· Seventh Seal – As the seventh seal is opened – Revelation 8:1-6

When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

The final seal is opened, which is the prelude to the seven trumpets. As the seal is open, we are told that there is silence in heaven for the space of one-half hour. What John sees is so horrific that it stops all speech.

Look with me at verse 6,

So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

The seven seals were bad, but the seven trumpets will be very bad!

II. The Seven Trumpet Judgments – Revelation 8:7-11:19

I remind you that in the Bible when you read about the trumpet that it was used for three reasons:

1. To call people to worship.

2. To call people to battle.

3. To alert people of pending judgment (as used here in our text).

Now, let’s look at the Seven Trumpet Judgments:

· First Trumpet Sounds – Revelation 8:7

The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.

Hail and fire mixed with blood. A third of the earth's vegetation will be destroyed.

· Second Trumpet Sounds – Revelation 8:8-9

Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

A great mountain burning with fire will be thrown into the sea. A third of the sea becomes blood. A third of living creatures in the sea will die. A third of ships on the sea will be destroyed.

· Third Trumpet Sounds – Revelation 8:10-11

Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.

A star from heaven falls on the rivers and springs of water. Bible teachers believe that this is a large meteor/asteroid. In the Greek this “star” is called “wormwood” meaning, bitter. A third of the waters become undrinkable, and many men will die.

· Fourth Trumpet Sounds – Revelation 8:12-13

Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

A third of the sun, moon, and stars will be struck, so that they become darkened (a third of the day will not shine).

I want to draw your attention to Revelation 8:13,

And I look, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”

One woe is not good.

Two woes are very bad.

Three woes are horrific.

· Fifth Trumpet Sounds – Revelation 9:1-12

Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them. The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon. One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.

Another star will fall from heaven (Satan) and a key is given to him to open the bottomless pit (the abode of demons – Luke 8:31), and when he opens the bottomless pit smoke ascends out from the pit, and air becomes dark. And out of the smoke locusts will come forth. These locusts will not harm the earth, but only those who do not have the seal of God upon them. They will not be allowed to kill people, but for five months they will torture them with stings like a scorpion. It will be so painful that people will wish death upon themselves. A description is provided for what the locusts look like. I’ll not go into detail here, but I believe what we are reading about are hideous demon creatures who leader is Satan himself.

Look with me at Revelation 9:12,

One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.

· Sixth Trumpet – Revelation 9:13-21

Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm. But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Four angels will be released who are bound at the great river Euphrates. These four angels had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, when they are released, they will kill a third of mankind (they will die from plagues).

You would think that this great Tribulation would bring people to repentance, but it doesn’t. Man continues to harden his heart against God, and he continues to worship demons. Man will not repent of his murders, sorceries, or sexual immorality.

Revelation 11:14 reads,

The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

· Seventh Trumpet Sounds – Revelation 11:15-19

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.” Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

The kingdom of God and worship of God will be presented.

Look at Revelation 11:15,

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

The twenty-four elders in heaven that represent both Jews and Gentiles (12 tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles) fall on their faces, and they worship God. This is the ultimate purpose of the Tribulation.

In these verses we see into heaven and into the temple of God in heaven.

So, this concludes the Trumpet Judgment. We have seen that the Seal Judgments were bad, and that the Trumpet Judgements very bad, and we are going to discover that the Bowl Judgments will be very, very bad.

It will be a very dark time during the Great Tribulation.

III. The Seven BowlJudgments – Revelation 15:1-16:21

In Revelation 15, we are told about the seven angels who have the seven last plagues, and we read about the Seven Golden Bowls full of the wrath of God.

In Revelation 16:1, we read,

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.”

· First Bowl of God’s wrath – Revelation 16:2

So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.

The first bowl of God’s wrath will be poured on the earth and foul and loathsome sores will come upon all those who received the mark of the beast and worship his image.

What an awful picture. Foul and loathsome sores! Not something I would want to experience.

· Second Bowl of God’s wrath – Revelation 16:3

Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.

The second bowl of God’s wrath will be poured into the sea, and it will turn into blood, and every living creature in the sea will die.

I’ve seen dead fish floating on the surface of lakes and rivers. Stinks terribly. Can you imagine what our oceans would look like when all living creatures in the sea die and their carcass floats on the surface and rots. Stinky, stinky!

· Third Bowl of God’s wrath – Revelation 16:4-7

Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying: “You are righteous, O Lord, The One who is and who was and who is to be, Because You have judged these things. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, And You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.” And I heard another from the altar saying, “Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments.”

The third bowl of God’s wrath will be poured upon the rivers and springs of water, and they will become blood. The purpose of this plague is to remind those still living that they had shed the blood of saints, and now they are given blood to drink as a reminder – it is their just due.

By the way, this is God’s righteous judgments.

· Fourth Bowl of God’s wrath – Revelation 16:8-9

Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.

The fourth bowl of God’s wrath will be poured out on the sun. It seems that the heat from the sun will now scorch men with fire. They will be scorched with great heat, and they will blaspheme the God who controls these plagues. Instead of repenting they continue to harden their heart against God.

· Fifth Bowl of God’s wrath – Revelation 16:10-11

Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues because of the pain. They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.

The fifth bowl of God’s wrath is poured out on the throne of the beast and his kingdom will become full of darkness.

Have you ever been in total darkness? It is awful! This text tells us that they will gnaw their tongues because of the pain. Yes, darkness will cause pain. And even in all this darkness, sores and pain people who follow the beast (the Antichrist) will not repent and turn to God

· Sixth Bowl of God’s wrath – Revelation 16:12-16

Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

The sixth bowl of God’s wrath is poured out on the river Euphrates, and its water is dried up, so that they ways of the kings of the east might be prepared. Unclean spirits come out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan), the beast (the Antichrist), and the false prophet. The whole world will gather for a battle. What we are looking at here the preparation for the battle of Armageddon.

· Seventh Bowl of God’s wrath – Revelation 16:17-21

Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great.

The seventh bowl of God’s wrath will be poured into the air. A loud voice is heard coming from the throne saying,

“It is done!”

There will be a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth (This alone tells me these events are future). We haven’t had a world-wide earthquake. But it is coming! What will happen then?

· The great city Jerusalem will be divided into three parts.

· Nations will fall (crumble).

· God’s wrath will be poured out on Babylon (world system).

· Every island fled away.

· Mountains will not be found.

· Great hail stones will fall from heaven weighing 200 pounds. Imagine the damage from just one hail stone weighting 200 pound.

Even in all this utter destruction mankind will refuse to repent and acknowledge God.

Conclusion: The Great Tribulation will be a time of judgment, but it will also be a time of great evangelism. God will not only be judging Israel and gentiles for their unbelief, but He will have His plan in motion to continue to offer salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

In Revelation 7 we have the 144,000 Jewish evangelist. 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. And they will declare a salvation message to all who are going through the Great Tribulation. We read that a great multitude which no one could number of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongue will respond and be saved. Yes, it will be a period of great harvest for God’s kingdom.

In Revelation 11 we have the two witnesses (Moses and Elijah) who will also preach a message of salvation during the Great Tribulation for three and one-half years. These two will be like our two great evangelist of the 20th century - Billy Graham and Luis Palau. They will extend an altar call for them to come just as they are. Our text doesn’t tell us how successful their great preaching campaigns will be, but they will be faithful to death, and they will be resurrected, and then they will be caught up into heaven.

In Revelation 14 we read about an angel flying in the midst of heaven having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth – to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. No one left out!

What’s his message – Look at Revelation 14:7 - “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

How do you suppose God wants you and I to be living today considering the coming Great Tribulation? As the church we too must evangelize the lost. We too must preach Jesus Christ. We too must carry the gospel to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. No one must be left behind! Share Jesus Christ with your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

The Hymn writer H. Ernest Nichol penned these great words,

We've a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light, a story of peace and light.

Refrain:

For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright, and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.

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