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5. The Great Tribulation is Coming on us (Mark 13:19-20)
MARK 13:19-20
19 For in those days there will be oppression, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. 20 Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days.
Will there be another great tribulation such as occurred during the terrible destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., that the trails of the people of the old covenant might become only a symbol of a greater tribulation to come on all men? The answer is most probably: yes.
As the graces of the new covenant are greater than those of the Old one, so the coming judgment on the people of the world will be more terrible than that which fell on the people of the old covenant.
Read the Revelation of Saint John prayerfully, and compare it with other verses of prophecies written about the future, then you will see the outlines of the judgment which must come if the measure of the sin of the world becomes full.
However, the end of the world will be like these abominations, not single, partial events, but as dissoluteness from all sources of evil, originating from the genius of the criminal who will use the newest and most developed electrical equipments, and nuclear radiations for the destruction of individuals and peoples.
When will the great tribulation come in the end of time? The following events may happen either successively or coincidently, either as a net-work, or gradually:
All men deserve judgment, without differentiation or exception, for all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God. The wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness of men, particularly because they did not accept the living crucified incarnate Christ as their Savior.
Those who believe in the one God are submitted to severe discipline and pressure, that they may deny God’s existence. There will also be persecution in Russia and China against Muslims and Christians simultaneously.
All the Christians who continue to be faithful to God, in spite of the increasing temptations, and remain on earth, must pass through afflictions, particularly the believers of non-Christian origin. They will be purified and purged as gold and silver.
The Jews who hold firmly to their doctrine will be separated from other peoples. They will oppose men, and refuse the true Christ. Then Jerusalem will become the source of decline to all peoples.
The Lord did not only speak about judgment, but he gave comforting support to strengthen hope, saying: “God is able to shorten the time that his elect may not be overburdened. In fact, the Lord occasionally bore the believers as dreamers at times of distress. The Lord will not forget the members of his spiritual body, but he suffers with their sufferings, as he had already said to Saul: “Why are you persecuting me?” when Saul was torturing the believers.
Who are the elect? In the Epistle to the Ephesians (1:4; 2:1), we read that in nature, they are not better than other people, but God has chosen them (in Christ). The blood of the Son of God cleansed them from all sin, and his endless love led them to continue in the life of God. Therefore, man has reason to glory only in the cross. Jesus alone saves sinners, and they do not reject his powerful love, but accept wholeheartedly and willingly the things written from the foundation of the world.
In his first epistle, Peter shows us other depths and mercies choosing us as the people of God in the new covenant (1Peter 2:9-10).
PRAYER: O great holy God, your judgment is just and right. None is righteous before you. The rights of men will not withstand your judgment. We have no right or hope before you, other than the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Help us not to lose this essence in persecution, and keep us from denying you even if our bodies are tormented, but bring many to your salvation, that their choice may be realized through their renewal. Amen.
QUESTION:
- Who will enter into the great tribulation?