Found in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21, the prophecy voiced by Jesus from the Mount of Olives has affected, is affecting and will continue to affect every human being on earth. However, the carpenter from Nazareth was not the first to utter such warning words to the people of this world. As the Word He had spoken such prophecies through His holy men as recorded in the Old Testament through whom He warned the world about a “great tribulation” that would come upon the earth in the future. This would be a time of suffering and terror unprecedented in the annals of human history. This soon-coming time will mark the end of the world as we have known it. On the bright side, it precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to earth where He will establish the Kingdom of God whose headquarters (New Jerusalem) will stand where ancient Jerusalem now stands. Read The Kingdom of God. Key word–Kingdom.

Though nothing ever written can perfectly describe what the tribulation period will be like, the Holy Scriptures provide enough detail to give us a strong sense of what it will be like. Also made known in Scripture is the ultimate question: WHY A LOVING GOD WOULD ALLOW SUCH A DEVISTATING 2 1/2 YEAR EVENT TO TAKE PLACE? And equally important, WHY HE HIMSELF WOULD DO EVEN MORE DAMAGE TO MANKIND DURING THE FOLLOWING YEAR KNOWN AS “THE DAY OF THE LORD.” Jesus Himself delivered this incredibly graphic description about the immediate future in answer to a question many people have ponder in their minds.

As they sat on the Mount of Olives His disciples asked Him to give them a sign that would precede His return and the end of the world. In the first 28 verses of Mattew 24 Jesus describes the Great Tribulation during which Satan will be allowed to afflict the world’s sinners, including church sinners known as “Sinners Saved By Grace” for 2 1/2 years. Notice in verse 29 He makes an astonishing statement: “And immediately after the tribulation of those days ….” Then He warns of yet another period of time (1 yr.) during which He Himself will afflict the world’s sinners. This period is Biblically known as “the Day of the Lord.” So horrific will that year be that the Prophet Joel describes it as “great and very terrible” (2:11). This day is referred to several times in the Holy Bible.

In Matthew 24:21,22 Jesus said: “For then will be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. and except those day should be shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened”–by Christ’s return to earth. Only in recent times has man had the capacity to destroy every human being on earth. One estimate relative to the destructive power accumulated by the nations notes that there is enough nuclear power available to kill the world’s present population FIVE TIMES OVER. 35 lines

Specific Scriptural prophecies detail the destruction of part of Jerusalem and both America and Britain (England) collapsing first economically, then militarily, disease pandemics, famine, cities filled with violence, then, following that, being totally empty due to destruction that only nuclear weapons can cause. Europe (the “king of the north”) will unite under a powerful leader who will lead the world into its third global war as he attacks the “king of the south” led by Iran. Following this will come the total destruction of America, Britain and what today is known as Israel. Survivors will be taken into other lands as slaves. Parents will be separated from their children. Man will resort to cannibalism in order to stay alive. As did Israel, Americans will eat their own children. These events will all take place during the 2 12 year period known as the Great Tribulation. But the worst is yet to come–the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord.

The Day (year) of the Lord is graphically described in Revelation chapters 8,9,16 and in Zephania chapter one. I suggest you read both references in order to get a God’s-eye view of what is going to come to pass during the present generation who has seen all of the signs of imminent return except one, which could take place within a matter of months. What is prophesied to take place involves the entire world, including the church world, only a minutely few (around 10,000 I believe) within the church will be taken to God’s place of safety just prior to the outbreak of the Great Tribulation. Read about God’s sanctuary for His Very Elect saints where He will take care of them while the world around them becomes a living and dying hell. Key word–Safety. L.J.