Chapter 23. The Tribulation - Dispensational Truth

The Scriptures speak of a "Great Tribulation" that is coming on the earth. Jesus in His "Olivet Discourse" uttered on the Mt. of Olives on the Tuesday evening before His Crucifixion, said- "Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the Elect's Sake (the elect of Israel) those days shall be shortened." Matt. 24:21, 22.

Regarding the context of this prophecy, that this Tribulation was not the terrible sufferings that befell the Jewish people at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, is clear, because many of the things that are to happen before and after "The Great Tribulation," did not happen at the destruction of Jerusalem.

I. The "FACT of the Tribulation

Our Lord's prophecy does not stand alone. It is backed up by other prophecies both in the Old and New Testament. Turning to the Old Testament we find descriptions of this period of suffering:

• Jer. 30:4-7: it is the time of "Jacob's Trouble," and is compared in its sufferings to the "birth pangs" of a woman.
• Ezek. 20:34-38: it is spoken of as the time when Israel shall "Pass under the Rod."
• Ezek. 22:19-22: we read how that God is going to cast Israel into His "Melting Pot," where they are to be refined as "gold is refined."
• Other References: See also Malachi 3:1-3, and Zech. 13:9. Daniel speaks of it as a "Tim...

These biblical resources provide a clear overview of the predicted events and the spiritual significance of the coming days of trouble for Israel.