--Matthew 24:21
[1] This is the verse where “THE Great
Tribulation” gets its name. Jesus is speaking to Jews in this passage.
Verse
:21 is connected in one unbroken thought with verse :15, where Jesus references
the abomination that makes desolate spoken of by Daniel the prophet [Daniel was speaking to Jews about Jerusalem when he wrote that].
This
particular time of affliction [Matthew 24:21], is synonymous with the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”
predicted by Jeremiah. The Time of Jacob’s Trouble, is synonymous with The last
seven years of Daniel’s seventy weeks, which are broken up into two 3 ½ year
phases.
Verses 10-25 [Matthew] are not speaking of the sacking of Jerusalem in A. D. 70.
Jesus is speaking here of the seven years immediately preceding his Second Coming, which will be the most horrific seven years in the entire history of
the earth—“such as not since the beginning of the world to this time nor ever
shall be [again].
The only reason anyone argues about the term THE Great
Tribulation, is that it has to do with the timing of the harpazo/rapture. If
not for that controversy, no one would have issue with the fact that in Matthew
24:21, Jesus is speaking of a time of trouble that will not only eclipse all
other times of affliction, but will be the tribulation that ends all
tribulation—such will never happen again, because the Prince of Peace will come
personally to end it and establish his Kingdom.
Thus, the great affliction, spoken of by Jesus in Matthew
24:21, is synonymous with THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE and can correctly be called THE
GREAT TRIBULATION.
Regardless of what one believes about the timing of the Resurrection/Harpazo,
THE GREAT TRIBULATION / THE TIME OF JACOB'S TROUBLE, is a seven year time period [of which the last 3 1/2 years will be catastrophically worse] that immediately precedes the 2nd
Coming of our Lord.
