The Content of the Period of Tribulation
In approaching the development of this point the scope is so vast that it is impossible within the limited area assigned to this treatise to do anything more than trace the leading aspects of the tribulation period. There are seven such aspects running parallel through this period.
1. The racial aspect gathers about the nation Israel. It has already been pointed out that the tribulation period is identified with the seventieth week of Daniel's prophecy (Dan. 9:27). During this period a number of things mark the history of this people.
There will be a general return of the people to their ancient land, "The children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without a teraphim. Afterward shall the children of Israel return" (Hos. 3:4-5). This suggests that when the seventieth week of her future history begins, Israel will be in existence as a nation. (1948)
There will be contractual relations established as a nation with the prince of the revived Roman Empire. "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week" (Dan, 9:27). This firm treaty with the Roman prince undoubtedly grows out of several factors. They believe him, a Jew, to be the long awaited Messiah (John 5:43). He offers to place them in possession of Old Jerusalem and restore the temple worship in return for monetary and geographical considerations such as will guarantee his rise to power.
There will be a Northern invasion of the land of Palestine. Gog, thought to be Russia, will seek to acquire more territory (Ezek. 38:8), to amass greater wealth (Ezek. 38:12), to destroy the people of Israel (Ezek. 38:16), and to obliterate the very name of God (Ezek. 38:14). At this point God comes to the rescue of His people and completely destroys the northern armies by physiological disturbance, demoralization, pestilence, floods, hail, and volcanic eruption (Ezek. 38: 18-22; 39:2-6). All this happens during the first half of the tribulation period. As with Pharaoh and the wall of water, nature is under the command of God Himself. (Psa. 148:8)
There will be individual rebellion toward the Roman prince, the Antichrist, growing out of the fact that two witnesses minister to the Jews the gospel of grace with its emphasis upon the truth of the returning Messiah (Rev. 11:3-6). As a result 144,000 Jews, 12,000 out of each of twelve tribes, experience salvation (Rev. 7:1-8; 14:1-5). They receive the seal of the living God which protects them from the immediate judgments of God as well as the fury of the Antichrist. This gives them the courage to take their stand, so that no false testimony proceeds out of their mouth.
There will be wholesale persecution initiated against the nation by the Antichrist. This begins with the murder of the two witnesses (Rev. 11:7) and the breaking of the treaty (Dan. 9:27), both of which take place in the middle of the week. Religious freedom will be withdrawn, and in the place of Judaism the pagan worship of the abomination of desolation will be instituted and perpetuated under penalty of death (Rev. 13:14-15). The war against the saints and the nation of Israel will reach such intensity that two thirds of the nation of Israel finally perish (Zech 13:8). The coming of the Lord in glory is the only thing that stops this awful carnage (Matt. 24:22; Zech. 14:1-3)
There will be contractual relations established as a nation with the prince of the revived Roman Empire. "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week" (Dan, 9:27). This firm treaty with the Roman prince undoubtedly grows out of several factors. They believe him, a Jew, to be the long awaited Messiah (John 5:43). He offers to place them in possession of Old Jerusalem and restore the temple worship in return for monetary and geographical considerations such as will guarantee his rise to power.
There will be a Northern invasion of the land of Palestine. Gog, thought to be Russia, will seek to acquire more territory (Ezek. 38:8), to amass greater wealth (Ezek. 38:12), to destroy the people of Israel (Ezek. 38:16), and to obliterate the very name of God (Ezek. 38:14). At this point God comes to the rescue of His people and completely destroys the northern armies by physiological disturbance, demoralization, pestilence, floods, hail, and volcanic eruption (Ezek. 38: 18-22; 39:2-6). All this happens during the first half of the tribulation period. As with Pharaoh and the wall of water, nature is under the command of God Himself. (Psa. 148:8)
There will be individual rebellion toward the Roman prince, the Antichrist, growing out of the fact that two witnesses minister to the Jews the gospel of grace with its emphasis upon the truth of the returning Messiah (Rev. 11:3-6). As a result 144,000 Jews, 12,000 out of each of twelve tribes, experience salvation (Rev. 7:1-8; 14:1-5). They receive the seal of the living God which protects them from the immediate judgments of God as well as the fury of the Antichrist. This gives them the courage to take their stand, so that no false testimony proceeds out of their mouth.
There will be wholesale persecution initiated against the nation by the Antichrist. This begins with the murder of the two witnesses (Rev. 11:7) and the breaking of the treaty (Dan. 9:27), both of which take place in the middle of the week. Religious freedom will be withdrawn, and in the place of Judaism the pagan worship of the abomination of desolation will be instituted and perpetuated under penalty of death (Rev. 13:14-15). The war against the saints and the nation of Israel will reach such intensity that two thirds of the nation of Israel finally perish (Zech 13:8). The coming of the Lord in glory is the only thing that stops this awful carnage (Matt. 24:22; Zech. 14:1-3)
The international aspect gathers about the four great powers of the end time. These four powers correspond roughly to the geographical divisions of the earth. The geographical point of reference is the land of Palestine, which is regarded as the center of the earth (Ezek. 38:12). The phrase "midst of the land" is more correctly rendered by ASV as "the middle of the earth".
The Western power centers in the wilful king, the prince of the revived Roman Empire (Dan. 11:36). He becomes the dominant figure in the ten-king confederacy (Dan. 7:24; Rev. 17:12-13). His rise to power is phenomenal. At first he begins as a minor political figure. He subdues three kings, and then the remaining seven think it well to join with the three in this confederacy. From one triumph to another this Western power moves by the middle of the tribulation period to the place of absolute power over the whole world (Rev. 13: 5, 7).
The Southern power takes in Egypt and the nations to the south (Dan. 11:40). This too is doubtless a confederacy of nations whose interests and ideology and geographical location throw them together. Inasmuch as survival in the midst of conflicting interests makes them join forces, under their leader they push at this king of the west who seems to threaten their existence. It seems quite evident that the Roman power is too great and the southern power falls before legions of Antichrist.
The Northern power is also a confederacy of nations consisting of Russia and its satellites (Dan. 11:40; Ezek. 38:2-3, 5-6). This confederacy of nations push at the western power by invading the land of Palestine. This is probably for the purpose of placing themselves in a more strategic position in relation to the Roman power, as well as for other reasons more suited to its own national interests. But the campaign against the nation of Israel is fatal. God enters the conflict on the side of Israel (Ezek. 38:18-22), and five sixths of the invading legions are annihilated (Ezek. 39:2-6). This removes the Northern threat to Antichrist on his way to world power.
The Eastern power is designated as "the kings of the east" (Rev. 16:12). This also suggests a coalition of nations, doubtless including China, Japan, India, and other lesser nations. These nations bestir themselves toward world conquest which reaches the ears of Antichrist. "Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many" (Dan. 11:44). Quite evidently he is successful in this encounter, for by the middle of the tribulation week he is the monarch of the world (Rev. 13:5, 7). Later during the last half of the tribulation period, perhaps near the end, the kings of the east respond to the summons for mobilization against the city of Jerusalem (Rev. 16:12-16).
The ecclesiastical aspect gathers about the superchurch of the endtime. The seventeenth chapter of Revelation clearly depicts the religious Babylon of the endtime with its confusion of voices. The figure of a woman represents religion in the Revelation (Rev. 2:20; 12:1; 19:7), and the "whore" represents false religion (Rev. 17:1).
The description of the superchurch is from the point of view of her final and fullest development. The word "judgment" denotes the infliction of the sentence upon this religious sytem (Rev. 17:1). This comes at the point of time when this organization has reached its fullest development. It is called a harlot because this apostate organization has forsaken its original companion. Instead of being open and unconcealed, she wears the name "Mystery" (Rev. 17:5) because her power is sinister, subtle, secretive, suggestive, seductive. There is something about this system that is hidden, enigmatic, dark, puzzling, obscure, inscrutable, incomprehensible, unexplained. Though it is one system, yet within it is a whole brood of harlots she has mothered, as well as all the abominations associated with false religion (Rev. 17:5).
The domain of the superchurch is universal. It is said that "the great whore. . sitteth upon many waters" (Rev. 17:1). This is later explained, "The waters which thou rawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (Rev. 17:15). This is a favorite way of describing universality in the Book of Revelation. This is another way of declaring that at last all false religion. has been incorporated into one gigantic organization. This means that all apostate Catholicism, Protestantism, Muslim, the cults, and pagan religion are joined together in this amazing ecumenical organization of the endtime. In order to accomplish this it was necessary to thrust aside all sound doctrine, and this was done, for this organization became the bitterest enemy of the saints even to the point of becoming satiated with their blood (Rev. 17:6).
The duration of the superchurch is contemporaneous with. the career and climax of the beast (Rev. 17:8-11). This apostate organization in its various forms has been riding the beast through the centuries (Rev. 17:3, 7). The seven heads of the beast chart the course of empire through the centuries, and the ten horns mark the climax of his power. The seven heads or mountains mark the movement of great governments. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece are the five that are fallen. Rome is the one during which John writes. Revived Rome is the seventh. The king of the seventh dies, and then comes to life again. He is the eighth, but belongs to the seven. Upon his head are ten horns. These are the ten kings of the Roman confederacy. This marks the climax of the career of the beast. During all this time apostate religion has joined itself to government, and at the end enjoys almost absolute power.
The dominion of the superchurch reaches supreme earthly heights. The final city of prominence in world empire is the city of Babylon. It is the capital city where the king of the world finally centers his government. So great has the power of the false church become that she moves the center of her government to this city and is identified with it (Rev. 17:5, 18). Her dominion over her subjects is characterized by fornication (Rev. 17:2). Her power, attractiveness, seductiveness, and compulsion are irresistible, so much so that the kings of the earth enter into unholy alliance with her. Her devotees become intoxicated with the wine of her fornication. There is a fascination about this system that attracts the millions (Rev. 17:4). Her outward garments of royalty, purple, and scarlet, her vast stores of wealth, her spectacular pageantry of parades and pomp and ceremony compel a following. The filthiness of her traffic is woven into the fabric of her worship. The golden cup offers only abominations to her suppliants. This dominion is also characterized by fanaticism toward all those who disagree with her (Rev. 17:6).
The destruction of the super church occurs at the middle of the tribulation period. This is effected by the Beast and the ten kings when they finally reach the pinnacle of power (Rev. 17:16-17). They submitted reluctantly to the domination of the super church, because they were using her as a means to rise to absolute and complete world power. Having gained this by the middle of the tribulation period, they no longer have any use for the whore. Hating her as they do, they turn upon her, and make her "desolate", that is, withdraw all political and military support. They make her "naked", that is, denude her of all outward finery that gives glamor and attractiveness. They "eat her flesh", that is, they confiscate all her wealth, and leave her standing like a skeleton. And "they burn her with fire". This means that this great system is reduced to rubble. Her buildings, shrines, altars, images, priesthood, finery, are destroyed or confiscated so that nothing remains. In the place of this false worship, Antichrist substitutes the worship of himself (2 Thess. 2:4).
The Southern power takes in Egypt and the nations to the south (Dan. 11:40). This too is doubtless a confederacy of nations whose interests and ideology and geographical location throw them together. Inasmuch as survival in the midst of conflicting interests makes them join forces, under their leader they push at this king of the west who seems to threaten their existence. It seems quite evident that the Roman power is too great and the southern power falls before legions of Antichrist.
The Northern power is also a confederacy of nations consisting of Russia and its satellites (Dan. 11:40; Ezek. 38:2-3, 5-6). This confederacy of nations push at the western power by invading the land of Palestine. This is probably for the purpose of placing themselves in a more strategic position in relation to the Roman power, as well as for other reasons more suited to its own national interests. But the campaign against the nation of Israel is fatal. God enters the conflict on the side of Israel (Ezek. 38:18-22), and five sixths of the invading legions are annihilated (Ezek. 39:2-6). This removes the Northern threat to Antichrist on his way to world power.
The Eastern power is designated as "the kings of the east" (Rev. 16:12). This also suggests a coalition of nations, doubtless including China, Japan, India, and other lesser nations. These nations bestir themselves toward world conquest which reaches the ears of Antichrist. "Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many" (Dan. 11:44). Quite evidently he is successful in this encounter, for by the middle of the tribulation week he is the monarch of the world (Rev. 13:5, 7). Later during the last half of the tribulation period, perhaps near the end, the kings of the east respond to the summons for mobilization against the city of Jerusalem (Rev. 16:12-16).
The ecclesiastical aspect gathers about the superchurch of the endtime. The seventeenth chapter of Revelation clearly depicts the religious Babylon of the endtime with its confusion of voices. The figure of a woman represents religion in the Revelation (Rev. 2:20; 12:1; 19:7), and the "whore" represents false religion (Rev. 17:1).
The description of the superchurch is from the point of view of her final and fullest development. The word "judgment" denotes the infliction of the sentence upon this religious sytem (Rev. 17:1). This comes at the point of time when this organization has reached its fullest development. It is called a harlot because this apostate organization has forsaken its original companion. Instead of being open and unconcealed, she wears the name "Mystery" (Rev. 17:5) because her power is sinister, subtle, secretive, suggestive, seductive. There is something about this system that is hidden, enigmatic, dark, puzzling, obscure, inscrutable, incomprehensible, unexplained. Though it is one system, yet within it is a whole brood of harlots she has mothered, as well as all the abominations associated with false religion (Rev. 17:5).
The domain of the superchurch is universal. It is said that "the great whore. . sitteth upon many waters" (Rev. 17:1). This is later explained, "The waters which thou rawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (Rev. 17:15). This is a favorite way of describing universality in the Book of Revelation. This is another way of declaring that at last all false religion. has been incorporated into one gigantic organization. This means that all apostate Catholicism, Protestantism, Muslim, the cults, and pagan religion are joined together in this amazing ecumenical organization of the endtime. In order to accomplish this it was necessary to thrust aside all sound doctrine, and this was done, for this organization became the bitterest enemy of the saints even to the point of becoming satiated with their blood (Rev. 17:6).
The duration of the superchurch is contemporaneous with. the career and climax of the beast (Rev. 17:8-11). This apostate organization in its various forms has been riding the beast through the centuries (Rev. 17:3, 7). The seven heads of the beast chart the course of empire through the centuries, and the ten horns mark the climax of his power. The seven heads or mountains mark the movement of great governments. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece are the five that are fallen. Rome is the one during which John writes. Revived Rome is the seventh. The king of the seventh dies, and then comes to life again. He is the eighth, but belongs to the seven. Upon his head are ten horns. These are the ten kings of the Roman confederacy. This marks the climax of the career of the beast. During all this time apostate religion has joined itself to government, and at the end enjoys almost absolute power.
The dominion of the superchurch reaches supreme earthly heights. The final city of prominence in world empire is the city of Babylon. It is the capital city where the king of the world finally centers his government. So great has the power of the false church become that she moves the center of her government to this city and is identified with it (Rev. 17:5, 18). Her dominion over her subjects is characterized by fornication (Rev. 17:2). Her power, attractiveness, seductiveness, and compulsion are irresistible, so much so that the kings of the earth enter into unholy alliance with her. Her devotees become intoxicated with the wine of her fornication. There is a fascination about this system that attracts the millions (Rev. 17:4). Her outward garments of royalty, purple, and scarlet, her vast stores of wealth, her spectacular pageantry of parades and pomp and ceremony compel a following. The filthiness of her traffic is woven into the fabric of her worship. The golden cup offers only abominations to her suppliants. This dominion is also characterized by fanaticism toward all those who disagree with her (Rev. 17:6).
The destruction of the super church occurs at the middle of the tribulation period. This is effected by the Beast and the ten kings when they finally reach the pinnacle of power (Rev. 17:16-17). They submitted reluctantly to the domination of the super church, because they were using her as a means to rise to absolute and complete world power. Having gained this by the middle of the tribulation period, they no longer have any use for the whore. Hating her as they do, they turn upon her, and make her "desolate", that is, withdraw all political and military support. They make her "naked", that is, denude her of all outward finery that gives glamor and attractiveness. They "eat her flesh", that is, they confiscate all her wealth, and leave her standing like a skeleton. And "they burn her with fire". This means that this great system is reduced to rubble. Her buildings, shrines, altars, images, priesthood, finery, are destroyed or confiscated so that nothing remains. In the place of this false worship, Antichrist substitutes the worship of himself (2 Thess. 2:4).
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